At Tribe Permaculture, while working on an urban permaculture project, we decided to include a mandala garden, a design that is not only efficient but also visually beautiful. As we discussed the plan, our founder, Ramesh, shared an inspiring story about the origins of the mandala garden.
Long ago, a homemaker sought to grow food that could provide her family with balanced nutrition while making the best use of the limited space in her backyard. She carefully arranged her plants in a circular pattern, creating a functional and aesthetic design that later came to be known as the Ganga Ma Garden.
This model was originally developed by a South Indian housewife who sought to sustain her family’s nutritional needs while generating additional income with minimal effort. By efficiently utilizing local resources, she created a self-sufficient system that thrived within her neighborhood. Recognizing the impact of this approach, Bill Mollison, the renowned agriculturist and co-founder of permaculture, advocated for this model to be adopted widely. He envisioned it as a means for women to engage in domestic farming, helping to combat malnutrition and reduce infant mortality in underprivileged communities. Inspired by this, we delved deeper into the what, why, and how of mandala gardens to bring this timeless technique into our own work.
What is a Mandala Garden?
A mandala garden is a circular, patterned garden inspired by the ancient concept of the mandala, which represents unity, harmony, and interconnectedness. This design maximizes space, enhances biodiversity, and creates a self-sustaining ecosystem that supports food production, herbs, and ornamentals in an efficient and regenerative way.
The Mandala Concept in Gardening
Derived from the Sanskrit word for “circle,” a mandala symbolizes wholeness and balance. In gardening, this concept is used to optimize planting patterns, creating concentric circles or spirals that enhance the edge effect, where different ecosystems meet, leading to increased biodiversity and productivity.
Why Grow a Mandala Garden?
Mandala gardens offer several benefits, making them a popular choice.
Urban-Friendly & Space Efficient: Ideal for urban gardening, these gardens make the most of available land while integrating food production, biodiversity, and beauty.
Increases Soil Health & Sustainability: The curved beds retain moisture, prevent soil erosion, and support composting and no-till techniques.
Enhances Biodiversity: Encourages pollinators, supports companion planting, and naturally deters pests.
Visually Appealing & Meditative: The geometric symmetry and lush greenery create a peaceful and therapeutic gardening space.
Low-Maintenance & Accessible: Thoughtful design ensures easy movement, reducing the need for intensive labor.
How to Construct a Mandala Garden?
Step 1: Sector Planning, Zoning & Risk Analysis
A well-designed mandala garden considers natural elements, accessibility, and environmental factors to optimize plant health and maintenance.
Pathways & Access
Radial or curved pathways provide easy access to planting beds, preventing soil compaction.
Wide paths accommodate gardening tools and movement, while narrow paths limit mobility.
Choosing natural materials like mulch or gravel improves drainage and moisture retention.
Poorly placed pathways can channel wind or disrupt water flow, leading to dry or waterlogged areas.
Raised Beds vs. Ground Planting
Raised Beds: Ideal for poor soil conditions, heavy rainfall areas, or compacted spaces. They allow better drainage but may dry out faster.
Ground Planting: Best for healthy soil and well-draining areas, allowing deep-rooted plants to thrive. However, improper pathways may cause soil compaction and hinder water absorption.
Garden Shape & Environmental Impact
A circular mandala design reduces wind stress, optimizes sun exposure, and creates diverse microclimates.
Poorly placed gardens can suffer from excessive wind, stagnant water, or sun overexposure.
Wind corridors and shade patterns should be studied before selecting the final layout to ensure stability and resilience.
By aligning pathways and planting zones with natural sun, wind, and water patterns, we ensure that the mandala garden is resilient, sustainable, and easy to maintain.
Step 2: Materials Required
Before Construction:
Clay tiles
Red soil, black soil, compost
Measuring tape
Land of 30 ft diameter (710 sq. ft.)
After Construction:
Seeds/seedlings
Biomass for mulching – 200 kg
Step 3: Mapping & Digging
Mark concentric circles of the mandala garden using measuring tape and sticks, with proper spacing, ensuring access pathways.
Dig a pit (2 feet deep, 6 feet in diameter) at the center for composting or water retention. (Follow the image below for measurement reference)
Create planting sections using clay tiles as borders.
Ensure pathways follow a natural, accessible flow to avoid compaction and allow ease of movement.
Explore our Gardening in Circles: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mandala Garden
Stay tuned for our next blog, where we dive deeper into different styles of constructing a mandala garden!
Want to learn how to build your own mandala garden? Come, learn with us! Contact us at tribepermaculture.connect@gmail.com
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