In a Twist

A simple raised spiral creates the perfect conditions for growing a wide range of herbs

- AMY GRISAK

Herbs have the reputation of being low-maintenance, easy-to-grow plants, but this is not always the case.

Over the years, I've discovered that many of my favorites do not thrive in the clay-based, alkaline soil native to our backyard. I could have tried them in a standard raised bed—always an option to correct less-than-ideal growing conditions—but I fell in love with a less conventional construction: the herb spiral.

Be it in a pinecone at your feet or the swirling galaxies that lie beyond our sight, the spiral is a pattern that shows up in nature. And the herb spiral is a nearly perfect garden that combines aesthetics with functionality, adding up to an eye-catching and productive kitchen-garden centerpiece.

rooted in permaculture

I was first smitten with the concept of the herb spiral many years ago while visiting Kareen Erbe at Broken Ground Permaculture in Bozeman, Montana. Her beautiful stone spiral garden held basil, sage and a cucumber plant that trailed down the warm wall. Everything looked happy and thriving.

A nationally known permaculture expert, Kareen explained how this three-dimensional garden creates microclimates to support herbs and other plants with different growing preferences within the same space. Utilizing such design has been a trusted growing method in permaculture circles for decades.