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As the school term winds down, the Queen’s Sustainability team is gearing up to provide the Queen’s community with an opportunity to try out their green thumbs over the summer.

The Queen’s Community Garden, operating since 2010, has garden plots available for reservations. Adjacent to the stone house on west campus, prospective gardeners can pay an annual rental fee of $25 for access to a three foot by seven foot raised garden plot, gardening tools, and water spigot.

“Sustainable food systems are an important part of the sustainability landscape at Queen’s,” says Llynwen Osborne, Recycling Coordinator. “The garden is a great way for students, staff, and Kingston community members to grow their own food or flowers.”

Gardeners can plan out their plots however they like with their own seeds. They are responsible for maintenance of the plots and removing plants at the end of the growing season in October.

New gardeners are encouraged to take the opportunity to learn from more experienced members throughout the growing season.

“Four years ago my wife, Sarah, and I lived in an apartment building with no gardening facilities and a small balcony, and we wanted to grow our own food, including larger plants like eggplants,” says James Lew, former Computer Science student and long-term gardener at the Community Garden. “The garden has been great for us to have something to go to, take care of, and nurture over the years.”

For new gardeners, Mr. Lew recommends planning out the plot before planting to maximize the space and starting out with smaller plants that don’t overshadow each other.

There are 18 west campus plots, including one accessible plot. Another garden area is located at An Clachan, available to residents of the building.

To reserve your garden plot or find out more about the yearly project, email sustainability@queensu.ca. Plots available for rent by May 1, 2018 for the May to October season.