Mary Lennox may have found the key to The Secret Garden with the help of a red robin, but The Howdy Farm is unlocking secrets through the keyhole. Keyhole Gardens were popularized by the humanitarian aid organization, Send A Cow, as a solution to the poor soil and high erosion in Lesotho, Africa. Where livestock would not thrive, they were able to provide families with an innovative garden that is drought tolerant and made of common recycled materials. The sustainable nature of this raised bed and Texas' drought conditions has led to an explosion of Lone Star Keyholes. The hole/heart of the garden is a well for composting. Watering the compost leads to a decrease in required water and increases the nourishment of the soil. You can even put a lid on the center well to retain heat and diminish evaporation. The cardboard floor helps keep out weeds and as it decomposes, it enriches the soil. Our Keyhole interns, Sarah & Laura, as well as Corey, Jonathan, and many volunteers have been hard at work building our newest addition. Their hard work has paid off, and we plan to plant arugula, chives, green onions, lettuce, parsley, and radicchio. Please come out to the farm and take a peek!
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The Howdy Farm at Texas A&M University |