Page 49 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2023

has been growing “show vegetables” for several years. His shallots and Kelsae onions looked particularly good, and with proper ripening he could be in the hunt at Branch level.
Our next stop was in Pathhead to Cush Miller. Cush is a very keen gardener, devoting all his back garden to specialist structures for the care and growing of show vegetables. Over the last few years, he has been unbeatable at local level with excellent Kelsae onions, but sadly this year his onions had not performed well, and he was at a loss to what he had done wrong! His long leeks and carrots looked good, and hopefully he will still take a few red tickets at the shows.
Next stop was main street in Pathhead to Jimmy Raeburn. Jimmy has not been able to commit too much time to gardening, but prides himself in a beautiful tidy garden, with a wonderful lawn and borders. Self- sufficient in tomatoes and cucumbers and hopefully competing with shallots, long leeks and stump carrots.
Last stop of the day was to my own home, lots of compliments on my window boxes and containers at the front of the house, not so many for my vegetables!
Most of my Kelsae onions went to seed or double headed early in the season, and my long leeks had a touch of thrip, tatties and long beet looked reasonable, but time will tell!
I was really pleased that everyone (apart from Niall Currie and his good lady, who
Statue at Shepherd’s house
had a ferry to catch!) came back for tea, coffee, home baking and strawberries. Thanks go to Janette for having baked, prepared and organised it all.
The weather behaved and a contented
bunch of gardeners and wives sat in the evening sun. I do believe everyone enjoyed their day out.
Jim Williams FNVS
Scottish Branch President
Jim’s succulent display
Simply Vegetables 49