The Community Garden is open for students to start growing plants this season.

In the university’s efforts to become a more sustainable campus, the garden, located at UTA Boulevard and Summit Avenue, presents an opportunity for students and the community to interact with the environment.

Students and community members have already started planting vegetables in the garden since its opening in March 2011.

“Plants range from okra to sugar tea to international foods,” said Bill Gilmore, assistant director for Arlington Parks and Recreation.

Gilmore said those who use the garden are not required to have any planting experience to adopt a plot. However, they are required to donate 50 percent of their vegetables to Mission Arlington.

Melinda Long, president of the Community Garden Council, said being able to donate vegetables to people who need them is exciting.

“We are thrilled to be able to donate to Mission Arlington because we do have an agreement to give back,” Long said. “Last year, we were able to give over 100 pounds of food. We hope to give more this year.”

Long said they don’t use pesticides in the garden. Instead, they use organic alternatives such as soapy water and companion plants to avoid the plants from being a snack for bugs. All plants and soil from the previous year go into a compost to be recycled from year to year.

“Companion plants are like marigolds next to tomato plants,” Long said. “They deter the bad bugs.”

Gilmore said a four-foot by six-foot plot may seem small until you start planting, but with a little bit of personal research to get a basic understanding and knowledge of a productive garden, any one will be successful.

To get a plot in the garden, participants must fill out an application and pay $35 annually. Gilmore said there are 24 plots available, so students can plant seeds right away.

Gilmore said the garden always needs volunteers on workdays to refresh plants and soil, and clean up the garden. He said the next workday is on April 21.