Gardening Merit Badge

Free Resources and Answers

Time: 2–4 weeks
Difficulty: Easy, Moderate
Setting: Outdoor garden, home
Best For: Scouts interested in plants, growing food, nature
Hands-On Level: High
Eagle Required: No

The Gardening merit badge teaches Scouts how to grow and care for plants. You learn what plants need to stay healthy, including sunlight, water, and good soil. You also see how growing plants indoors is different from growing them outside.

As you work on this badge, you get hands-on practice. You plant seeds, water them, and watch them grow over time. You also learn how weather, seasons, and pests affect plants. This helps you understand how to plan and care for a garden.

The Gardening merit badge also helps you think about where food comes from and why plants matter. You build patience and responsibility as you care for your plants each day. These are skills you can use for the rest of your life.

The requirements for this merit badge were updated effective January 1, 2025.

Download the Gardening Merit Badge Requirements

Gardening Merit Badge Pamphlet

Gardening Merit Badge Printable Requirement Check Off Sheet

Checklist for All Merit Badges

Help with Answers for Gardening Merit Badge Requirements

Find specific helps for some of the Gardening merit badge requirements listed below. Some of these resources will just give the answers. Others will provide engaging ways for older Scouts to introduce these concepts to new Scouts.

• Requirement 1: Safety
• Requirement 2: Start Growing
• Requirement 3: Nutrition
• Requirement 4: Germination
• Requirement 5: Visit
• Requirement 6: Bees
• Requirement 7: Pests
• Requirement 8: Project
• Requirement 9: Careers and Hobbies
• More Resources

Requirement 1a: Gardening Hazards

What You Need To Do
Explain common gardening hazards and how to prevent and handle them.

Helpful Tips

• Wear gloves when using tools or handling plants.
• Use tools the right way and keep them clean and sharp.
• Lift with your legs to avoid back strain.
• Drink water often and take breaks in the shade.
• Wear a hat and sunscreen when working in the sun.
• Keep tools off the ground when not in use to prevent trips.
• Store tools safely after you finish working.
• Read labels before using any garden products.

Leader Tips

• Demonstrate safe tool use before starting work.
• Check that tools are in good condition.
• Remind Scouts to stay hydrated and take breaks.
• Watch for unsafe behavior and correct it early.

Requirement 1b: Health Concerns

What You Need To Do
Discuss how to prevent and treat common gardening injuries and health issues.

Helpful Tips

• Clean cuts and scratches right away and cover them.
• Use gloves to help prevent puncture wounds.
• Wear long sleeves and use insect repellent to avoid bites.
• Apply anti-itch cream if you get a bite.
• Know signs of severe allergies like swelling or trouble breathing.
• Carry an epinephrine injector if needed and get help fast.
• Drink water and rest if you feel dizzy or too hot.
• Rinse skin or eyes right away if exposed to chemicals.

Leader Tips

• Keep a first aid kit available at all times.
• Review basic first aid steps with Scouts.
• Know if any Scout has severe allergies.
• Supervise use of fertilizers and pesticides closely.

Requirement 2a: Grow Vegetables

What You Need To Do
Grow six vegetables to harvest. Start three from seeds and three from seedlings. Talk about what you see as they grow.

Helpful Tips

• Pick vegetables that grow well in your area and season.
• Use clean pots or a garden bed with good soil.
• Plant seeds at the right depth and space them out.
• Water regularly so the soil stays moist but not soggy.
• Place plants where they get enough sunlight each day.
• Pull weeds so they do not take water and nutrients.
• Check plants daily for pests or damage.
• Harvest when the vegetables are ripe and ready.

Leader Tips

• Help Scouts choose plants that fit the local climate.
• Show how to plant seeds and transplant seedlings.
• Encourage regular check-ins and simple notes on growth.
• Support Scouts as they harvest and review results.

Requirement 2b: Grow Flowers

What You Need To Do
Grow six flowers to full bloom. Start three from seeds and three from seedlings. Talk about changes you see along the way.

