Plant Something Day is a holiday that is celebrated in the United States every year on May 19. It encourages people to take a few minutes to plant something around them. It could be a flower, a tree, or an indoor plant. Any plant that grows would suffice. During the holiday, local businesses like nurseries and landscapers usually host community events to plant in public spaces together. People can plant at home, in schools, in parks, and in other community gardens. The planting initiates help to protect the environment and enhance the beauty of public spaces.
History of Plant Something Day
Plant Something Day falls on May 19 every year in the United States. It is an opportunity to encourage more people to add to the vegetation in our environment. It has been established that about 80% of the original forests on Earth have been cleared or destroyed. About 8,000 years ago, forests dominated the land before human activities affected them. These days, crops are mass-produced by farmers who farm certain crops because more of them can be grown quickly. Being able to produce crops that are easier and inexpensive allows them to turn a bigger profit. This means that people have to rely on the plants that are more easily available. A majority of the most healthy plants are not available to consumers because they may not be as profitable for farmers to produce on a large scale.
There are more than 80,000 edible plant species. However, about 90% of the food we eat comes from only about 30 plants. This makes the human diet more limited than it has to be. There are many plants that are used for medicine in different parts of the world. Both traditional and modern medicine make use of about 70,000 plant species to treat various ailments. Despite that, there is not enough protection for plants. Only about 10% of the world’s plant-rich areas are protected to make sure that more plant species can survive.
Plant Something Day was established to encourage more people to grow plants around them. This helps to boost the number of plants in the environment. It also gives people the opportunity to grow some plant species that they may not have been able to access easily.
Plant Something Day timeline
The English colonists who settle in Jamestown bring seeds such as tobacco, corn, and beans to grow.
A New Yorker named Robert Prince opens the Linnaean Nursery, a business that lasts 130 years trading plants across the Atlantic.
The U.S. Congress passes an act that authorizes the opening of the United States Botanic Garden in Washington D.C.
There is a resurgence in the number of community gardens across the U.S., which serve to educate and benefit children, the elderly, immigrants, and the rest of the community.
Plant Something Day related content
Plant Something Day FAQs
Are plants poisonous?
Some plants, such as Poison Ivy, produce irritants that can cause allergic reactions. There are some plants that are dangerous to eat.
Are plants carnivorous?
Plants like the Venus Flytrap eat insects and spiders to get nutrients.
What are fertilizers used for?
Fertilizers are added to the soil to help plants grow.
Plant Something Day Activities
Plant something
You can take the time to plant something around you. It can be flowers, herbs, fruits, or vegetables.
Share seeds
You can share seeds with the people around you. Giving them seeds will encourage them to plant.
Water some plants
Plants need water to survive. Give some water to the plants around you to help them thrive.
5 Fascinating Facts About Plants
Plants go extinct
It is estimated that about 68% of plants are in danger of extinction.
Climate change affects plants
Climate change has increased plants’ risk of going extinct.
Deforestation is a problem
Cutting down trees for human use reduces the number of forests that we have left.
Plants are dying faster
Environmental and human factors contribute to plants dying faster than they would naturally.
Plants are vulnerable
Plants are more vulnerable than animals since they can’t migrate when their habitat is destroyed.
Why We Love Plant Something Day
It helps the environment
The holiday encourages more people to care about the environment. This will benefit not only the current generation but future generations as well.
It reduces carbon emissions
Plants are not only beautiful, they’re important. Plants help to absorb toxins in the air, which reduces carbon emissions.
It makes people happy
Plants have a way of making people happy whether they are being eaten or just looked at. They create aesthetically pleasing landscapes and beautify any room.
Plant Something Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 19 | Monday |
| 2026 | May 19 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | May 19 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | May 19 | Friday |
| 2029 | May 19 | Saturday |
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