3rd September 2022

The Fire Brigade has requested that all ‘fire based’ activities are postponed given the very dry weather we’ve had. So, the original plan of a BBQ along with the Fruit and Veg competition has been changed to a Picnic instead.

The Picnic is free for all members (plot holders and associates) and we would ask additional guests to make a £3 contribution each towards the food. There will be plenty of shade and refreshments so please come along and join us.

If you are thinking about entering the Fruit and Veg competition… the judging is based on the condition, the ripeness, and the consistency of your entry. Size doesn’t matter!

Skip ahead to: the Timetable, the Competition Rules, the Competition Schedule

Timetable for the day

8:00 am – Staging opens

10:00 am – Staging closes

11:00 am – Picnic starts

12:30 pm to 2:00 pm – Winners of the competition will be announced

2:00 pm – Picnic finishes

3:00 pm – all entries cleared up

Rules

General Rules:

  1. The Judge’s decision is always final.
  2. All produce must have been grown on the allotment site.
  3. Unless stated otherwise, all entries will be presented on paper plates (provided during staging).
  4. Entries must be registered before midnight on Friday 2nd September.
  5. Exhibitors must stage their produce within the staging window (8am to 10am).
  6. All entrants must clear the staging area by 11 am.
  7. All entries must be fit for table.
  8. Clean up will begin at 2pm and any unclaimed entries after 3pm will be disposed of by the Committee.

Points:

Each entry will be marked out of 15 points:

  • 5 for Condition (fresh, not wrinkled / dried etc)
  • 5 for Consistency (how similar the size, shape, colour)
  • 5 for Ripeness (points lost for produce overripe or harvested early)

Prizes:

There will be one prize per Class of a small packet of seeds, chosen at random.

There will be one prize for Best in Show of either a bottle of alcohol or a £10 gift card.

Prizes will be given out at the Allotment picnic between 12:30 and 2pm.

To register either:

  • E-mail ‘competition@joelstreetallotments.co.uk’ with your name and which classes you would like to enter.
  • Add your name to the sign-up sheet in the car park

Schedule

Single Classes:

1. POTATOES, three white, one variety

2. POTATOES, three coloured, one variety

If the eyes are coloured, the potato variety will be classed as coloured. Wash gently with a sponge to remove the dirt without damaging the skin.

3. CARROTS, three, long pointed, one variety, approx. 75mm tops

4. CARROTS, three stump rooted, one variety, approx. 75mm tops

Main carrot root to be intact, but trim off any side roots. Wash gently with a sponge to remove the dirt without damaging the carrot skin.

5. CABBAGES, two, one variety

Cut off roots, and leave stem approx 75mm. You may remove outer leaves if they are showing slug or caterpillar damage.

6. ONIONS, two, one variety, each bulb over 250g

7. ONIONS, three, one variety, no bulb to exceed 250g

When ripe, cut stem to within 75cm, bend stem over and tie. Trim off roots. You may remove papery outer layers, but stop before reaching the internal fleshy layer.

8. BEANS, runner, six, one variety

9. BEANS, any other bean, six, one variety

Beans must be attached to the stalk.

10. TOMATOES, large, not less than 75mm diameter, two, one variety

11. TOMATOES, medium over 35mm, under 75mm diameter, three, one variety

12. TOMATOES, small/cherry, not more than 35mm diameter, five, one variety

Tomatoes must have the calyx attached to the fruit.

13. KALE, leaves with stalks, four, one variety

14. RHUBARB, three sticks, one variety, approx. 75mm tops

Don’t trim off the base of rhubarb stems. Trim the leaf to approx. 100mm.

15. CUCUMBERS, two, one variety

16. SWEETCORN, two, one variety

Part of the husks of sweetcorn should be opened up to show the kernels inside, but leave the ‘silks’ intact. Ideally the kernels should go right up to the top of the cob.

17. COURGETTES, two, one variety, not to exceed 150mm in length

18. SQUASHES, two, one variety

19. APPLES, three dessert, one variety

20. APPLES, three cooking, one variety

21. PEARS, two, one variety

22. BLACKBERRIES, eight, one variety, with stalk

Special Classes:

23. Biggest Leaf (measured by width or length, any type)

24. Heaviest Squash (any type)

25. Longest Bean (stalk not to exceed 20mm)

26. Strangest Shape (selected by members vote)