The University of Central Florida Arboretum is hosting Summer Garden Day, an opportunity for members of UCF and local communities to get their hands dirty while tending to UCF’s popular Organic Community Garden.
Activities will begin at 8 a.m. Friday, July 15, at the garden, which is located near the Arboretum office trailer 525, behind the Harris Corporation Engineering Center and College of Optics and Photonics buildings.
A light lunch will be provided to participants at noon.
This is the third year the Arboretum has hosted the event with Volunteer UCF and The Simple Living Institute, Inc.
Activities will include making vegetable beds, sowing crops, seeding plant for fall, mulching and mixing soil. There will be limited indoor activities—such as cutting plants and jarring seeds and dried herbs—for those seeking a break from the sun.
Attendees should wear closed-toe shoes and bring water. Interested participants are encouraged to RSVP to VUCFenvironment@ucf.edu.
There are other opportunities to volunteer in addition to Summer Garden Day. Volunteer shifts begin at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. each Thursday and Friday. Contact arboretum@ucf.edu for more information.
UCF’s Community Garden seasonally contains a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs. The garden features plants native to Florida, as well as other plants that can withstand the Florida climate. The installation of a deer fence and irrigation was recently complete, allowing for an increased yield.
Produce is shared among students and community members who volunteer their time caring for the garden, donated to the homeless or occasionally sold for fundraising.
Visit http://www.arboretum.ucf.edu/ to learn more about the Arboretum and community garden.