2026 Basket of Blooms winners announced

Monday the entries for the Jackson County Master Gardener’s 2026 Basket of Blooms contest were judged and the winners chosen. Seven different classes were available for entry with each having at least two winners.

Class A which featured the fair flower of a vining plant: 1st place was taken by Mandi and Nancy Toutsch from Maquoketa, 2nd place was the Hartz Family from Zwingle.

Class B which featured a unique container: 1st place was Mandi and Nancy Toutsch, 2nd place was Mary Ann McLaughlin from Maquoketa.

Class C which featured a vintage container or flowers: 1st place went to Mary Ann McLaughlin, 2nd place was Mandi and Nancy Toutsch, and 3rd place was the Hartz Family.

Class D which celebrated America’s 250th: 1st place was the Monmouth Co-ed 4-H Club, Clara Ihns and Elsa Sullivan both from Monmouth, 2nd place was Mary Jo Weis from Maquokeyta, and 3rd place was Mandi and Nancy Toutsch.

Class E which featured a succulent garden: 1st place was Mandi and Nancy Toutsch, 2nd place was Mary Ann McLaughlin, and 3rd place was Mary Jo Weis.

Class F which was the exhibitor’s choice: a tie for 1st place between Lynn Bopes from Maquoketa and Mandi and Nancy Toutsch, 2nd place was Jennifer Schwager from Maquoketa, and 3rd place was Mary Ann McLaughlin.

Class G was the junior division for age 12 and under: 1st place was Carli Coakley, 2nd place was Lucas Coakley, and 3rd place and Molly Coakley, all from Zwingle.

The overall winner of this year’s Basket of Blooms contest was the Monmouth Co-Ed 4-H club, with the overall runner-up being Lynn Bopes.

Congratulations to all the winners for this year!