Horticulture, Dept. 18

Horticulture

Enter Online

2019 Entry Instructions

ONLINE ENTRY IS REQUIRED. To be an Exhibitor, you must click on the Online Entry link and follow the instructions. Entry deadlines are listed on the Entry Deadlines and Delivery Schedule page. (If online entry is absolutely not available to you, please contact your Department Superintendent.)

General Guidelines

Container Gardens

Container gardens are meant to complement the area in which they are placed. Their composition should highlight the plants and provide a pleasant experience for the viewer.

  • Plants should be grown in the container they are shown in.
  • Plants should be clean, and contain no dead foliage or stems.
  • Plants should have no insects or insect damage or disease.
  • Plants should be labeled or tagged with either the botanical or common name.
  • No endangered or invasive species allowed.
  • A variety of plants is expected in all classes.
  • Exhibitors may submit 1 entry per class. Exhibitors may enter all classes.

Christmas Wreaths

  • Each exhibitor may enter 1 wreath in each class.
  • Exhibitors may enter all classes.
  • Exhibitor name and address must be securely attached but will not be visible during judging.
  • Freshcut greens are to be used as the foliage in all classes.
  • No endangered or invasive species allowed.
  • All entries must be ready for hanging.

Carved Pumpkin Contest

  • Carved pumpkins must be minimum of 14 “ high (the bigger, the better).
  • Once entered, pumpkins become the property of the Fair. Pumpkins will be used as part of Fair decorations.
  • If possible, please cut pumpkin from bottom, for ease in lighting pumpkin.
  • There is no limit on the number of carved pumpkins an exhibitor may enter in this contest.

Awards

Container Gardens and Christmas Wreaths

  • Ribbons for all Classes including Professional:
  • Best in Show: Rosette & $25
  • A Rosette will be issued for 2nd – 10th Best in Show for Container Gardens
  • A Rosette will be issued for 2nd – 5th Best in Show for Christmas Wreaths
  • 1st: $10 | 2nd: $8 | 3rd: $6 | 4th: Honorable Mention (Ribbon Only)

Carved Pumpkin Contest

  • Best in Show: Rosette, trophy & $50
  • Best in Show will be displayed in Giant Pumpkin pavilion
  • 1st: $10 | 2nd: $8 | 3rd: $6 | 4th: $4

Judging

Standards for Judging Container Gardens

  1. Plant quality, health and condition of plants: 0 – 25 points
  2. Proportion of plants to the container: 0 – 25 points
  3. Plant design and color combinations: 0 – 25 points
  4. Use of imagination with design: 0 – 25 points

Standards for Judging Wreaths Class 1, 2 and 4

  1. Freshness of foliage: 0 – 20 points
  2. Color of foliage: 0 – 20 points
  3. Workmanship: 0 – 20 points
  4. Overall appearance: 0 – 20 points
  5. Originality: 0 – 10 points
  6. Arrangements of decoration: 0 – 10 points

Standards for Judging Wreaths Class 3

  1. Freshness of foliage: 0 – 25 points
  2. Color of foliage: 0 – 25 points
  3. Workmanship: 0 – 25 points
  4. Overall appearance: 0 – 25 points

Standards for Judging Carved Pumpkin Contest

  1. Creativity 33%
  2. Freshness 33%
  3. Quality of work 33%

TABLE OF CATEGORIES

Class Code & Name $ Prize Amount
Container Gardens 1st 2nd 3rd    
01

Small Containers, any shape, up to 12" width or diameter

 10 8 6    
02 Large Containers, any shape, up to 20" width or diameter 10 8 6    
03 Small Window Box, up to 12" 10 8 6    
04 Large Window Box, up to 20" 10 8 6    
06 Herb Garden, up to 20," any size, containing medicinal, edible or decorative herbs 10 8 6    
07 Novelty Planter, up to 20", using plants, props, figurines,
whatever—to express the theme “Geraniums, the plant that has lasted 100 years"		 10 8 6    
08 Succulent Wreath or Container, up to 24" wide 10 8 6    
09 Fairy Garden, not to exceed 20." Youth must enter under Youth Dept. 10 8 6    
Christmas Wreaths 1st 2nd 3rd    
01 Decorated, traditional round 12" ring, may have bow and natural decoration 10 8 6    
02 Decorated, traditional round 12" ring, may have bow and artificial decoration 10 8 6    
03 Undecorated, traditional round 12" ring, greens only, no berries, no cones or no other attached growth 10 8 6    
04 Freeform, any shape, any size, any decoration 10 8 6    
Carved Pumpkin Contest 1st 2nd 3rd 4rd 5th
01 Carved Pumpkin Contest 10 8 6 4 2

Contacts

  • Dianna Dixey
    Superintendent
    860-346-4705
  • Mary Ellen O’Brien
    Asst. Superintendent
    860-346-3162
  • Nate Chapin
    Asst. Supt., Computer Services
    860-338-1651
    [email protected]

Committee

  • Brad Benoit
  • Matt Benoit
  • Tanya Benoit
  • Mary Ellen Chapin
  • Ivana Vior
  • Lina Vior