National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture

growing a healthy world through the art, science and business of plants, gardens and landscapes

Cultivate Healthy, Connected and Engaged Communities

Recognize Consumer Horticulture as a Driver of the Agricultural Economy

Restore, Protect, & Conserve Natural Resources Through Consumer Horticulture Research and Education

Consumer horticulture is the cultivation, use and enjoyment of plants, gardens, landscapes and related horticultural items to the benefit of individuals, communities and the environment. These activities rely on the understanding and application of the art and science of horticulture.

The Latest News From NICH

Fabulous Summer Bulbs

April 26, 2022

Summer bulbs, which are planted in the spring after danger of frost, extend the garden’s blooming season well into summer until frost. Their…

Continue Reading Fabulous Summer Bulbs

Native Plants: Feed the Birds

February 21, 2022

In the past, we only wanted our yards to be pretty.Now we know what we plant in our yard affects the environment, and…

Continue Reading Native Plants: Feed the Birds

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Mar 21

50 years ago the Master Gardener program began at Washington State University. The Co-Founder & WSU Urban Horticulturalist, David Gibby, believed in the power of volunteers. What began with 300 volunteers in Washington state has grown to over 84,000 volunteers showing up in communities across the country! Say thanks to a Master Gardener - it’s National Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Week.

#EMG50 #MasterGardeners #MasterGardener #Volunteer #Volunteers #Volunteering #Grow… See more

Mar 14

Elizabeth Blackwell was a Scottish botanical illustrator and author who was best known as both the artist and engraver for the plates of "A Curious Herbal". The book illustrated medicinal plants.
#plantsdothat
#womeninhorticulture
#womeninhistory
#consumerhort
#NICH
#gardening
#illustrator
#medicinalplants

Mar 13

As we continue to celebrate Women's History Month, we want to tell you more about Gladys Tantaquidgeon who was an expert in plants used for medicine.
She was selected at age five by tribal elders for training in traditional Mohegan plant medicine. Her studies included documenting plant medicine among the Lenape peoples of the East Coast. "Her books are an important record of Native American plant healing techniques. She was elected Tribal Medicine Woman of the Mohegan in 1992".
#plantsdothat
#womenshistorymonth
#medicinalplants
#plantmedicine
#plantsheal

Mar 8

Happy International Women's Day! We celebrate all women, but especially women in horticulture. You grow girls!!!!
#yougrowgirl
#consumerhorticulture
#womeninhorticulture
#NICH
#internationalwomensday

Mar 7

As we celebrate Women's History Month here in the United States, we would like to call a focus to some important women in horticulture starting with Carrie H. Lippincott, one of the first American women to establish a seed-selling business in 1886. She targeted women customers in her marketing strategy, utilizing full-color images of women and children lounging amid beautiful flowers. The approach worked and other seed companies followed her strategy.
Smithsonian Gardens
#plantsdothat
#seedcatalogs
#womeninhorticulture
#womenshealth
#womeninbusiness
#WomensMonth
#consumerhorticulture

Mar 3

Are you fitting in at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of heart-pumping physical activity per week? Gardening activities are well suited to meet the American Heart Association’s (AHA) recommendation for daily physical activity.
#plantsdothat
#plantsdothatforyourhealth
#gardeningactivity
#activity
#hearthealthinthegarden
#consumerhorticulture

Feb 28

On this last day of February 2023, we wanted to let you know that no matter where you are, what the weather is, or how you are feeling...

📍We HAVE the solution.

All you need are PLANTS! 🌿
PLANTS are all you need!

From food to clothing, to shelter, to medicines, and even your favorite beverage, plants can make it all. Isn't that amazing?

😍👿🔥💚

#plantsdothat #plants #plantsplantsplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantsplantsandmoreplants #consumerhorticulture #nichmastergardener #plantsareallyouneed

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Feb 27

Thank you Edmund!

Black History Month tidbit...
As a young, enslaved boy, Edmund Albius, figured out how to effectively pollinate vanilla orchids. His technique is still being used in the commercial production of vanilla orchids today. Without Edmund's time and money-saving ways, vanilla beans would not be so readily available all over the world.

On this last day of Black History Month, we thank you Edmund, and we shall all enjoy some vanilla ice cream in your honor.

For more info on Edmund Albius, click on the link in our bio.

#blackhistorymonth #vanillabeans #edmundalbius #vanilla#contributionstohorticulture #consuerhorticulture #vanillaorchid #plantsdothat #nich #plantscience

Feb 24

In the north, native ninebarks (Physocarpus opulifolius) produce lovely pink to white flowers in early summer that then produce beautiful, ornamental seeds. Those seeds are a favorite of the Black Cap Chickadee.

Plant one of the many ninebark selections on the market and you are sure to have a plant buzzing with these cuties once the seeds ripen in late fall.

Stay tuned next week as we sprinkle in some of our favorite plants for feeding the birds since February is National Feed The Birds Month.

#feedthebirds #plantforwildlife #ninebarksforbirds #ninebarks #physocarpus #plantsforbirds #Plantsdothat #consumerhorticulture #nich #nichmastergardener

Feb 23

Hooray for houseplants!
Are you having trouble concentrating at work? Getting sleepy in the afternoons?

Houseplants can help. Add some houseplants to your workstation!

#houseplantsdothat #plantsdothat #nichmastergardener #consumerhorticulture #officeplants

Feb 23

What do houseplants do for you?

Indoor plants improve air quality by removing carbon dioxide, particulates, benzene, and up to 90% of formaldehyde.

Plants in the room both stabilize and reduce CO2 levels.

Each 1% addition of plants in a room results in a 6-7% decrease in formaldehyde.

For more info, click on the link in our bio and see everything plants do clean the air and improve life.

#PlantsDoThat #consumerhorticutlture #nichmaster #houseplants

Feb 21

🌿 Houseplants
What is hot?
What are you or your customers collecting?
What can't you keep in stock? 😤😈

Houseplants - often in cute ceramic or resin pots - are flying off the shelf in many stores. It is such an exciting time to be selling( and collecting) houseplants. Even in the large home stores, the selection is amazing.

What are you seeing?
Any new trends? 🔥

#houseplants #nich #consumerhorticulture #plantsdothat #houseplantcaze #plantcollector #plants #foliage

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