“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill In searching for a corporate charity, The HC Companies wanted to partner with a local organization where we’d have the opportunity to see the impacts of our efforts. An organization that understands giving your time…
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Though you’d never suspect it, plants do in fact breathe through microscopic pores in their leaves called “stomata” which takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen through a process known as photosynthesis. As many of us learned during middle school science, plants undergo a process called photosynthesis in which plants absorb carbon dioxide from the…
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For those who live along the coast of North America, you’re well aware that hurricane season is now upon us. In the Atlantic, it runs from June 1 through November 30; in the Pacific, from May 15 through November 30. Still, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center states the majority of hurricanes tend to…
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Avid gardeners are well aware of what a “hardiness zone map” is, and most novices are probably at least familiar with the terminology based on the plant tag information found at their local garden center or big box store. Hardiness zone maps were first developed back in 1938 – representing “the average annual extreme minimum…
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The week of June 17-23, 2019 is National Pollinator Week. The week is proudly sponsored by the Pollinator Partnership, whose mission is to promote the health and sustainability of pollinators critical to our food supply and ecosystems across the globe. From the Pollinator Partnership, “Pollinators are essential to our daily life. Imagine a cup without coffee,…
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Fiber planting containers are growing in popularity – spurred on by our societies continued education and understanding of global warming. In a recent Nielsen Company survey, conducted in October of 2018, 81 percent of global consumers said it was extremely important or very important for companies to roll-out initiatives to improve the environment. Moreover, 73…
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For thousands of years, the Judean Date Tree was an invaluable food source in the desert of the Kingdom of Judah – as well as providing shelter and shade for much of that community. Vast forests of date palms covered an area some seven miles wide, with trees stretching up to the sky some 80…
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Gardening has always been known to be good for our mental health. It gives us a sense of responsibility, allows us to be nurturers, connects us with other living things, and to no surprise, helps us to relax. But a recent study conducted around the globe by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has…
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It is often said that the spending habits of millennials are deteriorating many industries across the United States. From beer, soda and cereal companies, to department stores, chain restaurants and even the game of golf. But it seems their influence might just be reviving an industry which has long been ignored – houseplants. According to…
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Automation friendly containers – This featured webinar originally ran on Thursday, April 18, 2019 in association with GrowerTalks. What Makes a Growing Container Automation-Friendly? As the horticultural industry struggles with labor challenges, the subject of greenhouse automation is more relevant than ever. Having the right automation friendly container—one that fits the requirements and specifications of…
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