Behind Oglethorpe’s Turner Lynch Campus Center, a small community garden overflows with twisting vegetable vines and blooming flowers alighted by butterflies and bees. Known as “Petey’s Garden,” the collection of raised garden beds has produced a considerable harvest this summer under the green thumbs of several OU students, faculty and staff.
The garden’s bounty includes tomatoes, peppers, watermelon, cucumber, okra and Brussels sprouts, all nurtured through sustainable gardening practices. Beyond providing fresh produce, Petey’s Garden contributes to campus sustainability efforts by offering flowers that support native pollinators.
Oglethorpe student Heidi Ullman ’26 tends to plants in Petey’s Garden
Established in 2022 with just a handful of raised beds, Petey’s Garden has seen a rapid increase in community participation. These beds are available for rent to Oglethorpe gardeners of all skill levels, providing a therapeutic activity that promotes biodiversity on campus.
Moreover, the fruits of these labors are not just enjoyed by the gardeners. The produce harvested from Petey’s Garden is donated to Petey’s Pantry, a campus initiative that supports students experiencing food insecurity.
One standout gardener this season is Heidi Ullman ’26, a Spanish major who has cultivated a diverse array of produce in her plot. Her interest in gardening stems from her fascination with food as a cultural connector, making her participation in Petey’s Garden a perfect blend of her academic pursuits and personal interests.
Eli Arnold ’08 tends to one of his plants.
“I am very interested in culture, which is made up of language, culinary practices, food and religion.” says Ullman, “Food, just like language, tells the stories of human migration, adaptation and survival. Language and food are also united in that they are embodied, ever-evolving processes.”
Another gardener this season is Eli Arnold ’08, director of the Philip Weltner Library.
“Not only does it provide for those in our community who are food insecure, but I think joining together with other faculty and students to make sure the gardens are successful is very community building,” says Arnold. “As we grow as a university, it’s nice to still have that connection to other groups on campus.”
As Petey’s Garden continues to grow and flourish, it not only enhances campus sustainability but also serves as a testament to the power of community collaboration through gardening and food.
