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Keyhole Garden will charge more for your raised beds

 Keyhole Garden will charge 



Keyhole gardening may be a new trend in the United States, but it actually started in Africa in the 1990s, offering a way to grow fresh produce in drought-prone areas with poor soil. Although there are many variations, most keyhole gardens are circular raised beds with a notch cut in the middle (similar to a keyhole, hence the name) to allow easy access to the entire plot. A basket sits in the middle of the plot for composting and watering. The planting bed can be filled with garden soil; Biodegradable materials such as cardboard, newspaper, grass clippings, coffee grounds, and other kitchen waste and compost; or a combination of both.


Benefits of Keyhole Gardening


The Keyhole Planter's raised profile makes it ideal for locations with subpar soils (bonus: no digging or tilling required). This height makes planting, cultivating, and harvesting easier for people with mobility challenges. Additionally, keyhole gardens are environmentally and budget friendly. You can make them using natural ingredients and materials that you already have on hand and at a very low cost. A compost bin provides a convenient, mess-free way to provide plants with much-needed nutrients without a separate compost bin. If you use layers of organic material on the bed, it will retain moisture and lead to less watering.


How to make a keyhole garden



Just like creating a raised bed, there are many ways to set up your own keyhole garden depending on budget, preferences, and space. Fortunately, the process is simple and straightforward.


Site your location


Look for a relatively flat area. Avoid low-lying areas with waterlogging. Make sure the site gets at least six hours of direct sunlight a day.


Determine the shape and size



Although most keyhole planters are round, you can create any shape to fit your space. Make sure it's six feet or less in diameter so you can easily reach all your plants. Make a notch in the middle that is wide enough for you to walk through to get the compost bin (a couple of feet wide will work for most people). Mark your spot by laying a base layer of stone, brick, or wood. You can also opt for a pre-made kit, in which case you can skip the next two steps.


Build your own compost bin


Use a perforated or mesh material such as chicken wire to create a compost basket. Roll the wire about 12 inches in diameter and several inches higher than the walls of your structure. Tie it together with twine or zip ties and place it in the middle of the garden.


Build the walls


Your keyhole garden structure can be made from a variety of materials, including bricks, cinder blocks, stones, or wood. Aim for a height of about three feet. If the walls are porous, add cardboard around the inside perimeter to help hold everything in place.


Add soil and/or other materials


If you add garden soil, fill the bed to the top. Or, add compost material in the lasagna style and top it with a layer of soil and/or manure.


Plant your new keyhole garden


Now you're ready to grow your favorite produce (and a few flowers, too). Leafy greens and smaller root vegetables like carrots, onions, beets, radishes, and turnips grow best in keyhole gardens, while larger crops like beans and squash may struggle. Look for smaller varieties to maximize your space and allow you to grow a variety of produce.


Keep composting and watering



As the growing season progresses, continue to add material to the compost basket. (Hint: As long as the plants haven't gone to seed, this is a convenient place to toss the weeds you pull from your keyhole garden.) Whenever the soil looks dry, add compost and water to the basket to help disperse both nutrients. Moisture throughout the bed.


Overall, keyhole gardens are relatively low maintenance. However, if the quality of your produce starts to deteriorate over the years or if the soil volume starts to decrease, you may need to add some fresh soil and compost to the bed.

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Location: United States

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