Page 60 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2023

Essex DA Report
Since I last wrote, we have had another talk, “Growing unusual vegetables” by Matt Oliver. Since Matt last came and spoke to us, he’s taken up a new role and is now Head Gardener at Ulting Wick. Matt shared his experiences of growing some very unusual types of vegetables (and what they tasted like!) with all of us. There were some that we’d never even heard of, let alone know what they’d look like or how they’d grow. Thanks so much to Matt for coming along and speaking to us again!
In addition, we held our Essex DA Mini Show on 16 July. We had 121 entries this year, which was an increase on 2022 when we got 108 entries. A full list of prize winners are below.
1 Onions, 250g or under
3 Onions, shown as grown* (excluding 5 Potatoes, white
7 Carrots, other than long
9 Beans, dwarf
11 Beetroot, globe
13 Cauliflowers
15 Shallots, pickling (max. 30mm)
17 Table marrows
19 Cucumbers, outdoor
21 Tomatoes, cherry
23 Peas
25 Collection of 4 kinds of vegetables (1 27 Any other vegetable
Special Patty pan summer squashes
We held a “special class” this year for a pair of Patty Pan summer squashes. We handed out plants to any members who wanted to give the class a go at our April meeting. We had a total of 7 entries, so one of our most popular classes. It’s good to try something different, and we’ll have to have a think about what we can do as a “special class” for 2024.
Thanks to everyone that came along
and entered, helped out in the kitchen to provide refreshments and/or visited our show.
We still have a vacant Secretary position on our Essex DA committee. If anyone is interested in taking up this role, please get in touch. For further information on Essex DA events, please contact Emily Plumb
on emily.plumb@btinternet.com or Sherie Plumb on 01621 741787.
Class
Vegetable
1st Prize
2nd Prize
3rd Prize
2
Onions, over 250g
Not awarded
Ken Holland
Not awarded
green salad)
Sherie Plumb Sherie Plumb Peter Plumb Sherie Plumb Peter Plumb Dave Willox Sherie Plumb John Brackley Peter Plumb Chris Harris Chris Harris Peter Plumb Sherie Plumb Sherie Plumb Sherie Plumb
Norman Holland Sue Holland Sherie Plumb Not awarded Fred Plumb Peter Plumb Peter Plumb Not awarded Amy Plumb
Not awarded John Brackley John Mead Peter Plumb John Brackley Emily Harris
Ken Holland Norman Holland Dave Willox Dave Willox Sherie Plumb Ken Holland Norman Holland Not awarded Sherie Plumb Not awarded Carol Brackley Not awarded Dave Willox Norman Holland Amy Plumb
4
Onions, green salad
No entries
6
Potatoes, coloured
Sherie Plumb
Not awarded
Dave Willox
8
Beans, runner
Sherie Plumb
Peter Plumb
John Brackley
10
Beans, broad
Sherie Plumb
Peter Plumb
John Brackley
12
Cabbages, green
Peter Plumb
Ken Holland
Dave Willox
14
Shallots, exhibition
John Brackley
Not awarded
Norman Holland
16
Courgettes
Sherie Plumb
Amy Plumb
Ken Holland
18
Cucumbers, indoor
Sherie Plumb
John Brackley
John King
20
Cucumbers, mini
Amy Plumb
Sherie Plumb
Fred Plumb
22
Tomatoes, salad
Dave Willox
John King
Peter Plumb
24
Collection of 4 kinds of vegetables
Sherie Plumb
Norman Holland
Ken Holland
of each)
26
Collection of 3 kinds of herbs
Sherie Plumb
Emily Harris
Linda Willox
28
Novice class
No entries
60 Simply Vegetables