The 4-H Floriculture project allows youth to focus their horticulture and gardening interests on flowering plants and their uses. Learn about annuals and perennials, sun plants and shade plants, and the various ways flowering plants grow. Youth will also discover the basics of floral arranging, including how to cut flowers, which will last the longest, principles of design, and the best containers and holders for the types of arrangements they create.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Gain an appreciation of the critical role plants play in the environment
- Learn how to grow plants indoors and outdoors through a variety of methods and learn how plants propagate
- Learn about plant and flower health and what to look for when buying seeds, plugs, or mature plants
- Be able to identify common flowers
- Develop their skills in floral arrangements by exploring different ways to use flowers in decorative ways, such as in corsages, crafts, edible dishes, garden landscaping, and terrariums
- Explore hobbies and careers in floriculture
4-H Floriculture Curriculum
Available through the Extension office or online.
Floriculture Level A is no longer available.
The 4-H Floriculture curriculum series is full of hands-on activities that focus on growing and using flowers and plants. Each manual includes five major categories: planning, growing and caring for plants, exploring science, floral design, and career exploration. This Level B manual is designed for youth in grades 5-6.
This Level C manual is designed for youth in grades 7-9.
This Level D manual is designed for youth in grades 10-12.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
EB1982E – Cut Flowers: Basic Production and Marketing
Growing cut flowers requires an understanding of what makes a flower marketable. This publication analyzes the production, harvest, and marketing of cut flowers.
4H227 – Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits at County Fair – University of Nebraska Lincoln (PDF)
EM2869E – Growing Flowers from Bulbs
For adult helpers and club leaders
Coming soon!
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Dissect a Flower – National 4-H
Learn about the role of different flower parts and how pollinators assist with plant reproduction.
Exploring 4-H Floriculture Spark Activity: Flower Arranging 101 – Illinois 4-H (PDF)
4-H Floriculture is all about flowers – from selecting your favorite flower to plant, nurturing them as they grow, and then enjoying them when they bloom. Gather your supplies to make a beautiful floral arrangement.
Maker’s Minute: Mixed Planters – New Hampshire 4-H
Use your imagination and a mixture of plants to create a unique combination in a container to add a spot of color to your deck, porch, or anywhere outside!
Washington Specific Reference Material
Yakima County 4-H Gardening Project
Yakima County 4-H Entomology Project
Yakima County Environmental Stewardship Project Areas
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
How Does Your Garden Grow? – Ohio 4-H
Youth are required to complete five activities that guide decision-making and preparation of a flower garden, either in the ground or in containers. In the second year, youth should use a new project book to document decisions for a new and different flower garden.
Project Idea Starter: Flower Gardening – Ohio 4-H (PDF)
Mississippi 4-H Horticulture Handbook (PDF)
Contains a section on garden flowers and ornamentals.
Floriculture Leader Resource – Canada 4-H (PDF)
Annual Flowers for your Garden – Cornell University Extension (PDF)
This is an old guide for New York 4-H’s flower gardening project. The advice on growing annuals, however, is still useful.
From Higher Education Institutions
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
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Beginner and advanced gardeners alike will understand the importance of testing their soil to ensure their plants have the best chance of flourishing. This Soil Master Kit contains 10 tests each for pH, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus – the key components of quality soil.
40 tests help identify the chemical composition of soil deficiencies which harm plant growth and survival
Includes a gardening guide with helpful hints, sources for additional information, and easy-to-follow illustrated directions
Prime testing times: Spring (garden/flower beds), Summer (indoor plants), Fall (lawns)