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After a successful pilot in 2022, Employee Wellness Services is pleased to kick off another season for the Employee Community Garden. The garden is located on Queen's main campus in the courtyard adjacent to . It includes two large communal plots that are available for this growing season, May to October, on a first-come, first-served basis. Communal plots are shared garden spaces that are open to all registered gardeners for cultivating things like vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Gardeners work together to plant, harvest, and maintain the plots over the course of the season. 

“We had an extremely successful pilot season in 2022 and I’m thrilled to see continued interest in the garden space,” says Greg Simmons, Wellness and Engagement Coordinator, Employee Wellness Services. “This year we will continue to work with Rideau 1000 Islands Master Gardeners to learn best-practices for community gardening and share knowledge on the fundamentals of planting. We are also looking to explore more native and indigenous seed planting options with guidance from the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.”

Those interested in participating in the Employee Community Garden can register on the  for free. Registration provides gardeners with basic necessities including access to a designated communal garden plot, water, and gardening tools. Registered gardeners are jointly responsible for the planting, harvesting, and ongoing maintenance of the communal plots, as well as clearing the plots at the end of the growing season in October. 

The Employee Community Garden launched in 2022 as a pilot initiative aimed at improving employee health and wellness while contributing to a more sustainable and vibrant campus community. Growing on the success of last year, the garden is one of many initiatives that aims to operationalize the Campus Wellbeing Framework.

As part of Human Resources, Employee Wellness Services offers engaging and specialized services that are tailored for your personal wellbeing and supporting you in thriving 365 days a year. Full details and offerings are available on the .