Building a Two-Tier Herb Planter: Ray's Kitchen Garden Success Story

When Ray from Norfolk decided to grow his own herbs, he faced a common problem - limited space and poor drainage in his small patio area. His solution? A striking two-tier herb planter built with black PolyBrick® Double Blocks that's become the star of his outdoor kitchen garden.

"I wanted fresh herbs right outside my kitchen door," Ray explains. "But my patio is quite small, and the drainage isn't great. I needed something that would give me growing space without taking up too much floor area."

The Two-Tier Solution

Ray's design was elegantly simple: create vertical growing space using stepped levels, each perfect for different herb varieties. The black finish would complement his contemporary patio furniture whilst creating distinct zones for his herb collection.

Lower Tier: Mediterranean herbs - rosemary, thyme, oregano Upper Tier: Cooking essentials - basil, parsley, chives

"The beauty of the two-tier design is that each level gets different amounts of sun and drainage," Ray notes. "Perfect for separating hardy Mediterranean herbs from more delicate leafy varieties."

Why Black PolyBrick® Double Blocks?

Ray chose black Double Blocks for both practical and aesthetic reasons:

Visual Impact: "The black blocks create a really striking contrast with the green herbs. It looks much more sophisticated than typical terracotta pots."

Heat Absorption: "Black blocks warm up nicely in spring, giving the herbs an earlier start. But they're not too hot in summer like metal planters."

Professional Finish: "With the black caps, it looks like expensive designer garden furniture rather than DIY."

The Build Process

Weekend 1: Planning and Layout Ray mapped out his space and calculated block requirements using our online planner. "Getting the proportions right was crucial - I wanted it substantial enough to look intentional, not like stacked boxes."

Weekend 2: Assembly
The actual build took just one morning. "Fifteen minutes for the base tier, ten for the upper level. The Double Blocks click together so satisfyingly."

Weekend 3: Planting Filling with compost and planting his herb selection. "The drainage is perfect - no waterlogging issues like I had with previous planters."

Six Months Later: The Results

Ray's herb planter has exceeded expectations:

• Fresh herbs year-round: Even through winter, hardy herbs like rosemary thrived
• Perfect drainage: No plant losses from waterlogged roots
• Easy maintenance: Black surface shows minimal dirt, easy to keep clean
• Conversation starter: Visitors always comment on the striking design

"I'm picking fresh herbs for cooking almost daily," Ray reports. "The two-tier system gives me enough variety without overwhelming the space."

Lessons Learned

Start with sturdy herbs: Ray recommends beginning with robust varieties like rosemary and thyme before moving to more delicate herbs.

Consider sun patterns: "I initially put basil in too much shade on the lower tier. Easy to swap plants around when needed."

Plan for growth: "Some herbs spread more than expected. The modular system means I can easily expand if needed."

The Neighbour Effect

Success bred curiosity. Ray's striking black herb planter has inspired several neighbours to create their own vertical growing solutions.

"Three people on my road now have PolyBrick® planters," Ray laughs. "There's definitely a friendly competition developing over who has the best herb garden."

Ray's Top Tips for Two-Tier Success

1. Hardy herbs below, delicate above - better drainage in the upper tier suits tender herbs
2. Group by water needs - Mediterranean herbs together, leafy herbs together
3. Plan for succession planting - especially with quick-growing herbs like coriander
4. Don't forget drainage material - gravel in the bottom prevents waterlogging
5. Consider seasonal changes - some herbs can be moved between tiers as seasons change

Expanding the System

Ray's already planning additions: matching planters for a complete kitchen garden setup. "Once you start building with PolyBrick®, it's addictive. I'm thinking about adding a third tier for trailing herbs like oregano."

Ready to create your own herb garden paradise? Ray's two-tier design proves that smart vertical growing maximises both space and harvest.

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