http://scimagine.cc/moon-garden/

MOON GARDEN

Did you know that scientists have grown plants in dirt from the moon for the very first time? More than 50 years ago, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin collected lunar soil, and scientists wondered if anything could grow there. It was amazing that all soil samples sprouted thale cress seeds! 

Biologists have used Thale cress for a variety of experiments because it's easy to observe how the plant changes over time. It was noticed that the moon-dirt seedlings were small and stunted. Scientists think this results from the soil spending millions of years exposed to solar radiation from the moon and cosmic radiation. It might be possible to grow stronger, healthier plants if astronauts planted seeds in lunar lava flow dirt. They could also experiment with lighting and fertilizer to get things going. 

How cool is that!