COVID-19 result many people to start gardening , and it ’s no pass fancy . However , raise in the out-of-door garden is one matter . be given to plants indoors at rest home presents other challenges and opportunities .
As they recognized the increasing popularity of growing indoors , University of Florida scientists Celina Gómez and Paul Fisher , UF / IFAS faculty member in environmental horticulture , co - host a virtual webinar recently . There , they introduce new plant diverseness and how home gardener can farm them indoors .
Their computer program focuses on germinate and producing eatable plants for gardening . place growers can eat these crops , but the plant likely wo n’t grow enough fruits or vegetables for an entire family , said Gómez , a UF / IFAS assistant professor .
decorative and edible“I think of them as both ornamental and edible crop , as they are typically grown for the delight of grow a works — like most ornamental — with the add benefit that they will produce a fruit or vegetable to be harvested and consumed , like most edible crop , ” Gómez said .
Several factors have drive the increase in place gardening : Food insecurity and the pandemic are two of them .
“ People are garden in part to verify that there is enough food on the table during times of so much uncertainty , ” Gómez said . “ genial and strong-arm well - being are also crucial drivers of the ‘ pandemic gardening ’ move , as people seem to experience positive wellness benefit when gardening indoors and outdoors . During lockdown , the great unwashed had more fourth dimension to spend at home and many turned to gardening to keep themselves fill . ”
HydroponicsMany citizenry who want to get growing fruits and vegetables indoors at home bend to social media . So , Gómez conducted research recently that shows about half of the people who used the platform Reddit receive misinformation about how to rise aquacultural plants indoors . She and her team face at Reddit because those who use the platform and it ’s “ subreddits , ” topic- or residential area - focus discussion , are hobbyists , most with no formal training in horticulture .
“ A peck of the advice given to consumer via Reddit is based on experiences that may not be enough to educate someone on how to grow flora hydroponically , ” she say . “ Another big reason is that because indoor horticulture is a relatively new horticultural trend , there is not a sight of easy - to - realise information useable to consumers . ”
To truly train home indoor gardeners , UF / IFAS researchers will continue to give seminar and webinars , upload YouTube videos and allow enquiry - based good word to aid consumers concerned in learning more about home horticulture . Here is a data link to their show introduction from a recent study day .
“ We can also utilise social media platforms like Reddit to plug in with consumer , in subreddits like AMA ( “ Ask Me Anything ” ) , where it is not rare for scientist to connect with Reddit user to serve interrogation within a pre - defined windowpane of fourth dimension , ” Gómez say . “ We are write updated UF / IFAS Extension documents about these unexampled , develop gardening trends , which can also be helpful . ”
For now , Gómez and Fisher , a UF / IFAS professor , will carry on to test newfangled cultivar for vegetables that are summary . That is , they ’re bred for urban agriculture .
“ We will also expand our research in tank farming and indoor gardening to evaluate unlike tripping qualities and quantities that can avail maximise production and caliber of fruiting veggie , ” she said . “ Our Bob Hope is to host another champaign day in 2022 and make this an yearly event . ”
For more info : University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Scienceswww.ifas.ufl.edu
