Plant Science
All entries must be pre-entered on a General Entry Form at the York County Extension Office by the first Friday of July. All Exhibits will be judged on Wednesday of fair week in Ag Hall. Entries must receive a Purple ribbon at county fair and be selected to advance to State Fair.
The purpose of Horticulture is to encourage participants to start and maintain vegetable gardens. In addition, 4‑H members can participate in planting, growing, and caring for flowers and houseplants. There is also a special gardening project in this category that 4‑H members can participate in. For more resources and materials in this category refer to the resource section at the bottom of the page.
Floriculture
Pay Category 200
Exhibits are limited to one exhibit per class number. Exhibit must be the work of the 4‑H member.
- Classes 1-23: Cut flower Annuals and Biennials – 5 stems of a single variety (cultivar) unless otherwise noted in parenthesis.
- Classes 30-46: Cut Flower Perennials- 5 stems of a single variety (cultivar) unless otherwise noted in parenthesis.
· The cultivar or variety name must be included on all entry cards. If potted container with several cultivar or varieties identify each individually within the pot. 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.
- For Floriculture, punch hole in the top center of entry tag, use a rubber band to securely attach entry tag to containers.
- 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 overwinters. 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 overwinters as a crown, blooms the following year and dies. Foliage will be considered when exhibit is judged.
· All 3 or 5 stems of cut flowers 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. 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 flowers in place it is suggested to use tin foil or a type of plastic wrap with holes poked into it or frog lids.
Cut Flower Annuals & Bi-Annuals
Scoresheet SF106
Youth must be enrolled in the World of Flowers and/or Annual Flowers projects to exhibit a maximum of FOUR (4) entries per person in classes 1-46 (cut flowers) and 50-53 (educational exhibits). Since cut flower are seasonal, youth may substitute and exhibit in any class, however, youth are still limited to four exhibits at State Fair. Exhibits are limited to ONE EXHIBIT PER EXHIBIT CLASS NUMBER. Entries must be the work of the 4‑H member.
Classes 1-23: Cut Flower Annuals and Biennials – 5 stems of a single variety (cultivar) unless otherwise noted in parenthesis.
G770001 - Aster
G770002 - Bachelor Buttons
G770003 - Bells of Ireland
G770004 - Browallia
G770005 - Calendula
G770006 - Celosia (crested or plume) (3 stems)
G770007 - Cosmos
G770008 - Dahlia
G770009 - Dianthus
G770010 - Foxglove
G770011 - Gladiolus (3 stems)
G770012 - Gomphrena
G770013 - Hollyhock (3 stems)
G770014 - Marigold
G770015 - Pansy
G770016 - Petunia
G770017 - Salvia
G770018 - Snapdragon
G770019 - Statice
G770020 - Sunflower (under 3" diameter - 5 stems, 3" or more in diameter - 3 stems)
G770021 - Vinca
G770022 - Zinnia
G770023 - Any other annual or biennial (under 3" diameter - 5 stems, 3" or more in diameter - 3 stems) (do not duplicate entries in classes 1-22)
Cut Flower Perennials
Classes 30-46: Cut Flower Perennials – 5 stems of a single variety (Cultivar) unless otherwise noted in parenthesis.
G770030 - Achillea/Yarrow
G770031 - Chrysanthemum
G770032 - Coneflower
G770033 - Coreopsis
G770034 - Daisy
G770035 - Gaillardia
G770036 - Helianthus
G770037 - Hydrangea (3 stems)
G770038 - Liatris (3 stems)
G770039 - Lilies (3 stems) (Not Daylilies)
G770040 - Platycodon
G770041 - Rose (3 stems)
G770042 - Rudbeckia/Black-eyed Susan
G770043 - Sedum
G770044 - Statice
G770045 - Any other perennial (under 3" diameter - 5 stems, 3" or more in diameter - 3 stems) (do not duplicate entries in classes 30-44)
G770046 - 4‑H Flower Garden - 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. Do not duplicate entries in classes 1-45 with any in the group collection.
Educational Exhibits
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.
