County fairs are here, and they offer great opportunities to share. Consider entering your flower and garden bounty in the open horticulture and floriculture classes at your county fair. Freshness and quality are keys to a successful fair exhibit. Take the time to carefully harvest your produce, choosing items that are in prime condition, of marketable size, and uniform shape. Use a soft brush or damp cloth to clean your produce, but avoid excessive scrubbing. If your roses are giving you beautiful blooms in this hot weather? Then, it’s time to cut, enjoy, and share. When cutting roses, choose blooms that are partly opened. Using bypass pruners, cut the stem at an angle at a point where a five-leaflet leaf appears. Allow at least two five-leaflet leaves to remain below the cut. Place in water immediately. Remove thorns and foliage that will be below the water level in your vase.
Follow the cleaning instructions for each exhibit. Produce should be correctly trimmed per the pointers in the manual. Your entries are judged on the following criteria: freedom from injury, quality, condition, uniformity, and fair preparation. This information can be found in 4-H manuals and in your county fair book. Contact your local Nebraska Extension office for these publications.
Several county fairs have been held in hot weather. Staying hydrated is important for youth, livestock, and fair goers. Outside of the fair, your trees are also thirsty. During this extreme drought, it is very important to give supplemental water to your trees. Give your trees additional water by setting the hose to a trickle near the drip line. Move the hose around the entire tree as much as possible to adequately water the root system. Remember – concentrate on the drip line, not the trunk.
Many garden plants are facing challenges in the heat and dry conditions. With the extreme heat, some plants simply shut down and cannot take in water. Remember, tomatoes need about 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Of course, this varies by soil type, rainfall, and temperatures. Heavy weekly soakings encourage deep root development and are better than frequent light soakings. Avoid overhead watering. More tips on growing tomatoes can be found in NebGuide G1650.
By Elaine Pile, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener Volunteer
