I've been involved with judging vegetables at a couple of shows over the last two years.
At the last one, I was asked "Why didn't mine win?"
So what was I looking for in the perfect display?
The most important thing with any display is to have fresh, good produce, free of disease and blemishes, and of a uniform size, shape, and colour.
Follow exactly what the shedule for the show asks for. If it says "Carrots with 3" of the tops", then they should have 3" of the stalk left. Not 2.75", not 3.25", but 3". A vase of 6 Sweet peas must contain 6 stalks. A selection of vegetables displayed in a box 20" x 20" must be the right size, box means box, tray means tray, and basket means basket.
Produce should be clean, washing is OK providing the skin isn't damaged, but be careful, do not scrub. Produce should be shown in the condition that you would harvest it, or in the case of onions, how you would store them. So a fine, intact papery skin is ideal, but it must be a complete covering. They should not be peeled as if you are about to cook with them. The tops should be bent over, and held with string, or elastic band.
Podded veges will be opened to check for quality, peas must fill the pod but still be round, broad beans must not be to firm. Root vegetagles, Carrots and Parsnips must have as much taproot as possible. I remember my father digging down 2 or 3 feet to get the very tip of his parsnips. Beetroot will be cut open to check for evenness of colour and growth rings.
..and please, don't try and arrange your display to hide or cover blemishes. Judges will handle and inspect all surfaces. Finally, I judge by discarding entries until 3 are left, and then award prizes. Artistic arrangement will only be looked at after all the above criteria have been filled.
Good luck next year..
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