<![CDATA[In a herb garden, function wins over style, but the two are not mutually exclusive. Productive gardens packed with delicious herbs look great, and adding pavers gives a nod to old-fashioned formality with a modern touch. Creating an herb garden with paver creates a natural look, and can be created in a matter of minutes for enthusiastic gardeners. The pavers whilst separating the herbs also double as handy stepping-stones to tend to your garden and not squash your plants.
Paved herb gardens are wonderful as there is no building involved. You simply use old pavers to create a border and add your herbs. They also keep each herb in its compartment. The three most common styles used to create an herb garden with pavers are the “ladder”, “cartwheel” and “chequerboard”.
Before deciding on your style, you will need to start by selecting a site. You will need a spot that gets around four to six hours of sun each day. This site will help determine the style you choose. Once you have selected a site, you will need to create a rough outline by creating the basic shape you want to achieve. If you pick the “ladder,” you need a straight line. Each square will be approximately 8 x 8 pavers wide to form the squares. You can have 3, 5, 7 or more squares depending on the length you have available. The “ladder” garden is not restricted by differing heights of herbs. It is simply a matter in selecting your favorites to plant.
With a “cartwheel” shape, you are looking for a sundial effect. This means you can have a small tree in the centre to provide shade such as Witch Hazel. From the centre, you would have about eight triangles leading to the outer circle where you would plant low-growing herbs. If you make the wheel big enough you can go to town with some tall herbs for the middle of the wheel.
The “chequerboard” is perfect for those dull areas of paving and a neat way of growing herbs separately. You simply lift out some of the existing pavers to make a pattern, and then either plant the herbs in the gaps or dig pot depth holes or sink containers of herbs. The advantage of this arrangement is you can move them around and put evergreen types in during the winter. Herb gardens are a great statement for any garden big or small. Try paving with natural stone to make your herb garden look more inviting and finished.
Summary
A herb garden with pavers can be made in different styles. Just find a nice spot, and get creative with building your garden.]]>