The UST Stewardship Garden, which began harvesting crops three years ago under the lead of biology professor Adam Kay, is in its third year of existence, but this year’s planting process is unlike any other so far.

Senior Quinn Wrenholt, who co-runs the 32-plot garden with senior Ashela Richardson, said the lingering winter weather conditions have affected the planting process this season.

“I planned to have everything fully planted the first week of May, but because of the weather it’s looking more like the third week,” Wrenholt said.

Wrenholt said crops have begun the seeding and planting process and are being stored in the Owens Science Hall greenhouse until the in-ground planting procedure takes form in May.

Along with co-running the Stewardship Garden, Wrenholt and Richardson are also in charge of leading a garden competition, which is being held throughout the summer for students on campus.

Each member participating in the competition will be allotted their own 2-by-2 meter plot in the garden and will have the choice between six crops to include in their garden. Among these choices are potatoes, strawberries, corn, green beans, peas and tomatoes.

Along with choosing their crop type, students will also be in charge of determining the amounts of fertilizer, water and labor needed to maintain their own garden, in efforts of yielding the least amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The garden that produces the maximum yield while emitting the least amount of greenhouse gas emissions wins the competition.

Andrew Stafford can be reached at staf7499@stthomas.edu.