Trends are everywhere. We have Nike shorts, big T-shirts, blunt bangs and those weird shoes with the toes (supposedly, they are great for running.) Well, here’s a trend to get in to: gardening. With the crazy world we live in today and the economy having more ups and downs than a rollercoaster, gardens are a great way to not only save money but  also create a productive hobby. Luckily for us, the Horticulture Club here at Mississippi State University has brought this trend to the public with its annual Spring Sale, April 15 and 16.
The members of the Horticulture Club understand the growing trend. Just ask Richard Harkess, Horticulture Club faculty advisor.
“There’s a huge movement across the country, toward community foods produced locally and homeowners growing their own food,” said Harkess.
Many people grow up watching their parents or grandparents making daily trips to their gardens, picking a variety of vegetables. But do not worry if you do not have a green thumb. At first, a large number of people do not.
When it comes to the trend of growing your own garden, there is something you should know: gardening is not always the first hobby people seek.
For the students in plant and soil sciences,  every aspect of their recent adventure is hands-on. This includes mixing soil, transplanting seedlings and growing marketable plants.
“It gives you satisfaction when you go outside and pick that vegetable,” said Kandiace Gray, president of the Horticulture Club. “You grew it from nothing.”
However, growing your own garden may come with some limitations.
Some of the biggest problems while growing a garden are limited space and light exposure, issues students may encounter if they decide to try gardening for the first time.
But have no fear: today’s market has ways of accommodating any type of living situation. If you venture to your nearest Walmart or Lowe’s, you may find hanging baskets for tomatoes and, for those of you who love spices such as rosemary and thyme, a small pot on your front or back porch will suffice. Window boxes are also great for vegetables because of the light exposure and convenience.
This year, the Horticulture Spring Sale offers an array of vegetables and herbs. This includes everything from several different varieties of tomatoes like Jelly Bean and Better Boy, green to hot peppers, several different types of squash and zucchini as well as eggplant. Herbs available include thyme, oregano and rosemary -— which can also serve as a great house fresher upper, as one shake of this plant and your house smells like rosemary.
If you’re not into vegetables and you’re more into aesthetics, the spring ale also provides perennials and annual ornamental flowers including dahlias, begonias and, one of the best-sellers, petunias.
People who attend the sale may also notice more unusual plants, as well.
“We try to find plants that are different,” said Harkess. “We try to find plants you can’t find at Lowe’s.”
This year, one of the more unusual plants is called pineapple sage. Interestingly, the biggest fans of pineapple sage are the world’s smallest birds, or hummingbirds.
The Horticulture Spring Sales occurs this weekend, April 15 and 16. The sale is located at the greenhouses behind Dorman Hall.