Spiral Garden Creation: Healing In The Round

Project Overview

During the Zero Gathering on Bozcaada, two spiral-shaped raised-bed gardens were designed and co-created as a regenerative art-ecology installation. Inspired by sacred geometry and the spiraling patterns found throughout nature — from galaxies to seashells — these living gardens embody cycles of growth, resilience, and community care.

Their purpose goes far beyond beauty: they serve as an educational demonstration of how public communal spaces can be reimagined for ecological restoration, social cohesion, and regenerative practice.

Design Philosophy & Implementation

1. The spiral shape was chosen to maximize planting surface, optimize sunlight angles, and facilitate water movement in a way that mimics natural micro-watersheds, creating diverse microclimates for varied plant species.
2. Built on public communal land with the approval and partnership of the Bozcaada Municipality, this project showcases how shared spaces can transform from underutilized areas into thriving ecological assets for all.
3. The municipality contributed fresh fertile soil, ensuring a nutrient-rich starting point for the plants and symbolizing how local governance can support community-driven regenerative initiatives.
4. Twelve local community members participated in the garden build — many for the very first time experiencing raised-bed gardening and spiral design methods. This created a moment of empowerment and skill-sharing, nurturing confidence and connection.
5. The project was grounded in the principle of yerindelik (place-based sensitivity), selecting local, climate-adapted plants well-suited to Bozcaada’s Mediterranean ecology.
6. Community members living nearby committed to long-term stewardship by watering and maintaining the spirals, embedding the project in everyday rhythms of care and connection.

Plant Species & Ecological Layers

The plant palette was carefully curated for its ecological and cultural resonance, supporting pollinators and promoting biodiversity while linking to local herbal traditions:

1. Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender): pollinator haven and aromatic medicine
2. Mentha piperita (Peppermint): culinary and medicinal uses
3. Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary): robust, drought-tolerant, highly aromatic
4. Origanum majorana (Marjoram): traditional seasoning and pollinator attractor
5. Cosmos bipinnatus (Cosmos Flower): aesthetic beauty, pollinator-friendly
6. Calendula officinalis (Pot Marigold): wound-healing and biodiversity-supporting
7. Salvia officinalis (Sage): resilient, multipurpose culinary and herbal uses
8. Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm): soothing tea plant, pollinator magnet