Gardening & Growing Food - Youth Workbook

1Biblical Foundation for Gardening

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

"And Yahuah Elohim planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed." — Genesis 2:8

Gardening: The First Job

Think about it: Yahuah didn't place Adam in a city, office, or factory. He placed him in a GARDEN. Working the earth was humanity's original calling!

"Dress it and keep it" (Genesis 2:15) — cultivate and protect
Every plant was given for food (Genesis 1:29)
After the flood, farming continued (Genesis 9:20)

Why Should YOU Learn to Garden?

Self-sufficiency: Less dependence on grocery stores
Health: Fresh, chemical-free food you grew yourself
Savings: A packet of seeds can produce hundreds of dollars of food
Skills: Knowledge that will serve you your entire life
Preparedness: Food security in uncertain times
Stewardship: Caring for Yahuah's creation

"And Elohim said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." — Genesis 1:29

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

1. Yahuah planted a garden in _____________.

2. Adam's first job was to _____________ and keep the garden.

3. Genesis 1:29 says every herb bearing _____________ was given for food.

4. Working the earth is an act of _____________ over Yahuah's creation.

Multiple Choice

1. Where did Yahuah first place Adam?

□ A) A city
□ B) A garden
□ C) A temple
□ D) A house

2. Which is NOT a benefit of learning to garden?

□ A) Fresh, healthy food
□ B) Money savings
□ C) Dependence on stores
□ D) Useful lifelong skills

True or False

____ 1. Farming only became important after the flood.

____ 2. Growing your own food increases self-sufficiency.

____ 3. Yahuah gave plants for food in Genesis 1:29.

Memory Verse — Genesis 2:15

"And Yahuah Elohim took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it."

Day 1: Read aloud 5 times Day 3: Write from memory Day 7: Recite to someone

RECALL — Close Your Book

Write 3 reasons why learning to garden is important:

RESPOND — Apply This Week

Talk to your family about starting a garden Research what grows well in your area Find a sunny spot where you could grow something

2Planning Your Garden

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

Before You Plant: The Planning Phase

Assess your space: How much room do you have? Balcony? Backyard? Large property?
Check sunlight: Most vegetables need 6-8 hours of direct sun
Know your zone: USDA Hardiness Zones tell you what grows in your climate
Start small: Better to succeed with 4 plants than fail with 40

Garden Options by Space

Space	Options	Best Crops
Apartment/Balcony	Container garden, window boxes	Herbs, lettuce, tomatoes
Small yard	Raised beds (4x4 or 4x8 feet)	Salad greens, peppers, beans
Medium yard	Multiple raised beds or in-ground	Full vegetable garden
Large property	Row planting, market garden	Food independence!

Garden Layout Tips

Tall plants on north side: They won't shade shorter plants
Group by water needs: Thirsty plants together, drought-tolerant together
Leave walking paths: You need to access everything without stepping on soil
Consider companion planting: Some plants help each other grow

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

1. Most vegetables need _______ to _______ hours of direct sunlight.

2. USDA _____________ Zones tell you what grows in your climate.

3. Tall plants should go on the _____________ side of the garden.

4. It's better to start _____________ and succeed than start big and fail.

Multiple Choice

1. What size raised bed is good for beginners?

□ A) 2x2 feet
□ B) 4x4 or 4x8 feet
□ C) 20x20 feet
□ D) 100x100 feet

2. Why place tall plants on the north side?

□ A) They grow better there
□ B) So they don't shade shorter plants
□ C) Tradition
□ D) They need less water there

RECALL — Close Your Book

List the 4 planning steps before planting:

RESPOND — Apply This Week

Sketch your available garden space Track sunlight: which areas get 6+ hours? Look up your USDA Hardiness Zone online

My Hardiness Zone: _____________

3Understanding Soil

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

"And Yahuah Elohim formed man of the dust of the ground." — Genesis 2:7
We came from the soil — and our food grows from it!

What Makes Up Soil?

