The Buncombe County 4-H Seed to Harvest: Small Garden Project is a hands-on gardening program designed to allow youth to take ownership of a small garden space and learn the full journey of food production—from planting seeds to harvesting fresh vegetables!
Participants in the program will receive a supply kit that includes materials to help them get started. The program begins with an orientation session where youth and their families will learn the basics of gardening, including how to prepare soil, plant seeds, and care for growing plants.
Each participant will create and maintain a 10ft x 10ft garden at their home. Within this space, youth will grow a variety of vegetables, including corn, beans, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Throughout the summer, participants will take responsibility for watering, weeding, and caring for their gardens as they watch their plants grow.
Throughout the project, youth will keep a garden journal to document their progress, observations, and experiences. This journal will help participants track plant growth, record challenges, and celebrate successes along the way.
Twice during the program, 4-H volunteers and Extension Master Gardeners will visit each participant’s garden, providing feedback, guidance, and support to ensure youth are successful in their gardening journey!
At the conclusion of the program, youth will attend a final program workshop where they learn to process some of the foods from their garden - making salsa and pickles!
Join us this summer and discover the rewards of growing your own garden—one seed at a time!
Program Dates:
- May 18th- 31st - Garden Preparation on your own
- Tuesday, June 2nd 4:30-5:30pm - Project Orientation & Planting Week!
- Participants will receive their kits and learn how to successfully care for their garden
- Participants will plant their seeds and seedlings
- Week of June 22nd - Garden Visit
- 4-H Volunteers and program leaders will visit gardens to evaluate progress.
- Program participants will sign up for a visit time slot
- Week of July 20th - Garden Visit
- 4-H Volunteers and program leaders will visit gardens to evaluate progress.
- Program participants will sign up for a visit time slot
- Thursday, August 13th 4:00pm-5:30pm - Seed to Harvest Program Celebration
- Participants will attend a final program workshop/celebration to learn to process some of the vegetables from their garden
- Participants will turn in their garden journal at this event
- September 7th & 8th- Mountain State Fair Entry Drop Off
- Youth will have the opportunity to enter some of their harvest into the Mountain State Fair for the horticulture competitions
Program Requirements :
- Open to youth ages 5-18. Youth must be a 4-H member to participate - not a member? Joining is free and easy! Visit: go.ncsu.edu/buncombe4honline
- Program participation requires a $20 registration fee, payable by cash or check (made to Buncombe County 4-H)
- Youth must have access to a 10'x10' space to grow their garden. If you do not have the outdoor space at your home, the garden does not have to be on your own property, but if using someone else's property, you must have the property owners permission to use it.
- Registration deadline: Monday, May 25th
Questions? Contact Jordan English, 4-H Agent at 828-255-5522 or jordan_english@ncsu.edu
