By Laurie Zitterkopf
Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
July 17 – Herbs grown for their leaves, such as Princess of India Nasturtium, 2024 Special Garden Project, should be exhibited with their stems, five stems for 4-H, and three stems for open class in a container of water. Leaves should be fresh and tender, free from blemishes, bruises, and insect and disease damage. Many herbs are best when harvested before they flower. After the herbs have grown, the essential oils change, and the flavor or scent may not be as desirable.
July 18 – Floriculture displays. Petunias, geraniums, and Princess of India Nasturtium, 2024 Special Garden Project, (4-H State Fair Qualifier) are harvested and exhibited in the same manner. Select blooms at the same stage of development, size, and same number of blooms per stem. Faults – seed pods, soil on leaves or flowers, flowers wilted, brown, insect or disease damage. In preparation, remove soil and remove foliage below the water line. (five stems for 4-H, and three stems for open class)
July 19 – Princess of India Nasturtium, 2024 Special Garden Project, can be both an herb and a cut flower. Flowering stems should have a similar number of open blooms and closed buds. Bring five stems following the guidelines in the publication “Selection and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit” 4H226 or “Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits at County Fair and Nebraska State Fair.” These publications are used for 4-H and Open Class. Check the Scotts Bluff County Fair Book for Open Class numbers.
July 20 – Edible flowers: squash blooms, Princess of India Nasturtium, 2024 Special Garden Project, and others display three flowers on stems in water for open class and 4-H – five stems. Historically, nasturtiums are considered a vegetable, shall we add some color to our vegetables by adding the flowers. Seeds display as peas (Edible pod) six pods open class, and 12 pods for 4-H. Using the leaves for a salad, display as a lettuce leaf, one plant Open, 4-H two plants.
July 21 – When selecting and preparing your exhibit for county fair use the guidelines in the publication “Selection and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit” 4H226 or “Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits at County Fair and Nebraska State Fair.” Remember, many of our crops may not be mature yet, but bring them! True to type – all exhibits should be as true to the variety, cultivar or type. So bring the corn, squash, and other late-season crops.