News from the gardening world
Live competitions for top exhibitors can still go ahead
Some live flower and veg competitions are to return in September, the only ones of their kind that will be staged in the UK this year. Successive cancellation of this year’s flower shows has robbed top exhibitors the opportunity to pit best blooms and produce against those of rivals in what for many has ironically been an ideal growing season.
Now determined exhibitors in the dahlia, chrysanthemum and giant veg world have elected to stage their own socially distanced events rather than adopt the online route some societies have taken.
For one year only four growers, all members of the National Dahlia Society (NDS), have created the Social Distance Dahlia Society (SDDS) hoping to attract up to 34 top competitors to stage their best blooms in a special show at Abercorn Garden Centre, near Chelmsford, Essex, in September. “Participation is by invitation only,” said organiser and GN dahlia expert Dave Gillam. “Given current circumstances it would be impossible to stage an open show. "Luckily Abercorn Garden Centre offered use of its coffee shop, providing around 75 square meters of space, leaving at least three metres between exhibitors, who will stage at different times between 6pm and 6am on September 9- 10.
'There will be 15 classes. Blooms will be judged early on Thursday, September 10, remaining on public display until the Sunday. Although there are no prizes, with exhibitors from around the UK coming rivalry to be ‘Best in Class’ will still be fierce!” n For show information visit www.abercorn.uk.com.
Open competition
Manhandling outsize marrows and giant cabbages while social distancing at a single event is an entirely different proposition.
Feed manufacturer and sponsor Canna UK is currently finalising an open competition composed of four to five regional events, sending a mobile unit to key locations around England and Wales where growers can have their entries accurately weighed, measured and evaluated, with cash prizes up for grabs. Locations are likely to include Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northumberland, possibly the south of England and Wales, with the event run between September 24-28.
“This is an open competition, so anyone can enter by registering interest on the Canna UK website," said technical support manager Nico Hill. “We’ll be using NVS rules, appoint a couple of independent judges to oversee things and also have a representative from Guinness World Records present just in case there’s a world beater. n To register interest visit www.canna-uk.com.
Meanwhile, Terry Porter, shows manager for the National Chrysanthemum Society, said two shows were planned to go ahead at the County Showground in Stafford, in September for early plants and in November for lates. Some classes will be removed from the schedule and face masks will be compulsory for those who decide to enter.
““Chrysanthemum growers love a challenge, and putting on two 'live' national shows with Covid-19 around will certainly test us all. The reward will be keeping everyone safe and seeing a host of blooms on the show bench," said Terry.