After a dreary and cold two weeks of winter, brighter days have arrived in the town of Starkville, Mississippi. The town is glimmering with shades of blue skies and yellow pollen, and tulips and daffodils kiss the green grass landscape with the colors of the season. It is official – spring has sprung.
With warmer days on the horizon, it is necessary to know how to take advantage of the spring season. From bouquets to wildlife to pickleball, the town of Starkville has an abundance of ways to enjoy one of the happiest times of year.
Buying springtime blossoms
Flowers are one of the most iconic symbols of springtime. Through her business Flowers By The Bunch, Mississippi State University alumna Monti King ensures that the town of Starkville can get all of the most beautiful spring blossoms.
“Right now, we have beautiful ranunculus, gerbera daisies, hydrangeas of all colors. We have beautiful lilies,” King said. “My favorite is the ranunculus. It is beautiful.”
King’s arrangements feature bright colors and flowing greenery, reflecting the abundance and joy of the season. From weddings to deliveries, she describes herself as “all-inclusive” on her website and promises to use only the freshest flowers and decor. She also carries many premade arrangements and designs curated to fit the season to add a splash of spring life to the homes of Starkville.
Enjoying the scenery
One of the best ways to enjoy the beautiful nature is by exploring its wildlife and scenery. The Noxubee Wildlife Refuge allows citizens of Starkville to soak in sunshine surrounded by swaying trees and fluttering birds, which is sure to lift people’s spirits out of the winter blues. In fact, studies have shown that spending even just a short amount of time outdoors in nature can vastly improve the academic performance of students. A 2023 study conducted by Jingjing Wang demonstrated that roughly two hours of outdoor time per day showed a significant positive association with academic performance.
Noxubee Wildlife Refuge offers a beautiful, nature-focused setting to enjoy this outdoor time. Various picnic tables and ample shade provide multiple outdoor seating options to host a springtime picnic or lounge in the sun with a book, and the tall, towering trees provide a shelter from the outside world that gives a sense of peace and calm. When the bustle of campus is overwhelming, this trail offers a small escape to remember the beauty of the spring season.
Staying active in spring
Warmer weather also means that the days stuck on the Joe Frank Sanderson Center treadmill have come to an end, and outdoor sports have made their return. One of the best ways to get some exercise is by taking to the Sanderson pickleball courts, a recent addition to the campus gym.
Pickleball, a sport that has become increasingly popular over recent years, offers an active way to indulge in the spring weather. The rules are accessible and easy to learn, and Starkville has cultivated a supportive and friendly community of pickleball players that are eager to meet new people to play with.
Sophia Pisciotta, a sophomore wildlife, fisheries and aquaculture major and avid pickleball player, shared her favorite part about pickleball in the spring weather.
“I definitely think it’s a good way to exercise, a good way to meet people and just a good way to have fun,” Pisciotta said. “It is really satisfying when you get a good hit… I would definitely recommend it.”
Taking studying outdoors
Although the weather is starting to feel like summer, students know that classes and exams are still in full swing. However, this does not mean students have to watch spring pass by from the library window. MSU’s campus is home to multiple beautiful outdoor study spots where students can smell the flowers and crunch some numbers at the same time.
A long-time student favorite outdoor study spot lies in the heart of campus itself. The Drill Field, with its ever-soft and always vibrant grass, lends itself perfectly to picnic blankets and lounging students. On an average spring day at MSU, students can be found on the many available picnic tables and benches on the drill field, as well as on the grass itself, tapping away at laptops, scanning textbooks or simply soaking in the sun.
On days when the Drill Field is bustling with students, quieter nooks on campus offer a refuge for students. Although it comes with limited seating, the fountain in front of Hilbun Hall offers a refreshing ambiance to drown out the stress and business of test week. When Starkville’s notorious wind gusts have students fighting to hold their textbooks open, the walls surrounding the benches and picnic tables outside McComas Hall offer some peaceful shelter, too.
Savoring sweet-treat runs
As sweet as spring flowers may smell, nothing tops a sugary treat. Starkville favorite Local Culture offers a rotating menu of frozen yogurt flavors for every taste, from chocolate to pomegranate raspberry. Fresh fruit toppings add a vibrant flavor reminiscent of warm weather.
For a sweet drink, many local coffee shops offer fruity iced drinks to stay hydrated in the heat. Coffee Depot offers refreshers in the flavors of strawberry acai, starfruit mango passionfruit or cucumber watermelon mint, and Strange Brew carries vibrant lemonades flavored with blue raspberry, strawberry, green apple and peach. For something richer, High Ground Coffee carries Italian Cream Sodas in flavors such as strawberry, blackberry and peach.
After a short but bleak winter, Starkville residents are sure to welcome the warmer weather with open arms and open hearts. The grass will continue to grow greener, flowers will continue to bloom and pollen will continue to coat the town in shades of yellow. No matter how it is spent, the spring season is sure to bring bright days and even brighter smiles to the town of Starkville.
