Req 8b5a — Bedding Plants Through the Season

This track follows bedding plants from propagation through end-of-season care. All four sub-requirements must be completed. They build on each other in sequence—start with 8b5a1, then proceed through the season.

Requirement 8b5a1

Choose plants that will perform well in your hardiness zone and the site where you’ll transplant them. Common choices: marigolds, zinnias, petunias, impatiens, or snapdragons from seed; geraniums or coleus from cuttings.

Manufactured soil mix: Use a commercial seed-starting mix or potting mix—not garden soil. Be ready to explain what’s in it. Most mixes contain:

• Peat moss or coco coir — lightweight, retains moisture
• Perlite or vermiculite — improves aeration and drainage
• Wetting agents — help hydrophobic peat absorb water initially
• Some mixes include slow-release fertilizer; seed-starting mixes generally don’t, to avoid burning seedlings

When your counselor asks why you chose the mix, connect it to the needs of your specific plants—seed mixes are finer for good seed-to-media contact; cutting mixes are coarser for root development.

Requirement 8b5a2

Transplant after the last frost date for your area and after hardening off seedlings (gradually acclimating them to outdoor conditions over 7–10 days before permanent planting).

Record-keeping is required. Keep a log that includes:

• Transplant date and plant spacing
• Watering and fertilizing schedule
• Pest or disease observations
• Costs (plants, soil amendments, mulch, fertilizer)
• Notable observations (first bloom, weather events, etc.)

Bring this record to your counselor conference—it demonstrates you maintained the bed through the season, not just at the start.

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Requirement 8b5a3

You must be able to demonstrate all five practices—not just discuss them. Be ready to show your counselor (or document with photos) that you performed each one. Here’s what to know about each:

Mulching: Apply 2–3 inches of organic mulch around plants. Reduces moisture loss, moderates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds. Keep mulch away from stems to prevent rot.

Fertilizing: Bedding plants benefit from regular feeding (every 2–4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer, or use slow-release at planting). Nitrogen promotes leafy growth; phosphorus supports roots and blooms; potassium improves overall vigor.

Watering: Water deeply and less frequently rather than lightly every day—this encourages deep root development. Water at the base of plants (not overhead) to reduce disease risk.

Weeding: Remove weeds before they flower and set seed. Weeds compete for water, nutrients, and light. Hand-pull while roots are young; use a hoe for larger areas.

Deadheading: Removing spent flowers (seed heads forming) redirects the plant’s energy from seed production back to flowering, extending bloom time for annuals significantly.

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Requirement 8b5a4

This is a discussion requirement—prepare to speak to at least four or five clear differences.

Practical examples help: marigolds (annual) vs. coneflowers (perennial); petunias (annual) vs. daylilies (perennial).

Official Resources