At our November meeting, our speaker Peter Cranfield, gave us a window into the fascinating world of growing and showing vegetables. As a member of the National Vegetable Society, a grower himself and an established judge at both local and National shows, Peter was well qualified to pass on his expertise. A firm believer in gardening organically, Peter advocated planting out in raised beds and growing in containers. We learnt about the value of improving the quality of soil. Manure, compost, and organic fertilizers such as fish, blood and bone, sterilized bonemeal and hoof and horn add NPK nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to the soil which are the three main nutrients needed for plant growth.
To inspire us all, Peter explained the optimum growing conditions, and organic growth stimulants required for producing the best leeks, onions, beetroot, salad leaves, carrots cauliflowers, tomatoes, beans, and potatoes. He recommended the most successful F1 seed varieties to choose for exhibiting, such as Sweet Candle carrots and Capri, Zenith and Meccano tomatoes. We saw slides of perfectly formed and blemish free specimens that had won first prizes at Garden shows. It takes a lot of planning, time, care, and patience to produce prize-winning vegetables not to mention the watering regime and the use of netting and wire fences as a barrier to pests. However, there were plenty of helpful tips in Peter’s talk, for those who just enjoy growing vegetables to eat!!
Rosemary Jones
