ONLY 1 ENTRY PER CLASS NUMBER PER 4-H MEMBER.
🔎 RESOURCE: A compiled list of plant resources is online at https://lancaster.unl.edu/hort-fair, including “Showing Flowers and Vegetables at the Lancaster County Super Fair” 4-H handout.
- Premiums: Purple $3; Blue $2; Red $1; White $0
- Special Awards
- Top Annual Flower Exhibit
- Top Perennial Flower Exhibit
- Top Rose Exhibit
- Top Vegetable Exhibit
- Top Herb Exhibit
- Top Specimen Plant Exhibit
FLORICULTURE
Information and criteria for judging floriculture exhibits is available through the Extension office. EXHIBITS ENTERED UNDER AN INCORRECT CLASS NUMBER OR EXHIBITS THAT CONTAIN AN INCORRECT NUMBER OF STEMS WILL BE LOWERED A RIBBON PLACING.
Cut Flowers
Three stems of each variety are needed for each exhibit, unless otherwise stated. NOTE: DISPLAY CONTAINERS WILL NOT BE SUPPLIED AT THE SUPER FAIR. Place flowers in a clear glass container of appropriate size that will not tip over. No flimsy plastic water bottles. THE VALID CULTIVAR OR VARIETY NAME MUST BE INCLUDED ON ALL ENTRY TAGS.
🔎 RESOURCE: “Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits County Fairs and the Nebraska State Fair” (4H227) is online at https://go.unl.edu/preparing-flowers
ANNUALS
G770001 Aster
G770002 Bachelor Buttons
G770003 Bells of Ireland
G770004 Browallia
G770005 Calendula
G770006 Celosia (crested or plume)
G770007 Cosmos
G770008 Dahlia
G770009 Dianthus
G770010 Foxglove
G770011 Gladiolus (1 stem)
G770013 Hollyhock
G770014 Marigold
G770015 Pansy
G770016 Petunia
G770017 Salvia
G770018 Snapdragon
G770019 Statice
G770020 Sunflower
G770021 Vinca
G770022 Zinnia
G770023 Any other annual or biennial
PERENNIALS
G770030 Achillea/Yarrow
G770031 Chrysanthemum
G770032 Coneflower
G770033 Coreopsis
G770034 Daisy
G770035 Gaillardia
G770036 Helianthus
G770038 Liatris
G770039 Lilies (not daylilies)
G770040 Platycodon
G770042 Rudbeckia/Black-eyed Susan
G770043 Sedum
G770044 Statice
G770045 Any other perennial
ROSES
G770939 Rose — Miniature (1 stem)
G770940 Rose — Hybrid Tea (1 stem)
G770942 Rose — Grandiflora (1 stem)
G770944 Rose — Florbunda (1 stem)
G770946 Rose — Bush or Old Fashioned (1 stem)
G770046 Flower Garden Collection — 5 different cut flowers, 3 of each flower variety. Flowers are to be cut, not potted. Display in a box or other holder no more than 18 inches in any dimension. Each flower in the collection should be exhibited with the number specified for classes G770001–45. Do not duplicate entries in classes G770001–45 with any in the group collection.
Educational Exhibits
G770050 Flower Notebook — exhibit a notebook containing pictures of flowers grown in Nebraska. There must be at least 10 different species of annuals and/or biennials and 10 different species of perennials hardy to Nebraska. Bulbs may be included in a separate section. 4-H members may show more than 1 cultivar of the same species, but they will only count as 1 species. The notebook must be the result of the current year’s work. Pictures from garden catalogs, hand drawn pictures or photographs may be used. Each species/cultivar must be labeled with the correct common name and scientific name; the height and spread of the plant and the growing conditions (example: needs full sun and dry sandy soil) the species prefers. In addition to this information, bulbs should also be labeled as spring or summer flowering. Give proper credit by listing the sources of pictures and information used. The 4-H member’s name, age, county and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the notebook.
