Gardening Merit Badge Requirement 6

6. Do ONE of the following:

1. Build a compost bin and maintain it for 90 days.
2. Build a vermipost bin (worm compost bin) and maintain it for 90 days.
3. Build a hydroponic garden containing three vegetables or herbs, or three ornamental plants. Maintain this garden through harvest or flowering, or for 90 days.
4. Build one water garden, either in a container (at least 12 by 6 inches and 6 inches deep), or in the ground as a small, decorative pond no larger than 6 by 3 feet and 24 inches deep. Maintain the water garden for 90 days.

We are going to focus on requirement 6c.

Items needed:

• Small plastic container with a lid
• Aquarium Pump, Air Tube, Air Stone
• Liquid Plant Food
• Water
• Plants (we used strawberries)
• Small Plastic Cups (2 inch)
• Pocket Knife
• Power Drill
• Hole Saw Atachment (1 3/4 inch)
• Marker

Start by marking on the lid of the container where your plants will go.  With the container we used, we were able to place 5 strawberry plants within the lid.  Using the power drill with the hole saw attached, drill the holes where the plants will be placed.  Also drill a small hole in one of the corners for the air supply tube to go in.  Next you will need to prep your cups.  With your pocket knife, start making slits and medium size holes all through the cup to allow water to freely flow through. Now time for plants.  Take your plants out of the container that they came in and rinse off all the soil from off of the roots.  When the roots are clean, place the plants within the cups.  Place some straw or small gravel in the cup to support the plant if it is moving too freely. 

Time for the life support system.  Feed your air tube through the small hole you created on the lid.  Connect the tube to the air stone and the aquarium pump, this will circulate the water and plant food mixture.  Add water to your container and mix in the liquid plant food as directed on the label.  Place your cupped plants into the 1 3/4 inch holes you created on the lid.  Place the lid on top of the container and remove/add any extra water.  The water level must reach the roots of the plants in order to sustain life. Maintain the system for 90 days or until you have a harvest.