WEST LAFAYETTE — Gardeners of all levels are invited to participate in the third year of Purdue University Extension, University of Tennessee, Iowa State University, and North Carolina State University citizen science experiment called “Citi-Sci: Gardening for Science!” It has been.
The program runs from April to September.
Participating gardeners and citizen scientists, called “urban scientists,” will have the opportunity to grow four different plants, including two strawberries and two marigolds, some of which are edible flowers.
Selina Gomez, associate professor of controlled environment agriculture and experiment coordinator in Purdue University’s School of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, is trying to get information for industry members who are greenhouse growers. she says: “We want to better understand consumer preferences and gardening challenges. For example, is there value in selling containers of strawberry or marigold plants in different colors rather than a single color?” Is not it?”
Data is collected through questionnaires. Plants will be provided free of charge to city scientists who will help assess gardeners’ preferences and challenges. Along with plants and other materials needed for experiments, participants will have access to monthly educational sessions led by researchers from each institution’s extension department. Session topics include pest management, healthy cooking and nutrition, and mental health.
“This experiment is an opportunity for the community to participate in science,” said Michael Fiddler, a graduate research assistant and master’s student in horticulture and landscape architecture at Purdue who is leading the experiment with Gomez. “The research data we collect and conduct in this field is valuable, but sometimes we forget the human side. This is an opportunity to participate in the scientific process.”
“This year we will also focus on the psychological aspects of gardening, especially how participating in community-oriented projects like this can positively impact mental health,” Gomez added. Ta.
Those interested in participating can sign up online by April 26th. This experiment is open to everyone, and all that each city scientist needs is a small, sunny spot for the plants to grow.
If selected for the research project, participants will receive detailed information including plant harvest dates, location details, and additional resources. If you have any questions, please contact Gomez at citi-sci@purdue.edu or (765) 494-4443.
