Pitt students plant herb gardens in SOOS first Garden Party

The Student Office of Sustainability in Pittsburgh held its inaugural Garden Party on Friday, October 23. The event filled the office with students who participated in hands-on container gardening activities. Participants received catered food and crafting supplies while learning to grow plants in individual pots.

Eva Simmons, a junior environmental science major and Food Justice Program Manager, organized the event. She designed the gathering to introduce students to the office and to demonstrate that gardening is feasible in college housing. Simmons noted that many residents are unaware they can cultivate plants in dorm rooms.

“Part of it is knowing that the SOOS is a space that they can use and there’s a lot of cool people here to meet,” Simmons said. “But also the fact that gardening isn’t that difficult and you can garden in your dorms. A lot of people don’t actually know that you can do it in your dorm, so that’s why I like container gardening so much.”

Guests used provided soil and seeds to build their own planters. The selection included herbs such as mint, basil, and lemon balm. Staff instructed attendees on maintenance routines for when they returned to their residences. Students also decorated their pots using crafting materials available in the office.

Grace King, the SOOS Managing Director and a senior environmental science major, supported the initiative to promote food independence. She emphasized the value of students managing their own food systems within limited living spaces. King stated that such events demonstrate how residents can achieve partial self-sufficiency in apartments or dorms.

“I think that it’s vital for people to know how they can improve the sustainability of their own food systems, so something like this demonstrates how you can garden from your own home, you can become self-sufficient, or somewhat self-sufficient, within your dorm or within your apartment,” King said.

The office hosts additional events throughout the year to advance food justice goals. These activities include cooking classes for affordable recipes and workshops on the nutritional value of spices. Future Garden Parties may expand to include vegetable plants alongside herbs.

Lauren Seegers, a sophomore biology major, attended the party to relax and socialize. She valued the opportunity to share a free meal with peers who did not have meal plans. Seegers described the event as a way to pause daily routines and connect over shared interests in plants and crafting.

“I think it allows people to slow down from their daily life and interact with other people about common interests, like crafting and plants, and just be able to eat a meal,” Seegers said. “If you don’t have a meal plan, it makes it easier to relax and not worry about food.”

Alaina Wenitsky, a junior environmental science major, highlighted the event's role in increasing campus awareness of sustainability efforts. She observed that many students remain unfamiliar with the scope of Pitt's environmental initiatives. Wenitsky called the SOOS a unique community resource for large-scale student engagement.