It's the Good Life indeed when you grow your own veg.
In a world where costs are spiraling out of control, here at the Cardiff incubator, our start ups have come up with a side project to take the edge off.
Made from old wooden pallets that were out for recycling, these planters took around a week of sporadic work to complete, and are home to: potato's, lettuce, carrots and a fuchsia. With the exception of that last one, all are edible. Eating home grown veg cuts costs and also the carbon footprint. These carrots have travelled by neither air nor truck to get here. When they're grown, we will be able to lean out of the window and pluck them from the planter.
This not only goes towards the University's new: Turn USW green initiative, but general health and wellbeing too.
#1: Plants increase creativity
A recent study linked the presence of foliage to creativity in the workplace. Relaxation is one reason- foliage represents "ample resources" and so our subconscious is immediately relaxed by its presence, so that we can focus on more pressing matters- that new advertising campaign, or how to engage better with clients. Not only that, but nature itself is a stimulus, one that has been inspiring writers, musicians and poets for centuries. Our humble fuchsias will help.
They also increase productivity; have a look at this ten year study.
#2: Plants reduce sick days
Air conditioning and a lack of natural air circulation can lead to something called "sick building syndrome"; symptoms of which include nausea, difficulty concentrating on tasks and flu-like symptoms.
Luckily the gardening does not stop outdoors. With planters all around the Stiwdio ( Courtesy of Orange Box) a family of spider plants living their best life on the long table in the middle, and individual plants at each desk, the Stiwdio has multiple lungs in every corner of the building. Oxygen, CO2 removal, and air flow aid. Couldn't ask for cleaner air. All they ask for in return is a bit of water and natural light.
#3 Plants reduce stress and hostility
Biophilia. As living organisms, we desire to be close to nature. Studies have shown that watering plants, touching wet soil, smelling flowers, all of these stimuli can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. A physical reaction that can result in happier workplaces, less pent up frustration, and less chance of taking it out on your co-workers. Goes some way to explaining why the Cardiff Startup Stiwdio is such a chilled co-working space.
#4 Plants ( Particularly spider plants) are masters of air purification
As mentioned at #2, plants improve air quality be removing CO2 and releasing oxygen when they photosynthesize. But some plants go above and beyond. The humble spider plant ( or Chlorophytum comosum to give it its flashy Latin title) can remove up to 95% of airborne toxins including Benzine, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene.
Most of our Startups in the Stiwdio rely on computers for many aspects of their business workflow- if not direct content creation, then editing said content, marketing said content or compiling/sending invoices and general scheduling. Whatever the reason, screen time can be seen to take up a good 6 hour chunk of the day. With hourly breaks recommended , one of the best ways to spend said screen breaks, is tending to the plants: watering, weeding, chatting and communal gardening releases dopamine, serotonin and solidifies our self identity as a nurturer. What better way to bond as a Stiwdio than by bringing baby carrots into the world, and taking a break from sedate computer activities?
A closing note from the planter's creator: " After building a couple of planters from upcycled wood at home, I realized just how easy it is, specially if you know how to scavenge around Cardiff. If you look around the Atrium, there really isn't much use of the space for planters or gardens. In a way, making the planters with my own hand was a way to make the space nicer to be in, but not just as a pretty garden, but as a little ecological corner that may, hopefully, provide us with some produce for future networking events. On the other hand, I hope it is a start, and one day the Stiwdio, and maybe even the Atrium, has a much bigger community growing space. I do have the hope to get a composting system so the Stiwdio can cut down on its food and cardboard waste."
And in a word?
"Salad."
More on the Stiwdio garden as it grows, and if you have any plant recommendations, please leave them in the comments below. Especially winter ones- as we approach the fallow seasons, we want to avoid the new planters looking like an icy ghost town.