Why Is My Soil Still Wet And My Plants Are Drying

Question

I have purchased a raised garden bed to grow herbs in and I started planting them in late august 2020. Some herbs have started to grow perfectly fine but some have started to dry up and I haven’t given them water in few weeks as the soil is very wet and has turned green on the surface and its not drying I’m not really sure what could be the cause. I am a beginner in gardening and would love to learn what exactly went wrong and how can I correct it. The following links is I what I purchased to make my raised bed: This is the raise bed that I’ve placed on the ground in my garden: https://www.diy.com/departments/verve-large-raised-bed-kit-0-96m/1889037_BQ.prd This the container that I’ve placed inside the bed where I filled it with compost and soil: https://www.diy.com/departments/verve-polypropylene-pp-raised-bed-plant-container-liner-172l/1872287_BQ.prd I then covered it with a mesh tunnel: https://www.diy.com/departments/verve-0-88m-grow-tunnel-cover/1880231_BQ.prd and when it rains or too windy and too cold I cover the mesh with this poly vinyl tunnel: https://www.diy.com/departments/verve-0-88m-grow-tunnel-cover/1901496_BQ.prd The compost and top soil that I used are: https://marshallsgarden.com/products/westland-the-gardeners-choice-compost-50l-10904677 Westland 35L Top Soil Multi Purpose For Grass Seed Lawns Planting Vegetables https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153988169045 I mixed them around 70% compost and 30% soil I planted in one raised bed: parsely, sage, mint, dill and beetroot and in another bed: parsely, sage, mint, dill, cress and gigante spinach however only the parsely is frowing well but the rest have started to wither and dry away. I have attached pictures of how it looks inside the bed:

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Answer 1

I probably would have used much less compost and added some perlite to aid drainage. The compost is making the soil very rich and probably helping to hold water. (usually 1/4 of the soil mix is plenty for compost.) The liner also has a floor, which is holding some water (even though the ad says it allows water to pass). The green on top of the soil is evidence it's too wet and/or in the shade. Do you have it in full sun? Make sure it isn't cooking with the grow tunnel in place.

I definitely wouldn't water as long as the soil seems wet. You could try misting the ones that look dry.

In the photos most of them look good to me, the sage and cress are a little sad. They are probably rebelling against the too rich and wet soil. If you can lightly work some sand or perlite into the sides may help.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/compost-as-soil-amendment.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/herb-garden-tips-and-tricks.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/should-i-prune-herbs.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/herb-plants-growing-in-one-pot.htm