RIGHT SOIL FOR
  RIGHT HERBS

To make good soil.  That is one of the most important thing in growing good herbs, especially in Japan.
  Most common herbs grew wild on the coast of Mediterranian Sea through Europe where its soil are alkaline and its summer dry and cool.  Well, Japanese environment is unfortunatelly opposite - soil are acidic and summer is humid and hot!
   But there is always a way to solve these problems.
   Here's what to do.

::::::Making Well-drained, rich soil
::::::Herbs you can plant - basil, chives, parsely, mint, lemonbalm,chervil, dill, fennel, savory, sorrel etc.

1. Mix 12 litre akadama(see word search for info.),  6 litre huyodo(leaf mold),  2 litre vermiculite, 2 tbs quick lime and 2tbs organic fertilizer or MaguampK.

2. Mix them well and leave it for 1 to 2 weeks before planting so that the quick lime blend into the soil well.  (I sometimes use them straight away though, and haven't had any trouble so far)

3. Do not let the soil get wet!!

:::::Making well-drained, light soil
:::::Herbs you can plant - rosemary, thyme, sage, lavender, caraway, oregano, marjoram, borage, burnet, coriander, lovage, vervena, etc.

1. Mix 10 litre akadama, 4 litre huyodo, 2 litre vermiculite, 2litre kanuma tsuchi, 2tbs quick lime  and 2tbs organic fertilizer or maguamp K.

2. The rest is same as above.

***Naomi's Note***                                                                                                                 
   It is always better to use organic fertilizer than artificial ones. Because they can make the growth of the plant too lush resulting in herbs with poor falavor.
   But one problem is that insects like organic fertilizers.  During the rainy season when the air gets very humid, it is time for the insects to become active and  propagate.  These insects seems to propagate more in containers that use organic fertilizers than the ones with artificial fertilizers.
   If you really hate insects, then I recommend that you use MaguampK.  There will be just a little difference, you won't feel the difference unless you have a really really good nose!