How to Lay Out an Herb Garden
Herb gardens, or kitchen gardens, can provide an abundance of herbs without taking up much space. Growing your own herbs provides you with a continual supply of fresh herbs for cooking. You can also dry and store your harvested herbs for future use. Plant your herbs in a formal layout and not only will you enjoy the harvests, you'll have a lovely, scented garden to enjoy in your leisure time. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Stakes and string
- Box beds
- Garden markers
- Center focal piece
- Herbs and flowers
- Gravel
Instructions
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1
Determine the location of your herb garden. The location should include exposure to sun for at least 6 hours a day along with a few shady spaces. The shady spaces are for herbs such as sage or lemon balm.
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2
Mark out the area and string. Kill off any existing grasses or other unwanted vegetation in the area. Aerate the soil and amend so that it is a loose, well-draining plot.
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3
Mark off several sections in the area, keeping the plan geometric and symmetrical. Using stakes and string, mark off one section along the back. This will be for tall, bushy herbs such as rosemary. Divide each side into three sections, leaving 18 inches between each section. This creates three squares along each side.
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4
Determine your central focal piece. This could be a fountain, a sculpture or a bench. Mark out the amount of space needed for your focal piece in the center of the area.
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5
Mark out a section to each side of the intended entrance. Plan to use these sections for edible flowers such as carnations or chrysanthemums. This will add color and distinguish the entrance to the garden.
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6
Install boxed beds for each section. The back section should be one continuous box. In each of the sections along the sides, plant the herbs of your choice. Include garden markers in each bed to indicate the name of the herb in the bed.
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7
Install your focal piece. Plant your flowers at the entrance of your garden.
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8
Fill in the remaining area with gravel or colored rock. Place potted flowers near the focal piece if desired.
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Tips & Warnings
Plant thyme in the paths instead of adding gravel. Thyme doesn't mind being walked on; it releases fragrance when trodden on.
