The Burning Kumquat is the on-campus, student run, organic garden located right next door to the Alumni House on the South 40. During the school year, the farm functions as a student club involving members pitching in at workdays and selling produce at DUC markets. But in the summer, when most students are gone and when the summer crops are in full production, the Burning Kumquat needs help!
To ensure that the farm is maintained and the veggies are eaten, the garden leaders are launching a summer garden membership, allowing employees and students to get their hands dirty and to benefit from fresh, ultra-local food until the second week of August. Open to anyone interested, from WashU or not, the membership entails:
- A one time donation to the garden for expenses like tools and seeds. The suggested amount is $20 ($2 per week until the end of August), but the group will accept as much or as little as you are comfortable with!
- Helping out in the garden! A 2-hour group workday is held every weekend, and the garden is always open for those who can’t make it to the workday. When the weather is dry, help is needed to water the beds.
- A share of all the produce from the garden. Members generally harvest on workdays though are welcome to stop by any time.
As a preview of what to expect in your plate this summer, here’s a list of this week’s harvest: purple and green kale, collard greens, arugula, Swiss chard, snow peas, garden peas, kohlrabi, garlic scapes, chives, purple shiso, oregano, marjoram, sage, Italian parsley, nasturtium blossoms and leaves, and green garlic. A variety of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, celery, beans, raspberries, and onions will also be coming soon! Everyone is invited to stop by the garden for a quick visit.
If you are interested in joining the summer garden crew, please fill out this Google form. Given the limited size of the garden, the number of members is limited to 15. Depending on interest, an introductory workday will be held this weekend or next.
In the meantime, send any questions to theburningkumquat@gmail.com.