“Blue-Ribbon Produce – How to Select Produce and Flowers for the Fair”

Jenae Ryan, Horticulture Agent

With county fair season in full swing, many folks are headed out to their gardens and flower beds to select the best specimens to exhibit at the fair. Not sure how to decide which flower or which potatoes to bring to town? Here are some hints for selecting produce and flowers to exhibit at a county fair:

1.      Read your fair book! It will have guidelines and rules for how many specimens you need for each class and other requirements for the contest.

2.      Think about what you look for when you buy produce at the store. Fruits and veggies that are at the peak ripeness are preferred! If you are picking them a day or two before the fair, select produce that is slightly under-ripe so it will be ready when you arrive at the fair.

3.      Flowers should be at peak bloom as well.

a.       Round flowers, such as roses, zinnias, daisies, marigolds, etc., should be picked the flower is fully developed and the outer petals should be folded out (but not wilting). If the outer petals are droopy or wilting, the flower is overmature.

b.      Spike flowers, such as gladiolus and snapdragon, should be cut when the florets on the bottom half of the stalk are open and fresh.

4.      Produce and flowers should be free from blemishes. Avoid specimens that have insect damage, mechanical injury, weather damage, or other blemishes that could reduce eye appeal.

5.      Be sure to pick produce that are the same size and shape. For example, if you need 10 green beans per exhibit, they should all be the same length, width, color, and shape. Sometimes you will have to look through several plants to find enough specimens that match each other.

6.      Produce and flowers should be clean when displayed. Gently wipe off any dirt or other debris before placing on the display plate. If you are bringing flowers in your own vase, be sure that the container has been washed out and free from fingerprints and smudges.

Hopefully you have fun spending the time in your garden choosing your specimens to exhibit and your hard work is paid off with a blue ribbon! If not, take a look at the winning exhibits and learn from them. Take notes on what you can look for in next year’s crop. The county fair should be a fun, educational experience, even if it is a contest! J

For more information on choosing flowers for display, check out publication 4H-826 “Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibit”: http://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/4H826.pdf.

For more information on choosing fruits and vegetables, see the handout C-405 “Exhibiting Fruits and Vegetables”: http://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/C405.pdf.

Both of these publications are available to pick up at your local Post Rock Extension District Office!