Herb Spiral

An herb spiral is a low cost, practical and attractive vertical gardening solution for urban gardeners with limited space and sun.  An herb spiral can be built directly on top of the ground or any hard surface. It is highly productive by allowing you to grow more in less space, and energy efficient by using less water.

The spiral ramp provides a planting area large enough to accommodate all your common culinary herbs.  Unlike a flat garden, an herb spiral is in three dimensions.  The design is easily accessible from all sides for planting, watering, fertilizing and harvesting.  The spiral-shaped form allows water to drain freely and seep down through all layers, leaving a sunny, drier zone at the top and moister conditions towards the bottom.  See instructions for building an herb spiral below.




How to Build an Herb Spiral

Step 1:  Measure and mark the circular area (between 4-7 feet) with a string attached to a stake at the center.  You may also use a bucket (pictured) to determine the spiral path.

Step 2:  If building on the ground, layer newspaper or cardboard to create a barrier to stop weeds from growing.

Step 3:  Lay out bricks or rocks for the outer perimeter and work inwards to create the spiral wall structure.  Leave 1-1.5 feet between rows for adequate planting space.  Add soil amended with compost.

Step 4:  Plant herb starts/seedlings for the most success.  Place herbs that require the most drainage and heat near the top, and herbs that require more moisture, shade or shelter lower on the structure.  Herbs such as oregano, rosemary, thyme and lavender prefer the sunny, dry conditions at the top of the spiral.  In lower levels, plant herbs that require moister conditions, such as basil, sage, tarragon, and parsley. Herbs planted along the eastern side of the spiral will get shade after noon from the walls of the herb spiral, while plants on the west side will take the brunt of the afternoon sun.

Plantings in the Herb Spiral

Cheryl Bohling oversees the planting and upkeep of the herb spiral at the Teaching Garden.  Herbs currently planted in the Herb Spiral include:

Perennials:

English Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) 

Variegated Lemon Thyme (Thymus x citriodorus 'Aurea-variegata')  

Variegated Thyme (Thymus vulgaris Silver-Edge Thyme) 

Orange Spice Thyme (Thymus fragrantissimus)  

Dill (Anethum graveolens 'Ducat') 

Common Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Greek Oregano (Origanum vulgare hirtum)

Golden Oregano (Origanum vulgare ‘Aureum’)

Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis purpurascens)

Roman Chamomile (Chaemaemelum nobile)

Chocolate Mint (Mentha x piperita citrata)

French Tarragon (Artemesia dracunculus)

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Annuals:

Sweet Marjoram (Origanum onites, Marjorana onites) 

Lemon Basil ‘Mrs. Burns’ (Ocimum x citriodorum, syn. O. americanum)  

African Blue Basil (Ocimum kilimandscharicum x basilicum ‘Dark Opal’)  

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)  

Curly Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)  

Italian Parsley (Petroselinum crispum neapolitanum)   

Cilantro/Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)   

Lovage (Levisticum officinale) (bienniel)