Horticulture projects

Flowers and Ornamentals

In this project, members learn the fundamentals of growing flowers and ornamental plants. The life skills practiced through participation in this project include learning to learn, communicating, planning and organizing, making decisions, leading self and others, and planning your life.

Learners study seeds, plant parts, and their functions. They will have opportunities to learn to plant and grow ornamentals in gardens or containers. Topics include plant propagation techniques, soils, light, water, fertilizer, composting, crowding, hydroponics, mulches, and identification of plant pest damage.

In the advanced unit, learners build and use a cold frame, learn about the horticulture business and careers, analyze a planting site and make a landscape plan, divide perennials, and study organic and chemical fertilizing and insect control.

Member Materials

• Sustainable Gardening: The Oregon-Washington Master Gardener Handbook (EM 8742)
• My 4-H Horticulture Record (712-00R)
• 4-H Horticulture Advancement Guide (4-H 2301R)
• Oregon 4-H Flower and Ornamental Growers Handbook (4-H 231)
• Oregon 4-H Horticulture Contest Guide: Vegetables (4-H 2334)

Exhibit Materials

• Container Gardening Exhibit Score Card (716-01)
• Container Garden Exhibit Information Card (716-02)
• Cut Flower Exhibit Score Card (713-01)
• Flower Arrangement and Bouquet Exhibit Evaluation Card (713-02)
• Flower Show Tag

For Volunteers, in Addition to Member Materials

• Basic Floral Design Leader's Guide (4-H 2354L)
• Oregon 4-H Science Handbook: 4-H Horticulture 

Vegetables and Herbs

In this project, members learn the fundamentals of growing vegetables in gardens and containers. Herb gardening is an additional option. The life skills practiced through participation in this project include learning to learn, communicating, planning and organizing, making decisions, leading self and others, and planning your life.

The Leader/Helper’s Guide for Vegetable Garden Curriculum provides a teaching matrix to assist the leader in matching tasks in this project with the age level of the member so that they may all succeed at vegetable and herb gardening. Unlike some other 4-H materials, these member materials are designed by Purdue University for the age of the learner:

Member Materials

First Year

• Sustainable Gardening: The Oregon-Washington Master Gardener Handbook (EM 8742)
• 2016 Gardening, Level A (10 - 11 year-olds): See them Sprout (07162)
• 2016 Gardening, Level B (12 - 13 year-olds): Let's Get Growing (07163)
• 2016 Gardening, Level C (14 - 16 year olds): Take Your Pick (07164, formerly 4-H 2326)
• 2016 Gardening, Level D (17 - 19 year olds): Growing Profits (07165, formerly 4-H 2327)
• My 4-H Horticulture Record (712-00R)
• 4-H Horticulture Advancement Guide (4-H 2301R)

Second Year and Beyond Includes All Materials Above, in Addition to:

• Herb Gardening Projects (4-H 1516, formerly 4-H 2329)

Exhibit Materials

• Container Gardening Exhibit Score Card (716-01)
• Container Garden Exhibit Information Card (716-02)
• Vegetable Collection Exhibit Score Card (712-01, revised 2002)
• Vegetable Garden Exhibit Score Card (712-02, revised 2002)
• Vegetable Exhibit/Collections Explanation Card (712-07, new 1-07)
• Herb Container Garden Exhibit Score Sheet (712-03, revised 12-05)
• Herb Fresh Cut Exhibit Score Sheet (712-05, revised 12-05)
• Herb Dried Exhibit Score Sheet (712-04, revised 12-05)
• Herb Dried, Fresh-Cut Explanation Card (712-06, new 2-06)
• Select and Prepare Herbs for Exhibit (4-H 2335) 
• Oregon 4-H Horticulture Contest Guide: Vegetables (4-H 2334)

For Volunteers, in Addition to Member Materials

• Leader/Helper's Guide for Vegetable Garden Curriculum (07166, formerly 4-H 2323L)
• Oregon 4-H Science Rich Handbook Series - Focus on the 4-H Horticulture Project