PlantsDoThat

“When plants are around, students are just smarter and pay more attention,”             -Dr. Charles Hall, Ellison Chair, Texas A&M University. The shareable infographic, #PlantsDoThat Inside: Where We Learn, developed by the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH), that highlights the importance of indoor plants in schools (and home schools!).   Classrooms with plants have many positive effects for both students and educators, and are an  important component of creating a healthy classroom … [Read more...] about Back to School with Plants

Wildfires are often caused by humans or lightning. They can destroy homes and buildings and cause injuries or death to people and animals. A wildfire can happen anywhere, anytime, and risk increases during periods of little rainfall and high winds.While no one wants to lose a home to wildfire, many residents wonder exactly what they have to do to create a fire safe landscape. Creating defensible space does not mean razing every living thing within 100 feet of your home and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Research on home destruction and survival in wildfires indicates that embers and small … [Read more...] about Don’t Get Burned by Wildfires: A Fire-Wise Landscape Can Help!

Looking for your local extension service? https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/extension-search A water-wise landscape is one that is functional, attractive, and easily maintained in its natural surroundings. A water-wise landscape also helps to conserve water, improves water quality by slowing rain as it falls to the Earth, and helping it soak into the soil.  Plants prevent soil from eroding into our waterways, reduce storm water runoff, and lessen flood damage and serves as a natural filter to protect our streams, rivers and lakes.Water-wise landscaping is designed using regionally … [Read more...] about July is Smart Irrigation month!

Gardens and nursery plants play an important role in pollinator conservationHappy National Pollinator Month! June is the time to celebrate our very important garden helpers. Pollination is the important process of moving pollen from one flower to another to fertilize the plant. Birds, bats, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, wasps, small mammals, and most importantly, bees, are pollinators. They may be small, but their impact is tremendous!Thirteen years ago, the U.S. Senate’s unanimous approval and designation of a week in June as “National Pollinator Week” marked a necessary step toward … [Read more...] about June Is Pollinator Month

We had just finished creating our April memes that celebrate both Earth Day and Arbor Day when COVID-19 modified our plans (just as it changed yours). Maintaining social distance is pretty easy for a group like NICH. We meet electronically and are scattered across the country. Many of us are faced with new challenges of suddenly finding ourselves unemployed, working from home, kids out of school, and uncertainty and worry. Many of you are essential workers on the front lines of this pandemic. We understand that these lifestyle changes can be difficult for both you and your customers. We … [Read more...] about Resources You Can Use in These Unusual Times

Work sapping your energy? Do you find it hard to focus? Plants have been shown to make workers more creative, productive, and motivated while helping them stay calm, relaxed, and focused. Plants at work boost energy, reduce sick leave, and reduce eye strain. Plants also improve air quality by removing carbon dioxide, particulates, and harmful chemicals. Plants should be a part of every productive and happy workplace There is a right plant for almost every workspace. Different plants have different needs, and light and water are the two most important factors to consider when … [Read more...] about Work Smart with Plants