# Horticulture Roadmap

Part of the Plant Science Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/index.md)

*8. Option B — Horticulture*

> **8.** Option B—Horticulture. Do ALL of the following: **Horticulture**

Horticulture is the science and art of growing plants for food, beauty, and the environment. This branch takes you from a real-world field visit through vocabulary, a hands-on skill, landscape thinking, and a multi-week project—all five requirements must be completed.

Work through each child requirement in order. Use this page as your roadmap before opening the first detailed page.

## What You'll Complete

- **[Req 8b1 — Learning by Visiting Growing Spaces](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8b1/)**: Visit a public garden, nursery, greenhouse, arboretum, or conservatory and report what you learned about horticulture there.
- **[Req 8b2 — Speaking the Language of Horticulture](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8b2/)**: Define 14 key horticultural terms, find your USDA hardiness zone, and list 10 climate-appropriate landscape plants with common and scientific names.
- **[Req 8b3 — Choose a Hands-On Skill](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8b3/)**: Pick ONE of four practical skills—propagation, transplanting, pruning, or planting a tree or shrub.
- **[Req 8b4 — Smart Landscape Choices](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8b4/)**: Explain why good design and right-plant-right-place principles matter, including mature size and growth rate.
- **[Req 8b5 — Choose a Horticulture Project](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8b5/)**: Complete ALL sub-requirements within ONE of four multi-step project tracks—bedding plants, fruit/berry/nut crops, woody ornamentals, or home gardening.

## Timing Note

Requirements 8b1 and 8b2 can be done at any time. Req 8b3 (skill) and Req 8b5 (project) both involve living plants and may span several weeks or a full growing season—start them early so you have time to observe and record results before your counselor conference.

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- Previous: [Oil Crops](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8a5e/index.md)
- Next: [Visit a Horticultural Site](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req8b1/index.md)