Giving Garden

FSC's Giving Garden was created in 2019 and is a space for the community to learn, grow, and connect with the college's agricultural roots. Boasting 12 beds, the garden provides a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs for the campus community. Most of the food grown at the garden is donated directly to the FSC Food Pantry, and the rest goes to the volunteers that take the time to make the garden a more productive space.

Interested in getting involved at the garden?

Opportunities to volunteer are available on a scheduled or regular basis. Learn how to get involved today by emailing the campus Sustainability Manager

Location

The Giving Garden is located in a hidden corner of campus. Check out the 'sustainability' tab on the campus map to find the garden. Visitors typically park in Student Lot #3 and walk across the field.

Giving Garden Maintenance Plan

Overall Plant Care

Watering: 

• Annual beds: Water new plantings every other day for thirty minutes to an hour depending on
  rain
• Trees & shrubs: Water only during drought periods when the plants show stress.

Amending Soil:

• Pathway mulching: apply two inches of natural mulch. Keep edges thickly mulched.
• Bed amendment: add 1-2 inches of topsoil to the cleared bed. If bed has plants, add fertilizer to
  perennial plants.

Weeding:

• Learn to identify: Some of the most common weeds are mugwort, winter crest’ morning glory…
  ask if unsure.
• Bed preparation: clear annual plant debris and any existing weeds.
• Once a week: check beds for any weeds to remove.

Monthly Maintenance Tasks

Spring Maintenance (March-May):

• Once the soil is malleable (temperatures average fifty degrees for a week) clear old plant debris
  from beds.
• Start spring seeds. Germinate in trays in the greenhouse or direct sow hardy plants in beds.
• Weed and remove unwanted seedlings.
• Water new transplants.

Summer Maintenance (June-August)

• Water beds 3-4 week.
• Continue weeding.
• Trellis any plants that are too heavy (tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, etc.).
• Harvest produce, weigh it and deliver to food pantry.
• Direct sow fall crops.

Fall Maintenance (September-November):

• Water new plantings.
• Start a seed collection by collecting ripe produce and leaving biannuals to flower for seed.
• Harvest Produce and record weight.
• Plant garlic and other hardy winter produce.

Winter Maintenance (December-February):

• Leave stems to provide shelter for wildlife.
• Clear plant debris from garden area.
• Mulch beds with leaf litter to encourage pollinator protection while enriching the soil.