UC Santa Cruz’s commitment to the environment is evident through the abundance of gardens on campus. Working in a garden helps students understand the process of growing their own food and cultivates a deeper, more meaningful relationship with food. Many colleges offer courses based around gardening, including Kresge College, Rachel Carson College and College Nine. In order to create a student guide for the gardens on campus, the production desk for City on a Hill Press ventured through all of the gardens on campus and recorded our thoughts.
Colleges Nine and Ten Garden
Newer than the others, the Colleges Nine and Ten Garden is currently in the process of being built from the ground up by students who are enrolled in a two-unit course offered through College Nine. The garden is scheduled to be planted at the end of the month, so if you have a secret passion for gardening or want to try something new, this could be the opportunity for you!
location: Behind the Colleges Nine and Ten bus stop
special features: Enroll in CLNI 70 to help build this garden.
Kresge Garden
Founded in 1975, the Kresge Garden grows a variety of crops, including artichokes, tomatillos and salad greens. In addition to growing crops anyone can help themselves to, the Kresge Garden Co-op also sells produce at the Kresge Natural Foods Co-op. This is a great place to explore: — the entrance reminds us of The Secret Garden. Make sure you visit this garden soon — it is at risk of being moved by the construction of the Student Housing West project.
location: Next to the Kresge parking lot, down the hill.
Hours: Always open to the public; check the website for when volunteers will be there.
special features: Students can take food as they please.
The Arboretum
While the arboretum is not a community garden, it is a noteworthy destination for all who enjoy nature. You can spend hours wandering around the UCSC Arboretum and still feel like there’s so much more to explore. The Arboretum is a great outing for a group of friends or to take family if they come to visit. Aside from taking a stroll, there are many events volunteers host throughout the school year and a gift shop with garden trinkets. The Arboretum has the world’s largest collection of Australian plants outside of Australia and one of the largest collections of plants native to New Zealand outside of New Zealand. So if you’ve always wanted to feel like you’re living in Lord of the Rings, this part of the garden is for you.
location: Tucked away on Empire Grade between Main and West entrances.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, free for
UCSC students, $5 for adults, $2 for kids
upcoming events:
Art in the Arboretum – May 20 to November 17
Community Day – June 6
Phenology Walk – June 17
Chadwick Garden
Part of the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS), the Chadwick Garden has a large variety of organic plants and flowers. Plants are grown for sale, with the market beginning in July this year at the base of campus. This garden is also known for its friendly resident cats, Buster and Posey. At the top-right of the garden, there is a deck perfect for studying for midterms or writing poetry at. Be sure to bring a small pot or container with you to collect a seedling from the free plants table.
location: Across the street from Stevenson College, access from Coolidge Drive.
Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
special features:
Flowers cut for students Tuesdays and Fridays 8 -10 A.M.
Rachel Carson College
The Rachel Carson College Garden isn’t much to look at from the outside, but its location offers a great view of the ocean. If you continue walking around the perimeter of the garden to the left of the entrance, you’ll find a compost pile as well as information about what can and can’t be composted.
location: Behind the Rachel Carson/Oakes Dining Hall, near the tennis courts
special features:
Compost pile
Chadwick Garden
Part of the Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS), the Chadwick Garden has a large variety of organic plants and flowers. Plants are grown for sale, with the market beginning in July this year at the base of campus. This garden is also known for its friendly resident cats, Buster and Posey. At the top-right of the garden, there is a deck perfect for studying for midterms or writing poetry at. Be sure to bring a small pot or container with you to collect a seedling from the free plants table.
location: Across the street from Stevenson College, access from Coolidge Drive.
Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
special features:
Flowers cut for students Tuesdays and Fridays 8 -10 A.M.
The Farm
The farm, which is the main CASFS grounds, is a great place to go on a hike. Its large, open fields can get hot, but the flower fields are absolutely beautiful and not a bad place for a date either. Don’t get tempted to pick the food, but you can purchase food at pop-up stands in Quarry Plaza.
location: Get off the bus at the Farm
Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
special features:
Produce sold at Quarry Plaza Mondays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
From April through November, free guided tours first Sunday of every month from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
