I just want long, healthy hair- any helpful, noteworthy tips as to how I can do this?

My hair is about shoulder length, and I'm aiming to grow it 5 inches or so longer. I've been trying to grow out my hair since the summer and I'm embarred to admit that I haven't cut it since August. My dead ends are pretty bad and I figure i'll get a trim soon, considering many people have told me that it'll help my hair growth. I can't help but wonder, though, if there's anything else that I can do to help grow myself some long, healthy, and radiant hair- besides the occasional haircut.