BYU NewsNet - Indoor gardening may be best for students

After completing a semester at BYU-Hawaii, senior Dalaney Mecham brought a pineapple back to Provo. He rooted it indoors to remind him of Hawaii.

Despite his initial gardening doubt, his success inspired him to continue planting and he experimented with a coconut palm and basil.

With springtime in full bloom, students are interested in gardening, but lack the necessary time and space.

Fortunately, students can alter the standard garden to accommodate their circumstances. Chris Mueller, an employee at Sunshine Greenhouses in Provo, said there are quite a few students who come into the store and this number is steadily increasing.

“Because they are pressed on time or space, students are doing square foot or container gardening,” Mueller said.

Container gardening is the most popular technique among national college students, according to HGTV’s Web site. Students can use lantern boxes, wooden barrels, hanging baskets or flowerpots. The plants require a minimum of five hours of direct sunlight and should be watered daily.

Technically, anything can grow in a container, as long it is big enough to accommodate the roots.

Herbs are a practical option for container gardening that require minimal care.

Jenny Martin, a Provo mother of three, has a square foot garden and grows tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots.

“It is not the size of the garden that is important, but the quality of care,” Martin said.

With only a small area to tend to, students can more effectively cater to the plants.

Sweet Life in the Valley blogger April Atwater writes about gardening in Provo and encourages readers to submit photos of their garden.

“I love to garden even if it is small and in containers,” Atwater wrote. “Anyone can grow a little bit of something no matter how small your space.”

Gardening is mentally and fiscally rewarding for stressed-out students.

“It is important for students to garden because it brings them closer to God because they are able to watch something grow,” Mueller said. “They can be responsible for creation. It can be nourishing to their body because all of the primary senses will benefit.”