Learn to evaluate plants based on a variety of criteria such as color, height, width, blooming period, and needs (water, sunlight, and nutrients). Learn about proper care so they are growing to their fullest potential. Create a container garden that is also a piece of living art.

From clay pots to hanging baskets, from wooden barrels to wooden crates– anything that will hold growing media and allow proper drainage can be used for your container garden.

Gardening in containers is one of the most compact, versatile, and creative forms of garden design. Planning and planting a container garden is a lot like making a floral arrangement. You have to think about height, color, and care while selecting the proper plants for the container.

The big difference is that live plants are enjoyed for weeks, if not for the whole growing season, while cut flowers are only enjoyed for a couple of days.

What You Will Do

• Select a container for your project. It can be anything from a decorative planter, recycled container, or a rustic repurposed item (be creative). It must assemble into a single container and be transported by one person.
• When selecting plants, choose a combination that helps you make a statement and that grows well together.
• The cost for the complete container garden, including plants, must not exceed $75.
• Keep a journal.
• On Competitive Events Day, it will be judged on how it looks, not on photos.

Levels of Competition

Junior Level I: 9 to 11 years old on December 31 of the current calendar year (compete only at local and regional levels).

Intermediate: 12 to 13 years old on December 31 of the current calendar year (compete only at local and regional levels).

Senior Level I: 14 to 15 years old on December 31 of the current calendar year.

Senior Level II: 16 to 18 years old on December 31 of the current calendar year.

Refer to Alabama 4-H Competitive Events on the Alabama Extension website (www.aces.edu) to review the Competitive Events General Policy and the Age & Eligibility Chart.

Rules for the Art of Container Gardening Project

• Container can be anything as long as it meets the other rules.
• Container must be assembled into a single container and transportable by one person (adult or youth) with the help of a hand-truck if necessary.
• No artificial floral, plant, or foliage may be used in the container.
• All plants in the container must be growing in the container for at least six weeks.
• Homegrown plants and commercially grown plants are allowed.
• No artificial leaf polishes may be used.
• Total cost for the entire container garden may not exceed $75. Receipts must be kept for documentation. If an object is donated or is recycled, a fair value must be placed on it and included in the total expenses.
• Containers need to be viewable from all sides.
• A journal must be kept documenting the total process of the planning, planting, and growing of the container garden.
• The container must be the exhibitor’s own efforts.
• Senior Level 4-H members must submit a community service report. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

Score Sheet

View the score sheet for Art of Container Gardening in the corresponding PDF download below.

Doyle Keasal, Extension 4-H Program Specialist, Auburn University

Revised July 2024, Art of Container Gardening, 4HYD-2241-E