Renovation of Lusófona University's Organic Vegetable Garden

The organic vegetable garden on the Lusófona University Campus, which began in the 2020/2021 academic year, has recently undergone a significant makeover, thanks to the commitment and collaboration of the students and teachers of the Education and Teaching Council (CEE). This space, which has five beds, has been a meeting point for the academic community, involved in the care and maintenance of the vegetable garden. The initiative is under the guidance of Professor Elisabete Mauricio, coordinator of the Eco-Schools programme.

This year, the garden team focussed on cleaning and maintaining the beds and sowing new aromatic species. These plants are not only important for enriching the soil, but also play a crucial role in pharmaceutical biotechnology classes, where the extracts obtained will be used to research their bioactive properties.

Between March and June, the students, under the coordination of Eco-Schools FE, replanted various species in the garden. Aromatic plants such as sage, lavender and thyme were introduced, as well as legumes such as green beans and tomatoes. The use of biological compost, from the reuse of canteen waste, stood out as a sustainable and ecological practice.

This project not only promotes the valorisation of previously abandoned land, but also contributes to carbon capture and the diversity of plant species. In addition, the benefits of organic farming in terms of environmental impact are evident, reflected in practices that respect and preserve the environment.

The renovation of the organic garden represents an important step in integrating sustainable practices into everyday academic life, encouraging the active participation of the university community and environmental awareness.

In addition to the recent revitalisation and planting activities, the organic garden is also being used for a research project on soil microorganisms with antimicrobial activity. To learn more about this new project, please visit Research project at the Lusófona University Organic Garden.