[Fleecewife]

Having been ill in bed all this week, today was my first day in the garden for a while.  The growth is lovely to see.  It inspired me suddenly to think of the smallholder show at Lanark, and entering some of my produce there.  In the past we've always been too tied up with the sheep showing bit, and the gossip, but it's time to change!  Animals aren't the only part of smallholding, and I think probably most of us have a veg patch.  So let's make this year better than last, and the one before that, and so on 


We'll be having a posh judge who won't want to come all this way to judge just a few meagre offerings - I'm thinking of some of the events where the veggie section seems to fill a whole tent.  Quite something to aim for.   So come on, lets get growing and showing     Who's going to be joining me?




So with an aim to my veg having some examples in top condition for the end of August, has anyone got any tips for how to sow and manage crops to be ready at a certain time?  I've never tried this before, in fact I've only entered one veg show before and I just sent along what was ready.


Any tips too for producing show quality veg?  What are the rules on presentation?  Anything else I need to know? 


 


 

[Rosemary]

Thank you, Fleecewife

I think we have some cracking classes and some cracking prizes -entries were up 25% in 2016 over 2015 so it would be great to build on this for 2017.

And don't forget the turnip lantern class

Try the National Vegetable Society for show bench tips 

[Fleecewife]

Thanks Rosemary.  I'll take a look at the NVS site, but I'm hoping for some more personal tips from local growers who know the local conditions.


I know [member=23029]lintmill[/member] will be there, so who else is up for it?  I haven't noted the entries in previous years, but there must be lots of smallholders with veg patches - and if not, then now's the time to start!! 

[Fleecewife]

<<< So with an aim to my veg having some examples in top condition for the end of August, has anyone got any tips for how to sow and manage crops to be ready at a certain time?  I've never tried this before, in fact I've only entered one veg show before and I just sent along what was ready.>>> 



Well, I've failed with my cauliflowers .  They are brilliant and tasty and sweet, but they will all have to be eaten or turned into piccalilli in the next couple of weeks - no chance of them lasting until the show.

I hope I have something that's in peak condition at the right time.  I suppose I couldn't expect to get it right at the first try.

[member=23029]lintmill[/member] how is your veg garden produce shaping up?[/font]

[lintmill]

Hello FW....

Veg plot and poly really doing well currently,  huge crop of french and broad beans, 20kg+ of strawbs so a jar will be entered into the Smallholer and GROWERS show at lanark.

The Cauliflowers are coming on and the squash are beginning to crawl all over the poly frame.  Lots more also...

Anything that I have ready which I can show I will,  hope it is not a fight for that first prize between the two of us......

[Fleecewife]

No, I think the resounding silence on the subject is because everyone is secretly growing away, getting massive specimens so they can go "ta da" on show day, and sweep the board 


Your veg patch and tunnel sound so productive Colin, and I know from past visits it will all be wonderful.  I'd love it if I could win just one little rosette    but it all needs to get growing.  Doesn't help that there's so little sunshine 


Keep on growing    and making jam, cordials etc

[lintmill]

Redcurrant jelly today...............

[Fleecewife]

I managed to wrest some redcurrants and blackcurrants from the blackbirds today, destined for Black and Red Goose Jamelly in the morning     If they hadn't had every raspberry that's ripe, it could have been first instar of Summer Garden Jam  (I get bored writing plain jampot labels....)