GSU Sustainable Garden Plots
By Suzanne Patterson
Continuing Education Community Coordinator
The Knowledge Exchange at Governors State University
School of Extended Learning
I am not a gardener. My younger sister inherited the gardening gene and can grow and sustain any flora that comes her way. Me? I’m usually found in a darkened movie theater or concert hall and if plants come my way, they recoil in fear and usually end up at my sister’s house in recovery.
However in the summer of 2013, my sister (A GSU alum) purchased a gardening plot in GSU’s sustainable garden and as I work on campus she asked me to tend it while she was away on vacation for 2.5 weeks. While I was happy to help, I secretly worried about the logistics of dirt: I would have to bring ‘gardening’ type clothing to change in to as my work attire would most certainly be at risk, maybe even gloves and boots, but most of all, I worried that the garden would suffer under my care.
To my surprise, the change of clothes proved to be the only real challenge! So, with that under my belt and with GSU providing easy access to the garden and freely flowing water at the ready, the gardening not only went well but the plants flourished and became the highlight of my day! As a reward, I got to take home lots of tomatoes, peppers, squash and cucumbers.
And, when summer of 2014 rolled around, I was one of the first to buy my own plot and tend my own garden which also blossomed under my novice care. How wonderful it was to stop by after work and tend my garden with the local birds, one or two herons overhead and a couple of curious deer not to mention the new friends I made both from the GSU campus and the surrounding communities. A great experience all ‘round with the added bonus of picking up lots of fresh veggies for dinner on my way home.
Thank you GSU for providing this wonderful gardening opportunity as I get ready to tend my plot in 2015!
Do you have a story or event you want to submit for the GSU View? Click here to learn about our submission guidelines.
.png)