Keyhole Garden Design

Econ Farm is home to many different permaculture design elements. Today we spent time watering our transplanted trees and the areas that were inoculated with mushroom spores. Below, this set of logs had dowels inserted with mushroom spores. The spots were then covered with mud and have been watered regularly. In 6 weeks, the logs should be covered with oyster mushrooms. 

In this garden that was overgrown with ferns and weeds, we cleared it and double dug in mushroom compost for a Keyhole Garden: a raised bed, lasagna garden with composting and recycling built in. This garden needed some work. It was only slightly raised and rectangular. Most keyhole gardens are designed to be waist high for accessibility and round. They are so great because they are drought tolerant. Ours will be more of a U-shape. They are designed with a compost center that serves to fertilize the layers sloped below and away from it. This picture shows the garden is a tangled mess, and in fact it is. Okinawa Spinach was growing and spreading like crazy. There was a nice little mound of tarragon, and a sad looking rosemary that was translated. The papaya tree had to be dug out because it did not survive a Winter frost. Much of the Okinawa Spinach was transplanted to other areas because it is hardy and grows quickly with little attention, offering an edible, low maintenance landscape.