Highland Lakes Master Gardener Association Highland Lakes Master Gardener Program “Keyhole” Gardening Guru Taught Class in Marble Falls By Ann McElroy and Sharon Jenson
Last summer, everyone with a garden struggled with the heat and drought. Although the drought may have wrecked havoc on our plants, most of us emerged with a strong resolve to find new ways to overcome the challenging Central Texas climate. This spring we've had great rains and moderate temperatures, so we’re all anticipating a better gardening season. Dr. Deb has used her background in
landscape design, environmental science, and research of African survival
techniques to create the ultimate raised bed garden. Sort of a “one stop shop”
for extraordinary production and nutrition, Dr. Deb’s keyhole garden provides
more healthy food under more challenging conditions than anything that’s come
along in quite awhile. ![]() Like many successful innovations, Dr. Deb’s concept is surprisingly simple. It starts with a 6-foot diameter circle which defines the outside perimeter of the 3 foot deep gardening structure. The center of the garden includes a 1-foot in diameter mesh basket that’s used for continual composting. The key to the ease of using the structure is the notch (shaped like a piece of pie) that allows access to the compost basket. The birds-eye view of the structure resembles a keyhole. Texas Power Co-op magazine recently published a detailed article about Dr. Deb’s keyhole gardening concept. You may read it online at http://www.texascooppower.com/texas-stories/nature-outdoors/keyhole-gardening or visit Dr. Deb’s website at http://www.debtolman.com |