Gardening, Level A

This book is for youth in grades 3-4. Learn how to plan an in-ground or container garden; prepare soil; and when, where, and what to plant. Level A introduces basic plant science, garden friends and foes, tool safety, using the vegetable harvest, and horticulture-related careers. Youth “learn by doing” in 12 fun activities that include germinating seeds, growing a super-sized pumpkin, experiments with plant parts, and visiting a grocery store to explore vegetables.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Complete the activities listed in the book for year one. Six additional activities are listed to be completed in year 2.

MATERIALS

M See them Sprout, 4H1037

Gardening, Level B

This book is for youth in grades 5-6. Youth learn how to modify garden plans. Topics include seed varieties and cultivars, starting seeds indoors, using transplants, composting, and integrated pest management. Science topics include plant families, how plants respond to light, and how to grow new plants from plant parts. Youth “learn by doing” in 12 activities that include building a plant maze, making a worm box, judging vegetables, and composting.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Complete the activities listed in the book for year one. Six additional activities are listed to be completed in year 2.

MATERIALS

M Let’s Get Growing, 4H1038

Gardening, Level C

This book is for youth in grades 7-9. Youth learn different planting methods, how to improve soil, and how to extend the growing season. They explore photosynthesis, hybrid vs. standard forms, herb gardening and preservation, plant companions, storing and saving seeds, how to identify and prevent weeds, insect damage, and animal pests. Youth “learn by doing” in 18 fun activities that include cross-pollinating flowers, making an acid/base indicator, producing a chromatogram, and helping others in garden projects.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Complete the activities listed in the book for year one. Six additional activities are listed to be completed in year two.

MATERIALS

M Take Your Pick, 4H1039

Gardening, Level D

This book is for youth in grades 10-12. Youth learn to maximize garden space using different planting methods, then how to harvest, store, preserve, and/or sell vegetables and herbs. They study plant genetics, plant diversity, plants in space, integrated pest management and horticulture-related careers. Youth “learn by doing” in 18 activities that include using garden-planning software and apps, investigating effects of pollution, growing hydroponic plants, and conducting a cultivar trial.

PROJECT REQUIREMENTS

Complete the activities listed in the book for year one. Six additional activities are listed to be completed in year 2.

MATERIALS

M Growing Profits, 4H1040

Additional Resources for All Levels

S Gardening Exhibitors Guide, 4H970W
L Gardening Helper’s Guide, 4H1041W The Leader/Helper’s Guide provides additional information for adult volunteers to expand on topics in the youth manuals. This guide includes additional activities that are great for after-school or club settings and includes answers to the questions posed in youth books.

Gardening Independent Study/Advanced