Alabama 4-H

Alabama 4-H Grows

6 min read
The Alabama 4-H Grows logo on a photo collage of flowers, vegetables, fruits, bees, and other garden items.

Alabama 4-H Grows includes a variety of projects that provide young people with hands-in-the-dirt gardening experiences. The projects are geared toward different 4-H age groups, ranging from 9 to 18 years old. A member’s 4-H age is based on their age as of January 1 of the current club year. Also, Cloverbud members (ages 5 to 8) may participate in select projects on a limited basis. To participate, register in 4HOnline or with your county Extension office.

Tier I

Tier I

Tier I is a novice gardening project. It addresses having limited access to gardening space, such as living in an apartment or an urban setting. Young people enrolled in the tier I project will grow three Bonnie Plants (or comparable plants) in 5-gallon buckets or similar sized containers while keeping a gardening journal. The focus will be on learning to garden and incorporating fresh vegetables into family meals. The following 4-H age groups may enroll in this project: Cloverbuds (5  to 8 years old), Junior Level (9 to 11 years old), and Intermediate Level (12 and 13 years old).

Download a PDF of the Alabama 4-H Grows Handbook.

Summer

Fall

Tier II

Tier II

Tier II continues the development of gardening skills while providing gardening experiences that promote production with an increased number of plants. The focus will continue to be on learning to garden, incorporating fresh vegetables into family meals, and keeping a gardening journal. This project is designed for a 4′ x 12′ raised bed or traditional soil garden that provides approximately 60 square feet of garden space. The following 4-H age groups may enroll in this project: Cloverbuds (5  to 8 years old), Junior Level (9 to 11 years old), Intermediate Level (12 and 13 years old), and Senior Level I (14 and 15 years old).

Download a PDF of the Alabama 4-H Grows Handbook.

Summer

Fall

Tier III

Tier III

Tier III is an advanced project that continues the development of gardening skills while promoting produce production and starting a produce business. The size (number of plants) for this project is up to the discretion of the participant. The focus will be to introduce young people to the concept of forming a business, creating a business plan, and marketing and selling produce to the community through various outlets, such as a local farmers market. This project will require approximately 144 square feet of raised bed or 200 square feet of traditional gardening space. The following 4-H age groups may enroll in this project: Intermediate Level (12 and 13 years old), Senior Level I (14 and 15 years old), and Senior Level II (16 to 18 years old).

Download a PDF of the Alabama 4-H Grows Handbook.

Summer

Fall

Tier IV

Tier IV

The Tier IV project focuses on growing produce and giving back to the community by donating at least 50 percent of your produce to a local food bank or other public or private nonprofit that helps those in the community who are less fortunate. This 4-H Project supports the Alabama Extension Grow More, Give More initiative. The following 4-H age groups may enroll in this project: Intermediate Level (12 and 13 years old), Senior Level I (14 and 15 years old), and Senior Level II (16 to 18 years old).

Download a PDF of the Alabama 4-H Grows Handbook.

Summer

Fall

Growing Birdhouse Gourds for a Purple Martin Nesting Project

Growing Birdhouse Gourds for a Purple Martin Nesting Project

This project combines gardening with creating wildlife-nesting habitats for purple martins. This project requires a two-year commitment from the participants. In spring and summer of year one, participants plant birdhouse gourd seeds with the goal of growing birdhouse gourds. In fall, which begins year two of the project, participants harvest the mature gourds and dry them out. During winter, participants construct purple martin birdhouses from the dried gourds and construct a purple martin nesting site. During spring and summer, participants monitor the birdhouses for nesting activity. Throughout this project, participants document their project activity in a journal. The following 4-H age groups may enroll in this project: Intermediate Level (12 and 13 years old), Senior Level I (14 and 15 years old), and Senior Level II (16 to 18 years old).

Creating a Pollinator Garden

Creating a Pollinator Garden

This project combines gardening with creating wildlife habitats for native pollinators. Participants develop a pollinator garden at their home, school, or other community location. The goal is for young people to be engaged in developing pollinator habitats as well as providing educational opportunities for other community members. This project focuses on planting various blooming and host plants, with an emphasis on native plant species that attract and support a variety of pollinator species. Participants are encouraged to share information about their observations of pollinators with others through iNaturalist. See the Creating a Pollinator Garden Journal for more information. The following 4-H age groups may enroll in this project: Intermediate Level (12 and 13 years old), Senior Level I (14 and 15 years old), and Senior Level II (16 to 18 years old).

Raising Flowers for Fun and Profit

Raising Flowers for Fun and Profit

The purpose of this project is to involve young people in gardening and provide them with an entrepreneur experience in starting their own cut flower business. Participants that register and pay the project fee receive an assortment of flower seeds in quantities and varieties that are suitable for starting a cut flower business. See the Raising Flowers for Fun and Profit Handbook for more information. The following 4-H age groups may enroll in this project: Intermediate Level (12 and 13 years old), Senior Level I (14 and 15 years old), and Senior Level II (16 to 18 years old).

Container Garden Challenge

Container Garden Challenge

This project challenges young people to design and plant an eye-catching garden display using plants and containers. Participants may be able to enter their creation in the 4-H Statewide Competitive Events program. For details, check with your county Extension office. The following 4-H age groups may enroll in this project: Junior Level (9 to 11 years old), Intermediate Level (12 and 13 years old), Senior Level I (14 and 15 years old), and Senior Level II (16 to 18 years old).

Watermelon Challenge

Watermelon Challenge

This project encourages young people to grow watermelons in their gardens, while trying to grow the largest/heaviest watermelons possible. Once enrolled, participants receive a packet of seeds from a preselected watermelon variety. Throughout the project, participants must keep a watermelon journal. See the Watermelon Challenge Journal or contact your county Extension office for more information. The following 4-H age groups may enroll in this project: Junior Level (9 to 11 years old), Intermediate Level (12 and 13 years old), Senior Level I (14 and 15 years old), and Senior Level II (16 to 18 years old).

Sweet Potato Challenge

Sweet Potato Challenge

Participants who register for this project receive at least four sweet potato slips (plants) with their completed enrollment. Participants plant the slips and grow them throughout the summer with the goal of growing the largest and most (by pound) sweet potatoes. Throughout the project, participants must keep a journal. See the Sweet Potato Challenge Gardening Journal for more details. The following 4-H age groups may enroll in this project: Junior Level (9 to 11 years old), Intermediate Level (12 and 13 years old), Senior Level I (14 and 15 years old), and Senior Level II (16 to 18 years old).

 

 

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator, employer, and provider. If you need a reasonable accommodation or language access services, contact Doyle Keasal at keasade@aces.edu.