Week 4

I've helped out in gardens and very light landscaping in the past, so I had a basic understanding of the difficulty of the work that goes into outdoor endeavors like a garden. It did end up being slightly more difficult than I expected however for a few reasons. The specific measurements I had to take into account when planting my seeds definitely made the process a little more involved. Also, germination has proven a bit difficult as my germination station has yet to yield any sprouts. Using the peat pellets was a completely new concept to me, they were fascinating to watch inflate, and get used to watering from the bottom up. I am still hopeful however due to the first sprouts coming from my sunflower seeds, which I hope will keep going and soon be followed by the rest of the garden!

Week 2

 I'm not exactly a first-time gardener, I have had quite a few plants in the past, from Turlington plants to succulents from the nursery plant sale, to even a seedling from one of the live oaks that are scattered across all corners of campus. Unfortunately, none of these green endeavors have ever been successful for me as they all died at one point or another. I have never been one to have much of a green thumb. I always joke around with my friends that "every plant I touch dies". I feel like I'm missing something in terms of what it takes to have a vibrant garden full of delicious foods I can harvest for meals and gorgeous flowers that I can look at all day. That's what I'm hoping to get out of this class this semester. I'm hoping not only to deepen my knowledge of various plants and what it takes to keep a garden healthy and growing, but be able to tell those same friends that I have "Turned over a new leaf" so to speak, and can not just keep my Turlington plant alive for more than a few months but one day cook them a meal that I grew myself. Here's to a new green beginning!

My Soupa Salad

Hello! My name is Brandon McKay and I'm a 3rd-year biotech major here. I'm hoping to help build my green thumb throughout this course, since I've never been great in the garden but enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own food. My last salad consisted of:

- Romaine lettuce, which is a leaf

- Tomato which is a flower

- Carrots which are roots

- Cucumbers which are flowers

- Garlic which is a root

I look forward to growing with you all!