Why the name Blue Ribbon? It seems like an odd choice for me, some crazy burst of enthusiasm in a moment of weirdness. Gardening is not a competitive sport, county fairs aside. For me, gardening is a form of active meditation, a commune with Nature, a solitary pursuit. The name was born in 2001, when I lived in a small town in south central Kentucky and entered the county fair. To my misfortune, I won three blue ribbons, and a bit of a swelled head. I have not entered a county fair since, but I do think I’ll do it again. It was FUN.
The ribbons were for: Best Large Red set of five, with "Abe Lincoln" which I’d bought as transplants; best salsa; and Biggest tomato, with Marlowe Charleston at 2 and a quarter lbs. That’s skimpy for a big tomato contest, but not so bad considering the fair was the week of July 4th. Maybe next year...
The ribbons were for: Best Large Red set of five, with "Abe Lincoln" which I’d bought as transplants; best salsa; and Biggest tomato, with Marlowe Charleston at 2 and a quarter lbs. That’s skimpy for a big tomato contest, but not so bad considering the fair was the week of July 4th. Maybe next year...
