VEGETABLES, HERBS & FRUITS & EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS
DEPARTMENT G - SECTION 773
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The purpose of Hortriculture is to encourage4-H members to start and maintain vegetable and herb. gardens. In addition 4-H members can participate in planting, growing, and caring for flowers and houseplants.
Resources:
https://go.unl.edu/ne4hhorticulture
Exhibits are limited to ONE EXHIBIT PER EXHIBIT CLASS NUMBER. Entries must be the work of the 4-H member. Notebooks and posters must have received a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair.
Additional entries may be made in the county only exhibits, (listed as class 900 - 911).
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 or fair personnel. Exhibits entered under an incorrect class number or 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 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.
Follow the guidelines in “Selecting and Preparing Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits for Exhibit” 4H226 when preparing entries for the fair. Entries should be exhibited on throw-away plates. There will be plates available at the fair entry area.
Vegetables (Classes 1-56): Class, Vegetable, Number’s to Exhibit
Herbs (Classes 60-69) 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) Any exhibit not in a clear glass container will be dropped one ribbon placing. 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. Containers may not be returned from State Fair. Potted herb plants will be disqualified and will not be judged.
Fruits (Classes 80-86): Fruits 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.
Class Vegetable # to Exhibit
*201. Lima Beans.......................................................... 12
*202. Snap Beans.......................................................... 12
*203. Wax Beans........................................................... 12
*204. Beets..................................................................... 5
*205. Broccoli................................................................ 2
*206. Brussels Sprouts................................................. 12
*207. Green Cabbage.................................................... 2
*208. Red Cabbage....................................................... 2
*209. Carrots.................................................................. 5
*210. Cauliflower........................................................... 2
*211. Slicing Cucumbers.............................................. 2
*212. Pickling Cucumbers............................................ 5
*213. Eggplant............................................................... 2
*214. Kohlrabi................................................................ 5
*215. Muskmelon/Cantaloupe...................................... 2
*216. Okra....................................................................... 5
*217. Yellow Onions...................................................... 5
*218. Red Onions.......................................................... 5
*219. White Onions....................................................... 5
*220. Parsnips................................................................ 5
*221. Bell Peppers......................................................... 5
*222. Sweet (Non-Bell) Peppers.................................. 5
*223. Jalapeño Peppers................................................ 5
*224. Hot (Non-Jalapeno) Peppers.............................. 5
*225. White Potatoes.................................................... 5
*226. Red Potatoes....................................................... 5
*227. Russet Potatoes.................................................. 5
*228. Other Potatoes..................................................... 5
*229. Pumpkin................................................................ 2
*230. Miniature Pumpkins (Jack Be Little Type).......... 5
*231. Radish................................................................... 5
*232. Rhubarb................................................................ 5
234. Green Summer Squash....................................... 2
*235. Yellow Summer Squash..................................... 2
*236. White Summer Squash....................................... 2
*237. Acorn Squash...................................................... 2
*238. Butternut Squash................................................ 2
*239. Buttercup Squash............................................... 2
*240. Other Winter Squash........................................... 2
*241. Sweet Corn (in husks)........................................ 5
*242. Swiss Chard......................................................... 5
*243. Red Tomatoes (2 inches or more in diameter).... 5
*244. Roma or Sauce-type tomatoes.......................... 5
*245. Salad Tomatoes (under 2 inch diameter)............ 12
*246. Yellow Tomatoes (2 inch or more in diameter)... 5
*247. Turnips................................................................. 5
*248. Watermelon.......................................................... 2
*249. Dry Edible Beans................................................. 1 pint
*250. Gourds, mixed types........................................... 5
*251. Gourds, single variety......................................... 5
*252. Any other vegetable ........................................... 2, 5 or 12
(do not duplicate entries in classes 201-251) vegetable that doesn't fit in any other class.
*255. 4-H Vegetable Garden Collection of five kinds of vegetables - Display Garden Collection in a box not more than 24 inches in any dimension. Boxes may not be returned from State Fair. 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 201-252 with any in the group collection.
