How to Make an Herbal Knot Garden
Originating in England in Tudor times, herbal knot gardens are an efficient and aesthetic way to grow herbs. The gardens are usually square, and paths throughout form the shape of a knot. These paths divide the growing space into different sections so that one or more herbs can grow in each. The paths also create easy access to the entire garden to allow the gardener to pull weeds and to harvest the herbs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Herb seeds and seedlings
- Tape measure
- Stakes, 12 inches high
- String
- Spade
- Organic fertilizer or peat moss
- Paving stones
- Trowel
- Organic mulch
Instructions
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1
Choose the location and size of your herbal knot garden. The garden site should receive at least six hours of sun during the day and be relatively sheltered. Herbal knot gardens are usually square, so chose the length of the sides of your garden. Bear in mind that there will be nine squares within your garden.
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Decide which herbs you will grow in each of the nine squares, and purchase the seeds or seedlings. For each square, choose herbs that require the same growing conditions of light, fertilizer and moisture. You can have a different arrangement of herbs in each square, or alternate just two arrangements for a more formal look.
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3
Place a stake at one corner of your herb garden and measure the length of one of the sides. Place another stake. Do this for each of the corners to create the boundary of your square garden. Run a string between the stakes to outline the boundary.
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4
Remove any weeds from within the boundary and loosen the soil. Add organic fertilizer or peat moss, and dig this into the soil.
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Measure one-third of the way along the string at the top edge of your herb garden and place a stake there. Measure another third of the way across and place another stake. Do this for each edge.
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Place the paving stones across the top of the herb garden between the stakes at one-third and two-thirds of the way across. Do this at the bottom of the garden plot. These form the paths across the top and bottom. Place more stones across the herb garden itself in a straight line from the left of the top path to the left of the bottom path, and from the right of the top path to the right of the bottom path. You now have a rectangular outline in stones from top to bottom.
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Create a similar rectangle of paving stones across the herb garden from left to right, crossing the first path. You now have divided the herb garden into nine equally sized squares. The paving stone path forms the knot.
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Plant the seedlings in the appropriate squares by digging a hole just larger than the seedling root and to a depth that will cover the root. Plant seeds by using a trowel to create a shallow trough. Sprinkle the seeds in it and cover them lightly with soil. Water the seeds and seedlings and cover the herb garden with 1 inch of organic mulch material.
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Tips & Warnings
Popular herbs to plant are basil, oregano, parsley, chives, sage and thyme.
Use gravel or small stones for the path in place of paving stones.
Some herbs, such as mint, will spread quickly throughout your herb garden.
References
Resources
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