Much consideration was given to strategy. Last year's results set the bar pretty high, but we're not going to rest on our laurel (Novice Potato: Second Prize). We shortlisted entries in the following categories:
- 1: collection of vegetables, 5 distinct kinds, to be staged on 900mm of table space
- 1a: as above, 3 kinds
- 2: potatoes white, 5
- 3: potatoes coloured, 5
- 4: heaviest potato
- 5: onions grown from seed, 5
- 19: courgettes (zucchini), 3
- 25: any other vegetable for which no separate class exists
- 80 (Novice): potatoes, 5
- 85 (Novice): any other vegetable for which no separate class exists in Novice section - our contenders were Elephant garlic, garlic and sweetcorn
- 86 (Novice): apples, dessert, 3
- 95: a hand knitted garment
- 101: a poem, taking as its subject "My Favourite View".
Also, because we anticipated being away camping on the day, we were reliant on the kind help of P (plot next door), who volunteered (well, agreed) to stage our entries. Given the fact that she was also going to be a competitor - indeed, our competitor - this was either a selfless act or an opportunity for sabotage.
Our thinking developed thus:
- 1 and 1a: way too much trouble
- 2 and 3: stick to the Novice category until you win (after which you are barred from entry)
- 4: our candidate had too many little holes in it
- 5: yes, yes, yes - we examined both reds and whites, decided there was too much variation among the whites; cleaned and scales removed (overskinning is, in the show guide, a "big mistake"), with the tops tied over themselves; exhibited on rings (sections of toilet roll, covered in shiny paper)
- 19: couldn't really rustle up three matching ones at this point in the season
- 25: went for Novice instead
- 80: not happy with the consistency - this decision reached after much agonising and debate
- 85 (Novice): yes, yes, yes - garlic tied as above
- 86 (Novice): three lovely pink apples, all on the same branch
- 95: the marital jumper
- 101: no, not really...
P duly took receipt of our entries and exhibited on Saturday morning, prior to anonymous judging. We were back in time for the afternoon show. Results: - garlic: Third Prize! (Beaten by the Ladies)
- dessert apples: Third Prize!
- onions grown from seed: Second Prize! (Beaten by Mr G).
We are pleased, though disappointed about the handknit garment (the judges seem to have a thing for doily-style tops for infants), and a bit sad that none of our entries attracted a Post-It Note. As is traditional, the winners will be eaten (thank goodness the jumper didn't place.)We can expect a payback of 50p (no cash award for third prizes) on an investment of 80p (and countless hours).
What we learned: on balance, I think we should have entered more categories. We had been reluctant to enter anything that wasn't flawless, but I think we would have 'medalled' (Olympic horror) in additional categories regardless of flawed produce (well, not flawed to us, but to the objective observer). Mr G has kindly offered advice next year (our third growing season!), which we will gladly accept.
In other news, N dug the remaining potatoes (always a bit Dan Quayle-anxious about the 'e') which brought us a two-thirds full (never one-third empty) IKEA bag of spuds. As usual, stored the flawless (now a total of one and a half large bags - including the last earlies - and five trays of drying, muddy taters). N is a touch disappointed in the overall haul; K thinks it is about what we got last year, and N has become jaded. Sewed two types of green manure on the former potato patches.
Adjacent, the kale, on the former site of the first earlies, is thriving in a rather striking purple and green combination.K maintains that eternal vigilance is the price of having winter cabbages to eat. They are still attracting caterpillars.
The second batch of peas has succumbed to downy mildew; although we ate a few samples, they are on their way out. A series of corn harvested, too. Not terribly impressive to anyone who has had fresh Canadian corn. Quite gappy when it comes to kernels. We must have had 25 courgettes over the last couple of weeks; some eaten, some frozen, some given away. Beans still coming but, to be honest, also on their way out.
About eight squashes (gourds, I recall, in my homeland) in progress. We wonder if we should have been more ruthless and concentrated the plants' growing power in a few larger items. Leeks still upright and green. Carrots disappointing, in a mis-shapen way. How accustomed we have been to straight, blemish-free fruit and veg, occasionally in cellophane.K can see winter onions coming into view. The pak choi, and whatever else N planted around the kale, is hard to distinguish from weeds.
Much joy in the Fruit Cage - autumn raspberries a-plenty (supplemented by local blackberries), fragrant sweetpeas, apples so crisp and sweet.
But it's definitely autumn, after a rubbish summer. Our thoughts must turn to winter activities, and spring dreams.
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