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Dr. Deb Tolman helps participant volunteers build layers in the new keyhole garden. Photo: KCMGA.

2016 Fall Seminar Yields New Keyhole Garden at the Garden Learning Center

Dr. Deb Tolman helps participant volunteers build layers in the new keyhole garden. Photo: KCMGA.
Dr. Deb Tolman helps participant volunteers build layers in the new keyhole garden. Photo: KCMGA.

On Saturday, September 10th, 2016, Kaufman County Master Gardeners  sponsored their Fall Seminar, “Keyhole Gardening with Dr. Deb Tolman,” Dr. Tolman held a keyhole garden workshop at the Kaufman County Fair Grounds. She spoke in detail about the advantages of keyhole gardening and discussed how the gardens are built and how they function.

In the afternoon, Dr. Tolman assisted the group as they constructed a keyhole garden at the Garden Learning Center. 

For weeks, Masteer Gardeners collected cardboard and other materials to use in constructing the keyhole garden. Photo: KCMGA.
For weeks, Masteer Gardeners collected cardboard and other materials to use in constructing the keyhole garden. Photo: KCMGA.
In addition to cardboard, other "brown" and "green" materials were needed. We also purchased top soil and cinder blocks. Photo: KCMGA.
In addition to cardboard, other "brown" and "green" materials were needed. We also purchased top soil and cinder blocks. Photo: KCMGA.
The first step was to layout the garden and build it with cinder blocks. You can see the indentation that is the "keyhole" beginning to take shape at the rear center of the photo. Photo: KCMGA.
The first step was to layout the garden and build it with cinder blocks. You can see the indentation that is the "keyhole" beginning to take shape at the rear center of the photo. Photo: KCMGA.
The garden is three cinder blocks high. The cinder blocks can be stablilized using rebar or PVC pipe driven through the holes in the blocks. Photo: KCMGA.
The garden is three cinder blocks high. The cinder blocks can be stablilized using rebar or PVC pipe driven through the holes in the blocks. Photo: KCMGA.
Cardboard is soaked in water to get it thoroughly wet. Photo: KCMGA.
Cardboard is soaked in water to get it thoroughly wet. Photo: KCMGA.
The wet cardboard is the bottom layer in the garden. Photo: KCMGA.
The wet cardboard is the bottom layer in the garden. Photo: KCMGA.
After the first layer of cardboard is down, set in the wire compost bin near the center. Photo: KCMGA.
After the first layer of cardboard is down, set in the wire compost bin near the center. Photo: KCMGA.
Alternate layers of cardboard and other materials with a 1 to 2 inch layer of compost. Photo: KCMGA.
Alternate layers of cardboard and other materials with a 1 to 2 inch layer of compost. Photo: KCMGA.
Add water as you build. You want the materials to be wet bottom to top. Notice the wire column near the keyhole indentation. (It's peaking out from under a bag in this photo.) This is where the compost will be made using kitchen scraps and other compost materials. Photo: KCMGA.
Add water as you build. You want the materials to be wet bottom to top. Notice the wire column near the keyhole indentation. (It's peaking out from under a bag in this photo.) This is where the compost will be made using kitchen scraps and other compost materials. Photo: KCMGA.
