Category Archives: Fruit & Veg

Presenting Your Potatoes (or any other veg…)

Well folks, I’ve been off my feet for the last 5 weeks with a pair of crutches and an instruction to keep my foot above my heart, so the Show updates have almost stopped. One of our gardening experts though as dropped a few “top tips” over to me, which I’ll duly pass on.

Potato_heart_mutation

  • Read the schedule. Four first class onions will not win if the schedule says five.
  • Lift root veg close to Show day and be sure to include every bit of fine root -for showing – presentation is everything.
  • Wash root veg well. Long roots like carrots should be wiped around rather than along their length. A kitchen sponge can be used with care. Scratches will not show on a wet item but when dry will spoil the appearance.
  • Arrange your exhibits to look their best  for instance with 3 carrots put best in the middle, tie stems with raffia or string and cut them off to same length.
  • Sit shallots on a plate of dry sand and onions on small rings.

So that’s it. Useful advice for those that weren’t aware!

We’re two weeks away from the show now, and the signs should be going up around the village. If anyone can snap one for me to put on the site, I’d be grateful, as I’m not going to be out and about much until the show probably.

See you on the 13th! Or maybe the 12th if you come and register when I’m booking in. Instructions for entering can be found on the Take Part page, and as usual, you can download the schedule which has all the information.

Or you can pick up a paper copy from one of the local shops!

Some New Classes

Right folks,

This year at the Weaverham & Acton Bridge show, we will see a couple of new classes appear to try and get some more creative juices flowing. The precise wording of these classes are TBA at the moment, but I thought I’d give all our readers a heads up! Best check the schedule when it’s finalised to be clear.

In the Domestic produce class, we’re adding chocolate brownies, probably four, but if you want to bring five and leave one at the door for Ian, that would be absolutely fine. Unfortunately I don’t go anywhere near domestic judging so I can’t put in a good word for you, but rest assured, I’ll be thinking of you!

In the Flower section we’re adding a vase of annuals. I had to go to the RHS website to find out what that meant (you can read more here.)

gladioliIn the Veg & Fruit section we’re strongly considering adding cherry tomatoes for those of you who grow them. What constitutes a cherry is up for debate, but Liz is going to get a proper definition from the judge for the schedule. “Smaller than normal ones” is probably a good guess, and will (I think) include small plum tomatoes as well.

Finally, at the committee meeting last night, there was an interesting discussion regarding Gladioli and the low number of entries we see each year. I’m therefore going to have a go at growing one or two merely to give our incumbent winner a run for his trowel and also to try and promote the humble Gladioli which – according to this article – is not de rigueur at the moment. Should you all wish to take up the challenge, get your bulbs in now!

The site should start to see a bit more action over the coming months as we gear up for the summer show. Don’t forget to mark out the calendar for the 13th (it’s a bit later this year) and maybe try and encourage a friend or two to have a go at one of the classes if they don’t already.

Enjoy Spring. Not sure what happened to winter, but I’m hoping for less rain and a bit more sunshine.

Take care, see you all soon!