MSU Plant and Soil Sciences by: Natalee

Our first stop at MSU (Mississippi State University) was the greenhouses. Dr. Harkess talked about some of the history and the basics before entering. While inside, we learned some very important things. For example  we learned about the concept of vermicomposting, which is the process of composting using earth worms. We also learned about pesticides and herbicides and why separate storage is important. They are put in cold storage for climate control and kept away from each other to prevent mix ups between the two that could cause harm. 

When touring the inside of the greenhouses we saw a hydroponic system they was set up. This hydroponic system was for lettuce. The water was pumped from a bucket on the ground and that water flowed down the tubes reaching every head of lettuce. 68 heads of lettuce could be grown in this one hydroponic system. In 6-8 weeks the lettuce grows from a seed to something you can eat. There were all kinds of interesting plants in the greenhouses. 

   

I’m thankful we got the chance to experience what the greenhouses are like at a college and how they are different than some we normally see.