Herb Spiral – How to – Organic NZ Article « The Growers Exchange. The Growers Exchange specializes in herb plants - Culinary, Medicinal, and Aromatic.
We are your source for both rare and unusual herbs as well as our 'usual suspects'. Whatever your needs, we have a farm-fresh herb plants for you to buy online. So, whether you need a basil plant for pesto or a white sage plant to ward off spirits, you will find them all here at The Growers Exchange, your source for quality herb plants. Please Note: We sell plants online, NOT seeds. Our plants are big, healthy, well rooted and ready to plant - our standard pot is 3.5 inches. Sweet Local Farm. Pretty soon I’ll be drinking fresh mojitos by the pool with muddled mint from….my new herb spiral!
“Herb spirals apply a pattern evolved in 1970 by Bill Mollison. The 6-8 foot diameter spiral at the heart of the herb spiral creates a diverse mini-ecosystem intended for planting commonly used herbs just outside one’s back door. Its three-dimensional nature creates drainage, sunny dry spots for oil-rich herbs such as thyme, sage, and rosemary, and moist partially-shaded spots for green foliage such as parsley, chives and coriander. In permaculture, the spiral bed is a favorite method to combine beauty, productivity, and variety in a small space.” from Center for Sustainable Community Here is how I made the spiral: I used rocks we pulled out of the field. I filled the layers with loam and well composted leaves. Here is the completed spiral! I planted chives, mint, dill, basil, parsley, cilantro, catnip.
Update***- Check out the herb spiral now! Grow Herb Gardens with The Growers Exchange. Sweet Local Farm. I built and planted my herb spiral about a month ago.
I started most of the herbs from seed including cilantro, basil, chives, dill, and parsley. They all sprouted and are thriving! It is amazing to touch the stones and feel the heat they collect and store from the sun. It really makes for a unique microclimate. Click here to learn how to build a herb spiral. So many herbs in such a compact space: The apple balm has grown so fast and lush. We chop up the herbs and eat them on everything: There is even cat nip for Tofu: How to build a herb spiral. Many people seem to be interested in herb spirals, and rightly so if done properly they need little maintenance and can keep you in herbs all year round.
For me they encompass all manner of permaculture principles from how close to house you can get it to including a a small pond so frogs can do some of the slug hunting for you. Basically the idea behind them is to get as many different herbs as possible in a confined area. The spiral and the subsequent hight differences mean that you create a number of different environmental conditions which normally would not be possible in a small space. The small area also means that they are ideal for a small garden and harvesting and watering is easy. How it works is that you have a spiral bed in which to plant, this is held together with a structure of rock, brick or anything really that can absorb the heat of the sun through the day which in turn heats the soil.
When it’s finished, water it well and allow it to settle. Like this: Like Loading...