4-H is offering a summer gardening program for youth ages 9-18 to learn how to grow their own vegetable garden! Starting in May, youth will plant seeds and seedlings provided by 4-H. Participants will care for their vegetable gardens throughout the summer and maintain a garden journal of their progress. 4-H volunteers will visit participants' gardens twice throughout the program to assign awards for different categories including most aesthetic garden, best cared for garden, etc. Participants will be presented with awards at a celebration banquet in August!

A tentative timeline for the program is listed below:

• May 24th  - Orientation. Participants will learn how to successfully grow their vegetables. Seeds and supplies will also be given out.
• End of May  - Participants will plant their seeds.
• Beginning of June  - Participants will plant their seedlings (provided by 4-H).
• July  - 4-H Volunteers and program leaders will visit gardens to evaluate progress.
• August  - 4-H Volunteers and program leaders will visit gardens to evaluate progress and assign awards. Participants will attend a celebration/awards banquet at the end of the program.

There is a $20 registration fee that can be paid via cash or check. Checks can be made payable to NCCE. 4-H will provide participants with various seeds, seedling plants, a garden journal, and a garden essentials kit. Participants must have a 10x12 foot garden and must attend orientation on May 24th from 6-7 pm at the Henderson County Extension Center.

**Registration is required and will close on May 13th. Click here to register!

*If you do not have access to a 10x12 ft garden but would like to participate, please email courtney_clemons@ncsu.edu