clacton allotments show

[johhnyco15]

this is it our first try at a show and show time is nearly here its the 2nd aug 2015 at london road allotments london road clacton on sea essex starts at 11am so if your in the area or on a day trip to the coast me and my fellow allotmenteers would be happy to show you around it being our first time dont expect too much but im sure you will enjoy it so if you in the area come on down the price is right  its free

[johhnyco15]

[johhnyco15]

2 weeks to go to the 1st clacton allotment show london road allotments london road clacton-on-sea essex fun starts at 10 am sunday the 2nd of aug so pop down and have a look around if your in the area and its all free

[Tee Gee]

I hope the show goes well for you Johnny sorry I won't manage to come it would be a bit of a trek for me it must be over two hundred miles away.

I remember when I was 'showing' it was always a bit of a buzz.

It was not unusual for me to fit two or on occasions three shows in one weekend, I specialised in Dahlias and Chtysanthemums and sometimes a few veg to make up the numbers.

I was also Treasurer of our local C&D society so when our show was on I was doubly busy exhibiting and organising.

It would appear your allotments are new to this game so this link might be of use to you and your members

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Show%20schedule/Show%20Schedule.htm

[johhnyco15]

thanks tg  thats really helpful 

[johhnyco15]

1week to go untill the greatest allotment show clacton has ever seen well i think its the only one lol gates open at 9.30 sunday the 2nd of aug so if your in the area pop along and come and have a tour and join in the fun and its free entry

[cornykev]

Lets hope the weathers better than today Johhny, I take it its raining in Clacky.   

[johhnyco15]

Lets hope the weathers better than today Johhny, I take it its raining in Clacky.   

yes indeed kev the forecast looks ok the storm last sat smashed all my long runner beans to bits so im hoping  ill have something to show come this sunday and by the way folks its this sunday from 9.30 free refreshments free entry go on treat yourself to a day by the seaside and come and say hello 

[johhnyco15]

2 days to go i was at the plot 6.30 this morning trying to get it ship shape and bristol fashion my runner beans got smashed last week in the storm i hope i can get some to show

[Tee Gee]

smashed all my long runner beans to bits

C'mon now Johnny I hope that is not an excuse

With runner beans it is not always about length its quality and uniformity that is key, or at least is should be.

In a class of say six beans, pods exactly the same size,fresh looking and stringless when snapped should always beat a collection of longer beans that although long are of slightly varying length, not quite flat and don't snap cleanly.

Have you got all your winners selected/ picked I used to start my selecting on the Wednesday prior to a Saturday show.

This allowed me to slow stuff down that would be over the top by Saturday,or conversely push it on with a bit of heat if I thought it was not quite up to scratch.

The tomatoes would measured for size plus one reserve because many of an exhibit can get damaged in transit and it if you don't have a reserve you do not have an entry.

Wrap your runner beans in a damp tea cloth or similar until just before judging this makes them look fresher on the show bench.

If you are showing a cucumber try and show one with the remains of the flower on it,some judges like that, if nothing else this will prove it did not come off the supermarket shelf.

Have you an idea yet as to what and how much produce you are showing?

It's a bit late now but if you want any tips I am sure there are a few of us around who have been there and got the tee shirt.

Other than that here's wishing you the best of luck....Tg

[johhnyco15]

smashed all my long runner beans to bits

C'mon now Johnny I hope that is not an excuse

With runner beans it is not always about length its quality and uniformity that is key, or at least is should be.

In a class of say six beans, pods exactly the same size,fresh looking and stringless when snapped should always beat a collection of longer beans that although long are of slightly varying length, not quite flat and don't snap cleanly.

Have you got all your winners selected/ picked I used to start my selecting on the Wednesday prior to a Saturday show.

This allowed me to slow stuff down that would be over the top by Saturday,or conversely push it on with a bit of heat if I thought it was not quite up to scratch.

The tomatoes would measured for size plus one reserve because many of an exhibit can get damaged in transit and it if you don't have a reserve you do not have an entry.

