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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Aug 12

Are you trying desperately to get your kids to eat more vegetables? NICH is here to help.

Be a Tricky Parent!

Take any peppers, squash, carrots, or greens you need to use up or have an abundance of and put them into a blender. Blend until they are in the tiniest bits, then add them to a pot of pasta sauce.

Cook the pasta sauce on low until the veg you added is nice and soft. This is a great way to add more vegetables to things most kids love. We promise...They Will Never Know!

#plantsdothat #nich #consumerhort #veg #recipeshare

Aug 11

Do you still have too many tomatoes? How about some Salsa? Here's a really easy salsa recipe. You can freeze or can this and have yummy, fresh salsa all winter!

#plantsdothat #comsumerhorticulture #nich #nichmastergardener #veg #tomatoes #recipeshare

Aug 10

Want to use up a bunch of cucumbers? Make pickles!!

You don't need to know how to can to make easy, super tasty pickles. Here is a simple recipe for refrigerator pickles. You can also use it to make pickled carrots, peppers, and onions : )

#plantsdothat #nich #comsumerhorticulture #homegrown

Aug 9

This time of year, vegetable gardeners end up with an excess of lovely, homegrown vegetables. If you're looking for a great way to use a bunch of tomatoes, peppers and onions here is a super easy, amazingly delicious pasta sauce recipe that involves no canning. Once it is blended, put it in gallon freezer bags, lay them flat, and freeze a stack. Brilliant!

#plantsdothat #consumerhort #nich #nichmastergardener #pastasauce #homegrown #recipes #redsauce #tomatoes

Aug 8

It's that time of year, when your vegetable garden really kicks in, leaving you with an abundance of yumminess. If you don't know how to can, or don't have the time - No Problem! Follow along this week to see some non-canning, easy-to-make recipes to make the most of your harvest.

What should you do with all of those cucumbers? Cukes are tough because you can't freeze them. You can make pickles, of course, but how about something a little different? My Nanny used to make the easiest, most tasty cucumber salad. It uses a few of them at a time, is really easy and quick and it tastes like summer. Try it and let us know ow what you think. The sauce makes a really nice salad dressing as well.

#consumerhort #plantsdothat #cucumbers #vegetables #homeveg #vegpatch #veggarden #homeharvest #nichmastergardener #cucumbersalad #extraveg #abundantharvest

Aug 6

Have extra produce? Can it! Wasting food contributes to 11 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
#Canning
#canningandpreserving
#reducefoodwaste
#plantsdothat
#vegetablegarden
#vegetables
#preservingtheharvest

Aug 4

Have extra produce? Learn how to compost to keep food scraps out of landfills, and the amount of greenhouse gases from rising.
Wasting food contributes to 11 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
#plantsdothat
#compost
#compostable
#sustainability
#conservation
#reducefoodwaste

Aug 3

Albeit $11.4 billion worth of recyclable packaging is wasted every year; statistics show that the environmental impact is less severe than the impact of wasted food.
#nowastedfood
#plantsdothat
#vegetablegarden
#shareyourproduce
#vegetables
#nowaste
#share

Aug 2

Have a very productive garden and can't eat it all? You're amazing! Give excess produce to neighbors or donate to shelters in your communities.
#shareyourproduce
#plantsdothat
#vegetables
#vegetablegarden
#communitysupport
#communitystrong
#Nich

Jul 21

It's possible to create a great-looking garden that's healthier for you, your family, your pets and the environment - and that saves you time and money!
#plantsdothatwherewelive
#plantsdothat
#landscapedesign
#sustainabilelandscapes
#sustainabledesign
#NICH

Jul 20

Improvements to your landscape pays off! The return on investment for landscape upgrades is 109%.
#plantsdothat
#landscapedesign
#landscaping
#landscapeforlife
#sustainabilelandscapes
#plantsdothatwherewelive

Jul 15

July is water wise month. Plan before you plant and create hydrozones based on plants water needs.
#waterconservationawareness
#waterwise
#waterwisegardening
#plantsdothat
#sustainabilelandscapes
#sustainabledesign

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