If you want to learn how to build your own waffle garden, here are some steps and advice that you can follow:

Step one: Find a place where you want your garden to be. Then, grab the materials that are needed to build your garden.

Step two: Dig at least 2 feet deep into the ground like a garden bed. 

Step three: Mix the soils (forest soil, silt, manure). Then, build up the walls with hek´yacho (red clay) using big chunks. You can plaster it from there, or just step on them. Wet the area to pack it down. 

Step four: Then, fill the waffles with a little bit more tree soil. 

Step five: Finally, it´s time to plant. Choose your desired seeds. Make a hole using your finger and place the seeds in the holes. Cover the holes and water. Be sure to label the waffles or have some sort of way to remember what you planted and where you planted them.

Step six: Watch your garden grow!

Advice from Kenzie Bowekaty, ZYEP Food Sovereignty Specialist: "My advice to you would be to use your own hands/arms for measurements of the waffles. Keep in mind it is a very hard job, just like building ovens. I suggest you not to start if you are feeling lazy, so that you´ll get more done. Also, you will need a lot of red clay soil mostly and water too.¨

While your plants are growing, have a good attitude and talk to your plants. Just like when it comes to clay, when building a pot or any sort of piece, your putting your soul into them which makes them ¨living¨. It is believed that your garden/pottery will build off your energy. As they can feel the energy (thoughts, feelings) that you are giving when around them. Treat your plants greatly and surely they will come out how you envision it. Remember to be patient and to treat your plants with care, as if your garden were a child.

Zuni Traditional Waffle Gardening Demonstration Video

Presented by The Traditional Gardening Capstone Group of Zuni High School and Kenzie Bowekaty from ZYEP

Click the photo below to access the video