Guide to Crafting a Round Keyhole Garden Elevated off the Ground
A keyhole garden is an innovative and eco-friendly gardening solution that combines raised cedar beds for durability and soil health with integrated composters for continuous nutrient recycling. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to build a keyhole garden.
Step 1: Design the Shape and Size
Design a compact circular raised bed with a notch (or a rectangular or square bed if preferred). Ensure ample depth for the beds, typically about 2 feet tall, to allow root growth and accommodate compost materials. Maintain entry paths at least 2 feet wide for easy movement and tending.
Step 2: Build the Raised Cedar Beds
Use naturally rot-resistant cedar wood for your beds to ensure durability. Construct the bed frame to the desired size and shape—most kits or pre-cut cedar boards assemble quickly with just a power screwdriver and no special tools required. Position the beds on cleared ground with a clear border separating garden soil from surrounding yard soil.
Step 3: Create the Central Compost Basket
At the center of the bed, install a compost basket made of wire mesh or woven sticks. This basket acts as the composter where you add kitchen scraps, dry leaves, manure, and nutrient-rich organic matter. The compost basket should be accessible via the notch or cleft so you can add waste regularly.
Step 4: Fill and Layer the Bed
Layer the bed from the bottom with coarse materials like sticks for drainage. Add alternating layers of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) organic matter around the compost basket. Top with quality soil or raised bed mix suitable for growing vegetables and herbs.
Step 5: Planting and Maintenance
Plant vegetables, herbs, and flowers around the compost basket, where nutrients will be most concentrated. Water as needed, ideally using greywater or rainwater. Regularly add kitchen scraps and organic waste into the compost basket to maintain nutrient flow. Keep pathways clear for easy access and harvesting.
This method, inspired by permaculture principles, offers a compact, water-efficient, and high-yield garden system. For those interested, Wildflower Farms sells Eco-Lawn Grass Seed in a 5-lb bag, and VegTrug offers a Raised Garden Planter made of natural wood. Other composting solutions include the Worm Factory 360 Composter, the Stainless Steel Compost Keeper, and the Jora JK270 Composter with a capacity of 9.5 cubic feet. Premium Drinking Water Safe Garden Hoses are also available in a slim 7/16" size.
Design your keyhole garden by creating a compact circular or rectangular raised bed made of durable cedar wood, ensuring ample depth for growing plants and accommodating compost materials. This home-and-garden project emphasizes lifestyle improvements through gardening, as the raised beds facilitate gardening activities while the integrated composter supports nutrient recycling.
