Tufts' secret garden

Why is there a vegetable and flower garden on campus? Who planted it? Who uses it? Lying snug between South Hall and Latin Way, vegetables and flowers spring from the soil of the large plot of land that comprises the downhill garden. While the garden, surrounded by a metal fencing is easily noticeable to all passers by, the garden's purpose is not so clear.

The tomato plants supported by metal poles, the dirtied shovel left standing upright in the ground, and the green hose strewn over the fence give some hint of human presence.

Yet, there is no one in sight. There is also no sign listing garden rules, no indicator as to whom the garden belongs to, or why it is occupying the space beside the student dormitories.

While many students have observed the garden while walking to the track, the downhill tennis and basketball courts, or on their way to Davis Square, most have ignored it and continued walking. In fact, many students don't even know that the garden exists.

"Garden? What garden?" sophomore Diane Rish asked.

Even some people who live in dorms adjacent to the garden are not even aware of its existence. Responding to what she thought of the plot of land outside her South Hall dorm room, sophomore Sangeeta Parekh said, "I just never noticed it."

Sophomore Carlos Cueva, another resident of South Hall said, "I've never even paid attention to the garden."

Despite the general lack of student knowledge about the garden, it actually has a deep-rooted history.

"The garden goes back 20 years, to when the city of Somerville encouraged the development of a community garden," Tufts' Director of Community Relations Barbara Rubel said.

The garden became an alternative to Somerville residents who experienced difficulty in growing vegetables and flowers on their own land. "The residents had lead paint in their small plots of land," Rubel said. "Neighbors of Somerville asked if Tufts would allot them the space for the community garden" and the University agreed to share a plot of land with the Somerville residents.

Throughout the past 20 years, the garden has been situated in three different locations and moved to its most recent location around the time South Hall was being constructed in 1991.

Although the garden currently belongs to Tufts University, members of the Somerville community are actively using it.

"In the early evening, one can catch people working there," Rubel said.

The maintenance of the garden is volunteer-based, with a garden coordinator in charge of workers. As a result, the garden does not provide an additional expense for Tufts University. Rubel praised the responsibility of the garden's users, who hold a meeting once a year and hold regular clean-ups to ensure its upkeep.

"The program of community gardens has really grown in the city," Rubel said. "Chinatown has a community garden in the South End, under BUG (Boston Urban Gardeners)." She stated that there are also community gardens in many Boston neighborhoods.

The University points to the garden as an example of its philanthropy. "Part of our policy is to share our resources when we can," Rubel said. The use of Tufts' fields and the Tot Lot, located directly behind South Hall are other examples of this philanthropy. "When local residents live in such a densely populated city, it seems only fair that we would find some way to share the space we have," Rubel said.

Although a number of students were unaware of the garden, many have seen it and appreciate what it represents. "The garden is an outreach to Somerville, giving residents an opportunity that they don't have on their own property," senior Maggie Pastuszak, a Latin Way resident said. "The garden doesn't bother anybody and isn't in the way of Tufts students."

Other students responded positively when informed about the garden's history and purpose.

"The garden is a good thing as it is a form of community outreach," senior Derek Keswakaroon, a Latin Way resident said. "This outreach eases the strain between the Tufts community and Somerville residents."

The lack of student knowledge about the community garden reflects the fact that students are not in contact with the garden's users. Rubel, however, described the fact that local people tend the garden without being obtrusive as a positive element.

Students, though, are not prohibited from gardening with Somerville residents.

"It may be good if the Somerville work in the garden becomes more integrated with the Tufts community," Rubel said.