For 32 years the St. Albert and District Garden Club has hosted its Summer Splendour garden and produce show, but Gertrude Zwierink never entered the contest until 2013.
Now with a couple of ribbons from last year to her credit, Zwierink, 76, is making up for lost time and has a number of entries planned for this year’s exhibit on the weekend of Aug. 23 and 24 at St. Albert Place.
“I’ve been in and out of the garden club for years, but last year I decided to get active in the club again,” she said.
Zwierink, who is in charge of publicity for the garden and produce show, will be at the St. Albert Farmers’ Market today (Aug. 16) with fellow club members to promote Summer Splendour.
She stressed that the show is in keeping with the club’s motto of “Fun, Friends and Flowers.” Though she admits she was shy about entering the event last year, in the end it was very easy.
“I found my years taught me and I knew as much about gardening or more than some others had and I had good success. Of course there is the competitive part – that’s part of it – but it’s not difficult. Anything in your garden that you deem worthy of entry, bring it on down,” Zwierink said.
All interested residents of St. Albert and surrounding districts are invited to participate by submitting exhibits in any of the classes. There are several categories to choose from. If you have a spectacular rose, bring it down. If you have a huge zucchini, it could win in the biggest vegetable category and if you have a photo of St. Albert that shows it in all its botanic beauty, enter it in the photography competition.
“We also have a children’s only section, and there is a section for oddly-shaped vegetables. I won last year for my kohlrabi,” she said, adding that she also won ribbons in the culinary section for her salsa and for her plum jam as well as for a photo of a winter scene.
Anyone interested in entering flowers, produce, photos or culinary exhibits in the Summer Splendour event, is invited to read the rules and regulations in the brochure at www.stalbertgardenclub.ino. They may also pick up a brochure at the St. Albert Botanic Park and it will be available today at the club’s booth at the farmers’ market.
All exhibit entries must have tags. To register, bring your exhibit to St. Albert Place Friday, Aug. 22 between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. or Saturday between 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. Registration is free of charge.
Judging takes place Saturday, Aug. 23 between 11:15 a.m. and 2 p.m. and the public viewing will follow. Prizes are awarded at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24.