G770051 Flower Garden Promotion Poster — individual poster promoting flower gardening, size 14 inches x 22 inches either vertical or horizontal arrangement. Poster may be in any medium: watercolor, ink, crayon, etc. as long as it is not 3-dimensional. Posters using copyrighted material will not be accepted. Entry card must be stapled to the upper right hand corner. The 4-H member’s name, age, club name and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the poster.
G770052 Educational Flower Garden Poster — prepare a poster 14 inches x 22 inches x 2 inches (dimensional if needed) either in a vertical or horizontal arrangement illustrating a skill or project you have done or learned about in a 4-H flowers or houseplant project. You might show a special technique you use or equipment you have incorporated in your garden. Refer to 4-H Horticulture project books, but use your own creativity. Entry card must be stapled to the upper right hand corner. The 4-H member’s name, age, club name and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the poster.
G770053 Flower Gardening History Interview — neatly handwritten or typed account of a gardening history interview whose FLOWER garden has inspired you. Maximum of 4 pages of text and 2 pages of pictures (include 1 picture of the person you interviewed). of their flower garden if the individual is still gardening. Protect with a clear report cover. The 4-H member’s name, age, club name and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the report cover.
Houseplants
🔎 RESOURCE: NebGuide “Propagating House Plants” (G1853), which includes a listing of common house plants and how-to methods of propagating, is online at https://extensionpublications.unl.edu/assets/pdf/g1853.pdf
The choice of container will be considered in judging. Label with name for each plant on entry tag and side of the container). Houseplants should be grown in display container for a minimum of 6 weeks.
Size and weight of container plants is limited. Any container plant (flowering or foliage potted houseplants, dish gardens, fairy or miniature gardens, desert gardens or terrariums) shall be in containers no larger than 12 inches (use inside opening measurement) in any dimension of length or width. No combination of pots may be used. All potted plants are to be in a single pot container. Any container grown plant in Classes G770060-66 that does not follow these guidelines will be lowered a ribbon placing. Classes G770060–65 must have a saucer to catch drainage water. All container plants should weigh no more than 15 pounds.
G770060 Flowering Potted Houseplant(s) — blooming for exhibition (non-blooming plants are disqualified).
G770061 Foliage Potted Houseplant(s) — of all the same type (variety).
G770062 Hanging Basket of Flowering and/or Foliage Houseplants
G770063 Dish Gardens — an open container featuring a variety of houseplants, excluding cacti and succulents.
G770064 Fairy or Miniature Garden — a miniature “scene” contained in an open container and featuring miniature or small, slow growing houseplants. The garden needs to have an imaginative theme and miniature accessories, i.e. bench, fence made from tiny twigs, small shell for a bathtub, etc.
G770065 Desert Gardens — an open container featuring cacti and/or succulents, grown as houseplants.
G770066 Terrariums — transparent container, partially or completely enclosed; sealed or unsealed.
VEGETABLES, HERBS & FRUIT
Vegetables in classes G773201–52, herbs in classes G773260–68 and fruits in classes G773280–86 will be judged and exhibited according to “Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits for Exhibits.”
NOTE: PLATES WILL NOT BE PROVIDED. Put produce on sturdy white paper plates.
THE VALID CULTIVAR OR VARIETY NAME MUST BE INCLUDED ON ALL ENTRY TAGS. Proper identification is the responsibility of the 4-H member.
THERE CAN BE NO DUPLICATION OF VEGETABLE, HERB OR FRUIT CLASSES.
🔎 RESOURCE: “Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruit for Exhibits at County Fairs and the Nebraska State Fair” (4H226) is online at https://go.unl.edu/veg-fruit-fair
Vegetables
NO CANNED OR DRIED VEGETABLES (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DRY BEANS) WILL BE ACCEPTED. The 4-H member may enter a maximum of 10 different vegetable groups from the following list.
