The DIY Spiral Herb Garden is a small space garden method that is not new but there are plenty of twists on it (twists…snicker). I’ve seen them made with all manners of materials such as garden stones, bricks, bamboo stakes etc.
I decided that I wanted to use recycled materials and make this as EASY as possible. What can I say, I’m a lazy gardener. I just want results without the calluses or the expense.
My version was designed for attracting Bee’s and Butterflies to my garden. Here is my method for a DIY Spiral Herb Garden.
I started by laying a round of cinder blocks and since there was a few of these red pavers kicking around, I threw them on top… just to add some color and interest. The inner planting circle is 4′ across. The heavy gauge wire was purchased at Home Depot which comes in 4′ x 30′ rolls. I cut a 16′ long piece for our DIY Spiral Garden.
Since the wire was already rolled, it was just a matter of expanding it to fit my circle starting it from one edge of the bricks. I made sure that the area with the most twist was on the south / west sides for the best exposure for my sun loving herbs and flowers. See the pictures below to get a better understanding of how this was done.
I wanted this to be self supporting and avoid the need to drive metal stakes into the ground, So I added soil right away at the ground level once the spiral shape was established to hold it in place.
Then I clipped the wire in ‘steps’ around the circle starting at the brick level and working up to the full 4′ height. I have seen complicated designs that require heavy materials to support the walls, but I had lot’s of old moss left over from moss baskets as well as the moss that grows naturally in my yard… I just harvest it!
The moss is pressed along the mesh and compost based soil is used to back fill as I go. So easy!
Now it’s time to plant. The herbs and flowers used in this garden include:
- Lavender
- BeeBalm
- Marigold
- Fennel
- Strawberries
- Butterfly Bush
- Oregano
- Fall Aster
- Calendula
- Nasturtium
- Thyme
- Mint
I planted the Butterfly bush at the very top, it will get big but I’m thinking it will create a fountain effect. Mint and Thyme were planted at the lowest point on the north side along with some lettuces which prefer shadier conditions.
Let your Oregano go to flower in between harvesting, the Bee’s love it! Nasturtium and Calendula have edible flowers you’ll love putting in your salads. Bee Balm is a great attractant but also has many therapeutic properties for humans. Fall aster, Lavender and Marigold all attract beneficial insects as well as add color. Butterflies love fennel and the strawberries need no explanation!
Have fun using recycled materials to create your DIY Spiral Herb Garden and be sure to plant herbs your little garden friends will enjoy.
Peace Love Garden
