Horticulture & Gardening Project

What is it all about?

Growing food, flowers, fruit, and herbs is gardening. Horticulture, the science of growing, helps us understand what we grow, how and where to grow it, and more. Youth in this project may choose to grow plants to eat, plants to enjoy, or both. Older youth may explore hydroponics, the science of growing plants without soil.

Grow in Your Project

Beginner

Use safe garden practices
Plant seeds and small plants in your garden
Grow and maintain the garden
Learn about garden pests and friends
Harvest what you grow
Observe seeds and plants as they grow

Intermediate

Start seeds indoors
Grow plants from plant parts
Learn about families of plants
Explore different ways of composting
Try different ways to prevent pests and weeds
Preserve what you grow
Store and save seeds

Advanced

Explore plant genetics and diversity
Study current issues in gardening
Try different planting methods
Plan for how to harvest, store, and sell what you grow

Member Resources

Gardening Curriculum
4 levels (grades 3-12)

Growing with the Seasons Curriculum
1 level (grades 6-12)

Floriculture Curriculum
4 levels (grades 3-12)

Soilless Growing Systems:
Hydroponics Curriculum
1 level (grades 9-12)

Free Downloads

Plant Crafts Project Guide
(all youth ages)
Gardening & Horticulture Tip Sheet

Project Leader Resources

Gardening Curriculum Helper’s Guide
4 levels (grades 3-12)

Soilless Growing Systems:
Hydroponics Curriculum
1 level (grades 9-12)

Free Downloads

Plant Crafts Project Guide
(all youth ages)
Plant Science Activity Series: Vegetables
(3 lessons, grades 4-7)

Take Your Project Further!

Learn about locally grown foods
Participate in the a produce judging contest at your County Fair or the State Fair
Tour a local nursery or farm to explore careers that interest you
Expand your garden and sell produce at a farmers market or to a local restaurant
Start a greenhouse or container garden in your home
Explore the health benefits of different vegetables

Applying Project Skills to Life

Enhance Your Communication Skills

Make a video on how to properly water your garden
Teach your club how to identify common weeds
Give a presentation on common garden tools and how they are used

Get Involved in Citizenship and Service

Help children plant a garden at a local daycare or school
Collect seeds and garden supplies and donate them to a local organization
Plant flowers at local parks, your Extension Office, or your fairgrounds

Learn about Leadership

Partner with an adult to teach a class using garden produce
Organize and host a community garden tour
Host a club Produce Judging Contest

Showing What You’ve Learned

Exhibit vegetables, herbs or flowers
Make a poster about parts of a plant
Build a compost bin or rain barrel
Prepare an exhibit on how to use fresh herbs in cooking
Create a notebook of common plants for a butterfly garden
Create design a landscape for home
Make planters for accessible gardening
Prepare a poster showing proper harvest times for vegetables
Display different types of mulch for the garden
Make a cost comparison of starting your own seeds vs. buying transplants. Show the results on a poster
Create your own garden calendar
Start a plant from a cutting
Create a display on pollination

Header image courtesy of National 4-H Council

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