EFFECTIVENESS OF TWO GARDEN SYSTEMS IN A SCHOOL GARDENING PROJECT

Abstract

Vegetable growing is essential in people’s health as well as in the economic aspect of their lives. This study sought to find out the level of plant health and growth grown in hydroponic and container gardens. A purposive sampling of the plant selection was used in the study following the criteria on plant health and growth as indicated on plant height (cm); number of leaves; width of leaves (cm); length of leaves (cm); and color of the leaves. The researcher recorded the data every week with a structured observation tool. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings reveal that plants in the hydroponic garden had a significant difference in terms of plant height, length of leaves, width of leaves and number of leaves compared to the plants in the pot garden which means that the hydroponic garden is more effective in growing plants than in the pot garden. On the other hand, results show that there is no significant difference on hydroponic and pot garden in terms of color of the leaves implying that both plants had similar color. The finding points to the need of utilization of the hydroponic garden in the schools and eventually to the homes of the residents in the community.