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Hi all, I've been growing fruit and veg 2 seasons now on my mini veg plot at our house. I've been improving the stony clay soil (leaf mould, horse manure and compost) but it's going to be a long process. Next year I'm considering entering the village show next year with various things but one I'm really considering for the fun of it is the giant veg catagory. Unfortunately I've not been able to get down to the show so am unsure what I'm up against. I'm wondering where it might be best to concentrate my efforts as the catagory is one entry per person any giant veg! I'm considering giant onion, marrow, carrot or pumpkin but can't decide, any help would be great thanks, ps I'm in Lancaster on clay.
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Well, I'd say that the first thing is that there will be the 'old boys' who will likely walk away with the giant trophy as they have for years and years, so don't be upset by that! But it is huge fun entering and joining in, and - who knows? - you might be a dab hand!
The second thing that I'd say would be to invest in very good 'mammoth' seed - Robinsons do a good range.
The third thing is that carrots are onions are not as easy to grow as marrow and pumpkin - the latter two just need a ton of feed and water. -
Hi and welcome! I *think* onions would have to have been started by now. You could try giant carrots grown in lengths of drainpipe? There's videos of it on the Web.He-Pep!Comment
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Thanks guys, I did OK with my carrots in grow bags of sand this year, so drainpipe carrots sound interesting. Hazel, I've seen the winners list from last couple of years and unsurprisingly the same names are all over the place so I'm not expecting to win, just have some fun and join in with the village fun a bit. I've got a giant pumpkin on order, might be time to get some horse muck and fill one of the compost bins.Comment
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I always sow my Onion seed on Boxing Day and once produced some 5lb onions, it's all in the seed and the feed, trouble is they are a bit useless in the kitchen..............too big.Comment
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OK, it's a weird suggestion, but you're unlikely to have many competitors vying for the biggest cabbage or cauli award! Brassicas should do well on clay, but it might be a good idea to grow a few to ensure that you get one that hasn't split on the day. A friend of mine here once grew a cauli with an 8-kilo head by dint of feeding it plenty of muck.
Welcome to the Vine, by the way.Comment
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Welcome from me too
I suggest you grow something unusual, relatively easy to grow and naturally big. Also makes people chuckle because Village Shows should be about having fun
Have a search for Tromboncino aka Tromba
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^^
Brilliant idea!Comment
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That's a great idea VC, that might be taking pride of place atop the dalek full of compost and FYM. Handy having a father in law farmer down the road.Comment
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Most local shows have a Novice section for first time exhibitors, this helps you get some experience plus if you have the biggest or heaviest veg of any type it would be recognised, for onions you should follow the thread posted by potstubsanddustbins about this where you will find excellent advice from Aberdeen Plotter, whatever you try remember, if you dont try you will never know, so the best of luckLast edited by rary; 08-10-2017, 09:32 PM.it may be a struggle to reach the top, but once your over the hill your problems start.
Member of the Nutters Club but I think I am just there to make up the numbers
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