Gardens
Our campus is a living classroom. PSU's student-focused gardens offer opportunities to learn about plant care, habitat restoration, community building, food production, cultural diversity, and much more.
Campus Gardens
Smith Gardens
Smith Gardens include three gardens: the Permaculture Garden and the Food Pantry Garden on the west side, and the Grazing Garden on the South side. You’ll find a mix of native, medicinal, and edible species in this space.
Open hours: All hours.
Contact: SSC, gardens@pdx.edu
Community Orchard and Apiary
Stroll through 30+ species of fruit trees, visit the beehives, or study at the cob bench in our Orchard. This space utilizes permaculture principles to mimic the processes of natural systems.
Open hours: During scheduled work parties and by appointment.
Contact: Student Sustainability Center, gardens@pdx.edu
Native American Student and Community Center
A fully-accessible path traversing through seven rooftop beds of native plants. Native plants with medicinal and cultural uses also cover the I-405 overpass, SW of NASCC.
Open hours: Rooftop garden: from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays; Deerwalk: all hours.
Contact: NASCC abegay@pdx.edu or 503-725-9695.
Oak Savanna
Since 2011, students have advocated for this area to be designated as a campus greenspace. The envisioned Oak Savanna is dedicated to the relationship between the First Peoples and the native vegetation of oak savannas.
Open hours: All.
Contact: Student Sustainability Center, gardens@pdx.edu or 503-725-5598.
Learning Gardens Laboratory (LGL)
The Learning Gardens Lab (LGL) supports academic achievement, leadership development, and local sustainable food systems.
Open hours: During regular scheduled work parties and by arrangement.
Contact: Leadership for Sustainability Education program, lglvolunteer@gmail.com.
Garden Safety
Garden during the daytime.Be aware of your surroundings.
Garden with at least one other person.
Be careful of unexpected debris and objects while working in gardens.
Identify each item before you touch it. If you are uncertain about an item, leave it alone.
Wear closed-toe shoes and PPE when necessary.
Apiary Safety
No fragrances allowed
Have a cell phone with you
PPE must be worn at all times. All PPE will be stored in the orchard storage shed and should be put on before/removed after entering the safety fencing surrounding the hives.
• Beekeeping veil
• Beekeeping gloves
• Long shirt
• Socks & Closed toed shoes
Seed Library
Learn more about our free seeds and seed exchange program at PSU, located in Smith Memorial Student Union.
This program will re-open to the public when our office re-opens. We are unable to access the space and offer seed exchange until that time.
- Check out seeds from the library
- Plant the seeds
- Cultivate the plants
- Harvest seeds from the plants you grew
- Return some of these next generation seeds to the library for others to borrow.
But don’t worry—there aren't any fines if you don’t return seeds.
Donating seeds back to the library is completely optional, although it’s much appreciated since donations are what keep the library stocked.
The library is located at the Student Sustainability Center. Our address is:
Smith M104
1825 SW Broadway
Portland, Oregon 97201
Summer and Fall office hours: By appointment when our office is open*, currently closed during COVID-19.
Contact 503-725-5598 when campus is open*, or email psuleads@pdx.edu.
How to borrow seeds
Get a manila envelope for your seeds.
Remove the seed packet you want from the catalog.
Remove 2-3 seeds for each plant you want to grow from the packet and put in the manila envelopes provided.
Write seed information on your envelope.
Complete a checkout form so we can track library use.
Many thanks to the organizations who have helped support our seed library! The organizations include: Portland Nursery, Territorial Seed Company, Seed Savers Exchange, Strictly Medicinal Seeds, Botanical Interests, High Mowing Organic Seeds, Ferry-Morse, and Learning Gardens Lab.
How to donate seeds
We are always looking for more seeds to share with the community. You can donate your seeds at our office or send them by mail to:
Portland State University,
Student Sustainability Center,
P.O. Box 751,
Portland, OR 97207-0751
You can also fill out a donation form at the seed library or online. Please share any of the following information you have for the seeds:
- Common name
- Variety
- Scientific name
- Seed source
- Location of harvest
- Year of harvest
- Planting and care instructions
Upcoming One-Day Volunteer Opportunities
In-Person Volunteer Activities are temporarily suspended due to COVID
Visit the Portland State Connect site for more information on single-day volunteer opportunities, including our service events in the PSU gardens and off campus.
