By Charlotte Aguilar
West University’s Scott Novich describes his business as “something out of Star Trek,” but in reality, Pluck is literally down-to-earth. It’s “yardiculture” — a company growing, both literally and figuratively, and looking for would-be gardeners in West University and Bellaire interested in harvesting some of their own food to test the service.
Pluck is billed as “the world’s first truly yard-to-table service of tech-enabled edible gardens,” but in simpler terms, it helps residents research, design, plant and successfully sustain food-producing plots in their yards. Pluck staff will even “garden-sit,” watering, monitoring and providing pest control for customers on vacation.
“We’re kind of a concierge-style, handholding service for people who want to garden but may not know where to begin or may not have the time for all of the research and small tasks to do it on their own,” Novich explains. “They may have yard space, but for many of them, the idea of having to go to a bunch of different nurseries to get what they want, to get soil and fertilizer — all you want to do maybe is weed and prune and water and pluck some fresh produce.”
Novich came to the Houston area nearly 30 years ago from Rhode Island to attend Rice University and stayed, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical/computer science engineering and a Ph.D. in neuroengineering. He co-founded the startup, Neosensory, in 2015 with his mentor David Eagleman, a celebrated neuroscientist, creating revolutionary technology for individuals coping with hearing loss and other auditory difficulties.
A self-described foodie, in a roundabout way Novich’s world travels led him to found Pluck — a fresh dessert created from simple ingredients grown in a family garden in Denmark, the vibrant flavors of pintxos (Basque tapas) in Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain, made from fresh seasonal items obtained same-day at local markets.
Novich’s research bolstered his interest — learning how it wasn’t just the flavor but how freshly-picked produce provides far more nutrients, which are depleted during shipping and shelf time. He cites research that shows fresh produce has up to 40 percent more nutrients than store-bought.
So a year ago, he launched Pluck primarily as a business installing raised plant beds for edible gardens in Houston yards. But the service is broadening to include more customized and prolonged service that does all the research to accommodate customers’ tastes and needs — whether for lifestyle or hobby interests — and, if desired, does all or some of the garden upkeep.
One target audience, especially in West U and Bellaire, is families. “We find parents are especially interested because they want to teach their children and support healthier eating,” said Pluck’s resident horticulturalist and co-founder Helen Harkey. “Typically we go about that by teaching the parents and then let the parents relate that to their kids. They find that being able to pass down the joy and wonder — and what is really a life skill — is truly rewarding.”
Novich takes pride in sourcing local heirloom varieties of produce that both grow better in area yards but also have a heritage. And part of the service is making Pluck’s experts available outside the backyard. “If a gardener has a problem or a need, they want immediate answers, they want to talk to somebody,” says Novich. “We provide that.”
Knowing that gardening is hyperlocal — the clay-heavy “gumbo” soil in Bellaire is notoriously challenging, for instance, and the area’s weather and drainage is unique — Novich envisions facilitating the creation of community networks of experts who can share their knowledge, as well.
To learn more or to participate in West U-Bellaire testing of the service, click here.