Gardening and Horticulture Honor

Agricultural Activities

Requirements

1. Prepare the soil, fertilize, and plant on a plot of land of at least 30 square meters. Grow at least six different plants: three from seeds and three from seedlings.

   Answer: On 30m²+, prepare the soil (till/fertilize), plant 3 species from seeds (lettuce/carrot/cilantro) and 3 seedlings (tomato/bell pepper/basil). Grow them until harvest. — Seeds germinate in 5-15 days depending on the species. Seedlings have an 80% take rate when well watered. A 30m² plot yields vegetables for a family of 4. Spacing: lettuce 30cm, tomato 80cm. Organic fertilization (compost/manure) precedes planting. Water 2x/day in summer. Embrapa publishes a free regional planting calendar for all regions.

2. List ways to control insects and other pests in your vegetable garden or garden. Know when to use insecticides and fungicides and the safety rules that must be followed in handling them.

   Answer: Controls: hand-picking, tobacco/neem spray, natural predators (ladybugs). Insecticide only as a last resort. Use PPE, observe the withholding period, read the label. — Integrated Pest Management (IPM) prioritizes the natural method. Ladybugs eat aphids (200/day); the praying mantis eats grasshoppers. Tobacco spray (cigarette+water+soap) repels pests. Chemical insecticide only in an uncontrolled outbreak — use PPE (gloves/mask/goggles), observe the withholding period (days between application and harvest), store it in a safe, closed location.

3. Why and in what situations is straw or soil used to cover certain types of vegetation?

   Answer: Mulching with straw/soil: protects from sun/erosion, retains moisture, controls weeds, regulates soil temperature. It is used in summer, in dry areas, and for sensitive plants. — Straw mulching (3-5cm) reduces evaporation by 70%. Soil covering seeds ensures germination (dark/moist). In tropical climates, straw protects roots from extreme heat. Sensitive plants (young seedlings, lettuce) need more. Apply it when the soil is moist. Replace it every 6 months (straw decomposes). Good for urban and rural gardens.

4. What is a hardy plant? Which plants are considered hardy in your region?

   Answer: It tolerates adversity (drought/cold/pests) with little care. BR: rosemary, basil, aloe vera, cactus, snake plant. — Hardy plants are ideal for beginners and zones with a difficult climate. Rosemary withstands extreme drought. Aloe vera grows without frequent watering. Cactus lives in the desert with scarce rain. Dumb cane (comigo-ninguém-pode) purifies the air and lasts for years. The sertão has many adapted plants (umbu, mandacaru). The South has more cold-tolerant ones. Embrapa publishes a list by biome.

5. Complete one of the following alternatives:
   • Test the germination of 100 seeds of the same type
   • Make and use a nursery or greenhouse
   • Grow three vegetables of your choice to be sold
   • Make and use a basket or bin to store the vegetables.

   Answer: Choose 1: 100 germinated seeds (moist paper), a homemade greenhouse (PVC+plastic), 3 vegetables for sale (lettuce/collard greens/arugula), or a storage basket. — A germination test reveals the quality of the batch — good = 80%+ germinate. A homemade greenhouse (R$50-200) accelerates germination 3x. Vegetables for sale require 30-60 days of cultivation until harvest. A traditional storage bin keeps onions/potatoes/squash ventilated. Each option develops a specific skill in the Pathfinder's real hands-on gardening.