Author Topic: allotment show (Read 1717 times)

Sparkly · « **on:** July 09, 2007, 10:17:08 »

I have decided to enter our allotment show. This is our first year at the site and I don't think most of our stuff is that great, but some stuff looks top! The show is not till mid aug so I think most of my summer cabbages will be finished by then. I think I will have beetroot, lettuce, maybe runner beans and french beans ready. Any tips on looking for the best beetroot, beans and lettuce? I am not really bothered about winning, we just want to show willing to support the site. Saying this I don't want to enter rubbish veg! any tips appreciated ;D

Tee Gee · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2007, 15:17:27 »

This is what the judge will be looking for!

The details have been extracted from my RHS Show handbook.

Beans, Dwarf French/Stringless

Meritorious; Straight, fresh, tender snap pods with stalks and of even length and good, green colour with no outward sign of seeds.
Defective; Pods that are mis-shapen, dull, shrivelled, tough or stringy or that have prominent seeds.

Condition and freshness. = 5 points
Size and shape = 4 points
Colour = 3 points
Uniformity = 3 points
Total =15 points

Beans, Runner and Stringless Runner

Meritorious; Long, slender, straight, fresh pods of good colour with no outward sign of seeds.

Defective; Pods that are short, broad, mis-shapen, tough or stringy, of poor shape and colour or that have prominent seeds.
Condition = 5 points
Size and shape = 5 points
Colour = 4 points
Uniformity = 4 points
Total = 18 points

Beetroot

Meritorious; Beetroot of the long type: broad, clean shoulders, evenly tapered; of the globe type: spherical with small tap roots; of either type: good sized roots of not more than tennis-ball size, fangless with smooth clear skins and flesh of a uniform dark colour.

Defective; Roots that are mis-shapen, fangy or tough or have rough skins or flesh that is ringed or of a pale colour.

Beetroot, Globe and Cylindrical
Condition = 5 points
Colour of flesh = 5 points
Uniformity = 5 points
Total = 15 points

Beetroot, Long
Condition = 5 points
Size and shape = 4 points
Colour of flesh = 5 points
Uniformity = 4 points
Total = 18 points

Capsicums (Sweet Peppers) and Chili Peppers

Meritorious; Fresh, brightly coloured green, red or yellow fruits with colour according to cultivar.
Defective; Fruits that are dull, shrivelled or poorly coloured.

Condition = 5 points
Size and shape = 4 points
Colour = 3 points
Uniformity = 3 points
Total = 15 points

Carrots, Long/Other than Long

Meritorious; Tender roots of good shape, colour and size according to cultivar, free from side roots; skins clean and bright for both long and other than long.
Defective; Roots that are coarse and mis-shapen, fangy, dull or poorly coloured, green at the crown or pest-damaged.

Long ......Other than Long
Condition 6 points . 5 points
Size and Shape 4 points . 4 points
Colour 5 points . 5 points
Uniformity 5 points. 4 points

Total 20 points. 18 points

Cauliflowers including Winter Cauliflower (White Heading 'Broccoli')
Meritorious; Heads with symmetrical, close, solid, white curds, free from stain or frothiness. Size according to cultivar.
Defective; Heads of irregular shape, beginning to open, yellowing or stained or showing leaf in the curd.
Condition including solidity =5 points
Colour =5 points
Size and shape =5 points
Uniformity =5 points
Total = 20 points

Cucumbers
Meritorious; Fresh, young, green, tender, straight fruits of uniform thickness with short handles and with flowers still adhering.
Defective; Fruits that are old, yellowing, crooked, soft, of irregular thickness with long handles or lacking flowers.

House and Ridge ...........Frame outdoor grown
Condition 5 points 5 points
Size and shape 5 points 4 points
Colour (blanch) 4 points 3 points
Uniformity 4 points 3 points
Total 18 points 15 points

Lettuces
Meritorious; Firm, tender, unbroken hearts of good colour.
Defective; Hearts that are soft or tough or show signs of bolting or have outer leaves that are limp or of poor colour or are showing signs of pest damage.
Condition = 5 points
Solidity and texture = 4 points
Colour = 3 points
Uniformity = 3 points
Total =15 points

Onions
Meritorious; Firm, thin-necked bulbs. At autumn and winter shows the bulbs must be well-ripened.
In summer show as grown.
Size and shape according to cultivar.
Defective; Bulbs that are small or soft or have soft or thick necks or have broken outer skins or have been skinned excessively.
Condition = 5 points
Size = 5 points
Shape and colour = 5 points
Uniformity = 5 points
Total = 20 points

Onions under 8 oz (227 g)
Condition = 6 points
Size, shape and colour = 4 points
Uniformity = 5 points
Total = 15 points

Potatoes
Meritorious; Medium-sized of about 6 oz (170 g) per tuber; shapely, clean, clear-skinned tubers; eyes few and shallow.
Defective; Tubers that are very small or very large or are mis-shapen or have damaged, speckled or patchy skins or have many or deep eyes.
Condition = 5 points
Size = 3 points
Shape = 4 points
Eyes = 3 points
Uniformity = 5 points
Total = 20 points

I like the attitude you are taking but you may get a few surprises when you get along there. You will probably find that many don't have this attitude.

