SOME TIPS FOR ENTERING THE PRODUCE CLASSES AT SUMMER SHOW … from our Judge
Potatoes: should be evenly sized and have no blemishes. Any patches of green to be avoided. Washing potatoes in milk makes them whiter. Grow potatoes in a trench and fill the bottom with mown grass cuttings and/or bracken. The same applies to runner beans.
Runner beans: choose young, flat, straight beans that ‘snap’ nicely. 16-18inches is about the right length. Pods with beans showing ie bumpy are not favoured.
Herbs: only enter leaves ie no flowers. When growing, prune after first flush of growth so that that fresh leaves grow back in time for the show. The quality and variety of leaves in more important than prettiness of display.
Stone fruits and soft fruits: keep the stalks on. Choose a few good specimens rather than a bowlful of mixed.
Tomatoes: must be evenly sized and have calyxes attached. Varieties with a flat calyx are especially favoured. They should be ripe and have no discolouration or markings. Recommended varieties: Maisey, Cochin (cherry)
Onions: remove old dry tatty skin and do this several days before the show, then the exposed skin will colour nicely in time. Keep an inch or two of the tops and bind with raffia. Remove the roots.
Beetroot: keep the tap root on. Trim the tops to about 3inches. They do not need to be bound. Do not enter blemished beetroot. Give them a wash and a brush to remove any soil.
Carrots: should not have any green colouration near the top. Avoid this by earthing the carrots up as they grow. Straight carrots are favoured.
For show-quality vegetables buy your seeds from medwynsofanglesy.co.uk