Instructions
- Read each section carefully before beginning the activities.
- Use a pencil so you can make changes to your garden plan if needed.
- For the math sections, show your work in the space provided.
- If you finish early, try the Green Thumb Challenge at the end!
Section 1: Garden Vocabulary Match-Up
Draw a line to match the gardening term on the left with its correct definition on the right.
- Germination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. The process of moving a plant from a pot into the ground.
- Photosynthesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. A nutrient-rich soil made from decomposed food scraps and leaves.
- Transplanting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. The stage when a seed begins to sprout and grow.
- Compost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D. How plants use sunlight to turn water and air into food.
- Perennial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. A plant that lives for more than two years and grows back every spring.
Section 2: The Planting Blueprint
You are designing a rectangular raised garden bed. Use your math skills to plan the space.
The Stats: Your garden bed is 6 feet long and 4 feet wide.
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Area Calculation: What is the total square footage of your garden bed? (Length x Width) Calculation:
Answer: ____ square feet
-
Perimeter Calculation: If you want to put a decorative wooden border around the edges, how many total feet of wood do you need? (L + L + W + W) Calculation:
Answer: ____ feet
-
Spacing Task: You want to plant tomato plants. Each plant needs 2 square feet of space to grow healthy. How many total tomato plants can fit in your 24-square-foot garden? Answer: ____ plants
Section 3: Beneficial Garden Helpers
Not all bugs are bad! Some insects help your garden grow by eating pests or pollinating flowers. Fill in the chart below with insects you might find in a spring garden and why they are helpful.
| Insect Name | How it Helps the Garden | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Ladybug (Example) | Eats aphids that damage plant leaves | On the underside of leaves |
Section 4: The Seed Budget
You have a budget of $20.00 to buy supplies for your spring garden. Look at the price list below and decide what to buy. You must buy at least one bag of soil and three different types of seeds.
- Bag of Organic Soil: $7.50
- Packet of Sunflower Seeds: $2.25
- Packet of Carrot Seeds: $1.50
- Packet of Watermelon Seeds: $3.00
- Small Watering Can: $5.00
- Gardening Gloves: $4.50
Your Shopping List:
- Soil: $7.50
- ___ : $____
- ___ : $____
- ___ : $____
Total Spent: $____ Change Remaining from $20.00: $____
Section 5: Garden Observation (Creative Writing)
Imagine you are a tiny seed buried in the dark, cool soil in early March. Describe what you feel, hear, and see as you begin to sprout and push your way up toward the spring sun. Use at least three descriptive adjectives (like crunchy, warm, damp, or bright).
Green Thumb Challenge (Optional)
The Pollination Puzzle: Bees are responsible for pollinating about 1 out of every 3 bites of food we eat. If you had a plate with 12 strawberries on it, how many of those strawberries exist because of a bee?
Answer: ____ strawberries
Answer Key
Section 1: Vocabulary
- Germination: C
- Photosynthesis: D
- Transplanting: A
- Compost: B
- Perennial: E
Section 2: Blueprint
- Area: 24 sq ft (6x4)
- Perimeter: 20 ft (6+6+4+4)
- Spacing: 12 plants (24 / 2)
Section 3: Beneficial Helpers (Suggested Answers)
- Bees: Pollinate flowers/vegetables.
- Earthworms: Aerate the soil and add nutrients.
- Praying Mantis: Eat large pest insects.
- Lacewings: Eat aphids and mites.
- Ground Beetles: Eat slugs and snails.
Section 4: Budget
- Answers will vary based on student choice.
- Example: Soil ($7.50) + Sunflower ($2.25) + Carrot ($1.50) + Watermelon ($3.00) = $14.25 total. Change = $5.75.
Section 5: Observation
- Subjective creative writing response.
Green Thumb Challenge
- 4 strawberries (12 divided by 3)