My philosophy was the judge's decision is final and I found this got me through some rather traumatic moments.

Go into enjoy it, I used to love it in particular meeting people of like minds and the little secrets you get to find out.

Some of which I have shared here with you all at A4A

Best of luck.

Will leave it up to you if you decide to come back to us and tell us how you got on.

Sparkly · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2007, 16:36:49 »

Thanks very much ;D I will let you know how we get on. I am not expecting to win anything. We are doing it more to show support for the event and the site. I am going to enter some of the baking and preserve section as well. I might standard a slightly better chance there - you never know!

Mrs Ava · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2007, 17:59:09 »

ooo Tee Gee I am going to print that. I will be entering the Autumn veg show again, I did quite well this year, but would like to get a first for the top tray this year. Those notes will help no end!

Robert_Brenchley · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2007, 07:45:39 »

I'm in much the same position; so far I'm thinking of entering garlic, if I can lift any with nice white skins that is, and elephant garlic. How would you show the latter? I don't know whether to enter the biggest, which are an impressive size but not very attractive, or some more attractive smaller bulbs.

davyw1 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2007, 08:22:59 »

If you are going to show beetroot what you need to do is to earth it up and keep it covered with the soil. You are looking for a beet about the size of a tennis ball nice and round. Make sure you dig your beet out with tap root attached, after washing it give it i light rub over with olive oil to get a nice shine.

Tee Gee · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2007, 12:49:24 »

Garlic

Meritorious; Round, solid, well-ripened bulbs with thin necks.

Garlic displayed for exhibition should not be divided into segments (cloves).

Defective; Bulbs that are asymmetrical, soft, poorly ripened or that have thick necks.

Condition ........ 3 points
Size .......... 2 points
Colour ......... 3 points
Uniformity ........ 4 points
Total ......... 12 points

Robert_Brenchley · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2007, 20:17:45 »

If that applies to the heffalumps as well, then I need the smaller bulbs. Thanks.

Tee Gee · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2007, 20:20:46 »

Technically what we know as Elephant garlic is not a garlic so if the judge wants to be a bit pedantic he might disqualify you.

Robert_Brenchley · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2007, 20:23:25 »

I doubt it, it's a very friendly little show. But I was thinking of the 'any other veg' category, so it would be bombproof.

Tee Gee · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2007, 20:39:14 »

I used to love entering that category!

Oddly enough it is a difficult one to win (and judge)

I recall my last entry in this category was a sweetcorn which I won with.

But the thing I remember most of all about it was;I left the cob to be sold at the auction following the show and guess what? I saw it being exhibited at another show the following day.

What some people will do to win :-\

Sparkly · « **Reply #11 on:** August 19, 2007, 17:08:43 »

Just had our allotment show and got the following:

1st prize - Chutney - Roast Pepper & Apricot
2nd prize - Lettuce
2nd prize - Biggest vegetable - with a marrow
2nd prize - Pickle - Sweet Piccallili
3rd prize - Beetroot
3rd prize - Jam - Allotment Jam (strawberry, bramble, gooseberry and whatever else was ready)

cornykev · « **Reply #12 on:** August 19, 2007, 17:30:07 »

Three cheers for Sparkly. ;D ;D ;D :-*

HappyMouffetard · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2007, 17:54:01 »

Well done, Sparkly" :D

saddad · « **Reply #14 on:** August 20, 2007, 17:45:03 »

Well done Sparkly... going to wow them with the heritage beans next year?
;D

Biscombe · « **Reply #15 on:** August 21, 2007, 07:48:01 »

Thats amazing!! that chutney sounds yummy!! well done you ;D

Sparkly · « **Reply #16 on:** August 21, 2007, 15:10:12 »

thanks everyone!

The chutney: I made it up, but since it was a success I might make a bigger batch.

*8 red/orange/yellow peppers (roasted in olive oil, skins and pips removed and then chopped)
*1 medium red onion
*1 medium white onion
*3 cloves garlic
*1 tsp salt, 1 tsp ground pepper
* 1 tsp cumin powder
* 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
*1 fresh red chilli (chopped)
*12 dried apricots (chopped)
*1 cup granulated sugar
*1/2 cup cider vinegar

fry onions and garlic then add all the other ingredients. Simmer for about 30 mins and then put in sterilised jars.

tilts · « **Reply #17 on:** August 21, 2007, 18:43:42 »

Will definitely try this recipe it sounds lovely. well done Sparkly, don't forget to post this on recipes4all as well.

Barnowl · « **Reply #18 on:** August 23, 2007, 13:22:24 »

Great work Sparky :)

News:

Author Topic: allotment show (Read 1717 times)