Minerals (45%): Sand, silt, and clay particles
Organic matter (5%): Decomposed plants and animals
Water (25%): Dissolves and carries nutrients
Air (25%): Roots need oxygen too!

The Three Soil Types

Type	Feel	Drainage	How to Improve
Sandy	Gritty	Too fast (dries quickly)	Add compost
Clay	Sticky when wet	Too slow (holds water)	Add sand + compost
Loam	Crumbly	Just right	Maintain with compost

Loam is the goal! It holds water but also drains. Most gardens need amendments.

The Jar Test — Identify Your Soil Type

Fill a clear jar 1/3 with garden soil
Add water until 2/3 full
Shake well, then let settle for 24 hours
Sand settles on bottom, then silt, then clay on top
Ideal mix: ~40% sand, ~40% silt, ~20% clay

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

1. Soil is made of minerals, organic matter, water, and _____________.

2. _____________ soil feels gritty and drains too fast.

3. _____________ is the ideal soil type that's crumbly and drains well.

4. _____________ is the best thing to add to any soil type.

True or False

____ 1. Clay soil drains too quickly.

____ 2. Plant roots need oxygen from the air in soil.

____ 3. Compost helps improve all soil types.

____ 4. Sandy soil holds too much water.

RECALL — Close Your Book

Describe the three soil types and how to improve each:

RESPOND — Apply This Week

Do the jar test with soil from your yard Record your results: Sand ___% Silt ___% Clay ___% Research where to get compost locally

4Composting: Making "Black Gold"

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

What is Compost?

Compost is decomposed organic matter — nature's recycling system. When plant material breaks down, it becomes rich, dark soil amendment. Gardeners call it "black gold" because it's so valuable!

The Recipe: Browns + Greens

Browns (Carbon)	Greens (Nitrogen)
Dead leaves	Grass clippings
Cardboard, newspaper	Vegetable scraps
Straw or hay	Coffee grounds
Wood chips, sawdust	Fresh plant trimmings
Dried plant stalks	Herbivore manure (cow, horse, chicken)

Magic Ratio: 3 parts brown to 1 part green

NEVER Compost These:

❌ Meat, bones, or dairy (attracts pests)
❌ Pet waste from dogs/cats (disease risk)
❌ Diseased plants (spreads disease)
❌ Weeds with seeds (spreads weeds)
❌ Treated wood or glossy paper (chemicals)

Composting Methods

Method	Description	Time to Finish
Pile	Just heap it up, turn occasionally	6-12 months
Bin	Contained pile, easier to manage	3-6 months
Tumbler	Spinning barrel, fastest	6-8 weeks
Trench	Bury scraps directly in garden	2-4 months

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

1. Gardeners call compost "_____________ gold."

2. The composting ratio is _______ parts brown to _______ part green.

3. Dead leaves and cardboard are _____________ (browns/greens).

4. A compost _____________ is the fastest method.

Multiple Choice

1. Which should NEVER go in compost?

□ A) Vegetable scraps
□ B) Meat and bones
□ C) Dead leaves
□ D) Coffee grounds

2. Why avoid composting diseased plants?

□ A) They smell bad
□ B) They decompose too slowly
□ C) Disease can spread
□ D) They attract pests

RECALL — Close Your Book

List 3 "browns" and 3 "greens" for composting:

RESPOND — Apply This Week

Start collecting kitchen scraps for composting Find a spot for a compost pile or bin Collect dried leaves or cardboard for "browns"

5Seeds: Types and Starting

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." — Genesis 8:22

Three Types of Seeds

Type	What It Means	Can You Save Seeds?
Heirloom / Open-Pollinated	Traditional varieties passed down for generations	YES! Seeds grow true
Hybrid (F1)	Cross between two varieties for specific traits	No — won't grow true
GMO	Genetically modified in a lab	AVOID entirely

Always choose heirloom/open-pollinated when possible — you can save seeds year after year!

