Nearly a dozen volunteers got their hands dirty Saturday, July 30 at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh gardens as part of an initiative to build and assemble raised garden beds.
The volunteers included students, faculty, alumni and staff.
“Students are involved because most of the gardens are currently reserved for their use to grow food and flowers, and they will be the main beneficiaries of these improvements,” said Michael Lizotte, director of sustainability at UW Oshkosh “The project is also a good chance for students to learn and practice some basic garden construction skills.”
The gardens, located at 663 W. 3rd Ave., were created in 2008 and are used for recreation, teaching and research. Thanks to a generous donation from alumnus, Carol Doubek and her husband William, the raised beds will allow for better drainage, therefore earlier spring and later fall use of the gardens.
Each bed is 8-feet by 4-feet and will most likely be split into two plots for individual students. During the month of August, work will continue on the raised beds. In total, 20 will be built and installed.
The UW Oshkosh Student Garden Club played a large role in the installation of the new garden beds. During the upcoming October Harvest Party, a workshop will be held on building raised beds for those who would like to learn more, Lizotte said.
“Planting earlier in the raised beds could lead students to grow more cool-weather crops like lettuce, spinach, radishes, beans and herbs,” Lizotte said.
The most common plants grown by students at the gardens are usually tomatoes, zucchini, onions, cucumbers and peppers.
“Because this is a college garden, we want students to get hands on experience and take this knowledge with them into the future,” Student Garden Club President Mark Cesario said. “Hopefully one day some of the participants could build their own raised bed at a different location. Building projects are a great way to learn and meet new people.”
Cesario stressed it is also hard to overlook the fundamental role gardens also have in sustaining people, day to day.
“Everyone has to eat, so everyone should know how to grow their own food,” he said.
For more information about the UW Oshkosh Gardens or the Student Garden Club, please visit http://www.uwosh.edu/sustainability/garden/gardens-and-trees.
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