Keyhole Gardens are large circular raised beds about 6 feet across that usually have a stone wall, rather like an old fashioned well, that runs about 3 feet high. A small notch in the circle (the keyhole) is cut into one side so that the gardener can reach the composting basket at its center. The basket runs all the way down to the base of the garden; scraps and other compostable materials can be dropped directly in. This feeds the raised bed continually, thus saving the gardener space and time.

We began the creation of the GLGWL Common Ground community garden in January of 2021. We were offered a plot of land on Poplar St. that was unable to be built on due to a high water table by Mayor Jesse Dwyer. Since we didn’t want to dig down into the wet soil, we decided to use a lasagna gardening technique to build up onto the soil! Lasagna gardening follows the concept of actual lasagna in which you layer different elements to smother weeds and build and enhance fertility.

Of the many weeds we ceaselessly pull at Common Grounds Community Garden, a few are worth noting for their tenacity and power to overwhelm a space.

Of the many weeds we ceaselessly pull at Common Grounds Community Garden, a few are worth noting for their tenacity and power to overwhelm a space.

Of the many weeds we ceaselessly pull at Common Grounds Community Garden, a few are worth noting for their tenacity and power to overwhelm a space.

Of the many weeds we ceaselessly pull at Common Grounds Community Garden, a few are worth noting for their tenacity and power to overwhelm a space.

Of the many weeds we ceaselessly pull at Common Grounds Community Garden, a few are worth noting for their tenacity and power to overwhelm a space.

Of the many weeds we ceaselessly pull at Common Grounds Community Garden, a few are worth noting for their tenacity and power to overwhelm a space.

Of the many weeds we ceaselessly pull at Common Grounds Community Garden, a few are worth noting for their tenacity and power to overwhelm a space.

The emergence of prolonged periods without rain combined with increasing intensity of rain events is making the capture and storage of rainwater a priority. The Common Ground Community Garden, with the help of Christopher Harrison of Harrison Regen, recently installed a new gutter and 275-gallon roof runoff collection tank on the 6’x10’ shed roof on our site for this purpose.

How to Build a Hoop House - Hoop Houses are a variation of a greenhouse that allows you to grow in-ground. They are fairly easy and inexpensive to build; this one was constructed for less than $500. Hoop Houses can be used to extend your growing season if you live in northern climates. We use ours to get early starts on our vegetable plantings.