New at CampusGarten: inclusive flowerbeds

A wide, paved path for students in wheelchairs or with pushchairs, raised kerbs for people using white canes, four raised beds and gardening tools adapted to the needs of wheelchair users: these are the latest improvements to the University of Würzburg’s CampusGarten.

The garden on the North Campus is open to all students who want to do some gardening or simply help out with the project. You can lease a plot for five euros a year and grow lettuce, courgettes or pumpkins there. Tools are provided, and leaseholders are expected to help out with communal tasks.

A grant made the redesign possible

The creation of the accessible paved path leading to the new raised beds was one of the community projects in which students took part, guided by a landscape gardener.

This improved accessibility was made possible by a grant worth 8,000 euros, which the garden team received from the vbw Stiftung Lebensgrundlagen Bayern in early 2026. The vbw is the Bavarian Industry Association.

Felix Wegmann, the foundation’s director, travelled from Munich at the end of June to see the results of the funding. Members of the student's representation’s Department for Ecology and Sustainability, which is responsible for the CampusGarten, gave him a tour of the site and explained the ecological concept and philosophy behind the garden project. Also present was Lars Wallstabe from the WueLAB sustainability laboratory, the university’s internal partner in the creation of this accessible new garden.

A bridge to practical gardening

“We at the vbw Stiftung Lebensgrundlagen Bayern are delighted to be able to support the CampusGarten as an inclusive example of sustainability in action,” said Felix Wegmann. “I was really impressed by what the students have achieved here.”

With great dedication and expertise in organic farming, a flagship project is being implemented on Campus North that bridges the gap between the lecture theatre and practical application. “At the same time, students are gaining practical skills in growing their own food, which brilliantly combines our environmental and social sustainability goals,” said the foundation’s director.

Figures on the CampusGarten

Thanks to the accessible extension of the CampusGarten, the number of plots is increasing from 60 to 80, according to biology student Julian Müller, head of the student's Ecology and Sustainability Department. In total, the garden covers an area of 3,000 square metres. Many students share a plot, meaning that on average around 100 people are currently gardening on the site.

Web links

More about the CampusGarten

The vbw Foundation Lebensgrundlagen Bayern