I’m Charlie Nardozzi and this is the Vermont Garden Journal.
For me, the end of summer isn’t marked by shorter days or
cooler temperatures, but by the county fair.
"Fair" is actually an acronym, meaning farmer’s annual invitational
review.
The first agricultural fair was held in 1810 in Pittsfield
Massachusetts. The Berkshire Cattle Show was a place for
farmers to meet and compare breeds of cattle.
The hope was if we had better farmers, then we’d also have a better
nation. Home gardeners also could be
involved in the fair by showing off their best vegetables, flowers, fruits and
herbs.
You and your kids can win ribbons, cash and have some fun.
It’s easy to participate.
Contact the fair for more information on how to exhibit. I’ve been a judge at the Champlain Valley
Fair for years and can offer some insider tips.
When exhibiting, follow the directions as to number and type
of produce and plants being displayed. Make
sure each vegetable is the appropriate size.
Leave those zucchini boats at home.
Or enter them into the heavy weight vegetable competition.
Of course, select the best looking disease and insect free
flowers and vegetables.
Now for this week’s tip.
It’s time to snip the vines of your pumpkins and melons. Cut off the ends of the vines, young flowers
and the baby fruits so more energy goes into sizing up and maturing the fruits
already set. There’s just not enough
time for those baby fruits to mature before a frost.
Next week on the Vermont Garden Journal, I’ll be talking
about Dahlias, darling. But for now I’ll
be seeing you in the garden.
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