Page 50 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 135

50 Issue #135 April 2024 www.sportsenergynews.com

Let it Grow - Keyhole Gardens – Insert the Key

to Sustainability

By Marion Dalley

erhaps by this time you have
Pheard the term “Keyhole
Gardening.” Relatively new in this
area, keyhole gardens were first
used in countries where drought is a
constant concern. African countries
with very little rainfall developed
the idea of planting around a central
compost and watering system. This
helped to keep the water contained,
feeding the plants within the
keyhole garden. For the past 3 or
4 years, we have been using the center of the chosen spot, and then organic materials before or while of a compost pile and adding
system here. map out the circle by using string you add the kitchen compost. organic matter straight to your
attached to the stake, generally 24 Water the compost basket well, and vegetable bed, while also giving
Basically, it is a form of
to 36 inches long. The compost the water will drain into the soil of it time to break down somewhat
raised garden, but in this case,
basket in the center can be formed the garden. When putting the soil before it’s absorbed. Do not add
incorporating your compost pile
into the center of the garden. from a wire such as chicken wire in the garden, be sure to gently materials such as meat scrapes or
or other porous wire, which would angle the soil from higher at the bread.
You will see in the cross-section
drawing, that it is generally a allow worms to travel in and out. basket, to lower toward the outside The idea behind the keyhole
circular garden, with a notch cut The basket should be 6 inches or of the garden (a slope of 2 inches is garden is to reduce the amount
out in order to reach the compost so taller than your finished garden. recommended). This will help the of water you will need to use,
basket in the center of the garden. Once you have the perimeter water flow and distribution. while adding the nutrients from
The garden is basically in a circular formed, start by filling up the And now plant as you would any the compost directly into the soil.
form, although that can certainly garden with layers, the lasagna other raised bed. Be mindful of It is a very sustainable gardening
vary in shape. The main idea is to method. The first layer may be companion planting, and the depth method, reusing materials found
be able to easily put your compost cardboard, to inhibit the growth of of soil plants would need. If your around the home and storage sheds,
in the central bin, and to be able to weeds. Several layers of cardboard bed is not too deep, vegetables and replenishing the soil with your
water efficiently. Of course, you material will manage that. Next a such as beets and carrots may not kitchen scraps.
will want to be able to access all healthy layer of sticks, crisscrossed be a good idea. But if your bed is
sections of the garden, just as you to form an even bed. Then you will 2.5 to 3 feet high, you will have I will be building one of these
would any raised bed. want to add compost material such enough soil depth for those types this spring. I believe that it will
as leaves, woodash, grass clippings, take a few years to see the full
Keyhole gardening involves and many others. results of this, as with anything, it
reusing many materials that are etc. Lastly, add a mixture of good As the compost breaks down, is mostly trial and error for me. I
easy to find around the garden and topsoil and peat. there will be a constant source of
home. Bricks, wood logs, stones, or It is suggested to put a layer of nutrients for the plant roots to seek hope to keep you posted about how
straw bales can all be used for the rock under the compost basket, out. Worms will bring the nutrients the garden works, for me, and for
perimeter of the garden. Start by to facilitate a good aeration and from the center outwards, ensuring the plants! Google keyhole gardens
finding the right spot for the garden, drainage system for the compost. that there is not a nutrient density to get great ideas on how to build
ideally in a very sunny location, a Fill the basket with compost. It is in any particular area. In a sense, one.
place receiving at least 6 hours of good to layer the compost basket you’re cutting out the middleman Sustainable, easy on your back,
direct sun daily. Plant a stake in the as well, adding a few layers of and fun to do – Happy Plotting!