For specifics concerning: Spring Top Tomato & Best “Salad Bowl” Contest
on June 4, 2022, @ 10:30 a.m. – with judging beginning at 12:15 p.m.
For more information about show preparation read:
Vegetable Preparation Guide for Showing and Displaying
Many carefully cultured vegetables fail to win top honors because of improper handling and trimming in preparation for the show. Exhibitors can assure themselves a far better chance of receiving high awards for their entries by carefully reading and following the size and quality requirements for each kind of vegetable they intend to enter in the show.
The different kinds or species of vegetables are denoted by names such as carrot, cabbage or tomato. Within each kind of vegetable there are many distinct varieties. For example, several tomato varieties are Tycoon, BHN 968 and Tygress. These tomato varieties differ in fruit size, shape, flavor, plant type, days to maturity, disease resistance and climatic requirement. Therefore, it is very important for the exhibitor, the judges and the people who come to see the show know the different kinds and varieties of vegetables on display. The kind and variety of vegetable should be written on each entry card.
Certain characteristics are common to all blue ribbon winners. The entry must be what it claims to be; that is, it must be “true to type.” All specimens in an entry must be uniform in size, shape, color and maturity. All specimens must be trimmed alike. Champion vegetables are always at prime eating quality –never too old or too young, never too tough or too soft, never scratched or bruised. Freedom from insect and disease damage is important, as is freedom from drought and nutrient deficiency injury.
Show vegetables must be scrupulously clean without having a scrubbed appearance. Leafy vegetables (lettuce, cabbage and spinach) should be briefly soaked and gently sprayed with water, then stored in a cool, damp place for the short period until show time. Fruiting vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and beans) should be rubbed lightly with a soft cloth as they are rinsed under a gentle stream of water, then carefully dried and stored in a dry, cool place until show time. Root crops should be soaked for several minutes immediately after harvest, and then rubbed gently with a soft cloth under running water to remove soil. Never scrub or brush vegetables intended for a show.
Judge of the show, David Rodriguez with Ann Schiller (who started/conducted the Contest with Charles Martinelli)
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Ann Schiller with ALL entries of the Milberger’s Landscape and Garden Nursery’s ORIGINAL Top Tomato Contest
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Suggested Specifications for Tomatoes
Tomato, Cherry
20 fruits — Stems (calyx) may be left on, but must be green and fresh. Stems are often removed. Uniformity is size, color, shape, and maturity are important. Fruits must be free of cracks and damage.
Tomato, Pear
12 fruits — Pear tomatoes of Italian tomatoes are prepared and shown in a manner similar to cherry tomatoes.
Tomato, Large, Red
6 marketable fruits — Fruits may be either green or red. All fruits must be uniform in every way. Firm, crack-free, smooth fruits are desirable. If calyx is left intact, it must be fresh and green. The green calyx adds to the fruit’s appearance only if it is fresh.
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