If you are stressing out with any problem that you cannot control, how would you like it to calm down? Jogging around or listening to music might be one option, but let me pose another.

According to a study of plants effects on health and well-being by Texas A&M University, it is better to spend more time outside around trees or ornamental horticulture than being indoors. The more time people spend around nature, the less likely they are to be depressed or stressed.

Come and join the Green House Event at DVC On Friday, October 2, 2 -7 p.m. and Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m – 3 p.m. The garden, which is next to the tennis courts in Parking Lot #9, will have a huge plant sale, one of the biggest events held by horticulture department . They feature seasonal herbs, flowers, succulents, houseplants, vegetables, fruits, berries, grapes, and compost at very inexpensive prices.

Also On Saturday at 10 a.m. they have a rain catchment lecture and demonstration presented by Steve Torres, a DVC horticulture student. On the same day at 11 a.m. there will be a mushroom cultivation lecture presented by Professor Ken Litchfield, a mushroom cultivator. A band will also come and play music during the event to create a great atmosphere to have fun and enjoy at the garden.

Karen Talbot, manager of the DVC garden adaptive horticulture nursery, recommended good plants for relaxing, “Good plants for relaxing include plants with fragrance such as lavenders, lemon verbena, lemon balm, mints, sweet marjoram, chamomile, fragrant roses, and scented geraniums.  Many of these herbs make soothing teas,” Karen said. Since many students live in an apartment, it is not easy to manage plants. She also suggested that “House plants that can remove indoor toxins and make good desk plants include spider plants, peace lilies, and philodendrons.  There are many other houseplant choices –large and small.”

Michelle Eyestone said, about this coming spring, they are going to have a community supported agriculture box that anyone can sign up for online and pick whatever fruit you want or come by the garden to pick it up later. The box would allow for smaller plants to be grown in apartments or other small spaces.

Also, DVC garden and the Adaptive Horticulture nursery are open from 9:30 am – noon on Fridays throughout the semester. All proceeds are used for the garden, nursery, and horticulture students. Feel free to drop by and take a look, it would be great chance to get a plant for yourself.