I gotta say the duck that almost won top prize last year is adorable. What would they do if they let us enter?? Sit back and scratch their heads over which one would win. Then they'd have to create categories for glass, ceramic, metal, fabric, etc... not to mention the big stuff-- greenhouses, potting benches, bed benches. Then there would have to be sub-categories, for plate flowers, BB's, teacup feeders and totems. (the totem that won last year is small potatoes to the ones I see here) Honestly, I don't think they're ready for us. lol

Bed Of Nails also known as Solanum quitoense is a relative of eggplant native to the mountains of South America. The story I heard is that the original plant in the wild did not have "nails" or spines at all. Through cultivation some forms developed the nasty spines. Throughout the regions where they are grown in S.A. there are many varieties, some with smaller leaves, some with spines only on one side, some with tons of spines. Most countries grow them for their fruit which is called by many names, two of the most popular are Naranjilla (little orange in Spanish) or Lulo in Columbia. The one growing in the plot is from "that place in Sanford", because of the high heat and dry this summer the fruit on it have little flavor. In cooler times the fruit tastes like a kiwi and is a popular flavoring in drinks down south.

Good luck Steve! Please post pics of your 'winners'.

I went to our county fair last weekend with my best girlfriend. They had the chocolate covered bacon, but I didn't try it. I had my old standby favorite: kettle corn. Had a lot of fun looking at the animals and shopping. Here's what I got. Cute t-shirt Tuberose bulb Keepeez Have you seen these? Very handy lids which can stick on almost any conatiner. Hand crank salsa maker