Vegetable Gardening Project Overview

To begin this project you will need to carefully plan and think through what you will be doing. You will need to carefully fill out an “SAE Planning Sheet” before you begin the project.

Facilities

You will need to identify the land area that you wish to use for the project. The area may be owned by your family, friends, or a site on the school’s campus (if spaces allow and available).

Equipment and Supplies

Rake

Shovel

Hoe

Tiller

Vegetable Seed or Plants

Wire Cages or Stakes (to support plants)

Water Hose

Sprinkler

General All Purpose Fertilizer (ex: 10-10-10)

Fertilizer Spreader

Financing this SAE

Students are expected to finance their own project. This project is a low to medium cost SAE depending upon how large the garden is and how the plants are started. The student should expect to spend at least $30 or more depending upon if he/she already has existing tools to use.

Steps in Completing a Vegetable Garden SAE

  1. Identify the site at which you will be conducting the SAE.
  1. Collect a soil sample of the garden plot area.
  1. Take the soil sample to the Henry County Extension Office to be tested for soil nutrients and deficiencies (cost $8).
  1. Develop a list of plants or seeds needed for the SAE. The garden plot must be at least 200 square feet and contain at least 4 different varieties of vegetables.
  1. Prepare a scaled drawing of the garden plot. What plants will be grown, how many, the location in the plot, etc.
  1. Create a marketing plan for produce grown. What will happen to the produce once grown?
  1. Prepare garden site for planting. Till the soil either by hand or with a mechanical power tiller. FFA advisor can assist in helping the student prepare a garden plot if the student does not have access to a tiller.
  1. Apply fertilizer and/or lime according to the soil sample results.
  1. Plant seeds or plants when weather conditions are appropriate.
  1. Provide daily care for garden (ex: watering, weeding, fertilizer applications, staking

plants, harvesting produce, etc.)

  1. Participate in the county vegetable gardening contest.
  1. You will need to submit your completed Record Book at the end of the semester. You will need to submit six photos of yourself completing work on this SAE. The photographs are to be included in the Record Book. Failure to submit the completed Record Book will result in a grade of zero.