Tucked away between the Elma Roane Fieldhouse and Memorial Field is the TIGUrS (Tigers Initiative for Gardens in Urban Settings) Garden/ It’s a green space hidden from the busyness of campus life where fish swim through the trickling water of the pond and students lounge in chairs under the sun.
While there isn’t much in bloom other than grass and weeds, the garden has been steadily maintained throughout the harsh winter by garden supervisor Art Johnson and student workers.
“Right now, we’re growing all of our stuff that we’re going to put in up in the greenhouse over Life Sciences,” Johnson said.
Tomatoes, squash, okra and cucumbers are among the vegetables making their way to the community garden this spring. The garden has been in operation since the garden’s founding in 2010, allowing students and faculty to pick their own organic produce for free.
Efforts to maintain a well-kept space are driven largely by student workers, who have learned to cultivate under Johnson.
“I give the students all the kudos because when they do good work, I want that to be on them,” Johnson said.
Eli Thompson
While birds chirp in the tree above her, Mills sits in the garden as she studies for class.
While student workers help create a usable and appealing green space, visitors like University of Memphis senior Nyla Mills, who spend time lounging and working in the garden, contribute to a sense of community.
“I love the garden itself,” Mills said. “I just can’t wait to see all the fruits and vegetables growing.”
Once warmer weather arrives, the garden hosts several events including a live music series and an annual Earth Day celebration. For Earth Day, the garden partners with campus middle school students to teach them about earth science and cultivation.
“We want to make sure that the next generation is steeped in what they can do to make the world a better place,” Johnson said.
The TIGUrS Garden Earth Day celebration will take place April 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature vendors, live music and Zumba classes open to all students. Free lunch will be available, along with Earth Day shirts provided by the garden.
Eli Thompson
Johnson trims the dying ends of a tree in the garden.
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