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An hb sia is a batif, aomati an fntiona

addition to any garden, big or small. Twenty to thirty

linear eet o herb plants can be condensed into an

elegant circle only fve to six eet across. Because o

their spiral design, herb spirals create microclimates

that suit the various needs o your herbs and allow or

a wide array o herbs to be planted in close proximity.

Matias

4570 rocks, 820 inches in diameter.

Organic soil/compost mixture. Work your soil well by loosening with a

garden spade/ork, and mix in some fnished compost beore planting).

Your choice o herbs or transplanting (approximately 14 plants).

Insttions

1) Make a pyramid-shaped pile o base layer rocks in the centre o

your herb spiral location, using about hal o your mid-to-large-sized

rocks. These rocks help conserve soil and improve drainage.

2) Pile the soil/compost mixture over the base layer, creating a mound

that is about three eet high and fve eet across.

3) Place the remaining rocks side by side (touching, or very close

together) in a spiral pattern. The line o rocks should wind rom the

bottom o the mound inward towards the top. Leave about a oot o

soil between the tiers o the rock spiral.

4) Plant your herbs into the soil o the spiral. Plan the spacing

according to the types o herbs youre planting and approximate

size at maturity.

Saing Tis

Plants suited to hot, dry conditions (like rosemary, oregano and

thyme) do best on the south side o the spiral at the top, with

sun-lovers (such as lavender and yarrow) below them.

Plants such as parsley and chives (which like cooler, moisture-rich

environments) will thrive on the north side, near the bottom o the

spiral where it stays wetter longer into the day.

Cilantro, which oten bolts, (goes straight to seed without producing

much oliage) can be placed on the east side, protected rom the hot

aternoon sun.

Ti:

Think about how youd like the fnal

design to look. Use uniorm rocks or

bricks to create a ormal, harmonized

aesthetic or choose a variety o shapes,

colors and sizes to achieve a more

eclectic look.

BuIld A BAckyArd HerB SpIrAlA Guide to Green City Living

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comanion panting Tis

Members o the carrot amily, such as celery, parsley, and cilantro,

do well with rosemary and with members o the onion amily,

such as garlic or chives.

Rosemary, yarrow, chamomile and lavender are good companions,

as they have similar water needs. Yarrow and chamomile also

increase the amount o essential oils produced by nearby rosemary

and lavender.

Chickweed, mint and lemon balm are known to spread quickly in

a garden. Plant them in a pot or planter to keep them rom taking over.

Want to know Mo?

1) Gaias Garden: A Guide to Home-scale Permaculture. Toby Hemenway.

Chelsea Green Publishing. 2001.

2) New Book of Herbs. Jekka McVicar. DK Publishing Inc. 2002.

3) Culinary Herb Guide: www.culinaryherbguide.com

4) Garden Guides Herb Collection:

www.gardenguides.com/4075-herbs-collection.html

5) Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs:www.omara.gov.on.ca/english/crops/acts/02-049.htm

comanion anting is a way

o matching up mutually-benefcialplants to help attract pollinators,

improve soil, and protect your crops

rom pests and disease.

Lead PartnerNational Lead Partner Major Partners

National Supporters of Common Grounds - Fall 2010

Additional support or this resource was provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation

Evergreen is a national charity that makes cities more livable.

Evergreens Common Grounds program protects and restores natural and cultural landscapesin urban and urbanizing communities across Canada.

vgn.aEvergreen National Ofce

416-596-1495 stewardship@evergreen.ca 1-888-426-3138