Requirements

1. 1

   1. Safe Gardening

   Do the following:

   Do all

   1. a.

      Explain to your counselor the most likely hazards associated with gardening and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, and respond to these hazards.

   2. b.

      Discuss the prevention of and treatment for health concerns that could occur while gardening, including cuts, scratches, puncture wounds, insect bites, anaphylactic shock, heat reactions, and reactions from exposure to pesticides and fertilizers.

2. 2

   2. Growing Plants

   Do the following, and discuss your observations throughout the process with your counselor:

   Do all

   1. a.

      Growing Vegetables

      Grow six vegetables, three from seeds and three from seedlings, through harvest.
   2. b.

      Growing Flowers

      Grow six flowers, three from seeds and three from seedlings, through flowering.
3. 3

   2. Growing Plants

   Give the nutritional value of the following:

   Do all

   1. Three root or tuber crops

      a Three root or tuber crops

   2. Three vegetables that bear above the ground

      b Three vegetables that bear above the ground

   3. Three fruits

      c Three fruits
4. 4

   2. Growing Plants

   Seed Germination Testing

   Test 100 seeds for germination. Determine the percentage of seeds that germinate. Explain why you think some did not germinate.
5. 5

   5. Exploring the Gardening World

   Visiting Garden Experts

   Visit your county extension agent’s office, local university, agricultural college, nursery, farm, or a botanical garden or arboretum. Report on what you learned.
6. 6

   5. Exploring the Gardening World

   Pollinators & Honeybees

   Explain to your counselor how and why honeybees are used in pollinating food crops and the problems that face the bee population today. Discuss what the impact to humanity would be if there were no pollinators.
7. 7

   5. Exploring the Gardening World

   Garden Pests & Organic Solutions

   Identify five garden pests (insects, diseased plants). Recommend two solutions for each pest. At least one of the two solutions must be an organic method.
8. 8

   8. Hands-On Garden Projects

   Choose Your Garden Project

   Choose 1

   Do ONE of the following and record weekly observations. Discuss the results of your project with your counselor.

   1. a

      Compost Bin Project

      Build a compost bin and maintain it for 90 days.
   2. b

      Vermicompost Bin Project

      Build a vermipost bin (worm compost bin) and maintain it for 90 days.
   3. c

      Hydroponic Garden Project

      Build a hydroponic garden containing three vegetables or herbs, or three ornamental plants. Maintain this garden through harvest or flowering, or for 90 days.
   4. d

      Water Garden Project

      Build one water garden, either in a container (at least 12 by 6 inches and 6 inches deep), or in the ground as a small, decorative pond no larger than 6 by 3 feet and 24 inches deep. Maintain the water garden for 90 days.
   5. e

      Honey Super Project

      Prepare a honey super for use on a hive or colony. Remove a filled honey super from the hive or colony and prepare the honey for sale.
   6. f

      Soil Garden Project

      Grow a garden of your own using soil from seed or plantings to harvest or for 90 days, whichever is earlier. This can be an outdoor garden or indoors using appropriate containers, and should include at least three types of plants approved by your counselor.
9. 9

   9. Careers & Lifelong Gardening

   Careers or Healthy Living

   Choose 1

   Do ONE of the following:

   1. a

      Gardening Careers

      Identify three career opportunities that would use skills and knowledge in gardening. Pick one and research the training, education, certification requirements, experience, and expenses associated with entering the field. Research the prospects for employment, starting salary, advancement opportunities and career goals associated with this career. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and whether you might be interested in this career.
   2. b

      Gardening as a Hobby & Healthy Lifestyle

      Identify how you might use the skills and knowledge in gardening to pursue a personal hobby and/or healthy lifestyle. Research the additional training required, expenses, and affiliation with organizations that would help you maximize the enjoyment and benefit you might gain from it. Discuss what you learned with your counselor and share what short-term and long-term goals you might have if you pursued this.