GREENSBORO, N.C. – As we continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic, many UNC Greensboro students, faculty, and staff have turned to gardening to find comfort during these difficult times.

Whether it's addressing screen time, or finding ways to cope with today's climate, gardening has become an increasingly popular activity in these days of face coverings and social distancing.

A professor of chemistry at UNCG, Nadja Cech, spends her quality time working in the garden. She has a plot in at the Dunleath Community Garden, where she takes students to learn more about gardening and the benefits behind it. There she grows a variety of veggies and herbs.

“You’re making food that’s nutritionally high quality and producing food for people who might not have access to food," Cech explains.

On Monday, she took one of her students, Derick Jones, to garden with her. She's been mentoring him for about a year. Jones explains that gardening has become one of his favorite hobbies.

“Coming out here and having time to learn about each step of what it means to garden, and tasting your actual produce has had a profound impact on my life," Jones says.

The two are enjoying the great outdoors, rather than being cooped up inside and talking to each other over Zoom. It's a way to take his studies, and her expertise, and make it a beneficial activity for both.

Students at UNCG have the opportunity to garden on campus on McIver Street as well as the Dunleath Community Garden on Chesnut Street.