Welcome Gardeners

 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 Sustainability.

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!

Featured plots 

Check out some of the wonderful plants our gardeners are growing this summer!

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! Please see 'Important Parking Information' below). 

IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION:  

Parking & Transportation monitors our parking area. If you do not have a permit to park on campus at Penn State-UP, you are at risk of getting a ticket. Please carefully read the information below. 

1. Parking in grass or gravel lots is not permitted except for special circumstances such as tailgating.

2. The closest authorized parking areas are Jordan East (near the Bryce Jordan Center) or Porter South (below Medlar Field). Commuter permits and faculty/staff permits are valid there. Those without permits may use the ParkMobile app in those same areas. 

3. Gardeners without a commuter pass looking for a discounted gardener parking pass can reach out to our officers (see Contact page) 

Carpooling and alternative transportation (such as biking) are encouraged! There is a CATA bus stop along the Blue Loop that will get you close to the garden (Porter Road at Jordan East Parking - Stop 281).