By Alison Snyder
Gardening can be a simple way for students to get down-to-earth, clear their minds and beautify their living spaces, whether they live in an apartment, house, or condominium.
'It''s kind of satisfying in a way because you''re accomplishing something different,' said Spencer Durland, a senior majoring in technology teacher education. He said gardening is an outlet for him - a way to get out. He keeps a vegetable garden in a neighboring yard.
'I noticed there were some places to garden, so I thought, ''Hey, might as well,''' he said.
This year he planted strawberries, bell peppers, tomatoes and sunflowers, to name a few. He said he learned to garden through trial and error - in fact, he''s still learning how to grow watermelons.
The majority of his garden is planted from starters, the small beginnings of plants, which are easier to grow than seeds. However, he said the most important factor in growing a successful garden is the dirt.
'It really depends on how well you prepare the soil,' Durland said.
He said the initial digging and planting takes most of the work. He mixed compost and then fertilizer into the soil.
Fertilizer helps plants grow faster and can either be mixed into soil or added to the water used to hydrate the plants.
'Go the extra mile - fertilize it,' said Candace Card, the assistant general manager at Sun River Gardens in Orem. 'If you have bad soil you''re going to have a bad plant.'
She said a good compost mixed with the soil, as well as healthy-looking vegetable starters, are key to starting a successful garden.
Students who don''t have access to a yard can plant strawberries, tomatoes and lettuce in pots. Also, students can grow flowers outside as well as take care of indoor plants. Vegetables require a lot of sunlight to grow, but many other plants flourish in partial sun or shade.
'I have many students that have indoor container gardens,' Card said. 'It''s very easy.'
Plants in pots on porches or indoors are a more reasonable option for students who are apt to switch apartments often or do not have yard space available.
Emilee Warne, a senior majoring in landscape management, said beginning gardeners shouldn''t try to do too much at once.
'Start out small so you''re not overwhelmed - with two or three plants,' she said. 'As you get better of taking care of your plants, expand to more - but don''t get so many that you can''t take care of them all because then they all suffer.'
Warne has a patio garden with an assortment of flowers. She gave a few important tips to remember about gardening.
'Above all, don''t over water,' Warne said. 'Watering too much and too little have the same symptoms ... Just keep to a schedule. Plants love it when you have a schedule.'
It takes her about 20 minutes to water her plants, which she does three times a week. She said it is important to keep in mind that each plant is different in its need for water and light.
'Watch how the plant grows. Experiment. Move it around, see if it grows better in less light or more light,' Warne said.
Overall, she said she enjoys her patio garden.
'It makes me feel good to have living things to take care of,' Warne said. 'You take pride if it''s doing well and living and everything. Once you get to know a plant, it sort of becomes your baby.'