Whether you’re looking to enhance the accessibility of your garden or explore a different method of cultivation, keyhole gardening and raised bed gardening are both great choices. Raised bed gardening is well-established and commonly practiced, but the less familiar keyhole design is definitely worth exploring, particularly because of its eco-friendly benefits.
As global temperatures increase and droughts and extreme weather events become more common, gardeners are exploring methods to keep their gardens sustainable. By cutting down on water use and reusing materials, even minor adjustments, like creating compost at home, can have an impact.
When it comes to deciding betweenkeyhole gardening and raised bed gardening, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. Continue reading to learn about their benefits and drawbacks, as well as how eco-friendly each approach is, to assist you in choosing the most suitable growing system for your backyard.
What distinguishes keyhole gardening from raised bed gardening?
In simple terms, both keyhole and raised bed gardens are designed to cultivate plants at a height that is convenient for the user.
However, keyhole gardening originates frompermaculture and includes a central compostingthe region that aids in maintaining moisture and nourishes the nearby soil and its vegetation. In contrast, raised beds do not and instead concentrate onimproved drainage and soil control.
The benefits of raised bed gardening
Hailing from sub-Saharan Africa, keyhole gardens are well-suited for those who garden in arid conditions or onpoor soil.
A crucial element of their circular design is a central container or framework used for composting, which, when watered, provides irrigation and releases nutrients into the adjacent planting area, instead of into the soil beneath.
This approach offers benefits as it not only minimizes water usage, which is good for the environment and saves time, but also promotes composting and offers a designated space for it if you don’t already have one.
Additionally, by naturally nourishing the soil, keyhole gardening supports soil vitality and minimizes the necessity forfertilizers.
Capable of being constructed to any height, keyhole gardens can also be designed to accommodate individuals with limited mobility, while the planting area can be kept away from curious pets or pests.
Furthermore, keyhole gardens can be built using nearly any material, allowing you to utilize leftover construction supplies and maintain low expenses.
The drawbacks of keyhole gardening
A keyhole garden should ideally be at least 6 feet in width and 2 to 3 feet tall to function as intended and operate effectively. To allow access from both inside and around the circular design, a space of 8 feet in diameter is necessary, which might not be practical for those with limited yard or balcony space.
Keyhole gardens, similar to raised beds, require assembly, but unlike raised beds, they usually don’t arrive in pre-assembled packages. Typically, stones, bricks, or logs are used to create the outer and inner ‘key’ walls, and you’ll also have to build the inner compost basket using wire mesh or chicken wire.
While offering a good chance to reuse any extra materials you may have, keyhole gardens can appear somewhat disorganized and unkept, which may not be suitable for aminimalist garden design.
Another drawback of keyhole gardening is that, by incorporating a composting section, pests such asratsand other pests might be attracted. Avoiding the addition of meat, fish, and dairy products, along with consistently turning the compost area, can help keep rats from settling in, but it’s important to wear gloves and exercise caution if children are around.
Because of possible visual and pest concerns, if you decide to build a keyhole garden, you may want to position it where it’s not easily seen or located deeper in the yard, where these problems could be minimized.
The benefits of elevated garden beds
Often used for wellness and community gardens, where being inclusive is essential, raised beds can also be found in many front andback yards. Ranging in height from 6 inches to 3 feet, and available in nearly any length and width, elevated planting areas can be customized for any garden and its occupants.
Elevated planting areas can be constructed from materialsincluding brick, treated wood, or from kits such as this ‘4 x 4 ft Elevated Garden Plot Planter available on Amazon. Elevated garden beds can be easy to put together, but their cost may vary based on the materials selected.
Commonly used for cultivating vegetables and flowers, raised beds can be filled with anytype of soilor growing medium and can be adapted for nearly any type of cultivation. This makes it well-suited for growing root vegetables such ascarrots, Daucus carota, as there will be no rocks in the ground that could cause them to split.
Or they might be filled with ericaceous soil to cultivate acid-loving plants such asblueberries, Vaccinium. Additionally, being elevated off the ground helps prevent compaction caused by foot traffic, ensuring that aeration and drainage stay at their best.
Another benefit of elevated garden beds is their ability to adapt to the available space, whether it’s large or small. When accessible from both sides, these beds can be as wide as 3 feet, allowing the center to be easily reached from either side.
Alternatively, low raised beds approximately 1.5 feet wide are perfect for defining the borders of a garden.small patioor even placing on a balcony, provided it is structurally safe. Furthermore, elevated beds can be set up on any solid surface, making them perfect for school playgrounds, community areas, or courtyards where the ground is not made of soil.
Additionally, the longevity of raised beds can vary based on their construction and the materials employed, providing a neater and more structured planting method than keyhole gardening.
Growing above the ground, whether in a raised bed or a keyhole garden, helps lengthen the growing period because the soil heats up faster in the spring and holds onto warmth longer into the fall, resulting in a longer period for growing vegetables and flowers.
A last benefit of raised bed gardening is that it is very much in styleno-dig methodcan be implemented by placing cardboard over the current ground surface and then adding soil and additional organic materials to reach the preferred elevation, ensuring that the underlying ground remains undisturbed and unharmed by avoiding traditional digging methods.
This Vego modular garden bed from the Gardening Know How storeis ideal for a more compact outdoor space. It offers six distinct configurations and is available in various tones.
The drawbacks of elevated garden bed cultivation
Regrettably, the soil in elevated garden beds often dries faster because of better drainage and increased exposure to wind, making them potentially more appropriate for milder climates.
You can help prevent the soil from becoming dry bymulchingthe soil with organic material or garden compost, which will assist in retaining the moisture and by setting up an irrigation system such as this ‘MIXC 230FT Quick-Connect Drip Irrigation System Kit’ available on Amazon, which will deliver water directly to the plants’ roots.
Similar to a keyhole garden, raised beds are considered a semi-permanent setup, and their longevity depends on the materials used. Therefore, it’s important to install them in the correct location from the start, as relocating them can be both time-consuming and expensive.
As time passes, due to settlement and natural weathering, the soil level in elevated garden beds decreases. Based on my experience overseeing therapeutic and community gardens that primarily use raised beds, this effect is particularly evident in newly built beds. To address this, you can replenish the raised beds with compost or additional organic material as needed.
If all the discussion about composting, water conservation, and permaculture has made you consider ways to make your garden more eco-friendly, our expert article onhow to establish a sustainable gardenis filled with motivation and guidance on how to begin.
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