Garden Variety: Exploring Plant Science Bundle

Help kids build a foundation in plant science through hands-on lessons that connect plant growth, classification, and garden planning.

The Garden Variety: Exploring Plant Science Bundle introduces learners ages 9–13 to the world of plants and their vital role in agriculture and food systems. Designed around the Explore → Apply → Connect framework, this bundle helps kids understand how plants grow, how they’re organized scientifically, and how people cultivate and use them in gardens and farming.

Through guided lessons, colorful flashcards, and printable garden design activities, learners explore plant classification, apply taxonomy concepts, and connect science to real-world gardening and horticulture practices. Each activity encourages observation, reasoning, and hands-on discovery—perfect for home learning, 4-H projects, or agriculture classrooms.

What’s Included

1) Plant Science & Taxonomy Lesson Guide (Printable PDF – 56 pages) (instant digital PDF download)

Introduces the study of plant science and taxonomy through foundational concepts, life cycle definitions, and key classifications. Includes printable plant family cards, hierarchy chart, review worksheets, and answer keys.

WHAT THEY'LL LEARN...

• What the study of Plant Science is. - Activity: Reading and Plant Science Scramble (30 minutes)
• Common Plant Classifications and Terms - Plant Classification Challenge (45 minutes)
• Plant Life Cycle Definitions: Annual, Perennial and Biennial - Activity: Plant Growth Habits: Understanding Lifecycles Reading and Worksheet (50 minutes)
• Plant Taxonomy (Kingdom, Division, Class, Order, Family, Genus & Species) -Plant Characteristics & Growth Categorizations and Terms - Activity: All in the Family: Garden Variety (60-90 minutes); Activity: Garden Variety Crossword (20-30 minutes) 

2) Glorious Garden Planning Lesson (Printable PDF – 42 pages); (instant digital PDF download)

Kids will learn what horticulture plant science is and how to plan and grow a thriving garden! Whether they are a beginner or have some gardening experience, this unit will give them the skills they need to grow healthy plants and create a garden that’s fun and productive. By the end, you’ll have your very own Glorious Garden Plan ready to go!

WHAT THEY'LL LEARN...

• Horticulture and Gardening Defined - Activity: Reading (15-20 minutes)
• Horticulture Top 10 States in the U.S. - Activity: On the Map (30-40 minutes)  
• Plant Basic Needs - Activity: Reading and Discussion (20-30 minutes) 
• Garden Plant Research - Activity: Plant Research Chart (30-40 minutes)
• Planting Zones and Plant-Specific Growing Needs - Activity: Planting Zones and Dates (30-40 minutes)
  
• Square Foot Gardening Techniques and Planning - Activity: Glorious Garden Raised Bed Plan (60-90 minutes)  
  

3) Garden Variety Vegetable & Herb Flashcards (Physical Set – 40 full-color cards) (shipped to you)

• Durable, UV-coated flashcards featuring 37 common vegetables and herbs with plant images, classifications, origins, growing information, edible parts, and companion planting details.

Why Families & Educators Love It

• Combines science, gardening, and observation into one complete learning experience.

• Builds agricultural literacy through real-world, hands-on connections.

• Designed for home learning, ag classrooms, or 4-H plant science projects.

• Follows the Explore → Apply → Connect framework to deepen understanding.

This product is copyrighted and not to be shared, duplicated, or resold. The purchaser of this product has permission to print copies of these materials for immediate family, classroom or group use (ONE COPY). This resource can not be shared with other teachers, group leaders or families. Each is required to purchase this resource, just like if this resource were a physical product.