It has now been a year since the EUI community garden that I co-coordinate with Caroline Vaute, together with the EUI Library joined a European network of nearly 100 libraries that engage with social, green, and inclusive projects in over 25 countries. Established more than 6 years ago, the Orto Community Garden, represents a green and vibrant community at the EUI. The project From Books to Beds. A Library-Garden Collaboration for Sustainable Living is a great opportunity to strengthen community ties, to grow relationships through gardening, to create a connection between nature and books besides academic work.

The Community Garden at the EUI recently faced relocation in a new and bigger space at the bottom of the Badia hill, and through the support of the Europe Challenge Project will organize gardening sessions, community activities, and workshops throughout the year. All our events are open to everyone in the community and outside, regardless of previous knowledge of gardening. In October the Community has been engaged in the moving of the Old Garden (Orto, in Italian) to the new location: the process entailed the digging of some plants and consequent repotting in the new space. We were able to relocate almost all plants, among which we have mimosa, roses, thyme, rosemary, sage, and many more.

Relocation is of course no easy process, but it is very emotional to see a new Garden come together in the new space between the olive trees. We have been engaged in some activities outside the EUI, such as a group visit at the Giardino dell’Orticoltura in Florence, to browse around the amazing plant market in early October. While working, we met our neighbors, that welcomed us with authentic stories about the EUI grounds before 1972. We are looking forward to strengthening our relationship with them and with many others local realities in Florence.

Shaping a new garden is a challenging process that we are passionate about. What is central to us is to make it a shared process, with brainstorming and shared responsibilities. Our community, like the Garden itself, strives with care, passion, and engagement. If you find yourself at the EUI, do think about visiting the Garden.