Press Release

February is National Bird Feeding month, created to encourage people to provide food, water, and shelter to wild birds. Participating in National Bird Feeding month can help bird populations survive winter and provide you some entertainment in your yard!How can you celebrate National Bird Feeding month?Everyone has a favorite bird. Is it the beautiful red cardinal that stops by your feeder every morning, or the chickadee, with its distinctive "chick-a-dee-dee-dee” call? There are so many birds to see - learn a new species this month and figure out how to attract them to your yard. The Cornell … [Read more...] about Celebrate National Bird Feeding Month

During the Victorian era, people conveyed their feelings on Valentine’s Day through the different meanings of flowers. Nothing conveys warm feelings like cut flowers, especially roses. However, their beauty doesn’t last forever. For a lasting gift consider giving the gift of a plant!A quick look at the meanings of other flowers will introduce many more associated with love. The choice of a Valentine's gift that expresses your feelings is up to you!Winter honeysuckle symbolizes devotion — what could be a better Valentine's Day gift?The camellia, with the meaning, “I am longing for you,” is a … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day is upon us, and love is in the air!

The seed swap is a fundamental part of human history. Seeds were one of the first commodities valued and traded. Today, modern gardeners collect and exchange seeds for many reasons ranging from cultivating rare, heirloom varieties to basic thrift. The exchange of seeds perpetuates biodiversity. It is an act of giving and the ultimate form of recycling. Seed swaps in cities across the nation join in celebrating National Seed Swap Day each year on or around the last Saturday in January. This year’s Seed Swap Day, January 30, 2021, will include a live online session on seed saving safely … [Read more...] about Celebrate National Seed Swap Day

It is hard to believe 2020 has ended. We had an incredible year filled with lasting partnerships, new members and hope for the future. NICH has grown by leaps and bounds as we aggressively and successfully pursued the goals and tactics outlined in our two-year organizational plan.   To communicate the NICH mission and vision to our stakeholders we launched NICH social media in February 2020.  Our Facebook and Instagram are populated with graphics, articles, and video encouraging use of plants, consumer horticulture services, and science that support consumer horticulture. As of December 2020, … [Read more...] about 2020 National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture Annual Report

Need the perfect present for a budding plant parent or avid gardener on your holiday gift list? The National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (consumerhort.org) can help. Please feel free to share these ideas or entire article with your customers, readership, or the gardening public. Give a plant. Seasonal plants like amaryllis, paperwhites, Christmas cacti and poinsettias are always appropriate, make beautiful living décor, and are easy hostess gifts. House plants are a trendy gift for all ages. Cut flowers are a thoughtful gift that can be enjoyed by those not ready to … [Read more...] about Gift Ideas for Green Giving

Did you know that planting a tree is one of the easiest and most powerful things you can do to have a positive impact on the environment, the value of your home, and your quality of life? Trees clean the air, prevent rainwater runoff, help you save energy and provide a habitat for birds and wildlife. Through photosynthesis, trees absorb harmful carbon dioxide, removing and storing the carbon and releasing oxygen back into the air. Trees absorb odors and pollutants, and it is estimated that one tree can absorb nearly 10 pounds of polluted air each year and release 260 pounds of … [Read more...] about Plant a Tree, Improve Your Life