Floriculture

(flôr’ i-kul’ chẽr): The growing of flowers as crop.

The Floriculture Department welcomes you to a special place where you will see the most beautiful flowers, potted plants, and gardens in Ventura County. Dahlias, Roses, Succulents, Ponds, and Fountains… it is a Shangri-la in the center of the Fair! What’s that? You say your flowers are the most beautiful? You can design the greatest garden? We welcome you! Everybody here is friendly and helpful and we all have something in common, our Green Thumbs! There is a category in Floriculture for professionals, beginners, and amateurs; everybody can play! If you love gardening, please join us at the Ventura County Fair!

Entries Accepted:

Garden & Florist Feature Exhibit Garden Reservations Due:

Monday, July 10, 2023, by 5:00PM by calling the Superintendent (see Entry Guide for details)

Cactus, Ferns, Geraniums, Gesneriads, Potted Plants, Saintpaulias, Succulents, Wheelbarrow Gardens, Begonias, Bonsai, Bromeliads, Hoya & Ivy, Orchids & Tropical Plants Drop Off Dates:

Sunday, July 30, 2023, 12:00PM – 5:00PM
Monday, July 31, 2023, 8:00AM – 12:00PM (see Entry Guide for details)

Arrangements, Wall Hangings, Dahlias & Roses, Dish Gardens & Terrariums Drop Off Dates:

Saturday, August 5, 2023, 8:00AM – 11:00AM (see Entry Guide for details)

Cut Flowers – Annuals, Begonias, Bulbs, Chrysanthemums, Hibiscus, Saintpaulias, Perennials, Vine Blooms & Exotics Drop Off Dates:

Thursday, August 10, 2023, 8:00AM – 11:00AM (see Entry Guide for details)

Open Youth Exhibit Plants Drop Off:

Sunday, July 30, 2023, 12:00PM – 5:00PM
Monday, July 31, 2023, 8:00AM – 12:00PM (see Entry Guide for details)

Enter Online

Superintendent

Barbara Schneider

About 52 years ago I started as a volunteer, helping the Fuchsia Club make a garden display. After 3 years I became assistant superintendent. I have been the superintendent for 38 years.

I judge for other fairs, as well as the American Rose Society. I give talks about the fair, flowers, plants, flower arrangements, and garden displays to communities and garden clubs.

I started the fair nursery at the floriculture building after I saw that the fair rented 10 trees for backstage for $2,000 for 5 days. After that, I thought we could buy the plants for less money and I could care for them all year long.

We now have over 2,000 plants of various sizes and types. With my three volunteers, I can care for them. This year we transplanted 30 forty-five-gallon containers, 50 twenty-gallon containers, 50 twenty-five-gallon containers as well as numerous 1, 2, and 3-gallon plant containers. We used 40 cubic yards of potting soil.

My volunteers also fixed up and planted the pond outside of the building so it is working again and more beautiful than ever!

When the stage and dressing rooms were built it took 5500 sq ft out of the middle of the garden area. That was replaced by the 10,000 at the front and side of the building proper.