Hello friends of the Westmont Gardens! It’s hard to believe that it is already mid-August, and students are beginning to arrive back on campus for a new school year. While things certainly quiet down here at Westmont over the summer, the student garden employees and I can assure you that the gardens have been bursting with all kinds of delicious fruits, veggies, and herbs all summer long!

Thanks to all the hard work from student garden helpers Ian, Wendy, Jesse, and Elise – the garden looks more beautiful and bountiful than ever! Here are some photos to catch you up on all that’s taken place in the garden this summer…

Executive Chef, Jose Leiva, making a simple summer salad with beautiful Westmont grown tomatoes.

Westmont grown tomatoes making an appearance at the salad bar!

Summer squash, beets, carrots, and arugula making their way into the DC kitchen!

The Westmont bee hive has been thriving all summer long.

Herbs galore! Pictured here: Basil, Parsley, Thyme and Rosemary.

These grapes made for great snacking in the garden this July!

The zucchini may look small now… but it will soon be big enough to head straight to the DC kitchen, and onto your plates!

Baby lettuces freshly planted in the garden.

The Westmont Garden’s beautiful new chicken coop, which was designed and built by Westmont student John Wright.

As students, faculty, and staff head back to the DC this fall, you’ll see all kinds of upgrades and updates to enhance your dining experience! If you are interested in joining the Garden & Sustainability Club, please send an email to westmont.garden@gmail.com. 

The Westmont Gardens are supported by Sodexo’s Dining Services team, as a way to bring more fresh, local produce to the DC! If you are a student who would like to be a part of enhancing the dining experience at Westmont, consider joining the Student Culinary Council! The Student Culinary Council meets once a month and is a way for students to make positive change around sustainability, health and wellness, and help implement new initiatives + special events in the DC. To learn more about joining this team, please email Michelle: maronson@westmont.edu.