The layering is continued until the garden is full. It's okay to walk around on the carboard layers. You won't over-compress them. Add water as you build. You want the materials to be wet bottom to top. Photo: KCMGA.
The layering is continued until the garden is full. It's okay to walk around on the carboard layers. You won't over-compress them. Add water as you build. You want the materials to be wet bottom to top. Photo: KCMGA.
When the garden is filled to the top of the cinder blocks, you begin to build a mound to almost the height of the wire compost bin. Photo: KCMGA.
When the garden is filled to the top of the cinder blocks, you begin to build a mound to almost the height of the wire compost bin. Photo: KCMGA.
Add top soil to completely cover the mound. Photo: KCMGA.
Add top soil to completely cover the mound. Photo: KCMGA.
Dr. Tolman is using a shag carpet rake to smooth the soil evenly. Photo: KCMGA.
Dr. Tolman is using a shag carpet rake to smooth the soil evenly. Photo: KCMGA.
The final view of the garden before planting. The compost tube can barely be seen above the soil. It's the light tan circle just left of the center of the mound. Photo: KCMGA.
The final view of the garden before planting. The compost tube can barely be seen above the soil. It's the light tan circle just left of the center of the mound. Photo: KCMGA.
You can plant just about anything in a keyhole garden. Just make sure the plants are appropriate to the season. Photo: KCMGA.
You can plant just about anything in a keyhole garden. Just make sure the plants are appropriate to the season. Photo: KCMGA.
Dr. Tolman recommends planting in small triangles. You can see the pattern here if you look closely. Photo: KCMGA.
Dr. Tolman recommends planting in small triangles. You can see the pattern here if you look closely. Photo: KCMGA.
After planting, "cement" the soil with water by simulating a light rain. This is an impoatant step. Photo: KCMGA.
After planting, "cement" the soil with water by simulating a light rain. This is an important step. Photo: KCMGA.
Next, gently water each plant, making sure it sits snuggly in the soil. It's not necessary to press hard. You just need to be sure the roots are fully covered and contacting the soil. Photo: KCMGA.
Next, gently water each plant, making sure it sits snuggly in the soil. It's not necessary to press hard. You just need to be sure the roots are fully covered and contacting the soil. Photo: KCMGA.
Finally, mulch the entire garden. You will need to water frequently until the garden is well established. Photo: KCMGA.
Finally, mulch the entire garden. You will need to water frequently until the garden is well established. Photo: KCMGA.
For more information or to get Dr. Deb's book, go to debtolman.com. Photo: KCMGA.
For more information or to get Dr. Deb's book, go to debtolman.com. Photo: KCMGA.
Finished keyhole garden after 2 weeks. We planted cool season plants, and it hasn't cooled down, even at night. The plants are struggling a bit. Photo: KCMGA.
Finished keyhole garden after 2 weeks. We planted cool season plants, and it hasn't cooled down, even at night. The plants are struggling a bit. Photo: KCMGA.
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2016 Fall Seminar Yields New Keyhole Garden at the Garden Learning Center

