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4-H Gardening Contest [Image: 4-H Gardening Contestant Participants] [Image: 4-H Gardening Contestant Winners] Piney Hills Master Gardeners Sponsor a 4-H Gardening Contest The Piney Hills Master Gardeners have encouraged 4-H'ers to participate in a parish-wide gardening contest for several years. The young gardeners are required to build a 100-sqaure-foot garden containing corn, bell peppers, tomatoes and beans. They are allowed to have help preparing their soil for the garden but have been on their own from planting until judging. They are also allowed to have a Master Gardener as a mentor to help them through the season. A team of judges travels the parish, viewing the gardens and considering the following: the gardener's knowledge, creativity, weed control and the general health of each required plant. To end the contest, participants are recognized at an awards dinner for them and their families. This year 18 young gardeners from all over Webster Parish participated in this annual event. In addition to planting, weeding, watering and fertilizing, keeping a journal was also a part of the contest. Henry Andrews again entered the contest but tried a different technique by planting his tomatoes and bell peppers upside down. Marjoire Bailey of Dubberly and Brooke Walker of Heflin planted marigolds as "companion plants" to their tomatoes for insect control. The contestants learned valuable lessons in what to do and not to do in their gardening endeavors. Awards night was held on June 29 at the LSU Extension Office. The top gardeners were awarded cash prizes, and all contestants were given Wal-Mart gift certificates. These prizes are made possible by funds raised by the Master Gardeners from their yearly seminar presentations at Buds & Blooms. Prizes were awarded as follows: 1st prize, Marjorie Bailey; 2nd prize, Brooke Walker; 3rd prize, Garrett Wiggins; 4th prize, Savannah Wiggins, and 5th prize, Henry Andrews. The Master Gardeners commend these young people in their efforts to learn good gardening practices.

Last Updated: 8/22/2011 2:40:05 PM

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