Lay out correctly and plant optimally

the essentials in brief

• A herbal spiral is usually built from stones and offers herbs ideal conditions
• Herbs need a lot of sun, especially sun-loving herbs are planted at the top
• Depending on the zone, the composition of the soil varies from 50% sand, 50% garden soil (dry zone) to 100% garden soil (water zone)

Material requirements and tools

Traditionally, a dry stone wall made of natural stone gives a spiral of herbs an outer shape and weatherproof stability. Hobby gardeners seldom choose wood as a form-giving frame because it involves regular maintenance work. Plant stones made of concrete for a self-made herb snail are enjoying increasing popularity. The following list of requirements for material and tools is aimed at the DIY construction of a herbal spiral with a pond made of stones:

• Stones (at least as thick as a fist), ideally natural stones, optionally field, brick or paving stones
• Sand, gravel and chalk crushed stone
• Garden, weed or Filter fleece to cover the ballast filling
• Garden soil, Compost soil, Herb substrate
• Plant bags for planting gaps in the outer wall area
• Pond tub (cheaper a mortar bucket) or pond liner
• Herbal plants (for details see planting plan below)
• wheelbarrow
• Hand shovel, spade, Rake, Rake, work gloves
• Folding rule, wooden stakes, string and lime for marking the base

You can adjust this shopping list with simple modifications to individual alternatives. Replace the subsection stones with wood, metal, gabions or plant rings. The conceptual structure with climatic zones, pond, filling and planting is retained, taking into account the particular material characteristics. Please note that if you use alternative materials such as plastic, Corten steel, concrete palisades or Wood, the additional growing area that a dry stone wall or planting stones can provide on the outside is lost to have.

Digression

Structure of a herb spiral

Prepare the base - step-by-step instructions

A herb spiral needs a lot of sun

In the garden, the self-made herb spiral deserves a sun-drenched box seat. Most premium herbs thrive as sun worshipers and have an aversion to windy locations. Plan a base with a diameter of about 300 centimeters if at least a dozen of your favorite herbs are to be found at a height of 80 centimeters. Position and Alignment make an important contribution to a premium quality herb harvest. Please choose the location so that the herb snail opens to the south, regardless of whether the special raised bed is round or angular. This is how you prepare the base area in an exemplary manner:

Measure and mark

1. Use the folding rule to determine the external dimensions and mark them with wooden stakes
2. Stick a longer wooden stick in the center of the surface
3. Attach the cord to the wooden stick with knotted wooden sticks at the other end
4. Draw a circle with the help of string and wooden sticks
5. Mark the turns for the snail shape within the circle with lime or light sand

Please mark the position for the pond where the herb snail opens to the south.

Prepare the soil

1. Dig the base one or two spades deep
2. Rule of thumb: the higher the herb spiral, the deeper the excavation
3. Pour garden soil on the side for further use as a component for filling
4. Spread a layer of gravel 10 to 20 cm high as a drainage and wall foundation
5. Step on gravel (ideally with Plate compactor(€ 359.90 at Amazon *) condense)
6. dig the bottom 40 cm deep for the pond
7. Lay a layer of sand on the pond floor as drainage and protection for the liner or pond tub

The best time for the preparatory work and the construction of a herb spiral is in spring, as soon as the ground has thawed. By April / May the planting time for herbs begins, the soil has settled in the bed and is ready for young plants.

Building instructions - step-by-step to the building shell

The prepared base also serves as the foundation for the dry stone wall of a herb spiral. For smooth construction work, all material including tools should be at hand. The following construction instructions give an overview of all work steps, followed by more detailed explanations of the individual construction phases:

1. Lay the first row of walls on the gravel foundation (note the markings)
2. From the second row of walls, stack the stones with the joints staggered
3. Lay the following stone layers 30-50 cm shorter than the previous row of walls
4. Pile up crushed stone and gravel parallel to the structure of the wall
5. Rule of thumb for an 80 cm high herb spiral: Height of the crushed stone / gravel layer in the core is 50 cm
6. optionally cover the gravel layer with breathable fleece (filter fleece)
7. Create a pond at the foot of the dry stone wall

Explanations of the individual steps

A herb spiral can be built from natural stones or bricks

For the first row of walls, select the largest stones. Lay the stones close together, ideally slightly tilted and with a slight incline inwards for the best stability. The staggered, inclined laying of the following rows of walls is decisive for the stability of the drywall. Cross joints must be avoided at all costs. Thanks to this construction, you can do without the use of mortar.

Despite the staggered laying technique, small and larger gaps arise between the bricks. These cavities are ideal for planting additional herbs with the help of plant bags. Crevices one to two fingers wide provide sufficient living space for frugal herb plants. If you fill the gaps with herbal substrate while stacking, you can simply do without the use of plant bags. One or the other gap in the masonry remains free and serves Beneficial insects of the garden as a coveted hideaway and place of retreat.