Dr. Deb Tolman helps participant volunteers build layers in the new keyhole garden. Photo: KCMGA.
Dr. Deb Tolman helps participant volunteers build layers in the new keyhole garden. Photo: KCMGA.

On Saturday, September 10th, 2016, Kaufman County Master Gardeners  sponsored their Fall Seminar, “Keyhole Gardening with Dr. Deb Tolman,” Dr. Tolman held a keyhole garden workshop at the Kaufman County Fair Grounds. She spoke in detail about the advantages of keyhole gardening and discussed how the gardens are built and how they function.

In the afternoon, Dr. Tolman assisted the group as they constructed a keyhole garden at the Garden Learning Center. 

For weeks, Masteer Gardeners collected cardboard and other materials to use in constructing the keyhole garden. Photo: KCMGA.
For weeks, Masteer Gardeners collected cardboard and other materials to use in constructing the keyhole garden. Photo: KCMGA.
In addition to cardboard, other "brown" and "green" materials were needed. We also purchased top soil and cinder blocks. Photo: KCMGA.
In addition to cardboard, other "brown" and "green" materials were needed. We also purchased top soil and cinder blocks. Photo: KCMGA.
The first step was to layout the garden and build it with cinder blocks. You can see the indentation that is the "keyhole" beginning to take shape at the rear center of the photo. Photo: KCMGA.
The first step was to layout the garden and build it with cinder blocks. You can see the indentation that is the "keyhole" beginning to take shape at the rear center of the photo. Photo: KCMGA.
The garden is three cinder blocks high. The cinder blocks can be stablilized using rebar or PVC pipe driven through the holes in the blocks. Photo: KCMGA.
The garden is three cinder blocks high. The cinder blocks can be stablilized using rebar or PVC pipe driven through the holes in the blocks. Photo: KCMGA.
Cardboard is soaked in water to get it thoroughly wet. Photo: KCMGA.
Cardboard is soaked in water to get it thoroughly wet. Photo: KCMGA.
The wet cardboard is the bottom layer in the garden. Photo: KCMGA.
The wet cardboard is the bottom layer in the garden. Photo: KCMGA.
After the first layer of cardboard is down, set in the wire compost bin near the center. Photo: KCMGA.
After the first layer of cardboard is down, set in the wire compost bin near the center. Photo: KCMGA.
Alternate layers of cardboard and other materials with a 1 to 2 inch layer of compost. Photo: KCMGA.
Alternate layers of cardboard and other materials with a 1 to 2 inch layer of compost. Photo: KCMGA.
Add water as you build. You want the materials to be wet bottom to top. Notice the wire column near the keyhole indentation. (It's peaking out from under a bag in this photo.) This is where the compost will be made using kitchen scraps and other compost materials. Photo: KCMGA.
Add water as you build. You want the materials to be wet bottom to top. Notice the wire column near the keyhole indentation. (It's peaking out from under a bag in this photo.) This is where the compost will be made using kitchen scraps and other compost materials. Photo: KCMGA.
The layering is continued until the garden is full. It's okay to walk around on the carboard layers. You won't over-compress them. Add water as you build. You want the materials to be wet bottom to top. Photo: KCMGA.
The layering is continued until the garden is full. It's okay to walk around on the carboard layers. You won't over-compress them. Add water as you build. You want the materials to be wet bottom to top. Photo: KCMGA.
When the garden is filled to the top of the cinder blocks, you begin to build a mound to almost the height of the wire compost bin. Photo: KCMGA.
When the garden is filled to the top of the cinder blocks, you begin to build a mound to almost the height of the wire compost bin. Photo: KCMGA.
Add top soil to completely cover the mound. Photo: KCMGA.
Add top soil to completely cover the mound. Photo: KCMGA.
Dr. Tolman is using a shag carpet rake to smooth the soil evenly. Photo: KCMGA.
Dr. Tolman is using a shag carpet rake to smooth the soil evenly. Photo: KCMGA.
The final view of the garden before planting. The compost tube can barely be seen above the soil. It's the light tan circle just left of the center of the mound. Photo: KCMGA.
The final view of the garden before planting. The compost tube can barely be seen above the soil. It's the light tan circle just left of the center of the mound. Photo: KCMGA.
You can plant just about anything in a keyhole garden. Just make sure the plants are appropriate to the season. Photo: KCMGA.
You can plant just about anything in a keyhole garden. Just make sure the plants are appropriate to the season. Photo: KCMGA.
Dr. Tolman recommends planting in small triangles. You can see the pattern here if you look closely. Photo: KCMGA.
Dr. Tolman recommends planting in small triangles. You can see the pattern here if you look closely. Photo: KCMGA.
After planting, "cement" the soil with water by simulating a light rain. This is an impoatant step. Photo: KCMGA.
After planting, "cement" the soil with water by simulating a light rain. This is an important step. Photo: KCMGA.
Next, gently water each plant, making sure it sits snuggly in the soil. It's not necessary to press hard. You just need to be sure the roots are fully covered and contacting the soil. Photo: KCMGA.
Next, gently water each plant, making sure it sits snuggly in the soil. It's not necessary to press hard. You just need to be sure the roots are fully covered and contacting the soil. Photo: KCMGA.
Finally, mulch the entire garden. You will need to water frequently until the garden is well established. Photo: KCMGA.
Finally, mulch the entire garden. You will need to water frequently until the garden is well established. Photo: KCMGA.
For more information or to get Dr. Deb's book, go to debtolman.com. Photo: KCMGA.
For more information or to get Dr. Deb's book, go to debtolman.com. Photo: KCMGA.
Finished keyhole garden after 2 weeks. We planted cool season plants, and it hasn't cooled down, even at night. The plants are struggling a bit. Photo: KCMGA.
Finished keyhole garden after 2 weeks. We planted cool season plants, and it hasn't cooled down, even at night. The plants are struggling a bit. Photo: KCMGA.
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