Editor’s note: Get Growing, written by the La Plata County Extension Office’s Master Gardener Program, appears during the growing season. It features timely tips and suggestions for your garden and landscape.
By Naomi Riess
How is your garden coming along this summer?
Every summer, we all have big plans. Often, these plans work out as envisioned, while other years, circumstances conspire to change everything. Don’t worry, if your zucchini and dahlias are not show-worthy, there are many other ways to display at the La Plata County Fair.
If you successfully produce a vegetable, herb, flower, fruit or grain by Aug. 10, consider showing off your success. For more information about contest categories, check the fair book.
Vegetables will be placed on a plate at check-in. We do have some vases available, but it is better to submit herbs and flowers in your own bottle or other water-holding container. Submissions should be in containers that enhance the display. There will be special recognition for heirloom varieties.
Didn’t get around to a garden this year? Enter a house plant, fairy garden or floral arrangement or submit an educational exhibit (great for 4-H clubs) or even a scarecrow to compete in the contests. Our 2016 theme for floral arrangements is “Handing Down Heirlooms,” and we welcome creativity. Arrangement material does not need to be grown by the exhibitor. Check the fair book for all the showing options.
And don’t miss the demonstrations: On Aug. 11 and 12 bring a brown-bag lunch at noon or dinner at 6 p.m. to the hourlong talks and on the grassy area west of the Extension Building. Topics include: “Creating Flower Seed Bombs,” “Vertical Gardening,” the “Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project” and “Weed Identification and Control.” In the Horticulture Room on Aug. 13, Erin Hansen, winner of the 2015 fair Fairy Garden Contest, will present a demonstration about creating fairy gardens.
The La Plata County Fair books can be found at the Colorado State University Extension Office, 2500 Main Ave. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2a7Yabi or the La Plata County Fair Horticulture page on Facebook.
See you at fair!
Naomi Riess has been a Colorado master gardener since 2011. She lives in La Plata County.
