At the sunny location with a north-south orientation, the course is set for a herb spiral with different climate zones. Before you put the finishing touches on the mini biotope with your favorite herbs, the right substrate filling is on the agenda. Familiarize yourself here with the right soil for each climate area within a herb snail.
A herb spiral is filled with different layers
Gravel foundation prevents waterlogging
If you have decided on a dry wall to frame your herb spiral, we recommend a foundation of coarse gravel or crushed stone. For this purpose, during construction, dig up the soil to the depth of a spade and fill in a layer of gravel about 10 cm high. This measure gives a natural stone wall additional stability. In addition, the granular material acts as a useful drainage to protect against waterlogging.
Filling the herb worm - this is how it works step-by-step
Cultivation of the most diverse types of herbs is possible in the smallest of spaces, because four climate zones merge into one herb spiral. At the base there is ideally a small pond, which as a water zone gradually flows into a wet area. A temperate region follows, bordering the upper spiral center with a full sun, Mediterranean microclimate. With the following substrate mixtures you support the local climate areas:
- Water area: compost soil as bank substrate with contact to the pond water
- Wet area: Equal parts loamy garden soil and mature, screened compost
- Temperate climate area: mix of garden soil, compost and sand in equal parts
- Mediterranean zone: garden or herb soil and sand in a ratio of 1:1
If you do not maintain your own compost heap in the garden, please use pre-packaged compost or bark humus from the garden center. Above all, herbal plants in water and damp areas are dependent on a high nutrient content. In contrast, Mediterranean herbs are content with a lean, dry substrate that is not enriched with compost.
14 days waiting time between filling and planting
After you have filled the herb spiral professionally, please allow a period of about 14 days to elapse. This is the time the substrate takes to settle. If necessary, fill in more soil. Only then do you plant the herbs in the respective climate zone.
tips
If your garden is infested with voles, the voracious pests will not spare your herb spiral. Spread out a close-meshed, galvanized vole wire before laying the gravel foundation and filling the herb snail. Then even moles will ignore your herb snail.