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One of the most charming ways to create a basic herb garden is an old-fashioned herb wheel. The basis of the herb wheel is a circular plot of healthy, nourishing soil. The size of the plot depends on what framework you will choose to lay out your herb wheel. You cam make a large or a small herb wheel depending on the size of your garden.

The traditional method is to use a spoked wooden or iron wagon wheel, laid over the circular plot. But these are hard to find, so don't despair if you can't get one. There are alternative methods.

One method is to lay out the shape of a medicine wheel, using small white stones. You can also use weathered wooden planks, broken bricks or low slot-together fencing from your garden supply store, set down in the shape of a wheel.

First you must measure out the spokes of your wheel and for this you will need a number of small wooden pegs and half that number of lengths of string. The string should be a few inches longer than the circular plot at its widest.

Tap the pegs around the edge of the plot at regular intervals, depending on how many spokes you want to create. Eight is a good number.

Now tie one end of a length of string to one of the pegs and stretch it across the plot to tie it to the peg directly opposite. Do this until you have used all the string.

Now you will have a web of string intersecting in the middle of the plot.

Mark this spot with an item in keeping with the theme of your wheel. A large white stone, a birdbath or a rose bush would be suitable.

Follow the lines of string to lay out the spokes of the wheel with the materials of your choice, then remove the string and the pegs. Edge the plot in a circle with more stones, bricks or whatever you are using. Now you have an herb wheel, sectioned off like a pie chart.

The idea of the herb wheel is to create a herb garden in which planets can be rotated according to the seasons. Look at the way the sun and shade affect the plot as well, and plant Mediterranean herbs like basil on the side which receives full sun.

What herbs should you plant to create a basic herb garden that Will keep you supplied with fresh herbs for your cooking? Think of the old song "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme' and you are off to a good start. Parsley is one of the most useful of culinary herbs, sage is a wonderful herb to use in savory dishes like soups and stews, rosemary is essential if you like roast lamb and thyme is so versatile you absolutely must grow it. Chives are a delicious addition to omelets and cheese dishes, and dill is essential for salad dishes like potato salad.

Me3diterranean herbs like basil, marjoram, oregano and fennel are easy to grow and will add authentic flavor to Italian dishes, but if you prefer Asian food, it is also easy to grow the herbs you need, such as lemongrass, Thai basil and coriander. You can also add some traditional herb wheel plants like an Apothecary's rose, lavender and garlic. Some herbs like mint and fennel tend to take over a herb patch, so it is best to set these in decorative pots.

The herb wheel is easy to manage, placing all the plants within easy reach of each other, and if planted near the kitchen, will bring flavor and fragrance into your cooking as well as the garden!

Learn more about this author, Gail Kavanagh.
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