G773201 Lima beans (12 each)
G773202 Snap beans (12 each)
G773203 Wax beans (12 each)
G773204 Beets (5 each)
G773205 Broccoli (2 each)
G773206 Brussels sprouts (12 each)
G773207 Green cabbage (2 each)
G773208 Red cabbage (2 each)
G773209 Carrots (5 each)
G773210 Cauliflower (2 each)
G773211 Slicing cucumbers (2 each)
G773212 Pickling cucumbers (5 each)
G773213 Eggplant (2 each)
G773214 Kohlrabi (5 each)
G773215 Muskmelon/Cantaloupe (2 each)
G773216 Okra (5 each)
G773217 Yellow onions (5 each)
G773218 Red onions (5 each)
G773219 White onions (5 each)
G773220 Parsnips (5 each)
G773221 Bell peppers (5 each)
G773222 Sweet (Non-Bell) peppers (5 each)
G773223 Jalapeño peppers (5 each)
G773224 Hot (Non-Jalapeño) peppers (5 each)
G773225 White potatoes (5 each)
G773226 Red potatoes (5 each)
G773227 Russet potatoes (5 each)
G773228 Other potatoes (5 each)
G773229 Pumpkin (2 each)
G773230 Miniature pumpkins (Jack Be Little type) (5 each)
G773231 Radish (5 each)
G773232 Rhubarb (5 each)
G773233 Rutabaga (2 each)
G773234 Green summer squash (2 each)
G773235 Yellow summer squash (2 each)
G773236 White summer squash (2 each)
G773237 Acorn squash (2 each)
G773238 Butternut squash (2 each)
G773239 Buttercup squash (2 each)
G773240 Other Winter squash (2 each)
G773241 Sweet corn (in husks) (5 each)
G773242 Swiss chard (5 each)
G773243 Red tomatoes (5 each)
G773244 Roma or sauce-type tomatoes (5 each)
G773245 Salad tomatoes (under 2" diameter) (12 each)
G773246 Yellow tomatoes (2" or more diameter) (5 each)
G773247 Turnips (5 each)
G773248 Watermelon (2 each)
G773249 Dry edible beans (1 pint)
G773250 Gourds, mixed types (5 each)
G773251 Gourds, single variety (5 each)
G773252 Any Other Vegetable (do not duplicate entries in classes G773201-251) (2, 5 or 12 each)
G773255 4-H Vegetable Garden Collection — collection of 5 kinds of vegetables or 5 kinds of herbs. Display garden collection in a box of appropriate dimensions for judging, but not to exceed 24 inches in any dimension: do not use plastic grass, cotton, etc. in exhibit boxes. Each vegetable in the collection should be exhibited with the number specified for classes G773201–52 AND OF VEGETABLE CLASSES THE 4-H MEMBER IS NOT ALREADY EXHIBITING.
G773256 4-H Cultivar Vegetable Collection — vegetables or herbs entered in collection are 5 different cultivars from a single vegetable or herb exhibit — for EACH cultivar, enter the number of vegetables/herbs indicated in classes G773201–52 or G773260–68. For example, 5 different cultivars of potatoes, 5 potatoes of each cultivar, total 25 potatoes in the exhibit. Display in a box not more than 24 inches in any dimension. Do not use plastic grass, cotton, etc. in exhibit boxes. Each vegetable in the collection should be exhibited with the number specified for individual class (G773201–52).
Herbs
Herbs will be judged using the same general criteria used for vegetables. Those grown mainly for their seed, such as dill and caraway, should be exhibited on a plate. Those grown for their leaves such as basil, parsley, etc. should be exhibited in a clear glass container of water.
G773260 Basil (5 each)
G773261 Dill (dry) (5 each)
G773262 Garlic (bulbs) (5 each)
G773263 Mint (5 each)
G773264 Oregano (5 each)
G773265 Parsley (5 each)
G773266 Sage (5 each)
G773267 Thyme (5 each)
G773268 Any Other Herb (5 each)
G773269 4-H Herb Garden Collection — display of 5 different cut herbs. Herbs are to be cut, not potted. Displayed in a box or other holder not more than 18 inches in any dimension. Each herb in the collection should be exhibited with the number specified for classes G773260–68. Do not duplicate entries in classes G773260–68 with any in the group collection.