The layer of gravel (optionally lime gravel or rubble) grows upwards parallel to the dry stone wall and reaches a thickness of a good 50 centimeters at the highest point. In the direction of the pond, the layer of gravel gradually decreases in proportion to the falling wall height. We recommend covering with filter fleece so that the subsequent substrate layer does not get between the coarse gravel trickles in, then sags sharply and, in the worst case, makes the drainage useless.

Creating a pond - how to do it right

After the masonry work, you can devote yourself to the small pond system at the foot of your herb spiral. In the 40 centimeter deep, sand-lined pit, lay pond liner or insert a pond tub. Use fist-sized stones to hide the transition from the foil or tub to the adjacent bank area.

Fill the herb snail correctly

The correct climatic zone of a herb spiral is made up of position and filling. In a fully sunny dry zone, Mediterranean herbs only find ideal living conditions when they extend their roots in sandy, dry soil with good permeability. Domestic herbs only develop their unique aroma when they are given a humus, fresh and nutrient-rich soil quality. The following overview summarizes which earth determines the character of the respective climatic zone:

• Dry zone: 50% sand, 50% garden soil
• Normal zone: 30% sand, 30% garden soil, 30% compost, 10% Lava granules
• Wet zone: 50% garden soil, 50% compost
• Water zone: 100 % Compost soil or garden soil

If mixing the various components is too time-consuming for you, you can use commercially available herbal soil and sand. You adjust the proportion of sand to the relevant climatic zone within the herb spiral. In the dry zone, please start with the herb substrate and sand in equal parts. The sand quota decreases gradually in the direction of the wet zone.

Please keep a stock of all soil mixes until the beginning of the planting season. Substrate freshly poured onto the gravel layer sags by up to a third and should be filled up. Laying the filter fleece slows down the process, but not completely. For this reason, a period of at least 2 weeks should elapse between the construction of a herb spiral and the planting.

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Kit - premium solution for beginners

Planting the herb spiral - ideas for the planting plan

Those plants that need the most sun should grow in the upper part

With a well thought-out planting plan, your herb spiral serves as a valuable source of aromatic spice for the preparation of tasty dishes. Fresh parsley, crunchy chives and tart, tangy basil show artificial flavor enhancers the red card. So that your kitchen does not lack freshly harvested herbs for the preparation of local, Mediterranean and Asian dishes, the following selection would like to inspire you for the perfect Planting plan:

Herbs for dry to temperate conditions

Mountain savory (Satureja montana), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and curry herb (Helichrysum italicum) are also in good hands in the upper, sandy-dry regions of a herb spiral. Immediately below, in the middle area, like to settle: Spiced fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), chopped garlic (Allium tuberosum) and Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus).

Herbs with a weakness for moist soil

Chives, tarragon and parsley have no objection to living in the wet zone if the middle sector is already tight. If you have a free space on the bank of your herb spiral, it should be reserved for Water celery, also known as creeping celery (Apium repens) with a wonderful Parsley flavor.

Sprawling, aggressive herbs stay outside

Strongly rampant herbs do not belong in the herb spiral

Various herbs make themselves unpopular because they tend to proliferate. Other species exude inhibitors that affect the growth of their neighbors. Refuse the following herbs and grow them outside of your herb spiral:

• Lovage, Maggi herb (Levisticum officinale)
• Comfrey (Symphytum)
• Wormwood herb (Artemisia absinthium)
• Spice laurel (Laurus nobilis)
• Hyssop, vinegar herb (Hyssopus officinalis)

If you do not want to do without the medicinal or aromatic power of these herbs, we recommend cultivation in a large tub.

Planting instructions - this is how you plant herbs correctly

Have you made your choice among the colorful array of aromatic herbs for the herb spiral? Then pay special attention to the following instructions for planting. When the temperatures rise in spring, the shelves of the garden center, DIY store and weekly market are filled to the brim with early young plants. So plants Herbs with horticultural expertise:

1. Place potted root balls in water (ideally rainwater) until no more air bubbles rise
2. Dig spacious planting holes at the right position on the herb spiral
3. Pot the plant and position it in the middle of the planting pit
4. Stabilize with one hand and fill in substrate with the other hand
5. Maintain previous planting depth
6. Press the soil on with both hands for a good connection to the soil
7. pour on with a fine effervescence

When measuring perfect distances, please keep in mind that many herbs reach space-consuming dimensions. When purchasing, please inquire about the recommended planting spacing for each individual herb plant. Urgent tightness in the Herb garden is the main cause of the explosive spread of diseases and pests.

Avoid common mistakes

The construction of a herb spiral with stones, a pond and the right planting is not a side project. To ensure that the investment of time and money results in a rich harvest of delicious herbs, you should be aware of typical mistakes. The following overview lists common mistakes around the planting of herb snails by name, indicates damage and gives useful tips for prevention:

frequently asked Questions

What is a herb spiral?

