Lesotho Keyhole Gardens
Marethabile Matica and her husband Moitheri have created a half-acre oasis in the midst of a harsh and rocky hillside. They have constructed keyhole gardens and double-dug trenches. They are now able to plant spinach, beetroot, carrots, tomatoes and cabbages – crops that previously would not have survived.
The benefits of the compost they have dug into their relatively small garden has spread further afield. A peach tree beyond the fence has borne so much fruit that they have had to dry and bottle a lot of it. Marethabile and Moitheri believe that this must be the result of some of the nutrients from the compost soaking away into the soil.
Their first harvest from the keyhole gardens was excellent and they were even able to sell a little. Their health has improved and they no longer have to buy their vegetables – they can now afford to eat. They used to grow vegetables “in the old way”, and usually lost them in times of drought. During the most recent drought, they covered the keyhole gardens with plastic bags and the compost held enough moisture for the vegetables to survive.
They are no longer interested in the old ways of farming and of her training Marethabile says, “if only this knowledge had come to us when we were still young.” They are keen to share their knowledge with their two young daughters so that their life will be easier than their parents’ has been until now.
Keyhole Gardens
Keyhole Gardens are very important for Lesotho where people generally have small, rocky plots of land that are exposed to the elements. Keyhole Gardens are a ‘stacked up’ vegetable beds with an inner column of compost. They are designed to yield the most crops in the least amount of space and are protected by being built close to the house and fenced. Being close to the house means that waste household water can be used on them – and their ‘stacked up’ nature ensures that any water they receive is retained for much longer.
A keyhole garden is a raised bed shaped like a keyhole and walled in by stone. In the center, a basket made from sticks and straw holds manure and later, vegetable scraps for compost. The garden is watered primarily through the basket in the center, which distributes the nutrients from the compost to the plants.
They also retain water beautifully, and can remain productive even during water shortages. In 2007, some Rice University students visiting Lesotho observed families feeding themselves with these gardens even in the middle of a severe drought.
The students reported
” We went to Mafetang district, considered to be the poorest of all the districts in Lesotho. We saw beautiful stone gardens that were filled with green vegetables. This was astonishing since Lesotho had a horrible drought this year and has just declared a state of emergency as a result. An Onhono (grandmother) proudly showed us around her beautiful garden. She said that she had enough food for her family of 5, and even was able to sell some left-overs.”