Horticulture

General Information:

• The purpose of Horticulture is to encourage participants to start and maintain vegetable and herb gardens. In addition, 4-H members can participate in planting, growing, and caring for flowers and houseplants. 4-H members may also participate in the special gardening project, which changes annually.
• Scoresheets, forms, contest study materials, and additional resources can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hhorticulture.
• Classes 1-23: Cut Flower Annuals and Biennials – Five stems of a single variety (cultivar) unless otherwise noted in parenthesis.
• Classes 30-46: Cut Flower Perennials –Five stems of a single variety (cultivar) unless otherwise noted in parenthesis.
• The cultivar or variety name must be included on all entry cards. Failure to identify the cultivar or variety will drop the entry one ribbon placing. Proper identification is the responsibility of the exhibitor not the Extension staff or office personnel.
• Exhibits entered under an incorrect class number or containing an incorrect number of stems will be dropped one ribbon placing. In classes 23, 45, & 46, do not duplicate entries from the already listed classes or entry will be dropped one ribbon placing. For example, 4-H members with two cultivars or varieties of marigolds can only enter the marigold class and cannot enter the other cultivar or variety in any other class.
• A perennial is defined as a plant of which the crown over winters.
• An annual is a plant that grows from seed each season, whether self-seeded or planted by the gardener.
• A biennial is a plant that germinates, grows and over winters as a crown, blooms the following year and dies.
• Foliage will be considered when exhibit is judged.
• Cut Flowers: All three or five stems should be the same cultivar and color, do not mix cultivars and colors.
• Containers will not be judged; however, they should be clear glass containers that won't tip over (No plastic containers at State Fair) and of adequate size to display blooms. No screw on lids or screw on rings and flats may be used. To hold flowers in place it is suggested to use tin foil or a type of plastic wrap with holes poked into it or frog lids.
• Follow the guidelines in 4-H “Preparing Cut Flowers for Exhibits” when preparing entries for the fair. (Free Download- http://4h.unl.edu/web/4hcurriculum/PreparingCutFlowers)

Division 770 – Flowers

Annuals and biennials – Five stems of a single variety (cultivar) unless otherwise noted.

Classes 1-26 – (SF106)

^sf G770001       Aster

^sf G770002       Bachelor Buttons

^sf G770003       Bells of Ireland

^sf G770004       Browallia

^sf G770005       Calendula

^sf G770006      Celosia (crested or plume) (three stems)

^sf G770007      Cosmos

^sf G770008      Dahlia

^sf G770009      Dianthus

^sf G770010      Foxglove

^sf G770011      Gladiolus (three stems)

^sf G770012      Gomphrena

^sf G770013      Hollyhock (three stems)

^sf G770014      Marigold

^sf G770015      Pansy

^sf G770016      Petunia

^sf G770017      Salvia

^sf G770018      Snapdragon

^sf G770019      Statice

^sf G770020      Sunflower (under three inch diameter -five stems, three inches or more in diameter-three stems)

^sf G770021       Vinca

^sf G770022      Zinnia

^sf G770023      Any other annual or biennial (under three inch diameter-five stems, three inches or more in diameter-three stems)(do not duplicate entries in classes 1-22).

G770024        Floral Arrangement (Themed) – Theme, flowers, and design elements will be included in judging. 4Her does not have to grow plants used. Supporting information stating the theme (i.e. red theme, rose theme, etc.) must be included.

G770025       Floral Arrangement (Small) – Diameter of overall exhibits must be less than 6 inches. 4Her does not have to grow plants used. 

G770026       Floral Arrangement (Large) – Diameter of overall exhibit must be greater than 6 inches. 4Her does not have to grow plants used.

Cut Flower Perennials – Five stems of a single variety (cultivar) unless otherwise noted in parenthesis.

