DIY Network

Central Planter Box Central Planter Box From "Weekend Gardening" episode WKG-311

When you look out your kitchen window, what do you see? If your backyard is looking dull and dreary, this may be just the garden for you, especially if you like to cook. You can add pizzazz to any patch of earth by planting a garden of assorted herbs: blooming herbs not only look wonderful, they also smell terrific! And of course, they can really make your meals come alive too!

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The plants used today grow well in the Southwestern region of the country. These are edible plants that you can use to create a beautiful and functional herbal knot garden of your own. It will take about 14 hours, over two days, to complete, and it's rated a level-3 project for intermediate do-it-yourselfers.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

As with all gardening projects, it's best to start with a design in mind. Use a computer to download a digital picture of the space, then use design software to click and drag images until you have the layout you wish for your garden. Maureen Gilmer plans to create a wood square, about 6', and drop in a second square at a 45-degree angle (figure A). Then each space within the squares will be planted with a different herb, and a narrow walkway will be created around the perimeter. Finally, a hedge of lavender and rosemary will be planted around the walkway.

Once you have a design to work with, round up all the materials you'll need, and you're off and running.

Materials
Gardening tools
Plant material
Spray paint
Pressure-treated lumber
Power drill
Wood screws
Wattle edging
Bark mulch

1. Maureen establishes the sense of symmetry by first creating the main axis of the garden. She does this by spray-painting a line that runs perpendicular to the preexisting espaliered fruit tree that she is using as her reference point. Then she creates axes in the opposite direction by marking lines that run perpendicular to the first line (figure B).

2. Pressure-treated 4x4s with mitered ends are secured together with galvanized screws (figure C) to form the first square frame (figure D).

Expert tip: (Steve Gerisher, garden designer) I really like using the herbal knot garden. It's an old form of gardening that focuses your attention on a small area and can create a feeling of great serenity in your yard.

3. Maureen uses 2x4s to build the second (interior) square, securing the ends as before and fitting the square inside the first one at a 45-degree angle so that the corners align with the painted axis lines (figure E).

Time spent: 5 hours.

RESOURCES :

Mulch
Whitney Farms
Website: www.whitneyfarms.com

Plants
Monrovia Horticultural Craftsmen
Website: www.monrovia.com

Simply Beautiful
Website: www.simplybeautifulgardens.com

Maureen Gilmer, Horticulturalist & Author
Website: www.moplants.com

Suggested books/design software:
Gaining Ground by Maureen Gilmer
The Budget Gardener by Maureen Gilmer
Maureen Gilmer's Garden Maker Software