The Arboretum supports a one-acre community garden that was started February 21, 2009. Since that time hundreds of volunteers have donated thousands of hours to help make the garden a success.

The predominately student-run garden welcomes all of the UCF and Orland community to come and dig in the dirt and learn about the plants and food. The garden is open to everyone. Portions of the produce currently go to Student and Community volunteers.

The garden is open to partnership with organizations ad accepts donations of all kinds, including oganic plants, seeds, mulch and fertilizers. Please contact us if you are interested in making a donation.

The Garden's Journey

When a plot of land was granted for use as our garden, it was barren: an expanse of mulch and concrete debris. We leveled the area, and over the years we have added large amount of compost to ammend the originally sandy soil. In the spring of 2009 we planted a variety of seasonal crops, including tomatoes, lettuce, melons and cucumbers, broccoli, onions, sunflowers and herbs. For thesummer months the garden was planted with okra, eggplant, peanuts, black-eyed peas, and collards. Around the garden’s border lies a variety of more permanent plants, such as native shrubs like elderberry and Florida blueberry, and smaller trees like banana, plantain, pineapple and starfrit. Midway through summer 2011 we erected a deer fence around the garden to protect from the large deer population on campus. At the start to 2011 we began research on companion plants through the Research and Mentoring Program.

Education

The garden hosts educational and volunteer projects for schools, groups of all ages, and children: past groups have included the UCF Creative Preschool, BoysTown, and various summer camps. Group members learn practical skills while engaging in garden activities. As stated in UCF’s mission, “Education is more than classroom experience.” Education encompasses the outside world. If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please view our volunteer schedule or email us.

Click Here for a copy of the Community Garden Brochure.