Wrap your runner beans in a damp tea cloth or similar until just before judging this makes them look fresher on the show bench.

If you are showing a cucumber try and show one with the remains of the flower on it,some judges like that, if nothing else this will prove it did not come off the supermarket shelf.

Have you an idea yet as to what and how much produce you are showing?

It's a bit late now but if you want any tips I am sure there are a few of us around who have been there and got the tee shirt.

Other than that here's wishing you the best of luck....Tg thanks tg i have around 8 all at 15 inches and in good nick  shoould all be perfect for sunday next year ill be at your door after show tips thanks for your help ill let you know how i get on  i did have around 50 beans around 15 inches to choose from  but hay ho what ive got will have to do

[johhnyco15]

not sure what happend to my reply tg i have around 8 15inch perfect beans before the storm i had a choice of 50 to 60 long carrots are being opened at the show so know ones knows as a bit of fun made my jam and chutney got to pick my flowers for my display think im going all white with maybe blue corn flowers and love in the mist just to break it up apples have been selected and spuds toms are not ripe yet so wont show any but i am growing green zebra so you never know but next year ill be on your ear for tips thanks for you help

[Tee Gee]

long carrots are being opened at the show so know ones knows as a bit of fun

That sounds a brilliant idea are they grown in pots or are they dug out from the plot in front of a judge?

made my jam and chutney

Oh I never got into that I don't consider that gardening, but then again I am a bit of a chauvinist

think im going all white with maybe blue corn flowers and love in the mist just to break

I am not sure about the white blue and love in the mist, but what I would go for if you have enough flowers is put in a vase of just Cornflower and Love in the mist as well as I think the foliage would complement each other.....just a thought!

spuds

Some people polish these I never did. I have heard that some people wash their spuds in milk so that when they dry it puts a gloss on them.

All I did wash wash them in warm soapy water making sure I got any soil/grit out of the eyes.

Then I let them get absolutely dry then I would lightly polish them with a piece of velvet or corduroy taking care not to tear/scuff the skin.

The potatoes would be carried to the show so that they are not touching and covered with the velvet/corduroy so that I could give them final buffing just before displaying.

i am growing green zebra

What the hell is that?  thats a nw one on me.................a picture please when you get it on the showbench!

Well that's my tuppence worth so you can either take it on board or just play to your own hunches!

But let me wish you the best of luck, it takes me back to my good old days when this was a seasons work!

(These are not an ego trip they are something for you to aspire to)

[Obelixx]

It's a stripey green tomato TeeGee.  I'm trying it this year too.  To eat, not show.

[Silverleaf]

Gosh, showing sounds like an alien world to me! I don't care what my produce looks like as long as it tastes good. :)

[galina]

And Green Zebra ticks both showing and tasting boxes. 

This tomato was bred by Tom Wagner, here is the story, Tee Gee:
http://www.tom8toes.com/index.php/tomato-collections/green-zebra/green-zebra-9.html

Tom still sells seeds, feast your eyes on those stripey tomatoes and colourful potatoes:
https://www.tatermaterseeds.com/shop/

Others have followed, here are some pictures from the varieties of Wild Boar Farm:
http://shop.wildboarfarms.com/TOMATO-SEEDS_c3.htm


Johhnyco15, hope all goes well and you have a great show day!   

[johhnyco15]

3 firsts a 2nd a third and 2 fourth places gave me enough points to win the best in show cup by a good margin my early apples done the trick giving me 3 places 

[cornykev]

Well done that man, I haven't been to Clackie for a while, too busy with new house at the moment but have two mates living there so I'll have to pop down soon.   

[galina]

   Congratulations    

[johhnyco15]

Well done that man, I haven't been to Clackie for a while, too busy with new house at the moment but have two mates living there so I'll have to pop down soon.   

[johhnyco15]

thanks kev your always welcome and ill give you a tour of the site                     thanks galina think i better start planning for next year