Our herb spiral, a small garden project with a big impact

It had long been my wish to have a variety of herbs in my own garden. In Heimberg, our former home in Switzerland, Patrick and I had our first garden together, with a small but lovely herb corner. To be honest, Patrick tended it back then. And me? I was simply overjoyed to be able to use fresh herbs straight from the garden in the kitchen. The best part: Many herbs are perennial, so you don't have to start from scratch every year.

From wish to reality

In Finland, we desperately wanted herbs in the garden again. But in the first year, we were full of euphoria, had a thousand ideas, and somehow the herb bed kept slipping further and further back. In the second year, Patrick prepared a "tiny" corner. Unfortunately, it had become quite overgrown, and there simply wasn't enough space for all the herbs he wanted to accommodate there. And yet, some plants have prevailed. This year, for example, two wonderful lovage plants and a robust sage are growing.

But I missed the beautiful herb corner in Heimberg so much that I decided this winter: I'll build a herb spiral! It's a typical element of permaculture, and the more I read about it, the clearer it became: I can do it!

What is a herb spiral?

A herb spiral is a spiral-shaped, slightly raised bed. It creates different climate zones in a very small space, ideal for herbs with a wide range of needs.

The spiral, constructed in our case from natural stone, winds upwards, beginning at the bottom with a moist, nutrient-rich area . At the top, it ends in a dry, nutrient-poor area . The soil is adapted for each zone with compost, sand, or humus. Often, a small pond is even integrated at the bottom to accommodate water-loving plants like watercress.

Why a herb spiral is really worth it:

• Different climate zones : humid & shady to dry & sunny, perfect for different types of herbs.

• Space-saving & efficient : The vertical design makes optimal use of the space.

• Easily accessible : No bending, no digging, everything at a glance.

• Sustainable & close to nature : Promotes biodiversity and creates habitat for insects.

• And the best part : she looks simply beautiful!

The construction of our herb spiral

While the snow was still on the ground, I showed Patrick where I'd like the herb spiral to be and emphasized that I didn't want to make it too big this time. 😅

As soon as the snow was gone, I started with one of our lovely helpers. We drew the spiral and began removing the top layer of soil.

When Patrick arrived, he just said with a grin, "I thought you wanted to keep it small ?"

The construction was a lot of fun. Our neighbors gave us the old bricks from his oven, which we crushed and incorporated into the bottom as a drainage layer. After three or four days, it was standing: our first herb spiral!

Then all we had to do was wait until the weather cooperated and we could sow the herbs.

The first ones are already sprouting and I'm really looking forward to the moment when they'll be in full bloom!

Of course, I'm curious to see how many of them will survive the winter and which ones will appear again on their own next year.

A huge thank you

A very special thank you goes to Sarina , our great helper, who shoveled, stacked and built with us.