The Austin County Horticulture Committee, along with Linseisenโs Feed & Supply and Nelsonโs Plant Food, is inviting gardeners of all ages to participate in the 2026 Austin County Home-Grown Vegetable Contest on Saturday, June 6, in Bellville.
The annual event is open to the public with no entry fee and no age requirements, giving everyone from beginner gardeners to experienced growers an opportunity to showcase their home-grown produce.
Vegetable check-in will take place from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Linseisenโs Feed & Supply, located at 551 W. Main in Bellville. Judging will be closed to the public, with awards scheduled to begin no earlier than 11 a.m.
In addition to the contest, attendees can take part in a free educational presentation beginning at 10 a.m. at the Bellville Volunteer Fire Department meeting room located at 511 W. Main, within walking distance of the check-in location.
The presentation will be led by Michelle Wright and Sally Garrett with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Family and Community Health program serving Austin and Fayette counties. The topic will focus on how to properly blanch vegetables for storage, offering practical tips for preserving garden produce safely and effectively.
Organizers encourage participants to bring their best vegetables and fruits from their gardens to compete in a variety of categories. Contest divisions include tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, beans, onions, potatoes, corn, fruits, berries, melons, and more.
Categories include:
- Best Group of Three Tomatoes
- Biggest Tomato by Weight
- Unique Vegetable or Fruit
- Bell Peppers
- Other Pepper Varieties
- Cucumbers
- Squash
- Beans and Peas
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Fruits and Berries
- Additional Vegetable and Melon Categories
- Best of Show
Specific sample requirements apply to each category. For example, beans and peas require a group of twelve entries, while many other categories require groups of three. Berries require a minimum of one-half pint.
Contest rules state that all entries must be grown by the exhibitor and must be healthy, edible, and free from rot or splitting. Store-bought produce is not allowed. Organizers also note that only one entry per person is allowed in each main category, although additional categories may be created if enough similar entries are submitted.
Participants are reminded to provide the correct number of samples for each category to avoid disqualification and to pick up all entries by the close of business at Linseisenโs Feed & Supply following the contest.
The event is coordinated through the Austin County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office. Organizers say the contest is designed to celebrate local gardening, encourage community involvement, and provide educational opportunities related to gardening and food preservation.
For more information, residents may contact the Austin County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office at 979-865-2072 or visit the Austin County AgriLife website.
