PDC LESSON 2.9 DESIGN – THE ADVANTAGE OF AN HERB SPIRALS

 

PERMACULTURE COURSE AGRO-ECONOMY

PDC LESSON 2.9 DESIGN – THE ADVANTAGE OF AN HERB SPIRALS

 

The real benefit of the herb spiral is for urban gardeners. But if you want to know how to build an herb spiral for yourself, then here are some reasons you should do that.

Make the Most Out of Small Places

An herb spiral is an excellent option for small spaces and gardens. The surface area increases for planting to optimize the use of the area. Additional growth is done vertically. Usually, people make their spiral gardens around 3 m in diameter and then add more height if needed.

You Can Grow Different Herbs

In the herb spiral design, you can grow different varieties of herbs that require different environments. For example, sage, thyme, and rosemary need full sun exposure.

You can place them on top in the spiral. Towards the bottom, you can plant those herbs that require less sun exposure and more moisture, such as mint varieties, etc.

In this way, you can provide microclimates to different herbs in the same place, keeping everyone happy including yourself when it comes time to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Healthy Produce

By building the spiral herb garden, you're going to fulfil the needs of each plant. When their needs are fulfilled, they will thrive and give you the highest quality produce.

You can position each plant according to its requirements. For example, if you wanted to plant a tree with big leaves, you could plant it above a bush that requires protection from the sun.

In this way, both your plants will survive and thrive in a better environment. It works the same way in an herb spiral diagram when you lay it out before building.

Make Use of Your Concrete Surface

Herb spiral can be made, survive, and thrive even on the concrete surfaces available. There's no need for excessive digging or anything else. Most of us have patios or decks where we're not sure how to use the space. This is a great addition to bring some color and life to an otherwise dull area.

Herb Spirals are Easy to Work With

These are extremely easy to work with, and you can harvest and maintain your beloved herbs without much trouble. If your back hurts from bending too much, then this herb spiral design is for you.

You can use the top of your spiral for the herbs you need daily. It's also easy to water all your plants. It's completely low maintenance once you've built it.

Saves You Money

By building an herb spiral in your garden, you'll save the money you spend on fresh herbs. Whenever you need any herb, you can just go to your garden and collect it from there. It saves time on preparation and runs to the store too.

Maintenance is Easier

Not many people have the time and energy to maintain a big garden at their place. However, a spiral is easier to maintain, and by setting irrigation, you will be free from watering your herbs daily. All you have to do is mulch, sow, and harvest.

Pest Control is Built-in 

A good herb spiral depends upon the position of each herb. If you place herbs that consist of intense fragrance, you will get yourself built-in pest control. Most pests and insects do not come closer to plants that have a strong scent. We've talked about this before in posts like .

The benefits from building one of these are mutual; a nicely built spiral will benefit your whole garden. If you have flowering herbs, they will attract bees and butterflies, which are essential pollinating agents. In this way, your full garden remains in good shape and maximum produce.

Low-Cost Building

The building of an herb spiral can be done at very low costs. You can use materials lying around in your house and have fun being creative with your spiral. If you want to make it a bit nicer, the small amount of lumber you'll need will be a negligible cost.

Create Your Bio-Diverse Habitat

If your garden has a pond at its bottom, building a herb spiral close to it will attract all types of wildlife. For example, frogs and lizards are essential living beings around your garden as they are going to eliminate mosquitoes and eat up pests and insects.

It'll save your garden from pests and unwanted insects. Some of these herbs are plants that repel mosquitos too.

That's How to Make an Herb Spiral

In conclusion, an herb spiral garden close to your kitchen will benefit you in so many ways. Just walk out onto your back patio or into your yard and gather the herbs you need.

You will forget about eating bland food with just salt and pepper once you taste your homegrown basil, parsley, rosemary, and thyme. Sage is my favourite, so I recommend you growing that in your herb spiral.

Text from the roots, Elisabeth Ferkonia (Aus.) PDC studied with Bill Mollison,