Classes 30- 49 – (SF106)

^sf G770030    Achillea/Yarrow

^sf G770031    Chrysanthemum

^sf G770032    Coneflower

^sf G770033    Coreopsis

^sf G770034    Daisy

^sf G770035    Gaillardia

^sf G770036    Helianthus

^sf G770037    Hydrangea (three stems)

^sf G770038    Liatris (three stems)

^sf G770039    Lillies (three stems)(Not Daylilies)

^sf G770040    Platycodon

^sf G770041    Rose (three stems)

^sf G770042    Rudbeckia/Black-eyed Susan

^sf G770043    Sedum

^sf G770044    Statice

^sf G770045    Any other perennial (under three inch diameter-five stems, three inches or more in diameter -three stems)(do not duplicate entries in classes 30-44)

^sfG770046     4-H Flower Garden Collection – of 5 different cut flowers. Flowers are to be cut not potted. Each flower in the collection should be exhibited with the number specified for classes 1-45. Display in a box or other holder not more than 18 inches in any dimension. 

G770047      Cut Flower Theme Arrangement – Theme exhibit, arrangement of fresh flowers pertaining to any type theme.

G770048      Cut Flower Small Arrangement – Cut flowers displayed in a container with a 6 inch or less diameter.

G770049      Cut Flower Large Arrangement – Cut flowers displayed in a container larger than 6 inches.

Educational Exhibits

^sf G770050   Flower Notebook – (SF100) - 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 one cultivar of the same species, but they will only count as one 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 (for 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.

^sf G770051   Flower Garden Promotion Poster – (SF103) - 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 three-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, county, and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the poster.

^sf G770052   Educational Flower Garden Poster – (SF104) -Prepare a poster 14 inches x 22 inches x 2 inches (can be   3-dimensional) either vertical or horizontal arrangement illustrating a skill or project you have done or learned about in a 4-H flower or houseplant project. One might show a special technique or equipment used in the garden. Refer to 4-H horticulture project manuals, but use your own creativity. Entry card must be stapled 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.

^sf G770053   Flower Gardening History Interview – (SF105) -Neatly handwritten or typed account of a gardening history interview whose flower garden has inspired you. Maximum of four pages of text and two pages of pictures (include one 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, county, and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the report cover.

Houseplants

• Container Grown Plants: The choice of container and soil quality will be considered in judging. Each plant must be identified by listing the names on the entry tag or on a card attached to the container. Identify each plant individually if more than one cultivar or variety.  Houseplants should be grown in the display container for a minimum of six weeks. Plants grown as houseplants must be used. NebGuide G2205 “Guide to Growing Houseplants: and NebGuide G837 “Guide to Selecting Houseplants” (http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/g1853/build/g1853.pdf) includes a listing of common houseplants. Containers of annual flowers or annual plants (i.e. petunias, geraniums, impatiens) will be disqualified and will not be judged.
• Entries in Class 60-66 must have been designed and planted by the 4-H member.
• 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 one pot container. Any container grown plant in Classes 60-66 that does not follow these guidelines will be dropped one ribbon placing.  
• Class 60-65 exhibitors must have and provide a saucer to catch drainage water. The 4-H member name, age, county, and years in the project(s) must be on the bottom or back of the container and the saucer.

^sf G770060    Flowering Potted Houseplant(s) (SF107) – that are blooming for exhibition. Container may have one or more houseplants in container. Label with the name for each plant. Non-blooming plants will be disqualified.

^sf G770061    Foliage Potted Houseplant – (SF107) – one variety of tropical or cacti or succulent plant. Label with name of plant. 

^sf G770062    Hanging Basket (SF107) - of flowering and/or foliage plants. A container may have one or more houseplants in the container. Label with the name for each plant. 

^sf G770063    Dish Garden – (SF107) - an open/shallow container featuring a variety of houseplants excluding cacti and succulents. Label with the name for each plant

^sf G770064    Fairy or Miniature Garden – (SF107) - 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, ie bench, fence, made from tiny twigs, small shell for a bathtub etc. Label with the name for each plant.

^sf G770065   Desert Garden –(SF107) - an open/shallow container featuring cacti and/or succulents grown as houseplants. Label with the name for each plant.

^sf G770066   Terrarium – (SF107) -a transparent container, partially or completely enclosed; sealed or unsealed. Label with the name for each plant.