Helpful Tips

• Choose flowers that are easy to grow in your area.
• Plant seeds in warm soil and keep them lightly watered.
• Give seedlings space so they can grow strong.
• Place flowers where they get the right amount of sun.
• Water often, but do not let roots sit in water.
• Remove weeds and watch for insects.
• Look for buds and track when flowers open.
• Enjoy the blooms when they are fully open.

Leader Tips

• Guide Scouts in choosing simple, reliable flowers.
• Demonstrate planting and spacing for healthy growth.
• Remind Scouts to check plants often and care for them.
• Celebrate when flowers bloom and discuss what was learned.

Requirement 3a: Root Or Tuber Crops

What You Need To Do
Give the nutritional value of three root or tuber crops.

Helpful Tips

• Choose common crops like potatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes.
• Potatoes provide carbohydrates, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
• Carrots are high in vitamin A and also have fiber and antioxidants.
• Sweet potatoes have vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
• Write your answers in simple notes you can share.
• Connect each food to how it helps your body stay healthy.
• Use a trusted source if you need to look up details.
• Be ready to talk about your choices.

Leader Tips

• Help Scouts pick familiar foods they understand.
• Encourage clear and simple explanations.
• Ask how each food supports health.
• Check that Scouts cover three different crops.

Requirement 3b: Vegetables That Bear Above The Ground

What You Need To Do
Give the nutritional value of three vegetables that grow above the ground.

Helpful Tips

• Pick vegetables like tomatoes, broccoli, and bell peppers.
• Tomatoes have vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants.
• Broccoli provides fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and some protein.
• Bell peppers are rich in vitamins A and C and have a lot of water.
• Think about how these nutrients help your body.
• Keep your answers short and easy to explain.
• Use examples you have seen or eaten.
• Practice sharing your answers out loud.

Leader Tips

• Guide Scouts to choose different types of vegetables.
• Help them connect nutrients to health benefits.
• Encourage simple wording.
• Make sure all three examples are correct.

Requirement 3c: Fruits

What You Need To Do
Give the nutritional value of three fruits.

Helpful Tips

• Choose fruits like apples, strawberries, and bananas.
• Apples have fiber and vitamin C and are low in calories.
• Strawberries provide vitamin C, manganese, and antioxidants.
• Bananas are high in potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6.
• Think about how fruits help with energy and health.
• Keep notes simple and easy to remember.
• Use fruits you already know and enjoy.
• Be ready to explain each one clearly.

Leader Tips

• Help Scouts choose common fruits.
• Encourage clear and simple answers.
• Ask follow-up questions to check understanding.
• Confirm that three fruits are included.

Requirement 4: Germination

What You Need To Do
Test 100 seeds to see how many sprout. Figure out the percentage that germinate and give reasons why some did not.

Helpful Tips

• Use 100 seeds so your math is simple.
• Place seeds in a damp paper towel and fold it over.
• Put the towel in a plastic bag to keep moisture in.
• Keep the bag in a warm place, not in direct sun.
• Check seeds each day and keep the towel damp.
• Count how many seeds sprout after about a week.
• Divide the number that sprouted by 100 to get your percent.
• Write down reasons like old seeds, low moisture, or wrong temperature.

Leader Tips

• Show Scouts how to set up the paper towel test.
• Remind them to check moisture daily.
• Help them calculate the percentage correctly.
• Ask for simple reasons why some seeds failed.

Requirement 5: Visit

What You Need To Do
Visit a place where people grow or study plants. Share what you learned from your visit.

Helpful Tips

• Choose a place like a nursery, farm, or botanical garden.
• Plan your visit ahead of time and ask if staff can answer questions.
• Bring a notebook to write down what you learn.
• Ask which plants grow best in your area.
• Ask about soil, watering, and how to keep plants healthy.
• Look for examples of gardens, greenhouses, or plant displays.
• Take photos if allowed so you can remember details.
• Review your notes and be ready to share what you learned.

Leader Tips

• Help Scouts find a good place to visit in the community.
• Encourage them to ask simple questions during the visit.
• Suggest taking notes or photos for their report.
• Follow up and have Scouts share what they learned.

Requirement 6: Bees

What You Need To Do
Explain how honeybees pollinate crops and why they are important. Talk about problems bees face and what would happen without pollinators.

