AY Honors/Gardening/Answer Key 2
1. Prepare soil, fertilize, and plant a vegetable plot of not less than 100 square feet (30.5 square meters). Grow at least six different vegetables, three from seeds and three from seedlings, through harvesting.
First, you should note that there is an error in the metric conversion in this requirement. Although 100 linear feet equals 30.5 linear meters, 100 square feet does not equal 30.5 square meters. Consider a 10-foot by 10-foot plot of ground. Ten times ten is 100, and thus our plot of ground is 100 square feet. The same plot of ground would be about 3.05 meters by 3.05 meters (because 10 feet is about 3.05 meters). To get the number of square meters, we multiply 3.05 by 3.05, which is about 9.3 square meters.
2. List ways to control insects and/or disease in your garden. Know when and how to apply insecticides and fungicides.
3. What is mulch? How and why is it used in the garden?
Mulch is decomposed plant materials that are used as a planting bed, source of nutrients, and protective top layer that can maintain soil moisture levels and keep heat in.
4. What is hardiness? Which vegetables are considered hardy in your area?
Hardiness determines the extent to which a plant or tree can tolerate cold or heat. Normally this is measured in cold such as "plant hardiness to 27 degrees." This means that below 27 degrees the plant will begin to be effected by the cold, starting with freezing of leaves and or fruit.
In North America hardiness is classed by hardiness zone (see below). Seed packets usually have a color-coded map on the back showing these zones - and accordingly, an indication of when the seeds should be planted.
