Table of contents
- Herb spiral: definition
- gabions
- Stone Spirals: Benefits
- Create brick herb snail
- planting
- Size
- to form
A herb spiral can already be a visual highlight in the garden. However, the herb snail also has practical benefits, as it resembles a raised bed.
Herb spiral: definition
Whether herb spiral or herb spiral - in both cases it is about the same principle. It's a multi-tier raised bed, so it's great for cultivating a wide range of strains and produces a higher yield.
The spiral arrangement creates different levels and thus different distances to the floor.
A notice:
Herb snails can be made of stones or gabions. The use of stones alone requires more effort, but also creates a more natural look. Gabions can be set up faster and give a more modern look.
gabions
Gabions are structures made of strong and rigid metal wire that are filled with rocks. As a spiral for herbs or other plants, they serve as a frame into which the soil can be filled. Due to the filling with stones, this frame is well permeable. Waterlogging is thus prevented.
There are also other advantages. Among other things:
- easy set up
- large selection of stones
- high stability
- quick implementation
- simple dismantling possible
- numerous variants available
The following steps are required to erect the scaffolding:
leveling of the subsoil
To ensure that the gabions are stable, it makes sense to dig a shallow pit. This should be the same. If there are already stone slabs or a concreted, intact surface, this step is of course not necessary.
solidification
For a level and stable subsoil, it is advisable to solidify the soil after digging the earth. A vibrating plate is suitable for this.
bring foundation
Before the gabion herb spiral can be set up, the excavated pit is first filled with crushed stone, then gravel and finally with sand. The layers should each have the same height. When everything is filled in, it can be compacted again with the vibrating plate.
Set up and fill gabions
Once the preparations are complete, the frame is positioned as desired. There is a wide variety in color and size of the stones. So you just have to make sure that the stones are big enough not to fall through the lattice of the gabions. With every other factor, personal taste may decide.
bring in earth
Before the substrate is brought in, the stones should be rinsed off thoroughly. Dust and dirt can be removed in this way. It is then advisable to add special herbal soil. In any case, the substrate must be matched to the respective plant.
A notice:
Since they can be easily dismantled, they are also ideal for rental properties. Because they do not represent permanent change.
Stone Spirals: Benefits
A brick herb snail is more complex to build, but also more durable. In addition, such a variant is perceived by most people as more decorative and natural. Another advantage is that creativity can be given free rein here.
This applies to:
- Demarcation of areas possible
- Color
- shape
- Size
- Height
- combination of stones
- Course of the herbal spiral
It is important, especially with regard to size and height, to ensure that all herbs can still be harvested without any problems. A radius of 70 centimeters is usually still within the reach of an adult. As a result, the widest diameter is 1.40 meters. An alternative to such large proportions is to design and build multiple herb spirals. This can be useful anyway if a particularly large selection of plants is desired.
This makes it possible to cultivate incompatible plants at the same time. This is not only true for herbs. Cocktail tomatoes, snack peppers or chili suitable for growing outdoors can also find a place here.
Tip:
Bricked stone herb spirals can be a permanent change and are difficult to remove. Written approval should therefore be obtained in advance for leased or rented gardens.
Create brick herb snail
Before creating the herbal spiral made of natural stones, a foundation must be prepared. There are two options for this. In any case, the first steps are the same.
They are:
Dig, solidify and fill the foundation
As with the variant made of gabions, a corresponding foundation should be dug.
Concrete or not
It makes sense to create a concrete foundation for a brick herb spiral. This ensures high stability and facilitates assembly.
determine arrangement
Especially with coarse natural stones, it can sometimes be difficult to find the right distances and arrangements. Therefore, it makes sense to determine and define the desired shape of the spiral in advance. The first row of the individual elements is laid out in such a way that all the stones are in the desired formation and the gaps are as small as possible.
seal joints
When the first row is laid out and aligned, the stones are first fixed to the ground with mortar. The joints are then also filled with it.
apply layers
As soon as the mortar has hardened, the second layer can be started. For this purpose, the binding material is applied both to the top of the first layer and to the underside of the second layer. Proceed in the same way for each additional row.
Tip:
Number the stones, for example with sticky notes or written masking tape. This makes it easier to assemble the individual pieces into a suitable frame.
planting
Gabions can be planted immediately. With a brick herb snail, depending on the weather and humidity, you should wait several days or even longer. It is important that concrete and mortar can dry completely. Otherwise, substances from it could penetrate the soil and negatively affect the growth of the plants.
Size
The size depends on several factors. These include:
- own height
- desired number of plants and varieties
- available spaceImportant criteria to be observed include:
- Choose a width that ensures access to the entire herb spiral
- Harvest and soil change must be possible
- Using herbs directly in the pot makes it easier to remove them for winter storage
- different sections are an advantage
to form
There are no limits to the imagination when it comes to the shape. The herbal spiral can be high or low, compact or wide and, for example, have a tapered end. Indicated letters with spirals as a conclusion or the reshaping of music notes are also possible.
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