Hands-on learning meets beauty at Spokane Community College’s plant shop: The Greenery. With a focus on sustainability and community, students and staff members are confident that this plant shop is like no others.
The greenery welcomes all customers and students. You can find the greenery at Spokane Community College in Building 10, with open hours ranging from Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 2:00PM.
Almost 100% of the plants produced for the greenery are made from student curriculum, taking place in greenhouse classes 1, 2, and 3. Greenhouse students propagate and nourish plants, aiding in their growth, while the floral design students create charming arrangements, all of which are sold in the greenery.
“You really get to see the end goal of what we’re doing in the greenhouse,” said Sydney Ruediger, a Spokane Community College student taking part in greenhouse 1.
Students and faculty find the greenery involvement in student curriculum to be most beneficial, as all proceeds made from the greenery go right back into funding the greenhouse courses.
“We don’t rely on outside finding at all,” Laurie Parrish, the greenhouse manager, said. “Everything that we do in here goes directly back to the students.”
The greenery maintains affordable prices with student practices where students prune and propagate plants rather than implanting, which strengthens their skills and offers sustainability to the shop. Ruediger finds the course and its involvement in The Greenery to be rewarding.
“It’s not just for profit,” said Ruediger. “It’s our education and we’re really trying to get something out of it.”
Along with the beneficial skills that students gain in greenhouse classes, they also find tranquility. The greenhouses offer a sense of accomplishment and a relaxing environment in which students can destress from class work.
“It feels good to be able to fix things, even though, academically you might be struggling,” said Ruediger.
One of the most favored and recent annual events hosted by The Greenery is the Poinsettia Open House, which was open from November 20th through November 21st. Students kicked off the fall quarter growing poinsettias in preparation for the open house, aiming to draw in customers and keep them coming back for more.
“This one, I’d say, is really popular with some of our older customers; people who have been coming here for years,” said Lilly Whitver, the greenery’s manager.
Another event to look forward to is the January sale where all house plants are 50% off. This clearance event gives space to incoming Spring plants, while saving you money in the process.
The Greenery and greenhouse course students also take part in the Garden Expo at Spokane Community College, known to be a campus wide event held during the Spring.
As Spring growth takes off, students and faculty typically find this season and the Garden Expo event to bring a burst of energy to the quarter.
“This entire greenhouse is filled with veggie starch, herbs, different outdoor plants, flowers, and it’s busy for an entire month leading up to the sale,” said Whitver.
Whitver sees all greenhouse students to be the backbone of the greenery, which is why the shop’s hours are limited to the Fall through Spring quarter, excluding Summer.
“You have students who have a passion,” said Whitver. “This is something they’re really interested in, and we have an affordable outlet for them to learn about a plant, find it, take it home, and take care of it.”
Whitver and Parrish welcome customer and student involvement with open arms. You can follow The Greenery on Facebook and Instagram, and also join an emailing list by contacting Whitver, the manager of The Greenery, to keep updated on sales, promotions, and events.
IF YOU GO:
SCC GREENERY
LOCATION: 1810 N Greene St, Spokane, WA
Spokane Community College, Building 10
HOURS: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
COST: Admission is free
CONTACT: (509) 533 – 8167
