The NICH Team

We all know the holidays are supposed to be festive and joyous, and we also all know the reality is they can hold a large amount of stress. This year’s supply chain disruptions threaten to turn even the annual hunt for a holiday tree into a source of anxiety. But don’t worry—plants to the rescue!Plants are already proven to be a reliable source of good feelings. In the infographic #PlantsDoThat Where We Live, NICH (ConsumerHort.org) points to research showing that plants stimulate both a physiological and psychological relaxation response. Even if you can’t get outside to destress with forest … [Read more...] about Tree Alternatives for the Holidays!

Across history, people have found comfort putting their hands in the soil, growing their own food, and planting flowers. This has certainly been the case through Covid. Nationally, we’re experiencing a proliferation of first-time and returning gardeners, planting vegetables, curating flower collections, and generally finding peace in the garden. Today, many gardeners come to this beloved activity with very little gardening background. Fewer new gardeners have a family history of farming or grow up on large parcels with subsistence gardens. So, for those seeking support in acquiring a green … [Read more...] about Extension Master Gardener Appreciation

Many people think that fall is the end of the growing season, and in many parts of the country, it is quite the contrary. Depending on your planting zone, fall can be an ideal season for planting trees, shrubs, and other ornamentals. The key is encouraging good root growth. Planting trees and shrubs in fall enables the root systems to grow before the hot summer returns. There are several benefits to fall planting. Trees planted in the fall are better equipped to deal with summer heat and drought. Another great reason to plant your shrubs in the fall is because you can pick your trees and … [Read more...] about Fall Planting Trees

NICH has nominated two members to serve on Agriculture Secretary Vilsack’s Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee. This committee will advise the U.S. secretary of agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices, as well as to identify any barriers to urban agriculture. “It is critical that individuals with extensive knowledge of Consumer Horticulture serve on the advisory committee and our candidates have that in spades,” noted Ellen Bauske, Chair of NICH.   “Consumer … [Read more...] about NICH Nominates Two Members for the USDA Advisory Committee of Urban and Innovative Agriculture

School gardens are nothing new. The first recorded school garden program in Europe was in 1811 and the first of the American school gardens was in 1891. Victory gardens in the United States School Garden Army (USSGA) became popular during WWI. The goal was to incorporate an agriculture curriculum into public school education. At that time, the schools grew relief gardens during the Great Depression and they were used to raise the spirits of the local citizens and nourish the students and their families. During WWII, victory gardens were popular again. The green revolutions of the 1970s and … [Read more...] about Growing Up in the Garden

A few properly placed shrubs and trees can significantly cut winter winds – and home energy costs.Wind affects the temperature inside your home by pushing the air you’re paying to heat out of cracks and openings in your home — a process called air infiltration. Sealing those cracks inside your house can help, but so can trees and shrubs outside the house.Dense evergreens planted on the north or northwest side of your home can help slow and deflect these winds. An understory of densely-branched shrubs can help to fill any gaps. The U.S. Department of Energy says that just three properly … [Read more...] about Fight March Winds with Windbreaks