Harvest: a garden for learning, experimentation and community
LUC students and staff came together this past semester to transform a local urban garden into a hands-on space for learning, experimentation, and community building.
From planting vegetables and pruning fruit trees to creating habitats for wildlife, Harvest is more than a garden. It’s a living laboratory where ecology, society, and creativity meet.
The project took root at the Nut en Genoegen garden, where LUC students and professors rolled up their sleeves to bring the space to life. Given the rich interdisciplinarity of community gardening, it’s no surprise that participants came from across LUC majors.
Why a community garden at LUC?
The vision is for the garden to serve as a living laboratory, complementing classroom theory with practical, experimental learning. Courses, both new and existing, can integrate the garden, offering students the chance to engage with fieldwork, ecological research, and community-based experimentation. Beyond academics, the garden is designed to be a vibrant gathering space, strengthening connections across the entire LUC community.
The first phase focused on preparing the site for planting. This involved hands-on work: clearing overgrown vegetation, pruning trees, removing root wads, sampling soil, and inventorying biodiversity. Beyond the physical labour, the team explored environmental and social design strategies, imagining how the garden could grow into a hub for cross-community collaboration and experimentation.
Looking ahead
Harvest will continue to support biodiversity and hands-on learning. A dedicated biodiversity corner will include an aquatic feature and attract birds, insects, and other wildlife, while a planned mycelium corner will help build healthy soil. The garden already hosts fruit trees (apple, cherry, and pear) and a mature grapevine, alongside vegetable plots with winter varieties such as leek, turnip, radish, and potato. The aim is to create a thriving urban ecosystem that educates, engages, and brings the LUC community together and perhaps even supplies produce to the LUC Community Kitchen.
Join Harvest!
The garden is open to all students and staff. To get involved, contact the LUC Info Desk (info@luc.leidenuniv.nl) or reach out directly to Drs. Achim Häger, Paul Hudson (EES), or Ann Wilson (CHS). Your hands, ideas, and curiosity are welcome!