Helpful Tips

• Bees move pollen from flower to flower as they collect nectar.
• This helps plants grow fruits, vegetables, and seeds.
• Farmers use bees for crops like apples, almonds, and berries.
• Pesticides can harm bees and affect their health.
• Know that loss of habitat makes it harder for bees to find food.
• Disease and parasites can destroy bee colonies.
• Climate changes can affect when plants and bees are active.
• Think about how fewer pollinators would mean less food and higher prices.

Leader Tips

• Use simple examples of foods that depend on pollination.
• Encourage Scouts to connect bees to their daily meals.
• Discuss local issues that affect bee populations.
• Ask Scouts to share ideas for helping pollinators.

Requirement 7: Pests

What You Need To Do
Identify five garden pests or plant diseases. Give two ways to control each one, with at least one organic method.

Helpful Tips

• Aphids: Use a spray of water with a little dish soap. Use insecticidal soap if needed.
• Cabbage worms: Pick them off by hand. Use Bt spray to control them.
• Slugs: Put crushed eggshells around plants. Use shallow beer traps to catch them.
• Japanese beetles: Pick them off and drop in soapy water. Use neem oil on plants.
• Powdery mildew: Spray with baking soda and water mix. Remove affected leaves to stop spread.
• Check plants often so you catch problems early.
• Focus on safe and simple methods first.
• Keep notes on what works best in your garden.

Leader Tips

• Help Scouts identify real pests in a garden when possible.
• Encourage use of safe, simple control methods first.
• Guide Scouts to include one organic solution for each pest.
• Ask Scouts to explain why their solutions work.

Requirement 8a: Compost Bin

What You Need To Do
Build a compost bin and care for it for 90 days. Keep weekly notes on what happens.

Helpful Tips

• Use a bin or build one with wood or wire.
• Add a mix of green and brown materials.
• Turn the compost often to help it break down.
• Keep it damp but not too wet.
• Watch for heat and changes in smell and texture.
• Avoid adding meat or dairy products.
• Check it each week and write down changes.
• Use finished compost in your garden.

Leader Tips

• Show simple compost bin designs.
• Explain what materials work best.
• Encourage weekly notes and regular care.
• Review results at the end of the project.

Requirement 8b: Vermipost Bin

What You Need To Do
Build a worm compost bin and care for it for 90 days. Track what happens each week.

Helpful Tips

• Use a container with air holes and bedding.
• Add red worms for composting.
• Feed worms fruit and vegetable scraps.
• Keep bedding damp but not soaking wet.
• Store the bin in a cool, shaded place.
• Avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods.
• Check on worms often and add food as needed.
• Watch how scraps turn into compost.

Leader Tips

• Help Scouts set up a simple worm bin.
• Explain what foods are safe for worms.
• Encourage regular checks and notes.
• Discuss how compost can be used later.

Requirement 8c: Hydroponic Garden

What You Need To Do
Build a hydroponic system and grow three plants. Care for them until harvest or for 90 days.

Helpful Tips

• Use a simple setup with water and nutrient solution.
• Choose easy plants like lettuce or herbs.
• Keep roots in water and give plants light.
• Check water levels often and refill as needed.
• Follow directions for adding nutrients.
• Watch plant growth and record changes.
• Keep the system clean to prevent problems.
• Harvest when plants are ready.

Leader Tips

• Show a simple hydroponic setup.
• Help Scouts choose easy plants.
• Check that systems stay clean and working.
• Encourage regular observations and notes.

Requirement 8d: Water Garden

What You Need To Do
Build a small water garden and care for it for 90 days. Record changes each week.

Helpful Tips

• Use a container or small pond with clean water.
• Add water plants like lilies or floating plants.
• Place the garden where it gets some sunlight.
• Keep water level steady and clean.
• Remove debris like leaves or algae buildup.
• Watch for insects or small animals.
• Check plants and trim when needed.
• Write down what you see each week.

Leader Tips

• Help Scouts choose a simple design.
• Discuss safe placement and water care.
• Encourage regular cleaning and checks.
• Review observations after the project.

