Advice for showing Rhubarb & Strawberries

[Dorthe]

i have a show this Saturday and want to show off my lovely strawberries and rhubarb.. But..

I have never shown before and don't know how to present them.

For the rhubarb -
- do I leave a bit of the leaf on?
- and what about the "root"?
- What else to look out for/handy tips

For the strawberries -
- should they all be same size, as I have some very big ones but probably not 13 big ones?

Any ideas / feedback would be great.. I'll let you know how it goes after the show. :-)

[Dorthe]

[OliveOil]

Oooo goodluck - i just lvoe horticultural/agricultural shows!  Maybe that should be my aim for next year :)

[organicartist]

For my local show rhubarb needs to be trimmed - just above where the pink rib ends & becomes part of the leaf cut straight across.

Most shows like uniformity, so its probably best to go with strawbs that are same size, or ask other people who have exhibited in the same show.

[jennym]

I think there is a publication available from the National Vegetable Society, which tells you how to present your fruit and veg. It might be a bit late now for that, but if you want to show in the future it might be worthwhile getting it.
http://www.nvsuk.org.uk/index.html

[LesH]

Dorthe,       Rhubarb:- stalks should be fresh, straight long and tender with well developed colouring. Top foliage of natural rhubarb should be cut off leaving app 3inch from start of leaf stalks. wipe stalks clean and trim off bud scales at the bottom.
             Strawberries;- should be large, ripe, of good colour, bright and fresh, free from blemish, in good condition and having stalks. They are judged on condition, size, colour and uniformity. Good luck.

[Dorthe]

My strawberries did really well. picking up second price. I picked the most uniform coloured and sized ones (out of a picking of 1400 gram!).

The rhubarbs didn't do well. It was a fierce competition and ours were really small, but straight and well coloured. I suppose the judges just prefered the long green ones.. :-(

But best of all.. Our minature roses picked up a first price! :-) We almost didn't show them, as they weren't really in bloom... But boy aren't we happy we did. Roll on autumn show now  ;D

[OliveOil]

Ahhhh well done YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[organicartist]

well done!

[LesH]

Well done Dorthe. Two prizes out of three exhibits not bad. Was this your first show? I've my first show this year on the 24th