Keyhole GardeningI found this site recently and loved the idea of a keyhole garden , although I have yet to convince my husband that transferring such a large area of our small garden over to this type of cultivation is worth it.  But I'm determined to persist as it looks such a fabulous idea.
Here's a diagram of the structure: 



The site also has other ideas such as a sack garden which would be useful for growing plants on a patio or in a restricted area.


This is from Send a Cow, an organisation concerned with helping people to help themselves (
http://www.sendacow.org.uk/africangardensuk/?gclid=CLaGsaKRqL0CFa-WtAodf2oAGg#keyhole-gardens).   The site gives information on African cultivation techniques and also asks for us to sponsor families, mainly in Ethopia, Kenya, Lesotho,  Rwanda and Uganda.

A keyhole garden allows a family to grow enough food for three meals a day – even in the face of an extreme climate and poor soil.

Keyhole gardens recycle as they grow. The design of the circular raised bed – which looks like a keyhole from above – incorporates a central ‘basket’ where compostable waste is placed and used water from the kitchen is poured. These gardens add nutritious vegetables to diets and are especially useful in areas where good soil is scarce. They get fantastic results very quickly, with families often having enough to eat within just three months.

Did you know?

Keyhole Gardens help to extend the growing season, even in dry periods, so that food can be grown by families nearly all year round.

We can sponsor a keyhole garden for £12 - and there are other projects with which we can take part.