Requirement 8e: Honey Super

What You Need To Do
Prepare a honey super and help collect and process honey. Record what you learn.

Helpful Tips

• Work with an experienced beekeeper for safety.
• Wear protective gear when near the hive.
• Help prepare frames for the hive.
• Watch how bees fill the honeycomb.
• Help remove a filled super when ready.
• Learn how honey is extracted and stored.
• Keep notes on each step you see.
• Follow all safety rules around bees.

Leader Tips

• Partner Scouts with a trained beekeeper.
• Review safety rules before any hive work.
• Explain each step clearly during the process.
• Discuss what Scouts observed after.

Requirement 8f: Grow A Garden

What You Need To Do
Grow your own garden with at least three plants. Care for it until harvest or for 90 days.

Helpful Tips

• Choose plants that grow well in your area.
• Use good soil and proper containers or space.
• Water plants regularly and check soil moisture.
• Place plants where they get enough sunlight.
• Pull weeds and watch for pests.
• Fertilize if needed based on plant type.
• Check growth each week and take notes.
• Harvest when plants are ready.

Leader Tips

• Help Scouts choose simple plants to grow.
• Guide them in setting up their garden space.
• Encourage steady care and weekly notes.
• Review results and discuss what worked.

Requirement 9a: Gardening Careers

What You Need To Do
Identify three careers that use gardening skills. Pick one and learn about training, cost, and job outlook. Share what you learned and your interest.

Careers To Consider

• Horticulturist
• Farmer
• Landscape designer
• Botanist
• Greenhouse manager
• Arborist
• Urban gardener
• Nursery worker
• Garden center manager
• Park groundskeeper
• Agricultural inspector
• Plant breeder

Helpful Tips

• Pick one career and look up training or school needed.
• Find out if a license or certification is required.
• Check how much it costs to get started in that field.
• Look up starting pay and chances for growth.
• Learn what a normal workday looks like.
• Think about skills you already have that match the job.
• Write simple notes you can share.
• Decide if this is a career you might enjoy.

Leader Tips

• Help Scouts review several career options.
• Encourage simple research using trusted sources.
• Ask how the career fits their interests.
• Guide a short discussion about future plans.

Requirement 9b: Gardening As A Hobby

What You Need To Do
Explain how you can use gardening as a hobby or for a healthy lifestyle. Research costs, training, and groups that can help.

Hobbies To Consider

• Vegetable gardening
• Herb gardening
• Flower gardening
• Container gardening
• Indoor gardening
• Composting
• Community gardening
• Native plant gardening
• Pollinator gardening
• Raised bed gardening
• Hydroponic gardening
• Seed saving

Helpful Tips

Start small with a few plants or containers.
List basic costs like soil, seeds, and tools.
Look for classes, clubs, or local garden groups.
Learn simple skills like watering, weeding, and harvesting.
Set a short-term goal like growing one crop.
Set a long-term goal like expanding your garden space.
Track your progress each week.
Think about how gardening helps you stay active and relaxed.

Leader Tips

Encourage Scouts to explore different hobby ideas.
Suggest local groups or classes for support.
Help Scouts set simple and clear goals.
Discuss ways to keep the hobby going long term.

Plant a Pizza Garden

A pizza garden is a simple way to make gardening fun and useful. Scouts can grow foods they already know, like tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spinach. Herbs like basil and oregano are easy to grow and add flavor to meals. This type of garden works well in a small space or a few containers. It is a good project for beginners who want quick results and a clear goal.

This project also helps Scouts connect gardening to daily life. They can pick their own ingredients and use them in a meal they helped create. It builds interest in healthy food and basic cooking skills. As they plant and care for each crop, they practice the same skills used in the Gardening merit badge. It is a simple way to learn while doing something enjoyable.

More Merit Badge Resources

The Gardening merit badge is one part of a larger program with many choices. Scouts can explore topics like science, trades, arts, and outdoor skills. Gardening adds a hands-on activity where Scouts plan, plant, and care for living things. It gives a quiet and steady option that balances more active badges.

