The Sower's Field • Summer Skills • Workbook

Unit 1: Active Management

"Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it..." — John 15:2

"Lord, grant me the courage to prune and the wisdom to discern. May I help Your creation reach its highest purpose."

Lesson 1.1: The Anatomy of a Sucker

1. Identify the Sucker: Look at the diagram of the tomato plant below. Draw an "X" on the branch that should be removed. Circle the main stem.
Soil
2. Pruning Vocabulary: Draw a line to the correct definition.
Pruning
Removing lower leaves for airflow.
Suckering
Cutting a plant to help it focus.
Lifting the Skirt
Snapping off small vining branches.
Creation-CRP: The Repair Bench

The Broken Logic: "If I cut this branch, the plant will bleed and get sick!"

The Fix: Use a clean tool! If you wipe your shears with alcohol, you kill the "Invisible Enemies" (germs). Why is cleanliness important when we are helping a plant heal? __________________________________

Lesson 1.2: The Security Team

3. Friend or Foe? Circle the "Garden Friends" and put a box around the "Garden Thieves."
🐞
🐛
🐝
🦗

(Ladybug, Hornworm, Honeybee, Grasshopper)

4. The Airflow Check: Go to a zucchini or squash plant. Are any leaves turning yellow or touching the ground?

I found ________ leaves that need to be "lifted."
Does the center of the plant feel "hot" or "breezy"? _______________

Signet Challenge: The Prudent Manager

Task: Manage one tomato plant for a full week. Every 2 days, check for suckers and remove them. Count how many you found total.

Total Suckers Removed: _______

Verified by Mentor: [ ] Approved