Dept. G – Horticulture

General Information:

• The cultivar or variety name must be included on all entry cards. Failure to identify the cultivar or variety will lower the entry one ribbon placing. Proper identification is the responsibility of the exhibitor, not the Extension staff. Exhibits containing an incorrect number of vegetables will be lowered one ribbon placing. In classes 252, 255, 268, 269, 285 and 286 do not duplicate entries from any of the other classes  or entry will be lowered one ribbon placing. For example: 4-H members with two cultivars or varieties of red tomatoes can only enter the red tomatoes class and cannot enter the other cultivar or variety in any other vegetable class.
• For County Fair – Exhibit items in cardboard flats lined with aluminum foil.  Plates will not be accepted.
• Place each Class in a separate box.

Division 773 – Vegetables- # to exhibit

Classes G773201-G773256 – (SF108) 

^sf G773201   Lima Beans -12

^sf G773202   Snap Beans - 12

^sf G773203   Wax Beans -12

^sf G773204   Beets -5

^sf G773205   Broccoli -2

^sf G773206   Brussels Sprouts-12

^sf G773207   Green Cabbage-2

^sf G773208    Red Cabbage-2

^sf G773209    Carrots-5

^sf G773210    Cauliflower-2

^sf G773211    Slicing Cucumbers-2

^sf G773212    Pickling Cucumbers-5

^sf G773213    Eggplant-2

^sf G773214    Kohlrabi-5

^sf G773215    Muskmelon/Cantaloupe-2

^sf G773216    Okra-5

^sf G773217    Yellow Onions-5

^sf G773218    Red Onions-5

^sf G773219    White Onions-5

^sf G773220    Parsnips-5

^sf G773221    Bell Peppers-5

^sf G773222    Sweet (Non-Bell) peppers-5

^sf G773223    Jalapeño Peppers-5

^sf G773224    Hot (non-Jalapeño) peppers-5

^sf G773225    White Potatoes-5

^sf G773226    Red Potatoes-5

^sf G773227    Russet Potatoes-5

^sf G773228    Other Potaotes-5

^sf G773229    Pumpkins-2

^sf G773230    Miniature Pumpkins(Jack Be Little type),5

^sf G773231    Radish-5

^sf G773232    Rhubarb-5

^sf G773233    Rutabaga-2

^sf G773234    Green Summer Squash-2

^sf G773235    Yellow Summer Squash-2

^sf G773236    White Summer Squash-2

^sf G773237    Acorn Squash-2

^sf G773238    Butternut Squash-2

^sf G773239    Buttercup Squash-2

^sf G773240    Other Winter Squash-2

^sf G773241    Sweet Corn (in Husks)-5

^sf G773242    Swiss Chard-5

^sf G773243    Red Tomatoes (2 inches or more in diameter)-5

^sf G773244    Roma or Sauce-type Tomatoes-5

^sf G773245    Salad Tomatoes (under 2 inch in diameter)-12

^sf G773246    Yellow Tomatoes (2inches or more in diameter),5

^sf G773247    Turnips-5

^sf G773248    Watermelon-2

^sf G773249    Dry Edible Beans-1 pint

^sf G773250    Gourds, mixed types-5

^sf G773251    Gourds, single variety-5

^sf G773252    Any other vegetable 2, 5 or 12 (do not duplicated entries in classes 201-251) that doesn’t fit in any other class.

^sf G773255    4-H Vegetable Garden Collection of five kinds of vegetables. Display Garden Collection in a box not more than 24 inches in any dimension. Showmanship will be considered in judging, but plastic grass, cotton, figurines, etc. should not be used in exhibit boxes. Each vegetable in the collection should be exhibited with the number specified for individual class (201-252). Do not duplicate entries in classes Class 201-252 with any in the group collection.

^sf G773256    4-H Cultivar Vegetable Collection. Vegetables entered in the collection are five cultivars from a single exhibit; for example, five cultivars of all types of peppers, squash, onions, tomatoes, etc. Display in a box not more than 24 inches in any dimension. Showmanship will be considered in judging; but plastic grass, cotton figurines, etc. should not be used in exhibit boxes. Each vegetable in the collection should be exhibited with the number specified for individual class (201-252).

