As we begin preparing for cooler months, we often shift our focus from outdoor gardens to indoor plants. Indoor gardening is a wonderful way to bring the tranquility of an outdoor garden inside your home. But what exactly is indoor gardening? According to The Spruce, indoor gardening is related to the act of growing a selection of plants inside that you would typically grow outside. Gone are the days of only growing plants in the spring and summer thanks to indoor gardening.   There are many benefits to indoor gardening for you and your family. Houseplants can act as natural air pur ..read more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released its new Plant Hardiness Zone Map, a national standard by which gardeners can determine which plants are most likely to survive the coldest winter temperatures at a certain location.  The USDA describes the latest map, jointly developed by Oregon State University’s PRISM Climate Group and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, as the most accurate and detailed version it has ever released. PRISM, part of the OSU College of Engineering, stands for Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model. The previous version of the ..read more

‘Tis the giving season with the American Horticultural Society! This year, we are bringing back our annual Donor Match Challenge where our Board of Directors and CEO have pledged to match every single donation 100% through December 31 until we reach our $55,000 goal! This matching opportunity will allow us to continue our important work to foster excellence, innovation, and passion in gardening.    Your gift supports:  Lifelong Learning – Twenty-one newly launched, online programs cover a range of topics from Landscape Stewardship and Designing with Nature to Gardening fo ..read more

The American Horticultural Society is hiring for the position of Assistant Manager, Development and Travel onsite at our beautiful River Farm headquarters! This role supports the day-to-day activities of the organization’s Development and Travel Study program efforts to achieve annual operating and capital revenue goals. Primary responsibilities focus on data entry, recording gifts and producing donor acknowledgements, managing operational and administrative processes for the AHS Travel Study Program; and supporting the AHS Gala and other special events. Learn more. About The American Horticu ..read more

The American Horticultural Society, in collaboration with Chicago Botanic Garden, has issued a Call for Sessions for the annual National Children & Youth Garden Symposium (NCYGS) taking place on Chicago’s North Shore, July 8-11, 2024. NCYGS is an annual professional development conference for garden educators who inspire today’s youth to become tomorrow’s gardeners. Interested in leading a session at the conference? We are accepting session proposals through Friday, December 1, 2023. Please review the proposal guidance and submit your session proposals by Friday, December 1, 2023. All su ..read more

We are grateful to announce three new members of the American Horticultural Society Board of Directors! Doug Barker, Dr. Larry Deaven, and Philip Tabas bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the organization. Our Board’s diverse range of talents and expertise help guide AHS’ mission and exemplify commitment to innovation and excellence in horticulture.  Read more about these outstanding individuals and their passion for gardening, ecological health, and nonprofit work below!    DOUG BARKER  Doug is a strategic advisor for Barker & Scott Consu ..read more

Register for your 2024 AHS Travel Study destination now! The upcoming year promises jet-setting to some of the world’s most amazing gardens. Whether you visit the luscious mountains of Scotland, beautifully manicured gardens of France, the seaside landscapes of Portugal or set sail to explore the flora and fauna of the Caribbean, our programs are designed for garden enthusiasts who love to explore horticultural wonders around the world. Joining an AHS Travel Study program offers an opportunity to travel deeper and connect with fellow AHS members, horticultural experts, and passionate garden h ..read more

The Junior Master Gardener Program and the American Horticultural Society honor engaging, inspiring works of plant, garden and ecology-themed children’s literature through the “Growing Good Kids – Excellence in Children’s Literature Awards” Program.  From growing strawberries to poetry for a greener world and mysterious neighborhood garden adventures, the 2023 awardees inspired our imaginations! Check out this year’s winners below, who were announced at the 2023 National Children & Youth Gardening Symposium in Knoxville, TN:   Rooftop Garden by Danna Smith  Illustrated by ..read more

Mid to late summer is the perfect time to start thinking about your fall harvest! We’ve come up with some tips for a delicious fall veggie season. How do I prepare? Remove any plants that won’t do well in the cooler weather or that are past their harvesting prime. Warm season crops, like tomatoes and peppers, should all be starting to slow down. Weed your garden. Weeds will steal nutrients and moisture from your new growing plants. Clear them out so your new crops can thrive. With a clear garden, now would be a good time to lay down some compost for extra nutrients. When’s the right time ..read more

The American Horticultural Society will celebrate 50 golden years at its beloved River Farm headquarters with the River Farm Anniversary Picnic featuring live music from the band, Soulfire.  The community picnic will be held on Thursday, August 24, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and is FREE and open to the public.   Guests are encouraged to pack a blanket and picnic basket with food and beverage favorites and find a comfortable spot on River Farm’s welcoming lawn where relaxing will never be easier. As the sun lowers on the historical property, you will enjoy the music, stunning garde ..read more