As the beautiful Maine summer begins to unfold, things on the USM Gorham campus are growing! The patio of Brooks Student Center is now garden-central. With the greenhouse at one end and cedar raised beds stretching along the fence, it is lovely to behold. And to think, we'll be able to eat all of this!
USM Dining Services has always had sustainability in mind. We have now taken it a step further by working towards growing some of the food served to students and staff in the dining hall. Herbs and vegetables will be growing over the summer in the raised beds and year-round in the greenhouse. They will be featured on the menu throughout the school year so keep an eye out for those, especially in the fall.
USM Dining Services has always had sustainability in mind. We have now taken it a step further by working towards growing some of the food served to students and staff in the dining hall. Herbs and vegetables will be growing over the summer in the raised beds and year-round in the greenhouse. They will be featured on the menu throughout the school year so keep an eye out for those, especially in the fall.
The Greenhouse
The 18' x 28' greenhouse is the perfect place to grow herbs and leafy greens. With double-layer plastic walls and roof, it is insulated and provides a consistant temperature for the plants. We have upgraded the soil to locally-produced topsoil from O'Donal's Nursery, right down the road in Gorham, and added local composted manure. These shallow beds allow excess water to drain away while offering a rich layer of growing medium to ensure healthy and happy plants.
I planted basil, cilantro, parsley, impatiens, nasturiums, and chives from seed at the end of April. By mid-May, they were sprouted and getting their second sets of leaves.
Cilantro seedlings after 2 weeks:
Cilantro after 4 weeks:
We purchased four tomato plants locally (on the back of the table in the above photo) as well as buying six plants of Paul Robeson tomatos, an heirloom variety. We're planning to move the heirloom plants into three smaller raised beds, which are still being built.
The herbs have been transplanted to one of the large beds in the greenhouse where they will grow for the summer. Soon we'll start more seeds of each herb in order to have a constant supply (this is why there is room in the bed between each type of herb, see photo below).
The herbs have been transplanted to one of the large beds in the greenhouse where they will grow for the summer. Soon we'll start more seeds of each herb in order to have a constant supply (this is why there is room in the bed between each type of herb, see photo below).
Herbs in bed, from left to right: Genovese Basil, Cilantro, Chives, and Parsley.
As for me, I'm on campus twice a week mainting the greenhouse and doing other things related to local food and the USM community. Want to visit the greenhouse and/or take a tour? Have questions? Post them here! Become a follower of this blog and check back often for updates.
Grow on,
The Green Blogger
P.S. As you may have noticed, my penname is lacking in originality. If you have any suggestions, let me know!
As for me, I'm on campus twice a week mainting the greenhouse and doing other things related to local food and the USM community. Want to visit the greenhouse and/or take a tour? Have questions? Post them here! Become a follower of this blog and check back often for updates.
Grow on,
The Green Blogger
P.S. As you may have noticed, my penname is lacking in originality. If you have any suggestions, let me know!
4 comments:
Nice!
Very Cool!!!
Keith
hmmmm.... Brooks Patio Gardener? Aramark Patio Gardener? USM patio gardener? 18X24 gardener? might come up with others....
Green Blogger:
Nice job! Program looks awesome.
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