Welcome Gardeners

Announcements and Updates

Applications for plots are now open! You can apply here or go to the Apply page!

The Intro to Gardening Workshop and WORKDAY is April 22 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. (possibly includes seed swap). 4/23 is rain makeup date (time will be the same).

Additional workdays scheduled so far: 5/10 7-dusk, 5/27 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Garden Grow-How

The PSU Community Garden had a table at the Student Farm’s Garden Grow-How on March 27 at the HUB’s Heritage Hall. It was wonderful to see several of our gardeners there! The Grow-How featured succulent giveaways, composting information, door prizes and other helpful gardening resources.

At our table, we shared information about starting plants indoors and modeled an aquaponic system, grow lights, and some seedlings. Check out our plant guide on when to start seeds indoors, when to plant seeds outside/transplant, and when to harvest vegetables. It was great to see several new and returning PSU Community Gardeners to soak in all of the resources offered by the incredible PSU agriculture and gardening community!

 About the Garden

The Penn State Community Garden was founded in 2009 and has since grown into a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students, faulty, staff, and community members interested in organic gardening in State College.  We are an official student club and a part of Penn State's Sustainability Institute.

As a student club, the garden must reserve 50% of our plots for students every year, but we welcome  Penn State faculty, staff, and State College community members to apply for the remaining plots.  Plot applications typically open in March of each year.

As a member of the Community Garden, you will have access to a 10' X 15' garden plot and free use of  garden tools, compost and mulch. We require that all plot members attend at least two garden workdays, where we work together to maintain and improve the garden.  We also offer free educational workshops and events to the public throughout the growing season.

For more information on applying for a garden plot, please visit the Apply page. For more information about the member requirements, please see our Gardener Agreement.  To check out upcoming Garden workdays, workshops, and other events, check out our Calendar. If you'd like to stay up to date with Garden news and events, please subscribe to our email listserve (instructions here). Feel free to contact us if you have any other questions!

Directions to the Garden

The garden is located on campus near the Medlar Baseball Field, downhill from the MorningStar solar home, with Tussey Mountain standing in the distance. Using Google Maps to navigate to the MorningStar Solar Home will bring you right to us! You can park in the grassy area uphill from the garden (however, see 'Important Parking Information' above). 

IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION:  

Parking & Transportation is "allegedly" more actively monitoring our parking area during business hours. If you do not have a permit to park on campus at Penn State-UP, you are technically at risk of getting a ticket. However, no one at our garden has received a ticket for at least the past 2-3 years, even non-PSU affiliated members as they rarely (if ever) check the lot. 

1. If you are a faculty/staff/student member, you must have a permit to not be at risk of being ticketed. The options for permits or parking that are valid in the area are the following: 

    a. Purchase a Commuter Permit or Summer Student Commuter pass 

    b. Pay at the pay station at Jordan East ($1/hour)

2. If you are a community member who DOES NOT have an affiliation with the university, you are still fine to park in the lot.

Carpooling and alternative transportation (such as biking) are encouraged!