Horticulture
Horticulture is the science, business and art of growing and marketing fruits, vegetables, flowers, and ornamental plants. It’s unique among plant sciences because it not only involves science and technology, but it also incorporates art and design principles.
- Learn basic principles of plant science.
- Learn to plan, care for, and manage vegetable and/or flower gardens, lawns, or commercial horticultural crops.
- Learn effective, safe methods of pest control and management.
- Produce vegetables and fruits for year-round use to improve nutrition.
- Apply knowledge by experimenting with plants in a laboratory or in the field.
Ideas for Project Area Learning!
- Grow and maintain a garden.
- Learn pest management techniques.
- Examine parts of a plant and discover the function of the parts.
- Learn to identify and use common garden tools.
- Take a soil sample and have it tested for nutrients.
- Learn about Integrated Pest Management for the yard or garden.
- Test different varieties or management techniques.
- Design a landscape plan for your home.
- Learn to divide plants and transplant favorite specimens.
- Learn about compost and make a simple compost bin.
- Discover different ways to prepare, preserve, and use garden produce.
- Sell produce at a farmers market.
Project Area Events
Iowa 4-H Contact
Maya Hayslett
Share What You Learn With Others!
Communication
- Give a presentation on garden tools or techniques.
- Make a video on how to make a water garden.
- Teach your club how to identify common garden weeds.
Citizenship
- Adopt a flower bed at a park.
- Make a compost bed for a community garden.
- Help an elderly or disabled person by planting flowers in their yard.
Leadership
- Organize a flower/ vegetable sale to raise money for a special cause or for your 4-H club.
- Teach a WIC class on using garden produce.
- Volunteer to host a stop on a garden tour.
Exhibit Ideas
- Plant a garden that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds for a nursing home, school, or daycare. Take pictures and record what wildlife visits.
- Exhibit vegetables, herbs or flowers that you have grown at the county or state fair.
- Build a compost bin or rain barrel.
- Prepare an exhibit on how to use fresh herbs in cooking.
- Design a garden or landscaping for your home.
- Compare pepper varieties. Keep a record and show the results in a display.
- Make planters for accessible gardening.
- Evaluate and display different types of mulch for the garden.
- Make a cost comparison of starting your own seeds vs. buying transplants. Show the results on a poster.
- Create your own garden calendar.
- Conduct a taste comparison of different varieties