"It's on!" Garden show competition rising

SYRACUSE – Competition at the Otoe County Fair’s open class crops and vegetables show is linking generations.

Duane Hansen of Syracuse still reigns with the premiere gardener points after 26 entries this year and 13 first place ribbons. Hansen set a new standard last year with a four pound onion, but he wasn’t in the top three this year.

Hansen: “I don’t think I’m going to get that this year. It’s right on the edge, which I like. I like competition.”

 

When show superintendent Bob Brandt won with his large onion in 2010, Rose Garey had 21 entries. The garden collection contest was the most sought-after prize in its day with Rick Block, Garey and Chuck McGowan positioning for the top honors. Hansen showed a 20 pound cabbage.

Hansen: “I started doing it when I was a little kid. My dad taught me a lot of stuff about it. I don’t know, it’s just something I do. It’s just for fun. It’s not for the money.”

 

Until Wednesday, there had not been a garden collection entry in 12 years. This year, Becca Berner had the best collection and best garden basket display.

She said the first time she entered the exacting garden collection she was not aware there was a fair book explaining how to show vegetables. When she saw what Rose Garey had entered, she got her blueprint.

Berner and her dad Arlen Liesemeyer have been entering in the garden show for 20 years or more.

This year, she and Monty Lovelace trailed Hansen for the premier gardener title with 10 to 15 entries each.

Hansen shared a tip from his father about garden shows.

 

Hansen: “One of the most important things, at least what my dad told me, is uniformity. If you have five things you want them all looking the same and hopefully blemish free.”

The biggest onions this year were fruits of the famous Brandt garden in Unadilla, but Bob Brandt says the new growers John and Jane Weber are taking it to a new level.

Chuck Bjork of Unadilla entered an onion with a weight of 2 lbs., 14 ozs, shy of first place by an ounce.

Show judge Duane Nohavec: “I think there is kind of a rivalry going probably in Unadilla.”

He said the white onions were among the best in quality at the vegetable show this year.

The growing season appears to be about 10 days ahead of normal. While tomatoes usually ripen days after the fair ends, this year there were 18 tomato entries with Hansen taking first place.

https://rivercountry.newschannelnebraska.com/story/49266548/garden-show-bigger-than-ever-way-bigger

White onion

Baker Seelhoff of Syracuse

Biggest onion

John Weber of Unadilla, 2 lbs. 15.2 oz

Jane Weber of Unadilla, 2 lbs, 14 oz

Chuck Bjork of Unadilla, 2 lbs., 14 oz

 

Large tomato

Ike and Hayes West of Unadilla, 2 lbs. 5.8 oz.

Large cucumber

Liam Wander of Syracuse, 2 lbs, 11.4 oz.

Large cabbage

Duane Hansen of Syracuse, 24 lbs.

Carrots

Charlie Keim of Syracuse

Pumpkin

Harper Kreifels of Syracuse

Gourd

Duane Hansen of Syracuse

Pickling cucumber

Ike and Hayes West Brothers

Slicing cucumbers

Monty Lovelace of Syracuse

Potato

Ike and Hayes West

Watermelon

Duane Hansen

Banana  squash

Duane Hansen

Zuchini

Nicki Bailey of Palmyra

Snap beans

Hazel Bakan of Cook