4 minute read
College gardening
A pot of dirt or hole in the ground can benefit any living space
Jalen Lee/THE STANDARD Follow Jalen on Instagram @_groovyog Wickman’s Garden Village, located at 1345 S, Fort Ave. in Springfield offers an array of seeds, plants and other gardening products.
Whether living in a house or an apartment, opportunities to grow harvestable produce are plentiful for students looking to deploy the benefits of gardening.
Mike Schaffitzel, owner of Schaffitzel’s Flowers and Greenhouses, a Springfield nursery at 1771 E. Atlantic St., said mental health advantages are among the services gardening has to offer.
“There’s something gratifying in being able to grow your own thing,” Schaffitzel said.
Schaffitzel said while the needs of plants vary depending on the outdoor space, plants such as carrots, cucumbers, hot peppers and tomatoes are all easy options that can grow either in-ground or potted with limited time and resources.
Additionally, herbs take up minimal space and grow easily. Basil, rosemary, oregano and mint can complement anything from a plate of food to a glass of water.
“It’s just something that’s refreshing mentally and for your taste buds,” Schaffitzel said. “The thing about gardening is it does take your mind off of whatever else you’re dealing with, and it’s rewarding to be able to grow something and enjoy the harvest.”
Schaffitzel’s Flowers and Greenhouses offers a variety of gardening products including seeds, plants and pottery.
For students looking to focus more on the germination of seeds rather than beginning with an already rooted plant, Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. in Mansfield, Mo., offers a diverse selection of flowers and vegetables from around the globe.
Jere Gettle, founder of Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, developed a passion for gardening early in his childhood, he said. Gettle grew up looking at seed catalogs with an interest in diversity, variety and the cultures from which they came .
“Some of my favorites for beauty and flavor are nasturtiums,” Gettle said. “They make a great cut flower and are delicious in salads. Basils, especially Thai and Persian basil, are great for Asian foods — super easy to grow and ornamental. Beets are also a good beginner. All of these are super easy to grow but obviously need proper watering.”
One of Gettle’s compact preferences is the sugar baby bush watermelon. They are easy to grow in Missouri and take up a small amount of space, whether a student has it in a planter on a balcony or in a raised bed.
A tip Gettle recommended students keep in mind when using pots and planters for their gardening needs is to ensure the plant receives more water and nutrients than if it was in the ground, due to its inability to send out roots in search of more.
While COVID-19 has forced Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company to temporarily close, their website provides the ability to shop from their wide collection of heirloom seeds.
While college students often have to maintain a work-school-life balance, making the time to add green to a house or apartment, from the fruits of their own labor, can bring a positive impact to a living space and its inhabitant’s life.
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