what can be grown on martian soil?

The recent bid by the University of Central Florida (UCF) to sell ‘Martian soil’ is sure to pique the interest of aficionados of alluvium,especially since it is being disseminated as part of research on what can eventually be grown on Mars. Of course, had the soil actually been brought to Earth from the red planet, it would have cost far more than $20 per kg, especially since shipping is reportedly not included in the price. 

Even Elon Musk reckons a human settlement on Mars will take at least half a century, so there’s plenty of time to experiment with what can be grown there. 

But more interesting is the information that Martian dirt can be ‘created’ at home too, as UCF has obligingly published the ‘recipe’. Martian gardens could become the next suburban craze and educational toymakers could hit pay dirt if they get in on this.