KEYHOLE GARDENS
by Carole Schwalm

Keyhole gardens first became popular in Africa, where weather is hot and dry. This type of garden holds moisture and nutrients in a way that a regular garden doesn't: The soil is rounded and then sloped away from a center well, and that well contains compost.

The picture shows a garden created by sixth grade students from Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program in the UK. The group was organized in the belief that "informed and empowered young people can make a difference and change the world. "And so they did, and will in the future, because the children sold their corn, tomatoes and potatoes to buy a goat for a third world country.

Let's look at the garden. The idea of the keyhole is because of the circle shape and the notch cut out in the center (where you see the bricks). While you can't see it clearly, the soil is sloped away for watering. The rocks and bricks keep the water inside the garden. A slotted top allows rainwater and regular water to seep down to the compost, enriching the soil. The keyhole notch makes it easier to tend to the compost. Each day the children place their food and fruit scraps in the compost bucket, by the way.

The children sold their corn, tomatoes and potatoes to buy a goat for a third world country.

While your climate may not be hot and dry, this type of garden works anywhere.

Rootsnshoots.org.uk