A three-dimensional raised bed that simulates the different climatic zones in a very small space is called a herb spiral. A dry stone wall traditionally functions as a frame that winds upwards around a pile of stones up to a back-friendly 80 centimeters. The stone filling serves as drainage up to a height of 50 centimeters, followed by soil as a plant substrate. A herb spiral is similar to a snail shell, so herb snail is another common name. Dry, normal, humid and water zones merge seamlessly and are planted with appropriate types of herbs.

When should you put on a herb spiral?

There is no fixed point in time for building a herb spiral. You can plan the construction work almost all year round, as long as the ground is not deeply frozen. In practice, early spring, ideally a few weeks before the start of the planting time, has proven to be effective. Furthermore, autumn is a wisely chosen date for the construction of a herb snail. By next spring, living microorganisms in the compost portion of the filling have prepared the soil so that freshly planted herbs can grow vital and healthy.

Which herbs belong where in a herb spiral?

In the structure, a herbal spiral with a pond represents four elementary climate zones in mini format. Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, oregano, thyme or spiced sage reside on the sandy, dry spiral summit. In the middle region, temperate, humus-fresh conditions prevail, ideal for basil, fennel or parsley. This area merges seamlessly into fresh and moist soil qualities, where local herbs like dill, sorrel or chives. The pond bank is reserved for herbs that love swampy conditions, such as stream bungees or watercress. You use the water level from the pond Water nut as cultivation area.

When do you plant a herb spiral?

The time window for planting a herb snail opens in spring, when severe frosts are no longer to be feared. In the course of global warming, you can now note mid / end of April instead of mid-May as the earliest planting date in the calendar. Primarily Mediterranean herbs are sensitive to frost and should not be exposed to temperatures below freezing point. Immediately after building a herb spiral, we recommend waiting two weeks until the time of planting so that the fresh soil can settle.

Where can you buy a herbal spiral cheaply?

Obi DIY stores with numerous locations in Germany and Austria lead the way in the range of inexpensive herb spirals. Here you not only get sophisticated kits made of gabions, metal, Corten steel and wood. If you can fall back on a little manual dexterity, you will find all the materials and tools to build your own herb spiral with pond. Do you favor selection and purchase from the comfort of your sofa, including delivery to your front door? Then you should stop by Amazon.

Is there a herb spiral that is small enough for the balcony?

We looked around for you in specialist shops and discovered two recommendable mini herb spirals. Obi offers a gabion kit from the Bellissa range with a space-saving height of 29 cm and a diameter of 57 cm. Filled with 20 liters of herbal soil, there is space for up to 10 of your favorite herbs. Furthermore, the Bellissa series has decorative herb snails made of terracotta, wood, metal and Corten steel in sizes suitable for balconies, which can be bought on Amazon and Ebay.

How can I build a herb spiral with a stream myself?

The DIY construction of a herb spiral with Stream is one of the supreme disciplines for hobby gardeners. To achieve the ambitious goal, various modifications to the building instructions of this guide are required. The key function is the addition of a source within the spiral crown, which is fed by an electricity or solar-powered pump. Gravel-covered brook mats have proven their worth in order to guide the flowing water down to the lower pond in style. It is important to ensure continuous access to the pump and source so that you can intervene when winter sets in to avoid frost damage.

I would like to build a wooden herb spiral myself in the garden. Which types of wood are suitable?

A spiral of herbs in the garden is exposed to wind and weather all year round. Hardwoods are primarily prepared for this challenge. Robinia, oak, maple and sweet chestnut have a high wood density, which guarantees the best weather resistance. Easy Beveling the wooden posts allow water to run off more quickly and prevent rot without having to impregnate the wood with glaze. Place each post in a metal shoe to protect against direct ground contact. One side of the shoe remains open so that no moisture can accumulate and penetrate the wood. Soft woods such as spruce or fir are not recommended as a building material for a herb spiral, because they rot within a short time.

My budget is too tight to buy a kit or a finished herb spiral. How can I build a herb snail myself for free?

To make a stone herbal spiral for free, keep an eye out for free field stones. In classified ads and forums, farmers, hobby gardeners and do-it-yourselfers are offering leftover stones for self-collection. Garden soil, gravel and sand can be obtained free of charge in new development areas and recycling centers if you have a means of transport. Compost soil you can easily make it yourself. Ask your hobby gardener friends for seeds so that you can place your favorite herbs on the windowsill or sow them directly in the herb spiral.

Which herbs go best together in a herb spiral?

Over many years of cultivation practice, popular herbs have emerged as dream teams for the herb spiral. Water mint, watercress and calamus harmonize on the bank of the pond. Dill, parsley, chervil, garden cress and marjoram maintain good neighbors in humid and normal areas. In the dry zone, sage, oregano, and thyme thrive peacefully side by side. In contrast, thyme and marjoram are at war and should be planted at an appropriate distance.

Tips

An angular herb spiral gives your modern front garden design the finishing touches. Where clear lines and geometric shapes dominate, you are welcome to think outside the box when building a herb snail. This works perfectly with a gabion kit. Prefabricated herb spirals made of Corten steel or stainless steel are popular, which will put your herbs in the limelight with an authentic rust look within a short period of time.