4-H Mini-garden project

Several Dickenson County youth signed up for the 4-H Mini-garden project earlier this spring. 

Each family was given 80 Blue Lake green bean seeds, five Better Boy tomato plants, eight Yellow Crookneck squash seeds, eight Marketmore cucumber seeds, and one Green Bell pepper plant. Thank you to Clintwood Farm and Garden for donating the plants and seeds for this project. 

The first of two judging visits was held this past Thursday, July 15.  4-H Extension Agent, Kelly Rose visited each garden to evaluate the progress, interview the youth, and take pictures. 

Gardens are evaluated on location, neatness, proper fertilization, weeding, watering, pest damage, and replanting (if needed).

Most of the participants are first-time gardeners and range in age from 6 to 17 years old! 

The second judging is scheduled for August 3 where the gardens will be evaluated additionally on plant support and the harvest.  Participants will also keep a record book of their mini-garden progress. 

The final placing and ribbons will be awarded in fourt age divisions- Cloverbud (5-8), junior ( 9-12), Intermediate (13-15, and Senior ( 16-19). after the project books are turned in for judging in September. 

More photos can be seen on the Dickenson County Virginia 4-H Facebook page.