Horticulture News

DATE: June 16, 2008

HARDIN COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
201 Peterson Drive
Elizabethtown, Kentucky 42701-9370

BY: Amy Aldenderfer
County Extension Agent for Horticulture

For the Best Fair Entries...

I would like to personally invite all the gardeners and growers (amateurs only please!) to enter the best flowers, fruits and vegetables you can grow in the Hardin County Fair July 7-12, 2008. 

Here are some tips for entering fruits and vegetables in the fair.  If you have never done this before, a few simple steps will take the fear out of entering. 
First of all, get and READ the fair catalog.  The fair book provides a wealth of information and requirements for your entries.  The requirements must be followed!  All the rules are in the book and can be obtained from the Extension Office. 

As the categories of fruits and vegetables are called before the judge, there are a few things that will automatically eliminate your entry.  The first will be dirty fruits and vegetables.  Be sure to wash all traces of soil from your entries.  Remove any  brown, yellow, or insect chewed leaves.  No blemishes either, please. 
Be sure to follow the directions!  For  example, if the book asks for six radishes with tops on a paper plate, be sure to have six on a plate, five won’t cut it. 
Have all fruits or vegetables in your entry the same size.  The largest vegetables do not always win.  Uniformity, color, size, and blemish free produce are all points to be taken into consideration by the judge.  Often the difference between the blue and red ribbons is very minute!

If, after all this, your entry does not win a ribbon this year, you can be sure your entry is very much appreciated.  It will be enjoyed by many people.  The success of the fair depends on everyone who takes the time to enter their produce, baked goods, crafts, animals, etc.  Your entry brings much pleasure to many people and we thank you for it. 


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