Community Garden
Started in February, 2009, the Arboretum organic community garden has grown into a major feature of the Arboretum program. The garden has become an especially important part of our volunteer program, hosting thousands of volunteer hours per year. Volunteers are the key to our success, because we could not operate such a successful garden without them.
Raised planting beds are one of the features in the garden. Each bed represents a different Sustainable Development Goal, one of which is accessible to the public 24/7. Stop by and visit our garden to check out our community bed, located behind the Greenhouse. The Arboretum staff and dedicated volunteers have been hard at work prepping the site since November of 2018, and what a long way it has come!
We are especially happy that our garden produce goes to help students in need through the Knights Helping Knights Pantry. The pantry provides UCF students in need with basic needs including food, clothing, and personal hygiene items. Finally, our garden is open to everyone in the UCF and Orlando community, so come come get your hands dirty and learn about growing food!
Greenhouse
The original Arboretum Greenhouse was known as the Stockard Conservatory, and was a donation to UCF. Natural degradation throughout the 90’s and hurricanes in 2005 left the greenhouse in poor condition, and it was reconstructed in 2006. Some glass from the original greenhouse was able to be salvaged and used in the new structure. Now, the greenhouse is primarily used as a teaching space, as well as for propagating new plants, rotating seasonal crops, and storing plants between plant sales.
The Greenhouse is maintained by the Plant Production team at the Arboretum. There are gardens located next to parking lot C3, that surround the Arboretum Greenhouse. Explore the garden to find more info about its plants and pollinators!
