And the results are in!

[chrose]

The Monroe County Fair ends tonight and I entered 9 items this year. The results were 6 Blue Ribbons, 1 Grand Prize, Best of Section, a Second place and an Honorable mention. Not too bad. However realize that this is not like a State Fair competition wise and this years growing season has been a particularly odd one. We had a late Spring and cool temps and little sun for quite awhile so things were real hit or miss. Last year I won Grand Prize and Largest Veggie for 2 identical Zukes that were 4-1/2 to 5 lbs each. This year they finally grew to a normal size, but nothing special. My Herbs did well as did the Hungarian Wax peppers. My Blue Lake beans won the section. So the compost tea seems to be working. They won't be in time for the fair obviously but the rest of the garden looks like it will produce handsomely in spite of the odd weather.
I don't really have any pics yet, not all of them really need it, but I'll post as I get them.

[katbalou]

congratulations!!!!

[cakerookie]

Hey way to go Ch! Looks like your a champ with a green thumb to boot.Congrats!

Rgds Rook

[phoebe]

Congratulations Chrose!!

Which veggies and herbs won which prizes? I'll need to live vicariously; we've had weird weather too, and most of my tomatoes got hit with loads of vicious bugs and a sudden heat wave knocked out my lettuces. Even the basil is questioning life on the hot side .

And remind me; what kind of compost are you making for your tea? Was it from a recipe from your friend in Alaska?

[chrose]

Thanks. I had very little in the way of veggies to enter because of the lateness of the season. Half of my broccoli overshot the fair and bolted and, the other half were too immature to enter. The rest of the veggies are still growing. Because we are in zone 6 and the fair is in early/mid July it's very difficult to get good veggies in time, so they do encourage even entering immature plants. So a green tomato can win in its class. I guess even in an immature stage you can judge the potential over the other entries. I had some nice tomatoes that were still growing, but frankly I grow them to eat! If I have spare ones to enter, then I do. So I was able to get back the peppers and zukes and beans I entered and will eat them! But it would be a waste to take a green beefsteak off the vine when the future holds a big ripe red juicy meal!!!
I entered:

• Blue Lake Green Beans First Place Best of Section
• Hungarian Wax Peppers First Place
• Purple Sage First Place
• Lemon Balm First Place
• Thyme First Place
• Chocolate Mint First Place
• Spearmint Second Place
• Zucchini Honorable Mention

And yes I am using the Alaska Bountea Compost Tea

[Mezzaluna]

Mazel tov! Pictures!!!! Please post!

[MuskyHopeful]

Good for you! I admire those with the patience and sticktoitiveness to grow herbs and vegetables. Makes for some fine eating and cooking, that's for sure.

Kevin

I like muskies, my wife doesn't like mushrooms.

[diane]

Well done you Chrose. I am greatly impressed.