​
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       SUBSCRIBE                   PREVIOUS ISSUES​

​​​​Take Action                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Get Gardening!​

​Gardening comes in all shapes and sizes, so there is bound to be an aspect of gardening that fits you! From a backyard to a balcony, from a windowsill to even a mason jar, there is likely a space you could be using to grow some fresh, healthy produce. Getting started is quite easy! If you prefer doing things on your own, there are countless online guides that can help you grow your favorite produce, learn more about plant production, get gardening tips and hints or even figure out plant hardiness by zip code. If you prefer a more social aspect, check to see if your area has a community garden, or if you live near RML or the Bethesda campus, consider joining their respective Garden Clubs (RML or Bethesda).

Gardening has a number of benefits to consider:

Improved Health

Gardening produces an abundance of fresh produce that can motivate both you and those around you to eat healthier. Digging, weeding, raking and other gardening activities can also be a good energy outlet and promote fitness.¹ Additionally, being around plants or even seeing them can improve mood and decrease stress.² Executive Order 14212 (Establishing the President's Make America Healthy Again Commission​) was recently established highlighting the importance of healthy living and the benefits of healthy food.

Support Local Pollinators

If your garden is outdoors, it can also serve as a source of food or habitat for pollinators in your community. Pollinators like bees and butterflies are increasingly important to ensure the continued flowering and development of crops.³ While there might be some pests that try to get a bite of your produce, pollinators are likely to only want nectar and pollen from your garden as it flowers, so don't worry about them! You can even make part or all of your garden specifically for pollinators if you'd like!

Reducing Landfill Waste

​Maintaining a garden is a common reason to also maintain a compost bin or pile. This can reduce the amount of your waste that goes to the landfill, as the decomposition of food can be used to promote the health and growth of new crops. Make sure you are composting correctly, and if you are not interested in personally composting, check to see if your county or municipality has a program you may be able to contribute to.

As the weather gets warmer and the sun becomes ever-present, consider gardening as a great way to improve health, support pollinators and reduce waste.

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​	​What is Biobased? ​​​Biobased procurement remains a crucial initiative for federal government acquisitions. In this article, we will review what biobased products are and the labels used in their purchase. ​ LEA​RN MORE​​​​

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NIH Post-Bac Garden Club ​ ​It has been almost two years since our last check-in, but the NIH Post-Bac Garden Club on the Bethesda campus is still going strong!​​ In this article, we speak with a few post-bacs who are excited to share their perspectives on how the club has been a source of fun and relaxation.​​​ LEARN MORE

NEMS Training                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Did you know? ​​Many NIH campuses and their nearby cities have community gardens where you can rent space to do your own gardening. For example, you can join local groups on the Bethesda or RML campuses to access their respective garden plots.​ To learn more about sustainability at the NIH​​​​​​​​​​​​​​, please visit the NEMS Training webpage to view a short (20 minute) NIH environmental awareness training video.

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​​​​​​​​The NIH Green Zone Newsletter is a publication intended to inform NIH staff about the Division of Environmental Protection and NIH Green Teams projects and initiatives. The text contained in this newsletter is not copyrighted and can be reprinted without permission. If you use portions of this newsletter in your own publication, we ask that you please credit the source. We welcome your ​comments and suggestions. Thank you.​​

​​ ​Division of Environmental Protection | Office of Research Facilities | Office of Management National Institutes of Health | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services​​​