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 (No plastic containers at State Fair). No screw on lids or screw on rings and flats may be used. To hold herb leaves in place it is suggested to use tin foil or a type of plastic wrap with holes poked into it or frog lids.

• Potted herb plants will be disqualified and will not be judged.

  Classes 260-269 – (SF108)

^sf G773260    Basil-5

^sf G773261    Dill (dry)-5

^sf G773262    Garlic (bulbs)-5

^sf G773263    Mint-5

^sf G773264    Oregano-5

^sf G773265    Parsley-5

^sf G773266    Sage-5

^sf G773267    Thyme-5

^sf G773268     Any Other Herb-5 (do not duplicate classes 260-267)

^af G773269    4-H Herb Garden – display of five different 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 260-268. Do not duplicate entries in Class 260-268 with any in the group collection.

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 and growing location. Emphasis will be placed on how well fruit approaches market quality.

  Classes 280-286 – (SF108)

^sf G773280    Strawberries (everbearers) -1pint

^sf G773281    Grapes -2 bunches

^sf G773282    Apples -5

^sf G773283    Pears -5

^sf G773284    Wild Plums -1pint

^sf G773285    Other small fruit or berries -1pint (do not duplicate entries in classes 280-284)

^sf G773286    Other fruits or nuts -5 (do not duplicate entries in classes 280-284)

EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS

^sf G773290    Garden Promotion Poster – (SF103) -Individual poster promoting vegetable or herb gardening, size     14 inches x 22 inches either vertical or horizontal arrangement. Poster may be in any medium so long as it is not three-dimensional. Posters using copyrighted material will 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.

^sf G773291    Educational Vegetable or Herb Garden Poster – (SF104) -Prepare a poster 14 inches x 22 inches x 2 inches - (three-dimensional if needed) either vertical or horizontal arrangement illustrating a skill or project the 4-H’er 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 manuals, but use your own creativity. The 4-H member's name, age, county, and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the poster.

^sf G773292    Vegetable and/or Herb Gardening History Interview – (SF105) -Neatly handwritten or typed account of a gardening history interview of someone whose vegetable or herb garden has inspired you. Maximum of four pages of text and two pages of pictures (include one picture of the person you interviewed) of their garden if the individual is still gardening. Protect with a clear report cover. The 4-H member's name, age, county, and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the report cover.

^sf G773293    Vegetable Seed Display – (SF101) -Each display must include seeds representing the following families: Cucurbit, Brassica (cabbage), Solanaceous (nightshade), and Legume (pea) families, plus representatives from five 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 one 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 cite references on where the scientific name information was found.  The 4-H'ers name, age, county, and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the display. Information on vegetable family members can be obtained from your Extension office.

^sf G773294    World of Vegetables Notebook – (SF102) - Choose a favorite foreign cuisine and learn what vegetables and/or herbs are common to it (e.g. Mexican, African, Chinese, Italian, etc.). Include a report describing a minimum of five vegetables and/or herbs from each country chosen. Include the scientific and common names; pictures of the plants from your garden or seed 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 the vegetables described may be included. Give proper credit by listing the source of pictures and information used. Protect in a clear report cover or    three-ring notebook. 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.

Division 775 – Special Garden Project

Fresh cut flowers or harvested vegetables should be entered in the appropriate class listed above.

The 2026 Special Gardening Project is Alumia Vanilla Cream Marigold.

^sfG775001     Special Garden Project – (SF109) -Educational exhibit based on what was learned from this project. Present information on a poster 14 inches x 22 inches  either vertical or horizontal arrangement or in a clear plastic report cover. The 4-H member’s name, age, and county must be on the back of the poster or report cover.

^SfG775002    Special Garden Project Fresh Cut Flowers, Herbs or Harvested Vegetables – (SF109) -The current years’ Special Garden Project fresh cut flowers, herbs or harvested vegetables should be entered in this class. Refer to classes 1-45 for quantity to exhibit if special garden project is a fresh cut flower. Refer to classes 201-252 for quantity to exhibit if special garden project is a vegetable. Flowers and herbs must be cut, not potted.