*256 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, or squash, or onions, or tomatoes, etc. Display in a box not more than 24 inches in any dimension. Boxes may not be returned from State Fair. 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)
County Exhibits Only:
4-H’ers enrolled in Horticulture may enter one item per class number (class 900-911). No limit on number of classes they may enter
900. Largest Potato
901. Oddest Shaped Potatoes
902. Oddest Shaped Carrot
903. Largest Cabbage
904. Largest Onion
905. Largest Tomato (red or green)
906. Largest Cucumber
907. Largest Pumpkin
908. Decorated Vegetable(s) with Natural Medium
909. Decorated Vegetable(s) - with Other Medium
910. Garden Stepping Stone - (made and designed by exhibitor) May be made of concrete or other material that will stand up to use outdoors. Marbles, stones, shells, tile pieces, or other weather resistant materials may be used in design. Stone should be no smaller than 8 inches in diameter and no larger than 16 inches diameter.
911. Garden Sign - (made and designed by exhibitor) must be made of weather resistant materials. May be for a theme garden or; one plant or; a personal garden or; etc. Let your imagination soar!
912. Green Tomatoes - (any size or variety) five
HERBS
Department G - Section 773
*260. Basil...................................................................... 5
*261. Dill (dry)................................................................. 5
*262. Garlic (bulbs)......................................................... 5
*263. Mint....................................................................... 5
*264. Oregano................................................................ 5
*265. Parsley.................................................................. 5
*266. Sage...................................................................... 5
*267. Thyme................................................................... 5
*268. Any Other Herb.................................................... 5
do not duplicate entries in classes 260-267)
*269. 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. Boxes may not be returned from state Fair. Each herb in the collection should be exhibited with the number specified for classes 260-268. Do not duplicate entries in classes 260-268 with any in the group collection. FRUITS
Fruits
Department G - Section 773
*280. Strawberries (everbearers).................................. 1 pint
*281. Grapes................................................................... 2 bunches
*282. Apples................................................................... 5
*283. Pears..................................................................... 5
*284. Wild Plums............................................................ 1 pint
*285. Other small fruit or berries................................. 1 pint
(do not duplicate entries in classes 280-284)
*286. Other fruits OR nuts............................................ 5
(do not duplicate entries in classes 280-284)
*Denotes that entries are eligible for State Fair after earning that privilege at the Dakota~Thurston Fair.
EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS
Department G - Section 773
*290. Garden Promotion Poster - Individual poster promoting vegetable or herb gardening, size 14 inches x 22 inches either vertical or horizontal arrangement. Poster may be in any medium as long as it is not three-dimensional. Posters using copyrighted material will not be accepted. Entry card must be attached to the upper right hand corner. The 4-H member's name, age, county, and years in project(s) must be on the back of the poster.
*291. Educational Vegetable or Herb Garden Poster-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. Entry card must be attached to the upper right hand corner. The 4-H member's name, age, county, and years in project(s) must be on the back of the poster.
*292. Vegetable and/or Herb Gardening History Interview - neatly handwritten or typed account of a gardening history interview or 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, full address, county, and years in project must be on the back of the report cover or notebook.
*293. Vegetable Seed Display-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 member’s 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.
*294. World of Vegetables Notebook - 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 of 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, years in the project(s), and county must be on the back of the report cover or notebook.
SPECIAL GARDEN PROJECT
Department G—Section 775
The Special Garden Project changes annually. 2026 is focused on Alumia Vanilla Cream Marigold.. More information may be found at 4-H Special Garden Project
*1. Special Garden Project - Educational exhibit -Educational exhibit based on what was learned from the project. Present information on a poster 14 inch x 22 inch 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.
*2. Special Garden Project Fresh Cut Flowers, Herbs or Harvested Vegetables - The current year’s 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.
THE HORTICULTURE TROPHIES WILL BE AWARDED IN THIS WAY:
Must be enrolled in Floriculture to exhibit Flowers and Gardening to exhibit Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits.
Trophies given include:
Junior Floriculture/Horticulture Age 8 - 12
Senior Floriculture/Horticulture Age 13 -18
1. Floriculture Trophy will include Department G - Section 770, Annuals and Biennials, Perennials, Notebooks & Posters, and Container Grown Plants, Gardening Trophy will include Department G- Section 773, Vegetables, Herbs, Fruit & Vegetable Educational Exhibits.
2. Trophies will be awarded at judges discretion based on purple ribbon entries.3
3. Novelty exhibits in vegetables (largest, decorated and oddest) and county only (classes 900-911 & 999) will NOT be considered for the trophy.
4. County only class in Floriculture (Class 901, Arranged Bouquet), will NOT be considered for the trophy.