Page 64 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2023

Welsh Section
IVOR MACE AND SUE MCALL
There’s hardly any news from the Welsh Branch, because at the time is writing these notes the Royal Welsh show has been, but without the horticultural section, so nothing to report from there from us. Our branch show will be our next event but that will be gone by the time you read these notes, so for now I’ll say no more about it.
At our last meeting we spoke about the possibility of holding a day’s seminar with a few speakers’ next spring. We are thinking about a venue near to the English border, as it might appeal to growers from both countries. We’d appreciate any feedback anyone might have, as we are trying to gauge opinion to see if there is enough demand to make it work.
After last year’s hot summer, I thought we were in for another. We had no rain here from 10th May till the end of June. Since then, it rained right through July with only the odd fine day. My four sowings
of cauliflowers all headed together even though there was two weeks between each sowing. The first batch were huge, the second a bit smaller, the third smaller still and the last batch were the smallest, I’ve never known anything like it. Without sounding boring, I live in one of the wettest areas in the UK with over 100 inches of rain per year. I’ve been growing vegetables since I was 12 years old. So almost 53 years. This is only the second year I’ve ever watered my potatoes. What can you do when they are wilting at 10am. The result, the Winston, half the tubers have split. I’m about to start digging Kestrel next. I’m
Sue and Gareth at Show
hoping they will be better. The tubers must have stopped growing, then after watering, Bang they split.
The problem with a garden 700 ft above sea level is that spring comes a bit late. I had my tomatoes in 2
gallons bottomless pots
with 3 trusses on them
when I planted them in
the tunnel. The problem
with tomatoes in a tunnel
is that ventilation is at
the end of the tunnel and
cold air blows straight at
them. On the other hand,
it’s too hot to keep it shut.
The result the tomatoes
on the bottom trusses
never got very big. Well, I’ve eaten all of them now and I’m on to proper full sizes fruits. I pick them straight before lunch,
tomatoes warmed by the sun and fresh. Life is good.
The 136th Oswestry Show was held on Saturday 5th August, whilst the weather was a washout, it certainly didn’t dampen
the spirit of the exhibitors. The Horticultural marquee was full of quality veg, flowers and pot plants for the public to see.
The NVS were well presented with members attending from both sides of the English/Welsh Border. Many thanks to Welsh Branch Judges Arwyn Edwards, Owain
Roberts and Gareth Roberts who certainly had their work cut out on the day, with a good level of entries across all the classes.
Andrew Jones swept the board for most points in veg and flowers. Don Owens won the mini collection with a lovely exhibit. Gareth Morris won the cauliflower class. Dave Perry’s broad beans were clear winners. It was great to see new member Stephen Jones of Llanrhaedr coming second in a well contested cherry tomato class. Sue McCall won with stump carrots and John Edwards had entries across the classes in both veg and flowers, winning the large shallot class. (Sorry if I’ve missed anyone out)
The veg baskets looked amazing and certainly grabbed the attention of the public.
Our Welsh Branch NVS information stand was well attended by people wanting advice and it’s good to report that a few new members joined too.
All in all, despite vehicles having to be towed out of the mud, it was a great day to share our garden disasters, successes and generally have a good laugh, which is what showing is all about.
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The veg baskets looked amazing and certainly grabbed the attention of the public