The Field, Berms, and Swales

The field is split into two sections. Each section has 3 rows that are approximately 80 ft long and our crops are watered using drip line irrigation. To promote soil health, we alternate using each section for the fall and spring. In the center and end of the field, we have berms and swales that serve to slow down the flow of water to reduce erosion. Berms can be thought of as dirt mounds and swales as trenches. On the berms, we planted plants that would need minimal water such as a variety of herbs and native flowers. 

Community Gardens

We have 4×4 ft and 4×8 ft plots that we rent out to any UT faculty, student, and staff. One of our plots is being used by the Nutrition Course for their class.

Fruit Orchard

We have nine fruit trees that were donated to the farm from non-profit organization Treefolks. Our trees consist of a meyer lemon, two loquats, a shinseki pear, a satsuma orange, an olympia fig, a grapefruit, an olive (donated by a past project leader), and a plum. 

Xeriscape, Pollinator, and Bird Garden

Along the fenceline, we planted native plants that require little minimal watering as well as pollinator and bird friendly plants. Some plants include Texas Kidneywood, Red Yucca, Pidgeonberry, Rosemary, Blackberry, and Inland Sea Oats. 

Learning Garden

The main goal of this garden is to serve as an experimental space for educational purposes. Previously, it was used as a dye garden but now it is being used as a space for the Reconnecting and Restorying Land Relations Green Fund Project. 

Compost and Mulch Bays

The bays (aka. bin structures) were built using cinder blocks and metal rods. We have four small bays that are used for composting at the farm from food waste drop offs by the UT community. Additionally, we have one large bay for compost we receive from UT Landscaping Services, and another large bay for mulch that we also receive from UT Landscaping Services. 

Rainwater Catchment

We have a metal rainwater catchment bin from Texas Metal Tanks that collects rainwater running down one of our sheds. It can hold up to 90 gallons of water.