Horticulture
Horticulture projects provide an opportunity for young people to:
- Develop responsibility by growing and caring for plants
- Develop patience and understanding by working with plants
- Learn how to care for plants
- Learn about plants, their characteristics, their uses, and how to identify them
- Understand the economic importance of the horticulture industry
- Keep and use records
- Appreciate the importance of horticulture in everyday living
- Develop pride and joy in the home.
Parents are encouraged to help their children get full benefit from 4-H experiences. 4-H'ers learn by doing, not by what someone does for them. With guidance, 4-H'ers should have full control of their project. However, they will need parental involvement in decision-making and planning. Younger members will need assistance with difficult tasks.
Container Gardening
Members learn and practice the fundamentals of growing plants and vegetables in containers. Experiences include growing indoors and outdoors.
Container Gardening is the beginning project for raising plants in containers. Experiences include growing indoors and out-of-doors. It is recommended for beginning 4-H members, but is open to members of any age.
Experimental Container Gardening is for 4-H members who have one or more years of garden experience and are in at least 7th grade. Members explore the uses of many kinds of plants and cultural practices.
Flower and Ornamental Gardening
Members learn the fundamentals of growing flowers from seeds, bulbs, and plants. Members grow flowers to improve the appearance of homes and community and for cut flowers. They also make flower arrangements for use in their home.
The Flower Garden Project is for the boy or girl who has limited space or is just learning the fundamentals of flower growing. The flower garden project provides the opportunity for youth to discover the fun of growing, using, and caring for flowers and other ornamental plants.
The Experimental Ornamental Garden Project is for the member who is familiar with basic cultural practices and flowers. The member is encouraged to try different gardening practices, varieties, or kinds of plants. Members participating should be in at least 7th grade.
The Ornamental Maintenance Project is an advanced project for members who are in at least the 10th grade. The project will allow the member to learn the establishment and maintenance of ornamental plantings on home grounds or for sale.
Vegetable Gardening
Members learn the fundamentals and practices of raising vegetables. They grow vegetables for home use to any size, shape, or location. Members and their families will enjoy garden-fresh vegetables.
The Vegetable Garden is for the beginning gardener or the boy or girl who gardens in a small space and cannot increase the size of the garden but may vary the kinds of vegetable grown.
The Experimental Vegetable garden is for the member who is familiar with basic cultural practices and vegetable varieties and wants to experiement with different varieties of the same vegetable or various cultural practices. Open only to members in at least 7th grade.
The Production Garden is designed for the member who wants to grow enough vegetables for the family, for sale, or both. Open only to members in 10-12th grade.
