School age children and adolescents who participate in school gardening projects tend to eat more fruits and vegetables. Adults who participate in community gardening projects report that they also eat more fruits and vegetables, are more physically active and enjoy other social and emotional benefits as a result of gardening. Using a phenomenological approach, our study examined the experience of 18 college student gardeners to see if individuals in this age category experienced the same or similar benefits. Results of the open-ended interviews revealed that college student gardeners valued their gardening experience for different reasons. They did not consume more fruit and vegetables or report an increase in physical activity levels. They did, however, emotionally benefit from their gardening activity. In addition, student gardeners valued the experience for the knowledge and skills they gained, and planned to use these skills to live more sustainably in the future.