Hi everyone! Today I want to share the magic of a keyhole garden. I first learned about keyhole gardens through my permaculture design certification course with Geoff Lawton. In this course we learned that:
Keyhole beds have a one-meter wide circle footpath with a half-meter wide entry path, and the planting beds are one to two meters across with a windbreak around the outside. A tomato polyculture keyhole can be inter-planted with marigolds and dwarf nasturtiums, with chives at the entrance and basil surrounding the inner circle. Fava beans can be planted as a winter harvest or green manure between the tomatoes. The area should be wind-sheltered and covered in thick mulch.
First, we began by selecting and measuring our space. I spent some time observing and selected a space that I would often see for visual appeal. I also observed the four directions and planned the keyhole garden so that the opening faced south in order to maximize sunlight on the plants.
We then prepared the area by pulling any weeds with a hoe and raking up the residues.
We found our center point and drove a stake into the ground. From that stake we used a string to measure a one-meter wide circle footpath and a one-meter wide planting bed.
We used that pre-measured string to lay out the bricks for the outline of the keyhole garden. Once the bricks were placed, we filled the outline in with delicious compost and worked that compost into the soil.
I decided to plant a traditional Native American Three Sisters Garden - which is companion planting corn, beans, and squash together. The beans are able to climb up the corn stalks and the squash fills in the empty spaces on the ground.
I first planted the corn, because beans are fast growers and I didn't want the beans to outgrow the corn and have nowhere to run up.
I like to take a portable chair out to my keyhole garden and read or write while emcompassed by the corn.
I also built a bamboo arbor with bamboo from the land. The photo below is of me training some beans up the bamboo arbor.
Such a cool and beautiful idea. I'll be trying this when we move house in 2 months.
wow! You did an awesome job with your garden! I never thought about placement of plants, but that totally makes sense. Gotta protect the little guys on the inside. I'm still trying to learn how to not kill my succulents. Baby steps :)
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STOPDo you become the key when you enter the keyhole? I vote yes.
Great work! Keep spreadin' that gospel of permaculture...
i think i wanna do that too
I am truly speechless with this! It is a great keyhole garden. I have never heard of it before but am intrigued with the design. The bamboo arbor is a perfect final touch to the garden. Great for growing vines and pole vegetables, etc.
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I'm already using polycultures, but not come across keyhole beds before. Will try one or two in the new garden I'm building.
Also just starting with growing bamboo, so hopefully I'll have some of my own bamboo next year (although not sure yet how fast it grows).
Where are you located that you started growing bamboo? Just curious because I have heard it grows in many places in the US but not sure if it would grow in my zone
I'm in Wales in the UK. A friend of mine nearby has a variety that grows prolifically here, he's giving me some to start.
This is a fantastic idea. Thanks for sharing.
amazing farming knowledge thank you for sharing this information
I'm attempting to become more serious about gardening and I stumbled upon your gardening posts. It seems you are quite a serious gardener. I hope to learn lots from you.
making garden is awesome. maintaining the garden is joy of life.
the post you share is quite interesting for me, I really like it you are very capable in working,
Wow, such a great idea! It looks wonderful and I can see you really enjoy it, and that's what matters :)
This is awesome. I like the idea of taking a chair into the center to read or write.
Nice post and what a great healthy garden blog. Astonishing! I may use your idea and do one in our eco neighbourhood. Samuel Stonehill recommended you and I am happily following you as I like your content. Have a great weekend
Very nice keyhole garden with the 3 sisters planting arrangement. Thanks for sharing one of the best designs out there for gardening. 🐓🐓
You've really made that look great.
Tthank yo very much for your upvote @anwenbaumeister. I may be posting aquaponics soon here, I love gardening as well, although I dunno if gardening loves me haha. Do pass by from time to time, your support encourages me. Regards.
Hi @anwenbaumeister, thank you for your upvote on my post!
Great photos, your step by step guide is very clear to understand. Plus I love the garden design. You're based in California right? I've taken three short Permaculture courses before, but I dont know if the keyhole garden will work for me in the colder north. Have you got any links you can share that can teach me what can work or do you know?
Thanks again. Love and Om
Hmm this raises a few questions.
The entrance on the south side for most sunshine. Shouldn't that be East instead of south?
And then the arbor for the beans. at the entrance.. Once the beans grow high don't they take away the entire sunshine?
I'm going to give this some more thought, maybe next spring I might give it a try to do something similar.