The answer is a compost basket.

A girl and her mother water a garden
Margaret and her daughter water the vegetables in their garden. Through a Mercy Corps program, Margaret learned how to farm and started growing spinach, kale, chard, green onion, and various herbs.

In a keyhole garden, a compost basket is located in the center, which acts as the heart of the garden, providing nutrients and moisture to the plants growing around it.

Thank you for taking the time to answer our question about permagardening techniques. If you would like to take one more step for families facing hunger, water scarcity, poverty, and disaster, please make a gift to Mercy Corps today.

Your gift will power our response to emergencies in 40+ countries around the world and sustain it long after the headlines fade, helping communities rebuild and recover.

From extreme weather in Kenya and Somalia to the front lines of the war in Ukraine, your support will help cultivate the skills, tools, and bold ideas that tear down barriers, build up communities, and reshape the world we share.

86% of our expenses funded program services over the last 5 years.

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Over the last five years, we have spent 86% of our resources on programs that help people in need. Charity watchdog groups give us their highest ratings for accountability, transparency and efficiency.


To donate by phone, call 1-888-747-7440

To donate by mail, download and print this form

Give cryptocurrency or through your Donor Advised Fund

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Mercy Corps is a 501(c)3 charity.

Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by U.S. law.

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86% of our expenses funded program services over the last 5 years.

Learn more

Over the last five years, we have spent 86% of our resources on programs that help people in need. Charity watchdog groups give us their highest ratings for accountability, transparency and efficiency.

To donate by phone, call 1-888-747-7440

To donate by mail, download and print this form

Give cryptocurrency or through your Donor Advised Fund

Learn about other ways to give

Mercy Corps is a 501(c)3 charity.

Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by U.S. law.