If you live most places in the United States, especially in a rural county, then you know there are actually five seasons: winter, spring, summer, fair, and fall. Now you may not have realized that fair has its own season unless you have been an active participant, but believe you me, the county fair is a real season, and in the La Plata Extension Office Fair season has begun.
It’s a no-brainer if you are a 4-H family or FFA, or love canning, bake amazing cakes, take world-class photographs, quilt, paint, brew, etc. But my main bias leans toward things that photosynthesize. For me, fair season is ripe with giant blooming flowers, adorable fairy gardens and the most amazing looking vegetables you have ever seen or smelled. I come by my bias honestly as the vegetable judge, CSU Extension horticulture and agriculture production specialist, farmer and all-around plant nerd.
So, for those of you who were unaware that the county fair has its own season, it’s time to listen up and get ready. The fair books are printed and filled with helpful information about how to get your bread, goat, beer or bunny ready to enter for that coveted blue ribbon, but for my people, you know who you are … I see you checking on those squash flowers, deadheading your roses, cutting off the cute curled garlic scapes, trying to decide if you should plant another firecracker red penstemon in that open space or hold off and wait for those fall bulbs to arrive in a couple months. For all of you I say come get your fair book and get ready to bring us your best green beans, eggplant, onions, cucumbers, dahlias, gladiolus, roses or lilies. The list is long, and the judges are waiting.
For the unenlightened or new gardener, fear not. On July 23, there will be the perfect presentation for you at the Great Garden Series (sponsored by the Durango Library, Durango Botanic Garden and CSU Extension) on how to “Prepare for Fair”. I love a good rhyme. At this presentation, expert horticulturist Lisa Bouray, Master Gardener Carol Wallace and I will share tips and tricks and helpful hints on how to prepare those penultimate penstemon, transcendent tomatoes or fabulous fairy gardens so you can be in the running for a fancy blue ribbon or better yet, to win Best in Class, Best in Show or Grand Champion. I mean, someone has to win all those ribbons, earn those bragging rights and shine bright in the spotlight, why not you?
Once you have seen the diverse offerings in the agriculture and floriculture room during the County Fair, you have seen a thing of beauty. It is held in the upstairs classroom (the La Plata Room) where we keep the air conditioner cool and the vegetables, flowers (and humans) happy. I have heard from several folks that they did not even realize we had a vegetable/flower room during fair, and I understand why; it’s easy to find the “bunny barn” or check out the adorable goats or baby cows (I know they’re calves, but I like baby cows), because there is a gigantic covered arena and building specific for fuzzy bunnies and clucking chickens, but we humble gardeners are quietly waiting for everyone upstairs in the Exhibit Hall where one of our amazing Master Gardeners are happy to answer any question you have about the entries.
Speaking of Master Gardeners (because I use any opportunity to do just that), if you are at all interested in joining our fantastic volunteers, registration opens on Aug. 1 and we would love to have you join us. It’s an amazing group of humans who love to geek out about plants, planting techniques, dealing with insects and wacky weather, etc. So feel free to reach out to me at the Extension office and I can share all of the great information with you about becoming a La Plata County Master Gardener, it’s a fantastic program.
Happy July and I can’t wait to see you all at the fair.
Heather Houk is the Horticulture and Agriculture specialist for the La Plata County Extension Office.