G773910 Herb Potted Plant (county only) — 1 plant per container. The choice of container will be considered in judging. The herb should be identified with the name and variety name. Plants should be grown in display container for a minimum of 6 weeks. Container grown plants will weigh no more than 10 pounds or they will be disqualified.
Fruits
Fruit will be judged using the same general criteria used for vegetables. Fruit will be judged for the stage of maturity normal for that season. Emphasis will be placed on how well fruit approaches market quality.
G773280 Strawberries (everbearers) (1 pint)
G773281 Grapes (2 bunches)
G773282 Apples (5 each)
G773283 Pears (5 each)
G773284 Wild Plums (1 pint)
G773285 Other Small Fruit or Berries (1 pint)
G773286 Other Fruit OR Nuts (5 each)
Educational Exhibits
G773290 Garden Promotion Poster — individual poster promoting vegetable and/or flower gardening size 14 inches x 22 inches. Poster may be in any medium: watercolor, ink, crayon, etc., so long as it is not 3-dimensional. Posters using copyrighted materialwill not be accepted. The 4-H member’s name, age, county and years in the project(s)must be on the back of the poster.
G773291 Educational Vegetable or Herb Garden Poster — prepare a poster 14 inches x 22 inches x 2 inches (3-dimensional if needed) either vertical or horizontal arrangement illustrating a skill or project the 4-H member has done or learned about in a 4-H vegetable gardening project. One might show a special technique used or equipment incorporated in the garden (e.g., drip irrigation system, composting or special techniques learned). Refer to 4-H Horticulture project books, but use your own creativity. Entry card must be paper clipped to the upper right hand corner. The 4-H member’s name, age, county and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the poster.
G773292 Vegetable and/or Herb Gardening History Interview — neatly handwritten or typed account of a gardening history interview with an older person whose garden has inspired you. Maximum of 4 pages of text and 2 pages of pictures; include 1 picture of the person you interviewed and 1 picture of their garden if they are still gardening. Protect the report with a clear document cover. The 4-H member’s name, age, county and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the report cover.
G773293 Vegetable Seed Display — each display must include seeds representing the following families: Cucurbit, Brassica (cabbage), Solanaceous (nightshade) and Legume (pea) families plus representatives from 5 other families. Group the seeds by family and type. Glue seeds or otherwise fasten clear containers of seeds to a board or poster mat board no larger than 22 inches x 24 inches. Label each group and each individual vegetable type with the common and scientific names. Use only 1 variety or cultivar of each vegetable, except for beans where several examples of beans may be shown. Attach a card to the back of the display explaining why and how it is important to know which vegetables are related and site references on where the scientific name information was found. On the back, label with the 4-H members name, age, county and years in the project(s). Information on vegetable family members can be obtained from your Extension office.
G773294 World of Vegetables Notebook — choose a favorite cuisine and learn what vegetables and/or herbs are common to it, like Mexican, African, Chinese, Italian, etc. Include a handwritten report about a minimum of 5 vegetables and/or herbs from each country chosen. Include the scientific and common names, pictures from garden catalogs, tell how they are grown and how the foods are used. Also list a source for buying the seed or plants. Favorite recipes using some or all of the vegetables described may be included. Protect the report in a clear document cover. The 4-H member’s name, age, county and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the report cover or notebook.
G773920 Garden Journal (county only) — for flower, vegetable or combination garden. Journal should be in a 3-ring binder. Weekly hand written journal entry about garden and garden chores, complete name and description of plants in garden, detailed map of garden, planting and harvest dates, water schedule, fertilizer schedule, pesticide schedule, cost of plants, seeds and supplies, at least 3 pictures of garden, other gardening information such as articles and UNL Extension NebGuides.