Direct Sow vs. Start Indoors

Direct Sow (plant in garden)	Start Indoors First
Beans, peas	Tomatoes
Corn	Peppers
Carrots, radishes	Eggplant
Squash, cucumbers	Broccoli, cabbage
Lettuce, spinach	Onions

Seed Starting Basics

Depth: Generally plant 2-3x the seed's diameter deep
Spacing: Follow seed packet directions
Timing: Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date
Hardening off: Gradually expose indoor seedlings to outdoors over 7-10 days before transplanting

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

1. _____________ seeds can be saved and will grow true.

2. _____________ seeds should be avoided entirely.

3. Plant seeds at a depth of _______ to _______ times the seed's diameter.

4. "_____________ off" means gradually exposing seedlings to outdoors.

Multiple Choice

1. Which vegetables should be direct sown?

□ A) Tomatoes and peppers
□ B) Beans and carrots
□ C) Broccoli and cabbage
□ D) Eggplant and onions

2. Why choose heirloom seeds?

□ A) They're always bigger
□ B) You can save seeds for next year
□ C) They grow faster
□ D) They're always cheaper

RECALL — Close Your Book

Explain the difference between heirloom, hybrid, and GMO seeds:

RESPOND — Apply This Week

Look up your area's last frost date Order or buy heirloom seeds Plan which crops to direct sow vs. start indoors

My last frost date: _____________

6Watering and Plant Care

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

Watering Principles

Deep and infrequent is better than shallow and often
Water the soil, not leaves — wet leaves spread disease
Morning watering is best (leaves dry before night)
1 inch per week is the general rule for most vegetables

Signs of Watering Problems

Problem	Signs	Solution
Underwatered	Wilting, dry soil, brown leaf edges	Water deeply, add mulch
Overwatered	Yellow leaves, mushy stems, mold	Improve drainage, water less

Mulching — A Gardener's Best Friend

Mulch is a layer of material on top of soil. Benefits:

Retains moisture (less watering needed)
Suppresses weeds
Keeps soil temperature stable
Adds organic matter as it breaks down

Good mulches: Straw, wood chips, shredded leaves, grass clippings (dried)

Other Plant Care

Weeding: Pull weeds when small; mulch reduces weeds
Pruning: Remove suckers from tomatoes; pinch herbs to encourage bushiness
Support: Stake or cage tomatoes, trellis climbing plants
Feeding: Side-dress with compost mid-season

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

1. Water _____________ and infrequently rather than shallow and often.

2. The best time to water is in the _____________.

3. Yellow leaves and mushy stems indicate _____________ watering.

4. _____________ helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

True or False

____ 1. You should water plant leaves, not the soil.

____ 2. Wilting and brown leaf edges can mean underwatering.

____ 3. Mulch keeps soil temperature unstable.

____ 4. Most vegetables need about 1 inch of water per week.

RECALL — Close Your Book

List 4 benefits of mulching:

RESPOND — Apply This Week

Practice checking soil moisture with your finger Gather mulch materials (straw, leaves, etc.) Set up a watering schedule/routine

7Natural Pest Control

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

Prevention First

The best pest control is prevention:

Healthy plants resist pests better — focus on soil health
Rotate crops each year (don't plant same family in same spot)
Remove diseased plants immediately
Encourage beneficial insects

Beneficial Insects — The Good Guys!

Insect	What They Eat	How to Attract
Ladybugs	Aphids, scale insects	Dill, fennel, yarrow
Praying Mantis	Many pest insects	Tall grasses, shrubs
Lacewings	Aphids, mites, small caterpillars	Cosmos, sunflowers
Ground Beetles	Slugs, snails, caterpillars	Mulch, ground cover

Natural Pest Solutions

Aphids: Spray with soapy water (1 tbsp dish soap per quart)
Caterpillars: Hand-pick or use BT (Bacillus thuringiensis)
Slugs: Beer traps, copper tape, diatomaceous earth
Japanese beetles: Hand-pick into soapy water
General: Neem oil spray works on many pests

"Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed... and every tree." — Genesis 1:29
We use Yahuah's creation (plants, beneficial insects) to protect our food!

