Herb Spiral 01

Herb spirals are a charming and very useful feature for almost any garden. Not only are they very ornate and a great conversation piece, their appeal is actually based on much engineering wisdom. Some of the utilitarian functions of an herb spiral include: they save space by taking what would other wise be a long flat strip of ground, and by coiling up in a spiral, move vertical space is used and the thus the growing potential of a small area is increased; they create an opportunity for a gradient of micro-climates in which plants that prefer drier soil can be placed higher up, and plants which demand more moisture can be planted lower to guarantee this; they can be built with very elaborate masonry, or they can be built with just small boulders; they incorporate a pond at the base to extend the ecological edge; they can be reached from all sides; they can accommodate most plantings for an average kitchen garden with lots of culinary herbs and "cut and come again" greens. Those are just a few of the benefits of herb spirals. I think most of all they are almost a symbol of the permaculture design movement, when and where ever you see one, chances are permaculturists are not far away.