Page 20 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2025

Winter Zoom Talks Series 2024/2025
Our Winter Zoom series has once again
proven to be an incredible success! This
year’s lineup of speakers delivered a
wealth of knowledge and inspiration to
gardeners across the UK and Ireland,
all from the comfort of our homes. A
heartfelt thank you to everyone who
attended and made these sessions so
special, and a special shout-out to our
speakers who shared their expertise
with such enthusiasm and generosity.
January 7th
OWAIN ROBERTS ON GROWING
EXHIBITION POTATOES
Owain’s detailed walkthrough of growing
exhibition potatoes offered a glimpse into
his tried-and-true methods, from seed
preparation to storage. His expertise
inspired attendees to aim high in the
upcoming growing season.
A look back at the talks...
January 21st
SANDRA HALL – TUNNEL GROWING
Sandra shared the secrets of successful
tunnel gardening, we gained valuable tips
on enriching soil, enhancing ventilation,
using creative plant supports, and watering
techniques for improved results. Her
practical tips made extending the growing
season feel achievable for everyone.
February 4th
MARK PERRY ON GROWING
EXHIBITION STUMP CARROTS
Mark’s session offered an in-depth look at
growing top-quality stump carrots. With
March just around the corner, his advice
came at the perfect time for growers
February 18th
JIM PEARSON ON BROAD BEANS
Jim’s passion for growing broad beans
shone through as he shared his methods
for achieving National Standards. With
2025’s National Championships including
a Chair’s Challenge for broad beans, his
advice was especially timely.
Thank you to our speakers. We extend our
deepest gratitude to all our speakers. Your
willingness to share your knowledge and
passion made this series an unforgettable
experience for all who attended.
A GROWING RESOURCE:
OUR VIDEO LIBRARY
Over the past few years, we’ve built a
fantastic video library on our website,
featuring recordings of these sessions and
more. With over 6,300 views, it’s clear that
this resource is incredibly popular with
our members. If you missed a talk or want
to revisit a favourite session, be sure to
explore the library and make the most of
this treasure trove of gardening wisdom.
November 6th
JOHN SOULSBY
ON GROWING
EXHIBITION POT
LEEKS
John kicked off the series with
a masterclass in growing exhibition
pot leeks. His detailed insights on soil
preparation, feeding, and care provided
a roadmap for growers aiming for show-
standard results. Whether you’re a
seasoned gardener or just starting out,
John’s advice was a game-changer for
many attendees.
November 20th
DAVID THORNTON ON
PESTS AND DISEASES
David’s session focused on tackling
common garden invaders and harmful
conditions. With practical tips on organic
solutions and integrated pest management,
participants left equipped to protect their
gardens and enjoy a healthier growing
season.
December 3rd
LAURA TULLY ON CULTIVATING
HEALTH & WELLBEING THIS WINTER
Laura’s workshop reminded us that self-
care is just as important as caring for our
gardens. Her guidance on movement,
nutrition, sleep, and stress control left
attendees feeling recharged and ready to
face the winter months.
December 17th
FIONA AND RAY’S 2024
YEAR IN REVIEW
This reflective session celebrated the
highlights of the show season. Fiona and
Ray’s showcase of photos and results from
the Branch and National Championships
was a wonderful way to close out the year.
20 Simply Vegetables
March 4th
RAYMOND HIGGINS ON
GROWING FOR GLORY
Raymond’s beginner-friendly guide to
entering vegetable shows was a standout
for newcomers. His tips on preparation,
presentation, and judging criteria gave
participants the confidence to take the leap
into exhibiting.
March 18th
SIMON SMITH ON GROWING
TOMATOES AND CUCUMBERS
Simon closed out the series with his
expertise on tomatoes and cucumbers.
His emphasis on attention to detail and
dedication inspired attendees to aim for
top-quality results in these always-popular
show classes.
LOOKING AHEAD:
CALL FOR
SPEAKERS
Are you passionate about gardening?
Do you have expertise to share with
our community? We’re looking for
speakers for our 2025/2026 Winter
Zoom Series and would love to
hear from you! Whether you’re an
experienced exhibitor, a grower with
innovative techniques, or simply
someone with a story to tell, we’d be
delighted to feature you.
If you’re interested, please get in
touch with Raymond Higgins (Details
on Page 3) to discuss your ideas.
Thank you once again to everyone
who made this series such a success.
Here’s to another year of growth,
learning, and community!