Building a Historical Herb Garden in Massachusetts with Cannabis at the Center

Forget raised beds and sterile tents - this year, bring your cannabis cultivation back in time. By combining New England’s colonial herb garden traditions with a modern homegrow, you can create a thriving, useful, and visually stunning garden that pays tribute to Massachusetts’ agrarian past while celebrating its cannabis-legal present.

Here’s how to build your own historical herb garden with cannabis at the core - step by step.

Step 1: Choose Your Style

Historical gardens in 17th- and 18th-century Massachusetts weren’t just for beauty - they were functional. You’ll find two main styles:

Wattle-Fenced Garden (Pilgrim Style):

Small, enclosed plots near the kitchen door, with woven twig fencing, crushed shell or gravel paths, and medicinal plants.

Apothecary Layout (Physic Garden Style):

Often in quadrants, separated by narrow footpaths, organized by plant function - respiratory, digestive, calming, etc.

Tip: Place cannabis in the center or rear quadrant, where it can be protected from wind while still benefiting from full sun.

Step 2: Sunlight, Privacy, and Plant Height

Even in a themed garden, don’t forget: Massachusetts law requires cannabis to be out of public view.

• Use native shrubs like elderberry or highbush blueberry as visual screens.
• Position cannabis along the south-facing fence line or hedge to soak up sunlight.
• Choose shorter companion herbs in front rows (thyme, chives) to let your cannabis shine.

Step 3: Authentic Materials with a Grower’s Twist

Create your layout using colonial-era inspiration:

• Paths: Crushed seashells, pine needles, or cobblestones (drain well and look period-accurate).
• Beds: Raised borders with split logs or reclaimed brick (great for drainage).
• Trellis & Ties: Use hemp twine and willow trellises to support bushy cannabis plants without plastic eyesores.

Bonus: Hide your irrigation tubing under period-style mulch like straw or bark.

Step 4: Companion Planting

Here’s a table of colonial herbs that also serve your cannabis grow:

Note: Many of these herbs are also excellent cover crops or soil companions.

Step 5: Watering & Drainage

Back then, watering came from barrels and buckets. Today:

• Use a rain barrel for authenticity and eco-friendliness.
• Install drip irrigation below straw mulch to preserve aesthetics and moisture.
• Slightly mound cannabis plants to avoid root rot in rainy months.

Step 6: Drying Herbs & Cannabis Together

Drying sheds and attic rafters were standard in colonial homes. Replicate that with:

• A shaded drying area with open-air flow and hanging racks made of old branches.
• Label bundles with twine and recycled parchment tags to keep with the theme.
• Mix cannabis curing jars with dried calendula, sage, and mint on shelves for a colonial apothecary vibe.

A Living History Pollinator Zone

No colonial herb garden is complete without pollinators, and your cannabis will love them too - especially if you’re growing any plants from seed or want to boost terpene profiles late season.

Plant:

• Coneflower
• Bee balm
• Borage
• Dill

These species attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds - while respecting the historical theme.

Don’t Forget: Massachusetts Law Quick Notes

• Adults 21+ can grow up to 6 plants per person, 12 per household.
• Plants must be secure and not visible from public areas.

Planting the Past, Growing the Future

A historical herb garden isn’t just an aesthetic - it’s a grounding experience. You’re cultivating cannabis in the same soil once used by colonial settlers for medicine, tea, and tinctures. By blending cannabis into this living history, you’re honoring the past while growing toward a more mindful, sustainable future.

Let your garden tell a story - and let cannabis take its rightful place as part of that tale.

We’re HomeGrow Helpline and we're passionate about blending history with horticulture - offering creative, compliant, and inspiring ideas for home cannabis growers across Massachusetts and beyond.