Family

Human Issues in Horticulture (HIH) is a branch of horticultural science that seeks to understand the role plants play in our quality of life. Most of the data confirms what is obvious to anyone who works with and loves plants: Being around them makes people feel good. But more importantly, by highlighting and measuring the impact of plants on specific environmental conditions and human behaviors, the research throws light on how crucial the presence of plants and natural settings are to our health and well-being.

Seeds are the beginning and the end — miniscule miracles that contain all that's needed to produce a sunflower, cabbage, or great oak. Watching these seemingly lifeless objects burst forth with growth is enough to capture the imaginations of most kids, but there are lots of ways to explore the wonder of seeds in addition to planting them. In the Family Resource Room this month you'll find ideas for ways to make seeds come to life for your kids, literally and figuratively.

Garden-based educators know that kids connect with nature, use their natural curiosity to make discoveries and solve problems, and get their developmental needs met in the garden. Research shared by presenters at the 2005 American Horticultural Society’s annual Children & Youth Garden Symposium confirms the power and importance of the work we do at NGA. In turn, it gives credence to gardening as a way to help children become healthy, capable, and well balanced.