By SARAH MCCLELLAN-WELCH
EBCI AGRICULTURE AGENT
The gardening season is looking good. Early warm weather has plants growing quickly and gardeners are busy. The EBCI Garden Contest will begin Tuesday, June 24 and run through Friday, July 11.
Call EBCI Cooperative Extension at 554-6939 to sign-up. Judging for individual (adult) gardeners and family gardens will be judged by community on these dates: June 24 – Cherokee County and Snowbird, June 25 – Wolfetown and Big Y, June 26 – Birdtown and 3200 Acre Tract, June 27 – Painttown and Yellowhill, June 30- Big Cove and Tow String. Youth Gardeners (up to age 18) and Community Gardens will be judged July 7-11. Judges want to visit with the youths, so identify the best day and time that week for judges to visit.
Judges visit the gardens and score the following criteria: general appearance, planning for season-long food production, evidence of exceptional gardening practices such as soil preparation, plant selection, pest control and season-extending techniques. Judges also note the creativity that is evident in the vegetable garden such as unique plants or other features.
Winners will be announced at EBCI Cooperative Extension’s Community Awards Program in September.
