VC Fair '12 Results for Floriculture

Zinnia Zowie Yelow Flame in the garden

This colorful and unusual zinna won "Best of Division" at the Ventura County Fair.  I entered it in the annuals, Zinnas, variegated category. (Div. 344, Class 18, planted from seed).  I was so amazed to win the lovely plaque especially when I was rushing and cutting the annuals in my garden at the last moment, early in the morning.

Here are some of the other flowers I entered in Floriculture for the 2012 Ventura County Fair. There are more pictures of my fair entries on flickr.

• Scabiosa Pin Cushion Flower (344,18) Annual, Framed Flower. (First place)
• Chantilly Snapdragon (344,17) Annual, annual any other. (Second Place)
• Polar Bear Zinna (344,12) Annual, Zinnia any other (Honorable Mention)
• Marigold (344,7) Annual, Marigold, any other (Second Place)
• Retro Red Marigold (344,7), Annual, Marigold, any other (Third Place)
• Mexican Tulip Poppy (345,27), Perennials, framed flower (Honorable Mention)

VC Fair '12 Floriculture Entries

For this year's Ventura County Fair, I entered two arrangements in the Floriculture department.  I was hoping that I would have poppy blooms to enter.  I was so surprised to see so many poppy blooms - I had to fight the bees to pluck those flowers for the fair!  I wanted to remind those bees that I'm the gardener that planted them! The poppies were stunning - I hope they lasted for the judging.  My dear Mr. P. helped me transport them to the fairgrounds.  See you at the fair!

Recycled Container (Second Place)

All Home Grown Flowers
(Honorable Mention)

Sunflowers are magical

I love the way they tower over the garden with big and bold colors! Soon all these sunflowers will be open in a row!

Morning in the Garden

Every morning I come outside to see the new blooms in the garden. Morning is the best time to see the poppies just begin to open. Everything is so crisp, clean, and new in the morning.

Squash and Cucumber Harvest

I've been waiting all summer long for squash. Usually by this time of the year I've harvested many squash and then I become sick of it. But this is my first real bounty of squash and cucumbers. We had such odd weather this year. It even rained a bit yesterday and today! The bounty includes:
• White Bush Scallop Squash (Baker Creek Seeds)
• Lebanese Cousa Squash (courtesy of Thinking Stomach)
• Sunburst Hybrid (Park Seeds)
• Green Finger Persian Cucumber (plant purchased at Ojai Farmers Market)

Double Rainbow China Asters

Red Poppy

Hot Pink Poppy and a Bee