Announcing the new Self-Guided Tour at the Community Learning Garden! The garden is proud to introduce its newest feature that gives visitors a chance to explore at their own leisure! Beginning on Maryland Day 2019, anyone will be able to learn more the student-run garden that encourages sustainability, healthy eating, and a campus community of gardeners by simply picking up a map and following along.
The Community Learning Garden is a joint venture between UMD students, faculty, and staff to promote our university’s mission to “do good” and “leave small footprints.” In this fun learning environment, experienced and novice gardeners come together to learn more about agriculture and sustainability by helping to maintain a campus garden. Food and flowers are donated to volunteers and the UMD Campus Pantry.
Upon entering the garden, which is conveniently located between the School of Public Health and Eppley Recreation Center, visitors are welcome to pick up a tour map. The tour has a total of 11 sites, all of which are numbered and marked by a metal stake with our signature orange turtle logo. Passers-by are free to walk around the sites and enjoy the beautiful spaces. We have something for everyone! Be sure to check out our raised beds and orchard, student-maintained spaces that currently grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Plots are also available for rent on the terraced community garden beds for anyone interested in growing their own plants. For those interested in our take on sustainability, make sure to visit the composter, irrigation system, retaining walls, and solar panel. The garden also has a variety of other projects, including bee research and storm water management.
Behind every inch of the garden is a passionate gardener, and so we ask that all visitors be respectful of the space that they worked hard to build. Anyone that wants to get involved or participate in mulching, harvesting, and other garden maintenance should consider coming to Garden Work Hours, Mondays and Thursdays from 4-5 pm.
Should visitors have any other questions about the garden, they are welcome to ask any of the garden leadership members or visit our website at ter.ps/clgarden. Our leadership will be there on Maryland Day specifically for any questions or concerns, but visitors are welcome to tour the garden any day without a leader present.
Our garden community is always open to new members and is full of students, faculty, and staff from all disciplines. We hope to see everyone stop by and get a taste of what we do!