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

1. The best pest control is _____________.

2. _____________ eat aphids and are considered beneficial.

3. Crop _____________ means not planting the same family in the same spot.

4. _____________ oil is a natural spray that works on many pests.

Multiple Choice

1. What do ladybugs eat?

□ A) Your vegetables
□ B) Aphids
□ C) Other ladybugs
□ D) Mulch

2. What's a natural solution for slugs?

□ A) Chemical spray
□ B) More water
□ C) Beer traps
□ D) Bright lights

RECALL — Close Your Book

Name 3 beneficial insects and what pest they control:

RESPOND — Apply This Week

Learn to identify ladybugs, lacewings, and praying mantis Plant some flowers that attract beneficial insects Make a simple soap spray for aphids (save recipe)

8Easy Vegetables for Beginners

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

Top 10 Easiest Vegetables to Grow

Lettuce/Salad greens: Quick growing, can harvest in 30 days
Radishes: Ready in 25-30 days!
Green beans: Plant and forget, very productive
Zucchini: One plant produces tons of squash
Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes are easiest
Cucumbers: Fast growing, love heat
Peas: Plant early spring, cool weather crop
Peppers: Easy once established
Swiss chard: Heat tolerant, keeps producing
Herbs (basil, mint): Almost impossible to kill

Your First Garden: The "Salad Garden"

A simple 4x4 raised bed can grow everything for fresh salads:

4-6 lettuce plants (different varieties)
1 cherry tomato plant
2-3 cucumber plants (on trellis)
A row of radishes
Some basil for flavor

Total cost: ~$20 in seeds/plants. Value of produce: $100+ through the season!

Vegetables to AVOID as a Beginner

❌ Melons (need lots of space and time)
❌ Corn (needs large planting for pollination)
❌ Cauliflower (very picky growing conditions)
❌ Celery (difficult, long growing season)
❌ Asparagus (takes 3 years to produce!)

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

1. _____________ are the fastest vegetable, ready in 25-30 days.

2. One _____________ plant can produce tons of squash.

3. _____________ tomatoes are the easiest type to grow.

4. A simple "_____________ garden" can provide fresh salads all season.

True or False

____ 1. Corn is a great beginner vegetable.

____ 2. Green beans are easy and very productive.

____ 3. Asparagus produces the first year you plant it.

____ 4. Basil and mint are almost impossible to kill.

RECALL — Close Your Book

List 5 easy vegetables and why they're good for beginners:

RESPOND — Apply This Week

Choose 3-5 vegetables to try growing Plan a simple "salad garden" Make a list of seeds to buy

Vegetables I'll grow: _________________________________

9Harvesting and Storage

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

"In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, till you return to the ground." — Genesis 3:19
The reward for our labor is the harvest!

When to Harvest

Vegetable	When Ready	Tip
Lettuce	Leaves 4-6 inches	Cut outer leaves, plant keeps growing
Tomatoes	Full color, slightly soft	Can ripen green ones indoors
Zucchini	6-8 inches long	Don't let them get huge!
Beans	Pencil-thin, before bulging	Pick often for more production
Cucumbers	6-8 inches, firm	Pick before turning yellow
Peppers	Full size, any color	Green = unripe but edible

Storage Methods

Fresh: Refrigerate most vegetables; tomatoes at room temp
Freezing: Blanch vegetables first, then freeze
Canning: Preserve in jars (requires proper technique)
Drying: Herbs, peppers, tomatoes dry well
Root cellar: Potatoes, carrots, squash store for months

Saving Seeds

From heirloom/open-pollinated plants:

Let some vegetables fully ripen (past eating stage)
Remove seeds, rinse, and dry completely
Store in paper envelopes in cool, dry, dark place
Label with variety and date!
Most seeds stay viable 2-5 years

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

1. Zucchini should be harvested at _______ to _______ inches.

2. Before freezing vegetables, you should _____________ them first.

3. _____________ tomatoes can ripen indoors.

