The End is the Beginning - Part 3

As I mentioned in Part 2, the concept behind the Keyhole Gardening method just may be the answer for us! It appears to be working nicely in Africa. Since it gets mighty hot and dry here in Texas from about mid-June through October, this method of gardening is certainly worth a try!

NOTE: I HIGHLY recommend NOT building a Keyhole Garden on a slope, but it was an area once used for tomatoes and definitely needed attention.

May 1, 2012

Silly me, I thought the wall could be / would be constructed in a few days – not! Once I got the hang of what was needed and how to best position the rocks, the construction went relatively quickly.

May 10, 2012
I had to totally re-do several times and this wasn't the last time! Totally started over the next day!

Yet, without my dear husband’s help harvesting rock – truck load after truck load (at least 12 trips: some on his own, some times we went out together), this project would not be finished for at least several more weeks!


Yes - at least 12 hauls like this!

Before and during the process of building the keyhole site, I checked google for more information and got back 3,980,000 results! The most informative article I’ve found is from the Texas Co-Op Power Magazine. Another informative place is Dr. Deb’s website where she has an outstanding .pdf document with step by step instructions. I did a search on Facebook, too! Yes, there is a page for Keyhole Gardens.

Although it’s the end of building the formation, it’s the beginning of actual playing with the insides!

May 17, 2012 - LAST rock - DONE!

Today I begin the process of placing cardboard (will be so happy to get the collection out of my kitchen!) and newspapers and cow poop (must gather some from the pasture – which won’t be a problem after experiencing the collection of rock!) and watering it all as I go.

One more thing we must figure out, how to / what to use as a frame over it to support a shade cloth.

To see additional pictures of our process, I created an album on Lanetta’s Creations Facebook page. As I continue on this journey, pictures will follow!

Will it be ready for a fall garden? Certainly hope so!

P.S. What should I plant for a fall garden? Suggestions welcomed!