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Floriculture
(flôr' i-kul' chẽr): The growing of flowers as crop.

About the Department
The Floriculture Department welcomes you to a special place where you will see the most beautiful flowers, potted plants and gardens in Ventura County. Dahlias, Roses, Succulents, Ponds and Fountains… it is a Shangri-la in the center of the Fair! What’s that? You say your flowers are the most beautiful? You can design the greatest garden? We welcome you! Everybody here is friendly and helpful and we all have something in common, our Green Thumbs! There is a category in Floriculture for professionals, beginners and amateurs; everybody can play! If you love gardening, please join us at the Ventura County Fair!

What's Happening

Hey, you with the Green Thumb!

WHEN TO ENTER

Garden & Florist Feature Exhibits
Entry Forms Due: Friday, July 8 by 5:00 PM Exhibits in place & completed: 12 Noon, Monday, August 1

SENIOR DIVISIONS:
Begonias, Ferns, Gesneriads, Orchids, Saintpaulias, Hoya, Ivy,
Fuchsias & Bonsai
Sunday, July 31 - 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM and Monday, August 1 - 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Arrangements & Roses
Saturday, August 6 - 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Terrariums & Dish Gardens, Cacti, Succulents, Bromeliads, Geraniums, Tropical & Other Potted Plants
Monday, August 8 - 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Dahlias, Arrangements &Wall Hangings
Thursday, August 11 - 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Annuals, Begonias, Bulbs, Chrysanthemums, Fuchsias, Hibiscus, Saintpaulias, Perennials, Vine Blooms & Exotics
Saturday, August 13 - 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM

JUNIOR & 4-H/GRANGE DIVISIONS:
Plants
Sunday, July 31 - 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM and Monday, August 1, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Arrangements & Cut Flowers
Saturday, August 6 - 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM

USE GATE 3 TO DELIVER and PICK-UP ENTRIES

Photo Gallery

View the Photo Gallery

MEET THE DEPARTMENTS

Superintendent
Barbara Schneider
About 45 years ago I started as a volunteer, helping the Fuchsia Club make a garden display. After 3 years I became assistant superintendent. I have been the superintendent for 33 years.

I judge for other fairs, as well as the American Rose Society. I give talks about the fair, flowers, plants, flower arrangements and garden displays to communities and garden clubs.

I started the fair nursery at the floriculture building after I saw that the fair rented 10 trees for backstage for $2,000 for 5 days. After that I thought we could buy the plants for less money and I could care for them all year long.

We now have over 2,000 plants of various sizes and types. With my three volunteers I can care for them. This year we transplanted 30 forty five gallon containers, 50 twenty gallon containers, 50 twenty-five gallon containers as well as numerous 1, 2 and 3 gallon plant containers. We used 40 cubic yards of potting soil.

My volunteers also fixed up and planted the pond outside of the building sop it is working again and more beautiful than ever!

When the stage and dressing rooms were built it5r took 5500 sq ft out of the middle of the garden area. That was replaced by the 10,000 at the front and side of t6he building proper.

Currently I work 4 days a week to maintain all of the plants used for interim events before and during the fair. I make an average of 200 live flower arrangements for the different rentals as well as the fair. I also make more than 150 silk arrangements for the Derby Club at Christmastime.

» Download the Entry Guide
» Download the Entry Form

Department Links:
Click here to visit our friends at Southland Sod

Click here to see all of the 2009 Ventura County Fair winners