4. Seeds should be stored in a cool, dry, _____________ place.

True or False

____ 1. Tomatoes should be refrigerated immediately after picking.

____ 2. Bigger zucchini tastes better.

____ 3. Most seeds stay viable for 2-5 years when stored properly.

____ 4. Herbs can be preserved by drying.

RECALL — Close Your Book

List 4 methods for storing/preserving your harvest:

RESPOND — Apply This Week

Research how to save seeds from one vegetable Learn how to blanch and freeze vegetables Get some paper envelopes for seed saving

10Your Gardening Journey Begins

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

"The earth is Yahuah's, and all its fullness." — Psalm 24:1
We are stewards of His creation.

Review: Your Garden Checklist

I've chosen a sunny location I know my soil type and how to improve it I have a plan for composting I've selected easy-to-grow vegetables I understand watering principles I know about natural pest control I have heirloom seeds or know where to get them I'm ready to start growing!

First Season Goals

Don't try to feed your whole family the first year! Reasonable goals:

Grow one successful crop from seed to harvest
Learn your garden's conditions (sun, water needs)
Make mistakes and learn from them
Enjoy the process!

The Bigger Picture

Learning to garden is more than a hobby — it's:

Obedience: Following Yahuah's original calling for humanity
Wisdom: Gaining skills for uncertain times
Health: Providing pure food for your family
Legacy: Knowledge to pass to the next generation
Community: Excess produce blesses others

Final Memory Verse — Ecclesiastes 3:2

"A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted."

REFLECT — Final Questions

Fill in the Blanks

1. We are _____________ of Yahuah's creation.

2. A reasonable first-year goal is to grow one _____________ crop.

3. Excess produce can _____________ others in your community.

4. Gardening skills are _____________ to pass to the next generation.

RECALL — Course Summary

Write a summary of the most important things you learned:

RECITE — Final Teach-Back

Teach someone younger than you the basics of starting a garden.

Person I taught: _________________ Date: _________

RESPOND — My Gardening Commitment

This season, I will:

Signature: _________________ Date: _________

Lesson	Day 1	Day 3	Day 7	Day 21	Day 60
1. Biblical Foundation
2. Planning
3. Understanding Soil
4. Composting
5. Seeds
6. Watering & Care
7. Pest Control
8. Easy Vegetables
9. Harvesting
10. Your Journey

HOW TO USE THIS WORKBOOK

The 6Rs Learning Method

1Biblical Foundation for Gardening

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

Gardening: The First Job

Why Should YOU Learn to Garden?

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

True or False

Memory Verse — Genesis 2:15

RECALL — Close Your Book

RESPOND — Apply This Week

2Planning Your Garden

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

Before You Plant: The Planning Phase

Garden Options by Space

Garden Layout Tips

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

RECALL — Close Your Book

RESPOND — Apply This Week

3Understanding Soil

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

What Makes Up Soil?

The Three Soil Types

The Jar Test — Identify Your Soil Type

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

True or False

RECALL — Close Your Book

RESPOND — Apply This Week

4Composting: Making "Black Gold"

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

What is Compost?

The Recipe: Browns + Greens

NEVER Compost These:

Composting Methods

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

RECALL — Close Your Book

RESPOND — Apply This Week

5Seeds: Types and Starting

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

Three Types of Seeds

Direct Sow vs. Start Indoors

Seed Starting Basics

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

RECALL — Close Your Book

RESPOND — Apply This Week

6Watering and Plant Care

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

Watering Principles

Signs of Watering Problems

Mulching — A Gardener's Best Friend

Other Plant Care

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

True or False

RECALL — Close Your Book

RESPOND — Apply This Week

7Natural Pest Control

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

Prevention First

Beneficial Insects — The Good Guys!

Natural Pest Solutions

REFLECT — Answer Questions

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

RECALL — Close Your Book

RESPOND — Apply This Week

8Easy Vegetables for Beginners

RECEIVE — Learn the Teaching

Top 10 Easiest Vegetables to Grow

Your First Garden: The "Salad Garden"

Vegetables to AVOID as a Beginner