Anyone up for squash?

No one was more surprised to win a slew of blue ribbons at the Orange County Fair’s Centennial Farm garden and vegetable contest than Laguna Beach resident Margo Burgess.

“I entered 12 categories, and I won 12 ribbons,� said Burgess, publisher of City Keeper Maps in Laguna Beach. “I did not expect to win anything.�

Burgess’ garden consists of four 6-by-15-foot garden boxes made out of railroad ties located at the front of her Laguna Canyon home.

“I used to garden at the back of the house, until one day I literally saw my tomato plant disappear into the hill,� Burgess said. “I realized my garden was feeding every ground squirrel and gopher in the Canyon.�

Due to a post-operative condition earlier this year, Burgess got a late start on planting seeds in her garden, but that didn’t stop her from taking first place in the large zucchini, eggplant and small crook-neck squash categories.

“Now all my friends from Trabuco Canyon want to enter their vegetables in the fair, because they can’t believe that our canyon grows the largest zucchini in the county.�

Burgess also won third place for her regular zucchini, yellow squash, apricots and pumpkin, second place for regular crook neck squash and grapefruit, and honorable mentions in large crook neck squash, sweet peppers and oranges.

“I was shocked and then elated when I won for my zucchinis, because the competition was stiff.�

“The zucchini categories always have the most entries, because it’s a popular summer vegetable and easy to grow,� according to Evy Young, Centennial Farms supervisor.

This year the garden and vegetable contest had more than 150 exhibitors, who entered 300-plus specimens.

“Although this is an amateur contest and only ribbons are given as awards, people take it very seriously,� Young said.

Exhibitors had to enter their vegetables and/or fruits for consideration on each of the four consecutive dates; July 10, 16, 23 and 30 from 7 to 9 a.m.

And by 9:15 a.m., the judging began.

Judges’ criteria for first place large zucchini solely was based on size, but for regular zucchini the criteria differs as exhibitors had to enter three specimens for judges to compare market quality, conformity and consistency-true to form.

“Market quality is a characteristic in every category except for the fun categories, like weirdest shape,� said Young.

Burgess believes that nurturing her garden every day is the secret to her success.

“That’s the best thing about owning my own business — I can garden every morning,� said Burgess. “I have to till the soil, water every day, pull weeds and Miracle-Gro, Miracle-Gro, Miracle-Gro.�

In addition to owning her own business and the hobby of green thumb, Burgess also produced the pilot “Rock n’ Roll Gourmet� with Johnny Contaro from the musical band Sha Na Na.

“I have so much energy, and I do so much that people are completely taken back when I tell them that my passion is gardening.�

Inspired by her winnings, Burgess plans to enter the contest again next year.

Except this time, she will start tilling the soil and planting seeds much earlier in the year.

“This year, I just got my feet wet. Next year, I am going for the most sweepstakes points.�

See you in the winner’s circle.

SARAH NOONE can be reached at (949) 494-4321, ext. 12 or [email protected]