G770051 - Flower Garden Promotion Poster (SF103) - Individual poster promoting flower gardening, size 14" x 22", 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, county, and years in the project (s) must be on the back of the poster.
G770052 - Educational Flower Garden Poster (SF104) - Prepare a poster 14" x 22" x 2" (3-dimensional if needed) 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 used or equipment incorporated 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.
G770053 - Flower Gardening History Interview (SF105) - 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, county, and years in the project(s) must be on the back of the report cover.
Houseplants
Scoresheet SF107
Pay Category 200
All entries must be pre-entered on a General Entry Form at the York County Extension Office by the first Friday of July. All Exhibits will be judged on Wednesday of fair week in Ag Hall. Entries must receive a Purple ribbon at county fair and be selected to advance to State Fair.
Youth may enter a maximum of THREE (3) entries in classes 50-53 (educational exhibits) and 60-66 (houseplants)
- Container Grown Houseplants: The choice of container and soil quality will be considered in judging. Each houseplant 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” 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 Classes 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.
- Classes 60-65 exhibitors must have and provide a saucer to catch drainage water. The 4‑H member’s name, age, county, and years in the project(s) must be on the bottom or back of the container and saucer.
G770060 - Flowering Potted Houseplant(s) (SF107) - that are blooming for exhibition. A container may have one or more houseplants in the container. Label variety or cultivar for each plant. Non-blooming plants will be disqualified.
G770061 - Foliage Potted Houseplant (SF107) - one variety of tropical or cacti or succulent plant.
G770062 - Hanging Basket (SF107) - of flowering and/or foliage houseplants. Container may have one or more houseplants in container. Label variety or cultivar for each plant. Label with name of plant
G770063 - Dish Garden (SF107) - an open/shallow container featuring a variety of houseplants excluding cacti and succulents. Label variety or cultivar for each plant.
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, i.e. bench, fence made from tiny twigs, small shell for a bath tub, etc. Label variety or cultivar for each plant.
G770065 - Desert Garden (SF107) - an open/shallow container featuring a variety cacti and/or succulents grown as houseplants. Label variety or cultivar for each plant.
G770066 – Terrarium (SF107) - a clear container, partially or completely enclosed; sealed or unsealed. Label variety or cultivar for each plant.
Dorothy & Howard May
Pay Category 200
The exhibits in classes 1-2 must be produced from plants / seeds picked up from the Extension Office.
G775001 - Special Garden Project (SF109) - Educational exhibit based on what was learned from the project. Present information on a poster 14” X 22” 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.
G775002 - Special Gardening Project Fresh Cut Flowers or Harvested Vegetables (SF109) - The current years' Special Gardening Project fresh cut flowers or harvested vegetables should be entered in this class. Refer to classes 1-45 for quantity to exhibit if Special Gardening Project is a fresh cut flower (SF106). Refer to classes 201-252 for quantity to exhibit if Special Gardening Project is a vegetable (SF108). Flowers and herbs must be cut, not potted.
County Only Classes
G775901 - Jenny’s Special Garden Project - current year’s Garden Project picked by Jenny. Must be produced from plants / seeds picked up from the Extension Office. Fresh cut flowers or harvested vegetables should be entered in this class. Refer to classes 1-45 or 201-251 for quantity to exhibit.
G775902 - Floral Arrangement Fresh Cut -flowers/foliage that youth arranges
G775903 - Floral Arrangement Bought -flowers/foliage that youth arranges
G775904 - Recycled or Re-Purposed Container -Containers may consist of anything that has previously been used for something else. Examples include old wash tubs, wooded cola creates, shoes, coffee mugs, pans etc.
G775905 - Hanging Basket - up to 12” diameter can be used for this project planted with annual flowers. Baskets may be for any light exposure
G775906 - Small or Medium Container - Small containers 8-12” diameter. Medium containers from 12-22” diameter. May be potted with any annual plants
G775907 - Herb Garden – 5 potted herbs in a small 8-12 inch diameter or medium 12-22 inch diameter pot. Herbs must be labeled with plant name and variety if known.