Keyhole garden

Subtopic: Keyhole Garden Design
– Two-meter-wide circular raised garden
– Keyhole-shaped indentation for composting basket
– Walls made of stone for moisture retention
– Ideal for intensive planting
– Not suitable for plants with wide-reaching root systems

Subtopic: Origin and Purpose
– Developed in Lesotho by C-SAFE
– Designed for AIDS patients and those unable to tend traditional gardens
– Constructed with layers of compost, manure, and nutrient-rich materials
– Drought-resistant and productive
– Adapted for kitchen gardens by healthy individuals

Subtopic: Spread and Impact in Africa
– Over 20,000 keyhole gardens built by C-SAFE
– More than 90% still in use after a couple of years
– Found in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, and other African countries
– Adapted versions in Texas and other US locations
– Modified design with 6-foot-wide bed and 12-inch compost basket

Subtopic: Keyhole Gardens in Permaculture
– Term used to describe garden beds with dead-end paths
– Permaculture keyhole gardens are wider and flatter
– Do not incorporate compost baskets or piles
– Tall beds with compost are referred to as banana circles
– Focus on reducing path area for planting efficiency

Subtopic: Related Concepts
– See also: List of garden types
– Square foot gardening as an alternative method
– References to further reading and resources
– Mention of “Gaias Garden” by Toby Hemenway
– Rethinking circular keyhole beds and mandala gardens by Ben Stallings