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Want to learn hands-on? Check out our Building an Eco-garden: Herb Spirals & Mandala Gardens event on June 17 and our Summer 2023 Permaculture Design Certificate course!

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Herb Spirals in Permaculture:

A Guide to Maximizing Space and Growing Herbs Efficiently


What is a Herb Spiral?

    Herb spirals are a type of garden design that utilizes a spiraling path to maximize growing space.

 The spiral is constructed of stone, brick, or other materials and is filled with soil and compost. The spiral shape allows for a variety of growing conditions (also known as microclimates), including different levels of sunlight, moisture, and drainage, which can be used to cultivate a wide range of herbs and other plants.

Herb spirals work by taking advantage of the natural slope of the spiral to create different microclimates within the spiral. The top of the spiral is exposed to the most sun and is best for growing sun-loving herbs such as rosemary and thyme. The bottom of the spiral is shaded and retains moisture, making it an ideal place for moisture-loving herbs like mint and chamomile.


Why Herb Spirals?

Herb spirals are one of our favourite eco-garden designs for a reason! they offer a number of benefits to gardeners and permaculture enthusiasts, including:

  • Efficient use of space:  Herb spirals maximize growing space by utilizing the natural slope of the spiral to create different microclimates within the spiral. This allows gardeners to grow a wide range of herbs and other plants in a small area.
  • Reduced water usage: Herb spirals are designed to retain moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering. This helps to conserve water and reduces the workload for gardeners.
  • Minimal maintenance : Herb spirals require very little maintenance once established. Gardeners simply need to add compost and other organic matter to the soil as needed to keep it nutrient-rich and well-draining.
  • Increased biodiversity: Herb spirals provide a variety of microclimates within the spiral, which allows for the cultivation of a wide range of herbs and other plants. This increases the biodiversity of the garden by attracting diverse species of pollinators and wildlife, and helps to create a more regenerative and self-sufficient growing environment.


             



What do you need to build a Herb Spiral?

Building an herb spiral is a great and simple project, even for gardening beginners and low budgets! All you need is...

Lots of rocks or bricks
Thick cardboard
Shovel
Wheelbarrow
Soil
Compost
Mulch
Your selection of herbs!


Want to learn hands-on how to build a Herb Spiral?

As one of our favourite permaculture techniques, you'll learn all about designing, building, and planting an herb spiral in our Summer 2023 Permaculture Design Certificate course in Wakefield, Quebec. You'll also get to engage in a bunch of other hands-on eco-gardening and permaculture techniques in our PDC, such as lasagna gardens, rain gardens, and hot composts!

You can also check out our Spring 2023 Eco-edible Landscapes Workshops Series in Chelsea, Quebec. Our Eco-garden Design workshop will introduce you to the process of planning the transformation of your landscape with techniques like Herb Spirals and passive irrigation. Our Building an Eco-edible garden: Herb Spirals and Mandala Gardens workshop will guide you hands-on in each step of building these beautiful designs.