This badge also connects to others like Plant Science, Nature, and Environmental Science. Skills learned in one badge can help with another. Scouts who enjoy working outside often choose these related topics next. Exploring more badges helps Scouts find what they like and build a wide range of skills.

Learn More about Scouts BSA

The Gardening merit badge supports the goals of Scouts BSA in a practical way. Scouts learn to plan ahead, follow through, and care for something over time. These habits build responsibility and help them grow into reliable leaders. Working in a garden also teaches patience, since results take time.

Gardening also supports health and service. It keeps Scouts active and helps them make better food choices. Growing plants shows how food connects to the community and the environment. These lessons help Scouts think about how their actions affect others. Over time, they gain confidence and learn to make good decisions.

What will I learn by earning the Gardening merit badge?

The Gardening merit badge teaches you how plants grow, how to care for them, and how to plan a garden. You’ll learn about planting seeds, watering, soil needs, and how to handle pests and diseases. The badge also helps you understand how gardening can provide healthy food and improve the environment.

Do I need to have a garden to work on the Gardening merit badge?

No, you don’t need a full garden. You can use a small area in your yard, containers on a patio, or even pots indoors. The main goal is to grow plants and learn how to care for them. You can choose a space that works for you.

What types of plants will I need to grow for the Gardening merit badge?

For the Gardening merit badge, you’ll need to grow six vegetables (three from seeds and three from seedlings) and six flowers (three from seeds and three from seedlings). You’ll care for these plants through the growing season, from planting until harvest or flowering.

How do I test seeds for germination for the Gardening merit badge?

To test seed germination, place 100 seeds on a damp paper towel, fold it, and put it in a plastic bag. Keep it in a warm area and check it daily to keep it moist. After a week or so, count how many seeds have sprouted. This shows you the germination rate, which is how many seeds are likely to grow into healthy plants.

Why do I need to learn about garden pests for the Gardening merit badge?

Understanding pests is important because they can damage or destroy plants. Learning to identify and control pests helps keep your garden healthy. You’ll explore both organic and other methods for managing pests, which is useful for any type of gardening.

What is the purpose of visiting a garden expert for the Gardening merit badge?

Visiting a garden expert, like a county extension agent or nursery worker, helps you learn from someone with experience. They can explain local plant needs, common pests, and soil conditions. This visit gives you practical knowledge to help with your gardening.

How does pollination relate to the Gardening merit badge?

Pollination is important because it helps plants produce fruit, vegetables, and seeds. For the Gardening merit badge, you’ll learn about how pollinators like honeybees help plants grow and why pollination matters for food production.

What safety tips do I need to know for the Gardening merit badge?

Gardening has some risks, like cuts from tools, insect bites, sunburn, and dehydration. To stay safe, wear gloves, use sunscreen, drink water, and handle tools carefully. Knowing these tips helps you stay healthy while working in the garden.

How long does it take to earn the Gardening merit badge?

The time varies based on the plants you choose, since they will grow at different rates. Some plants take only a few weeks to flower or harvest, while others may take months. Start early and plan for several weeks to complete all the growing and care steps.

The Gardening merit badge introduces Scouts to the world of plants, soil, and growing food. By working on this badge, Scouts learn about the basic needs of plants, including sunlight, water, and nutrients. They discover how different plants grow from seeds and seedlings, and they gain hands-on experience by tending to their own garden. Scouts will choose vegetables and flowers to grow, learning the patience and care required to take plants from seed to harvest or full bloom.

Earning the Gardening merit badge also teaches important environmental skills. Scouts learn how to test seed germination, observe plant growth, and protect gardens from pests. They explore natural pest control methods, such as using beneficial insects or organic sprays. Through this, Scouts gain an understanding of eco-friendly gardening and how to keep plants healthy in safe ways. Visiting a garden expert is another part of the badge, where Scouts can gain local advice on what plants grow best in their area.

Requirement 1a: Gardening HazardsScouts also study pollination, focusing on the important role honeybees and other pollinators play in producing food. This helps them see the connections between gardening, food production, and the environment. The Gardening merit badge shows Scouts how gardening can provide healthy food, beautify spaces, and support local ecosystems. It’s a fun way to build skills they can use for a lifetime.