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Naperville Community Gardeners30th Annual Flower & Garden Show! August 21, 2010 |
30th
Annual Flower & Garden Show
August 21, 2010
You bought your plants, you've watered and cared for them all summer long, so why not show the results at our 30th Annual Flower & Garden Show to be held on August 21, Saturday.
The Flower and Garden Show is being held at a new location this year, The Barn Recreation Center at 421 W Martin Ave. Naperville
Unlike many other shows, this one is not restricted to particular flowers or floral arrangements. Instead, it resembles a county fair, with exhibits of vegetables, flowers, fruits, herbs, hanging baskets, original garden art, and collections of plants.
Accredited judges evaluate the different presentations. Blue, red, and white ribbons are awarded for first, second, and third places in each category. Because there are over two hundred categories, there are many winners. There are also awards for best of class, best flower, best vegetable, and best of show.
A special section is set aside for all young gardeners (through high school seniors). Youth may enter tomatoes, sunflowers or anything else they grow. Then they can see how their efforts compare with those of other young gardeners.
Exhibits should be brought to the show at any time from 7 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. After the judging, the public is invited to view the exhibits from 1:30 to 3 p.m. There is no charge for either entering the show or visiting the exhibition area in the afternoon.
The club encourages everyone to enter. Last year several of the top prizes were awarded to non-members.
The show is a great chance to chat with fellow gardeners and compare notes on how the growing season has been for other folks in Naperville.
Certain rules apply for the presentation of exhibits; for example, small tomatoes under two inches in diameter should be exhibited in groups of six. Large tomatoes may be presented either individually or in sets of three.
The show booklet lists all categories and rules and is free. Check the 2010 show guide for rules and entry advice.
Bring along your plants, flowers, vegetables and arrangements on the morning of the show, members of the Club will be on hand to help with your entries.
Show Guide:
2010 Flower and Garden Show:
Naperville Community Gardeners
[Information, Show Guide, Rules, etc in PDF file]
Some helpful links to information about exhibiting vegtables and fruits:
- Harvesting and Preparing Vegetables for Exhibit, Iowa State University, University Extension
- Exhibiting and Judging Vegetables by H.C. Harrison from University of Wisconsin-Extension Services
- Exhibiting and Judging Garden Vegetables by D Schrock, Dept. of Horticulture, University of Missouri-Extension Services
- Exhibiting Vegetables and Fruits, by B. Gough, Montana State University Extension Services