Our Article Archive is now searchable to help you find the info you're looking for.
Search the ArchiveSchool Gardening Resources
Greenhouse Manual: An Introductory Guide for Educators, United States Botanical Gardens
School Gardening Resources. Helpful resources for school gardeners from Illinois Extension.
Utilizing the School Garden, Illinois Extension
2023 4-H Special Gardening/Agronomy Projects
4-H families have the opportunity to participate in the special garden and/or special agronomy projects this year.
The Special Garden Project is 'Mrs. Burns' lemon basil. This herb can be used multiple ways. Lemon basil has a unique lemon flavor can be added to any recipe or used as a cut flower in arrangements to add scent and interest.
The Special Agronomy Project is tepary beans. This legume can be enjoyed as a dry edible bean in cooking or as a forage or hay for livestock and is drought tolerant. In fact, too much water can reduce stands and yields.
Seed packets are no longer available for 2023. Watch for information coming soon on 2024's special project plants.
Images above from:
- 'Mrs' Burns' lemon basil, Johnny's Seed
- Tepary beans, Ramona Farms
Fair Resources
4-H members and volunteers should use these resources to help prepare plant exhibits for Lancaster County Super Fair and Nebraska State Fair Contests.
Lancaster County 4-H website with Fair Book, Resources, Forms and Fair Results/Photos
Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs, and Fruit or Exhibits at County Fairs and the Nebraska State Fair, Nebraska Extension free online publication (pdf)
Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits at County Fairs and the Nebraska State Fair, Nebraska Extension free online publication (pdf)
Showing Flowers and Vegetables at the Lancaster County Super Fair, Lancaster County 4-H handout (pdf)
NebGuide G1853 "Propagating House Plants, Listing of common houseplants found in Nebraska.
Lancaster County 4-H
Join 4-H!Lancaster County 4-H Horticulture Club
A club for those 4-H youth interested in growing flowers and vegetables. Club members have the opportunity to participate in club meetings, field trips, community service projects and creating exhibits for the county fair.
Lancaster County Plant Science Fair Contests
In-Person Horticulture, Tree, Grass & Weed ID Contests
Open to all 4-Her’s from all counties, ages 9-18. Enrollment in a horticulture project is not required to participate.
Date: Wednesday June 14, 2023 at 10 a.m. - Noon
Location: Nebraska Extenison in Lancaster County Conference Rooms, 444 Cherrycreek Rd. Suite A, Lincoln
Registration deadline: June 12, 2023 by calling (402) 441-7180.
Contest options include:
- Horticulture Contest
- Tree Identification
- Weed & Grass Identification
Online Tree and Grass & Weed ID Contests
Open to all youth and adults. Enrollment in 4-H is not required to participate. 2023 contests will be open from Friday, June 2 @ 9 am through Friday June 16 @ 9 am. Rules and links to participate
Online Horticulture Judging Contest
Nebraska 4-H offers a statewide online Horticulture Judging Contest which tests 4-H'ers knowledge in three areas: general knowledge questions, plant part and seed identification, as well as a judging portion. 2023 contest will be available from Friday, June 2 @ 8 am through Friday June 16 @ 8 am. Rules and link to participate
Plant Science Contest Resources
Tree ID Contest Study Resources:
- Tree Identification Manual (4-H 332), Nebraska Extension publication. $5.50 for pdf.
Weed and Grass ID Contest Study Resources:
- Weed & Grass Plant List for Identification Contest, Nebraska 4-H (pdf).
- Common Grasses of Nebraska (EC170), Nebraska Extension publication. Free web versions, $5 for print version.
- Weeds of the Great Plains. $35 for hardbound book. Nebraska Department of Agriculture
Horticulture Contest Study Resources:
- NJHA Horticulture Contest Identification Answer Sheet, National Example (pdf).
- Landscape Ornamentals, Lancaster County 4-H PowerPoint With Lots of Photos (.ppt - large file).
- Flowers and Indoor Plants, Lancaster County 4-H PowerPoint With Lots of Photos (.ppt - large file).
- Vegetables, Lancaster County 4-H PowerPoint With Lots of Photos (.ppt - large file).