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National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture

National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture

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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

Growing Up in the Garden
April 6, 2021

School gardens are nothing new. The first recorded school garden program in Europe was in 1811 and the first of the American school…

Continue Reading Growing Up in the Garden

Fight March Winds with Windbreaks
March 23, 2021

A few properly placed shrubs and trees can significantly cut winter winds – and home energy costs.Wind affects the temperature inside your home…

Continue Reading Fight March Winds with Windbreaks

See all our press releases

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Apr 20

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What can you do in your own back yard to celebrate Earth Day? Plant a tree. Did you know that one oak tree supports up to 543 species of Lepidoptera(butterfly and moth) caterpillars? Can I get a heck yeah? Plant a tree. Plant an oak. 

#earthday 
#earthday2021 
#earthdayeveryday 
#earthdayactivities 
#nich
#consumerhort
#nichmastergardener
#plantsdothat
#plants
#trees
#oaks
#oaktrees
#feedthepollinators
#feedthebirds

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Apr 19

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#plantsdothat
#earthday
#earthdayeveryday 
#nich
#consumerhort
#nichmastergardener 
#plants

consumerhort

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Apr 17

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This month is Kids Gardening Month! Who better to feature as our I Am Consumer Horticulture than @kidsgardening? "Teaching kids to love gardening and plants is growing a stronger consumer base now and for generations to come." Check them out and give them a follow!

#IAmConsumerHorticulture #KidsGardening #Garden #GetOutside

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Apr 8

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#HorticultureHunt Day 2! Can you take a look around you and find a plant that you are #twins with? Share your pictures with us! #PlantsDoThat 
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#twinthursday #matchymatchy #plantlookalike #plants #color #flowers

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Apr 7

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This month, join us for a #HorticultureHunt to celebrate #KidsGardenMonth. Participate by tagging us in your own posts or commenting and learn a little more about how #PlantsDoThat!
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#homeactivity #garden #define #whatishorticulture #plants

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Apr 2

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Instagram post 17910933217707080

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Apr 1

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Gardening can teach children important life skills: 
1.  Cooperation– shared play & teamwork.
2.  Creativity– finding new & exciting ways to grow.
3.  Love of nature –  learn about the outdoors in a safe place.
4.  Nutrition – learning about how nutritious food is grown.
5.  Physical activity – doing something fun & productive.
6.  Reasoning & discovery – learning about the science of plants & the environment.
7.  Responsibility– caring for plants.
8.  Understanding– as they learn about cause & effect. 
9.  Self-confidence – achieving goals & enjoying food they.
Adapted from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/
#NICH
#gardening
#kids
#childrensgardens
#learning
#Plantsdothat

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Mar 31

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Nature exposure can influence cognitive development through improved working memory and a reduction in inattentiveness in children (Dadvand et al. 2015). #plantsdothat #play #plants #consumerhort #nichmastergardener #stressrelief #kidsfun #learningthroughplay #learningeveryday #kids

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Mar 30

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"There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where the colors are brighter, the air is softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again". -Elizabeth Lawrence
#learninggarden
#gardenlearning
#NICH
#plantsdothat
#plantsdothatforkids
#kidsinthegarden
#scienceinthegarden
#kids

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Mar 29

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ow gardening can affect the BRAIN:
"There is a myriad of scientific concepts you can discuss with your kids when planting and tending to a garden. One study showed that children who participated in gardening projects scored higher in science achievement than those who did not. The wonder of seeing a garden grow may spark your kids to ask questions."
(Fernando and Potock, 2016).

#schoolgardens
#NICH
#plantsdothat
#plantsdothatforkids
#gardeningschool
#childrengarden
#childrensgardens

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Mar 26

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Oleander(Nerium oleander)is a warm climate plant. From California, to the gulf coast and into Mexico, it is a landscape staple used in highway median plantings, commercial landscapes and home gardens. It is the prefect, flowering evergreen for hedging. Flowers come in many different shades. 

For other hedge plant suggestions, click on the link in our bio.
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#hedges
#nich
#oleander
#consumerhort
#oleanderhedges
#livingfences
#PlantsDoThat
#nichmastergardeners
#naturephotography
#gardenphotography

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Mar 25

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Don't forget about ornamental grasses as hedges. Many grasses grow upright, making them perfect for cordoning off property boundaries, making backdrops to mixed borders and flower beds and even defining spaces. Pick an upright grass like Calamagrostis, Sorghastrum or even some of the newer non-invasive Miscanthus selections make perfect lines of plants. Cut them back once in the early spring and watch them grow and flower throughout the year. 

For more information on great plants for hedging, click on the link in in our bio.

#hedges
#nich
#grasses
#consumerhort
#grasshedges
#livingfences
#PlantsDoThat
#nichmastergardeners
#naturephotography
#gardenphotography
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Open call for submissions! Special issue in Consumer Horticulture Advancement for Horticulturae. Deadline for manuscript submission is September 30, 2021.

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Growing a Healthy World Since 2015