Parent’s Role:
The Garden Project is designed to give a young person an opportunity to learn by doing and reflect on what happened and how they can apply it to everyday life. The parent’s role is to guide, encourage, and assist the 4-H member as well as help when needed.
Resources Needed:
- Location: You will need a place to plant, this can be a part of a larger family garden or a container on the deck.
- Tools: You will need some tools to till the soil such as a spade, hoe, and rake.
- Seeds: You can purchase seeds at your local nursery or on-line from many different seed producers.
- Fertilizer: Your plants will need fertilizer which can be purchased at many stores.
- Water: To water your plants you will need a hose and access to a water source.
- Big Bucket: To carry all your produce to the dinner table
Time Commitment:
The Garden Project requires planning and planting, and plants take time to grow. It is important to start this project in the spring and care for plants throughout the Spring and Summer. The project takes only a few hours per week and can be completed as the garden grows. Taking pictures and keeping track of expenses will minimize the time needed to finalize your record book.
If you choose to enter the County Fair, you will need to make a display board. Making a display board to present at fair does not have to be complex but will take a few hours to complete.
Expected from 4-H member:
By starting a garden in the Spring and caring for it throughout the Summer, you will get an understanding of where food comes from and what it takes to make plants grow. You will complete the Garden Project record book and the Garden Project e-record.
If you choose to enter the County Fair, you will need to make a display board. Your project will be judged and awarded a ribbon and maybe your project will be selected for the State Fair. But mostly you will get to enjoy the wonderful produce you raised in your very own garden.
Project manuals are received through the Larimer County 4-H Extension office. These will be distributed to 4-H members through their organizational leaders (club leaders) after enrollment is complete.
4 -H Record Books are also called e-Records. Each project has its own record book that members are required to complete each year. The links to e-Records in the specific project areas are below.
If you choose to enter the County Fair, you will turn your record books in at Interview Judging before our County Fair. In June, you will need to schedule an interview for each of your project areas and bring your record book with you to Interview Judging the week of the Larimer County 4-H Fair.
We have more information about how to fill out your record books here.
2023 - 2024 Record Book (PDF)
2023 - 2024 Record Book (DOCX)
Project units 1-3 are designed for members 8-18 years old.
Unit 1 - See them Sprout
Inspiring youth to learn:
- When, where, and what to plant
- Types of soils and soil preparation
- Rows versus hills
- Cool and warm season vegetables
- Seed preparation and garden tools
- Plant parts and how plants are used
- Integrated pest management
- When to harvest
Unit 2 - Let's Get Growing
Inspiring youth to learn:
- Seed varieties and rotating crops
- Starting seed indoors
- Hardening off
- Plant properties
- Preventative pest control
- Specialty harvest
- Selling the harvest
- Horticulture careers
Unit 3 - Take Your Pick
Inspiring youth to learn:
- Broadcast planting and herb gardening
- Soil structures and seed damage
- Hybrids and pollination
- Animal pests and preservation
- Food industry careers
Unit 4 - Growing Profits Inspiring youth to learn:
Unit 4 is designed for members 14-18 years old
- Under cropping & double cropping
- Space saving Greenhouses
- Cultivar trials
- Intensive gardening
- Biotechnology
- Hydroponics
- Disease and deficiencies
- Power tools
- Pesticide safety
- Botanist and research careers
Thinking about signing up for the Gardening Project? Already enrolled but have questions? Contact us.
