Get ready to compete at NC State Fair

Learn how to enter your produce in N.C. State Fair

If you have always wanted to enter your garden’s fruits and vegetables into the N.C. State Fair, you may want to attend this July 20 event in Pittsboro.

Pat Weisbrodt, a Chatham Extension master gardener volunteer, will share blue-ribbon-winning tips from 2-3:30 p.m. July 20 in the auditorium of the Agriculture Building, 65 E. Chatham St., Pittsboro.

Whether you are a farmer or a home gardener, there are more than 100 categories you can enter with a total of $20,000 in prize money available for ribbon winners. There are even categories for children, including best tomato, best decorated apple and best decorated pumpkin.

The 2016 N.C. State Fair will be Oct. 13-23. Entry forms for the horticulture competition must be posted by Sept. 26. Entries should be delivered to the fairgrounds between Oct. 8-12.

Registration is requested by July 18. To register, call 919-542-8202.

Learn more about entering produce in the horticulture competition: ncstatefair.org/2016/Competitions/Entering/HorticultureCompetition.html

Winter garden talk

The Gardeners of Wake County are hosting an “Excitement in the Winter Garden” talk on July 19.

Bobby Mottern, director of horticulture at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, will talk about growing plants that look great in the winter landscape. Meeting is open to all. Refreshments at 7 p.m. and the program starts at 7:30 p.m. at Raleigh’s JC Raulston Arboretum.

Info: gardenersofwakecounty.org

Reminder: A chance to visit Plant Delights Nursery

Wake County’s Plant Delights Nursery, home to well-known horticulturist Tony Avent, is having a summer open house this weekend.

You can purchase plants and tour the nursery’s 10-acre Juniper Level Botanic Garden, with more than 22,000 plants, in southern Wake County.

Open house hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. July 16, and 1-5 p.m. July 17. The nursery is at 9241 Sauls Road, Raleigh.

Info: plantdelights.com

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands is next weekend

If you are a fan of crafts, the 69th annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands in Asheville has two ucpoming events. The summer event is July 21-24. A fall event is Oct. 20-23.

More than 200 makers, who are selected by two juries, will be selling contemporary and traditional wares including clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, paper, mixed media, natural materials, leather and jewelry. Almost 20,000 people come to downtown Asheville each year for the events, held at the US Cellular Center.

Admission is $8; free for children under 12.

Info: 828-298-7928, craftguild.org

This story was originally published July 13, 2016 at 8:41 PM with the headline "Get ready to compete at NC State Fair."