Abby's Garden

The Abby Ayers Community Garden, known as Abby’s Garden, was founded in 2009 thanks to the efforts of students, faculty, staff, and community members. The garden has brought together individuals from across campus to grow all sorts of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. In 2020, Abby’s Garden was renovated and expanded as part of the Eco-Corridor construction. The garden now includes 32 raised beds of three different sizes, a covered picnic pavilion, three new water hydrants, and a community tool shed.

Since its founding, Abby’s Garden has adhered to organic practices. To help support a healthy ecosystem and to reduce residue on produce, no synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides are used. Sticking to organic practices helps protect the health of our gardeners and our surrounding environment. Beyond environmental health, digging in the dirt can also help reduce stress and improve mental well-being!

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Apply for a Plot in Abby's Garden!


From February 24 through March 21, students, student groups, faculty, and staff are all invited to apply for a plot in Abby's Garden.
 
Gardeners are expected to attend a short training, maintain their plots for the growing season, and help with garden clean-up days. The commitment period is from April through October, including summer months. Worried you don’t have the skills or resources? Basic supplies - including gloves, hand tools, shovels, and rakes - will be available for shared use. Gardeners of all experience levels are welcome!
 
Student organizations or groups of individuals can also apply together for a plot. This is a great option if not all group members will be present for the entire growing season, but still want to be involved. At least one member of your team must be available for the full growing season.
 
Express your interest by filling out this Google Form. Participants will be entered into a lottery for plots, and the assignments will be announced in late March.

If you have any questions about Abby's Garden and the lottery process, please email Joseph Day at joseph.day@richmond.edu. 

Students engaging with Abby's Garden
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  • Garden Guidelines

    - All gardeners must attend an orientation session and sign the garden pledge prior to gardening. More detailed expectations/guidelines will be given to gardeners during orientation.

    - Gardeners are expected to assist on garden clean-up days

    - Please close the front and back gates to help keep deer out of the garden

    - Return all tools to the tool shed after use (please wipe down tools and put dirty gloves into the correct bin)

    - Turn off water spigots and return hoses after watering

    - Only organic fertilizers may be used. Compost is available for shared use!

    - Flowers, vegetables, herbs, and other annuals can all be grown in your garden! Have fun with it and get to know your fellow gardeners!

  • Maintaining Your Plot

    - The garden has 2 plot sizes: 2x3 and 4x8

    - The garden receives about 8 hours of direct sunlight daily, sufficient for vegetable gardening.

    - Each plot has access to a water spigot with a hose and gardeners are responsible for watering their own plots.

    - Gardeners are expected to provide their own seeds and/or transplants and any tools/supplies beyond the shared tools in the shed.

    - Gardeners are expected to maintain their plots for the full growing season. This includes managing weeds by regularly weeding your plot. This helps prevent weeds from jumping from your garden plot to another gardener’s plot.

    - Helping with general upkeep is also expected (ie: clean-up days).

  • Accessing the Garden

    - The garden is located near the start of the Eco-Corridor.

    - The garden is limited to garden participants during the growing season.

    - Participants have access to the garden all days of the week during daylight hours.

  • Gardening Resources

    Ordering Seeds

    - Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (Virginia-based)

    - Seed Savers Exchange (Heirloom seeds)

    - Johnny’s Seeds

    Growing Guides

    - Southern Exposure Growing Guides (overviews + lots of resources)

    - Virginia Home Vegetable Gardening Guide (great overview!)

    If you are new to gardening, please let us know if you would like some introductory resources!

  • Abby’s Garden Committee Members

    - Marge Musial: Telecommunications Service Representative, Campus Telecommunications
    - Mike Torquato: Landscape Services Manager, University Facilities
    - Rob Andrejewski: Director of Sustainability, Office for Sustainability
    - Joseph Day: Natural Areas Steward, Office for Sustainability