Bathford Flower & Veg Show – A First

First Prize - Onions

The culmination of a good year so far was being awarded First Prize for Onions in the Bathford Show on Saturday 6th September 2008. I thought they were good with such a golden glow (New Fen Globe) when I lifted them but it is nice to know that the judges agreed. I read up about showing them but discovered on Thursday night that I really should have started preparing them about six weeks ago and not two days before the show. Maybe next year. I was tempted to oil them but settled instead for whipping the ends. I also notice that I should really make the ends a bit shorter. I’m sure I lost a few points for that. I’ve included the other 9 entries below to show that I had some worthy opposition.

The Competition

I also succeeded in taking second place with my cucumber (Marketmore) grown outdoors. I’m not too disheartened as the winner was a greenhouse grown, arrow straight, perfect example.

A lucky dip gave me second place in the “Longest Bean” entries with 18 and a half inches (White Lady).

A final selection based on smaller is better for the Purple French climbing beans (Empress) gave me a surprise third place.

Second Prize - Cucumber

 

I also entered sweetcorn – top not quite ripe but the rest looked wonderful, courgettes – too big, beetroot – too small, runner beans – not good, potatoes – too small.

As a final thought on this – I grow the veg for flavour rather than to look good.  

The beans have been appalling this year, both to get them to grow and then to pick them at the right stage. Almost all of the white onions I grew have rotted but the reds are not too bad.