How to Design a Herb Garden with Pots & Pavers

A cook sees a herb garden as a way to enhance the flavor of his dishes. A natural healer sees the herbs as remedies. A vegetable gardener uses the herbs to attract pollinators. A herb garden can be simple or elaborate, and you can easily incorporate hardscape items like pavers and pots into a garden design.

Instructions

1. Choose a site for the garden. Herbs need good drainage and between four and six hours of sun every day.

2. Make a sketch of the site, starting with the basic shape and dimensions. Include the entry point to the site and proximity to existing paths, gardens and structures.

3. Add a focal point of the garden to the sketch. For example, in a circular garden the center is a natural focal point. Add it to the sketch.

4. Add a path from the entry to the focal point and sketch in the type of pavers you want to use.

5. Divide the site into beds. The size of the garden determines the size of the beds. In a small garden, you may only have room for one path that divides the garden into two beds.

6. Add any pots to the design. For example, a large decorative pot can be the focal point of the garden. Choose smaller pots for the beds.

Tips & Warnings

• There are several software applications that can help you design a garden, but using paper and pencil has a shorter learning curve.

• Herbs will thrive in pots that have good drainage and adequate exposure to the sun.

References

• The Herb Society of America: The Beginner's Herb Garden
• "The Book of Outdoor Gardening"; Smith and Hawkin; 1996