Aha Trivia Stuff Everyone Should Know

Study guides · Stuff Every Gardening Scout Should Know

Stuff Every Gardening Scout Should Know: the Study Guide

Practice facts for the Gardening merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.

Knowing Gardening Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.

â–¶ Play the game About this deck

Chapter 1: Solar Systems

What is a raised bed often praised for?

Short answer: Improved drainage and simpler soil management

Raised beds are highlighted for improved drainage and simplified soil management.

Groan of the day: Raise the bed, raise the bar.

Sources: Gardening

What is grafting used to combine?

Short answer: A fruiting cultivar with a selected rootstock

Grafting joins a fruit-producing cultivar to a rootstock of the same species.

Groan of the day: Graft together a great team.

Sources: Gardening

What is hardening off seedlings?

Short answer: Slow exposure to sun, wind, and cold

Hardening off means slowly exposing seedlings to sun, wind, and cold before planting out.

Groan of the day: Toughen up gently.

Sources: Gardening

What is biological pest control?

Short answer: Using organisms to control pests

Using organisms like birds or beneficial insects to control pests is biological pest control.

Groan of the day: Let nature lend a hand.

Sources: Gardening

What is organic gardening based on?

Short answer: Natural, sustainable methods and fertilizers

Organic gardening uses natural, sustainable methods, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Groan of the day: Go natural, grow organic.

Sources: Gardening

What does no-dig gardening avoid?

Short answer: Tillage as much as possible

No-dig gardening avoids tillage to protect soil biology and reduce erosion.

Groan of the day: Don't dig yourself into a hole.

Sources: Gardening

What is container gardening?

Short answer: Growing plants in pots, baskets, or planters

Container gardening grows plants in containers like pots, hanging baskets, and planters.

Groan of the day: Think outside the pot, or inside it.

Sources: Gardening

What is direct sowing?

Short answer: Planting seeds straight into garden soil

Direct sowing means planting seeds straight into the garden soil rather than starting them indoors.

Groan of the day: Direct sowing cuts out the middleman.

Sources: Gardening

The cheat sheet

The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.

  • Knowing the hazards ahead of time helps you anticipate, prevent, and respond to them safely.
  • Cuts and scratches are common gardening health concerns that need cleaning and treatment.
  • Insect bites are a listed health concern, so prevention and treatment matter.
  • Heat reactions are a real gardening hazard and should be treated by cooling and seeking help.
  • Pesticide and fertilizer reactions are health concerns requiring prevention and treatment.
  • The requirement is to grow six vegetables, three from seeds and three from seedlings.
  • Three vegetables come from seeds and three from seedlings.
  • You grow six flowers, three from seeds and three from seedlings, through flowering.
  • Potatoes are listed as a root or tuber crop for nutritional study.
  • Tomatoes are listed among vegetables that bear above the ground.
  • Oranges are listed among fruits for nutritional study.
  • Testing 100 seeds lets you determine the germination percentage and explain failures.

Pop quiz

Think of your answer first, then peek.

  1. What should you do first to stay safe before starting garden work?
    • Learn the likely hazards and how to prevent them
    • Wait for a hot sunny day
    • Use the sharpest tools you own
    Show the answer

    Learn the likely hazards and how to prevent them. Knowing the hazards ahead of time helps you anticipate, prevent, and respond to them safely.

  2. Which is a fruit used to study nutritional value?
    • Lettuce
    • Orange
    • Potato
    Show the answer

    Orange. Oranges are listed among fruits for nutritional study.

  3. What is the smallest container allowed for a water garden option?
    • 6 by 6 inches and 2 inches deep
    • 24 by 12 inches and 12 inches deep
    • 12 by 6 inches and 6 inches deep
    Show the answer

    12 by 6 inches and 6 inches deep. A container water garden must be at least 12 by 6 inches and 6 inches deep.

  4. Why is mulch useful in a garden?
    • It helps conserve moisture
    • It attracts pests
    • It blocks all sunlight
    Show the answer

    It helps conserve moisture. Mulch is widely recommended to conserve moisture in the soil.

  5. What does no-dig gardening avoid?
    • Watering the soil
    • Tillage as much as possible
    • Planting any seeds
    Show the answer

    Tillage as much as possible. No-dig gardening avoids tillage to protect soil biology and reduce erosion.

Now make it stick

Read a chapter, then play the deck and see how much stuck.

This guide covers the 50 free cards. The other 23 are in the game for members.

â–¶ Play Stuff Every Gardening Scout Should Know Find another deck Founding Members: spots are open

Teacher or trainer? It's free for teachers, and you can embed this deck on your own site.