Students can now enjoy a new community garden.
The Student Life Team has secured two plots in the Somers Orchard Community Garden, now open for all students and staff to enjoy.
Located just two minutes from University House on Park Street, the garden is already taking shape. A vibrant mix of fruit, veg, herbs, and flowers have been planted, including peppers, tomatoes, lavender, thyme, basil, marjoram, and sunflowers.
The garden also benefits from gloves, tools and equipment available on-site and free to use.
If gardening isn’t your thing, then the space is open for anyone to use as a study spot, a quiet place for reflection or meetings.
Community gardens like this one offer a chance to grow your own food, support the environment, and be part of something that genuinely improves the place we live. If you don't have access to a garden yourself, this is a brilliant way to get involved and share in the benefits.
Gardening is also great for our health. It’s a form of “green exercise” that can help reduce anxiety and improve mental wellbeing. Plus, by growing alongside others, you’ll have the chance to meet new people, swap ideas, and pick up skills.
A hands-on seed planting workshop will be held on Friday 16 May from 1.30pm to 3.30pm as part of Feel Good Week, celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week.
For more information or to get the code to access the garden, email hayley.wheeler@port.ac.uk.