If your flowerbed has been worked before and has good structure and drainage, try our Bedding Plant mix. Compost is the best thing for herbs. People want to stay away from chemical or fast acting fertilizers of any kind with herbs. When you have a stimulated growth in herbs, the flavor and aroma is diluted due to rapid growth. With compost, the nutrients will be released at a slower rate and you will have a more natural growth rate.
Any ash is very alkaline.
I would not recommend the use of ashes in an alkaline soil. Compost will aid any garden by adding air space, drainage and nutrient retention. The biggest benefit in a vegetable garden will be noticed in root vegetables. By loosening the soil, root vegetables are allowed to grow and expand to their full potential without being restricted by tight soils.