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my first herb spiral

 
pollinator
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I didn't quite build it tall eenough and I wish I would of taken pics start to finish but I likee it. I'm planning on doing some finish touches before planting. What do ya think?
0521141715.jpg
my first herb spiral
my first herb spiral
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I didn't quite build it tall enough
I didn't quite build it tall enough
0521141712.jpg
planning on doing some finish touches before planting
planning on doing some finish touches before planting
 
pollinator
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Very nice, Post some pictures after you get it all planted and keep us updated on how it does!
 
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Looks good Brandon. Keep us posted with pictures as your herbs start to grow. Don't worry about the height, you can always make it a little taller at the end of the season if you want. I hope to make my first herb spiral this year as well. I need to find some more rocks, I used all my big stones for making a fire pit last fall. And then of course I need to get the location approved by my wife!! Keep up the good work
 
brandon gross
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THanks for the responses and ill definitely post some pics after planting and the finishing touches are done.
 
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That looks great

What are the advantages of building a herb spiral?

aman
 
Dave Hunt
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You can get a few different growing conditions in a small space. There are spots for plants that like well drained soil, full sun, partial sun, shade, and soil that stays wetter longer. You can put certain plants in the right spot in the herb spiral depending on what conditions it grows best in. Sort of gives you more micro climates. Grow something that likes full sun well drained soil on the top south side. And something that likes more shade and wetter soil on the bottom north side.
 
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Dave Hunt wrote:You can get a few different growing conditions in a small space. There are spots for plants that like well drained soil, full sun, partial sun, shade, and soil that stays wetter longer. You can put certain plants in the right spot in the herb spiral depending on what conditions it grows best in. Sort of gives you more micro climates. Grow something that likes full sun well drained soil on the top south side. And something that likes more shade and wetter soil on the bottom north side.



Plus it can help to reduce NMS in more urban areas (neighbor meltdown syndrome).
 
Paul Andrews
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Ah, That makes sense.

I may add one to my Tiny Allotment

aman
 
brandon gross
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The mircro climate is a big plus but also it take a 30ft strait row to have the same amout of planting space as a 3ft tall by 5 ft radius. Here's a few more pics. I have some anuual flowers in it now just waiting for the funds to be aproved for more editables. The flowers were free and pretty much free. For ore simple beds check out my post for my summer internship.
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some anuual flowers in it now
some anuual flowers in it now
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The flowers were free
The flowers were free
 
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Location: Nelson B.C. Canada
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This was our herb spiral the first year building it (you can see the process here-->http://littlemountainhaven.com/how-to-build-a-herb-spiral/)

and here it is 3 years later all filled in + my review (see full pics here-->http://littlemountainhaven.com/the-herb-spiral-3-years-later/)

I will be honest, the weed seeds that land in-between the rocks drive me nuts to weed out!! That might be because we have a crazy amount of weeds living on a mountainside but I'm not sure I'd build one again. Also keep in mind if you live in a super cold climate the snow doesn't always cover the top and causes more plant damage to the 'heat lovers' (I've replaced the top plants 3 times now). We've been getting a monsoon season every summer too and the intense rainfall has caused many rocks to shift downwards.
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herb spiral 3 years later
herb spiral 3 years later
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[Thumbnail for IMG_9237.JPG]
herb spiral just built
 
pollinator
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Not so sure about these myself - they look pretty, but just two of my herb bushes (curry plant and sage) would cover the whole thing. Talking about row feet only makes sense for some smaller formed herbs.
 
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I made one with some sage and rosemary in it, and those babies think they OWN the place! Still, it's a nice feature, and the anti-neighbourhood meltdown syndrome is important - not for the neighbours, but for my wife! She's a townie, and likes plain grass (boring). Anyway, here's the result (in the middle of that mess):

Got some nice bronze and green fennels going in there, a mass of perennial rocket and lemon-balm and oregano too.
 
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