Handy Way To Grow Herbs

2013 - Volume #37, Issue #5, Page #32

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Want to grow herbs? Short on space? Try building an “herb spiral”.
    An herb spiral is a space-saving way to grow herbs. It can be made from a variety of materials such as bricks, concrete blocks, rocks, or wood. Whatever you use, the material holds the sun’s heat and slowly releases it into the soil.
    The idea is to first lay out a circle on the ground. Size doesn’t matter, but most gardeners prefer a diameter of 4 to 6 ft. I then place a large tree stump in the center of the circle. This is the main part of a compost pile that will slowly break down over time and provide heat for the plant’s roots.
    Next, start stacking your materials. I used old brick salvaged from a local city street project. The space between the walls of the spiral will depend on the overall diameter, but just make sure the walls are evenly spaced. To build my spiral, I dry stacked the bricks and gave them a slight tilt toward the center. After stacking two layers, I then added cut-up tree branches, grass clippings, brush, and other plant material to act as compost, and then I add a layer of dirt for stability.
    Be sure to water each layer as you’re building, which will help settle the material and provide moisture to start the composting process. Next, add 2 layers of bricks along with more wood/grass/brush/dirt and repeat the process until you reach the top of the tree stump.
    At this point, I add a good potting mix to the growing spaces and then plant my seeds. Seed placement is important, because you want to plant herbs that like drier conditions at the top of the spiral and ones that like a moister environment at the bottom. Taller herbs should be planted on the north side and shorter ones on the south. Some herbs such as dill and parsley do better when planted close together; others do not. It’s a good idea to check a companion planting chart to see what grows well together. The last step is to water everything well. Then stand back and watch your herbs grow.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Brad Miller, P.O. Box 222, Ridgeville Corners, Ohio 43555 (ph 419 267-5679).

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Handy Way To Grow Herbs FARM HOME Food Want to grow herbs? Short on space? Try building an “herb spiral” An herb spiral is a space-saving way to grow herbs It can be made from a variety of materials such as bricks concrete blocks rocks or wood Whatever you use the material holds the sun’s heat and slowly releases it into the soil The idea is to first lay out a circle on the ground Size doesn’t matter but most gardeners prefer a diameter of 4 to 6 ft I then place a large tree stump in the center of the circle This is the main part of a compost pile that will slowly break down over time and provide heat for the plant’s roots Next start stacking your materials I used old brick salvaged from a local city street project The space between the walls of the spiral will depend on the overall diameter but just make sure the walls are evenly spaced To build my spiral I dry stacked the bricks and gave them a slight tilt toward the center After stacking two layers I then added cut-up tree branches grass clippings brush and other plant material to act as compost and then I add a layer of dirt for stability Be sure to water each layer as you’re building which will help settle the material and provide moisture to start the composting process Next add 2 layers of bricks along with more wood/grass/brush/dirt and repeat the process until you reach the top of the tree stump At this point I add a good potting mix to the growing spaces and then plant my seeds Seed placement is important because you want to plant herbs that like drier conditions at the top of the spiral and ones that like a moister environment at the bottom Taller herbs should be planted on the north side and shorter ones on the south Some herbs such as dill and parsley do better when planted close together; others do not It’s a good idea to check a companion planting chart to see what grows well together The last step is to water everything well Then stand back and watch your herbs grow Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Brad Miller P O Box 222 Ridgeville Corners Ohio 43555 ph 419 267-5679

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