Community Garden

About the Garden

The RHA Community Garden is located on SW 12th and Montgomery, across the street from the Stephen Eppler student housing. The garden was established in 2005 and since has enabled PSU students and faculty to plant and harvest a variety of fruits and vegetables year-round. The garden holds around 40 plus plots including a Freshman Inquiry class plot, University Honors Program plot, and an upcoming RHA plot. In addition there is a community Native Garden that is a certified wildlife habitat, an herb garden created through the hard work of former garden coordinator's Alex and Shannon, a wide variety of fruit trees, and a large strawberry patch. For leisure the garden has a small patio area with chairs and tables, a picnic table with benches, and a barbecue. A small sandbox was built for the little ones to play in while their parents mend their gardens. A tool shed contains all necessary gardening tools and gloves and is accessible with the same key as the garden gate. The community garden is a wonderful place to learn basic as well as advanced gardening techniques in a safe and supportive environment. The Community Garden Coordinator (this term: Lindsay Peterson)  is expected to facilitate garden work parties and other events, as well as establishing a healthy gardening space and relationships to the gardeners.

What does a garden plot look like?

Each gardener is assigned a plot (typically 40 - 60 square feet) in which they can grow anything he or she wants. There are also community spaces that are tended to by the whole community garden. The community spaces contain trees, bushes, herbs, and other plants that are hard to grow in individual plots due to space limitations.

Who can get a plot?

Student residents of University Housing receive first priority for plots. There are also some plots available to students who don't live on-campus, faculty, and community organizations.

How do I get a plot?

Plots are assigned during early spring and gardeners can use them for one year. To get on the waiting list for a plot, please fill out this application and send it in an email to the garden coodinator psucg@pdx.edu.

What can I put in my plot?

Almost anything! We discourage gardeners from planting things that tend to spread out of control (such as blackberries, morning glory, or ivy). The garden is organic, so you can't use non-organic fertilizer, weed sprays, or other toxic chemicals.

How do I contact the Garden Coordinator?

The garden coordinator's email address is psucg@pdx.edu.