Westmorland Horticultural Society Fruit,Veg & Flower Show

[eatmoreraw]

The stuff you grow looks totally amazing. As you, I'm interesting in super healthy food rather than the artificial stuff. I have every admiration at your handywork at growing food.

[eatmoreraw]

I was at a fruit and veg competition at the weekend and got chatting to the winner of the leek section. His leeks were like tree trunks! He won £75 first prize. They weren't his best either, he won another competition with those the week before!

When I asked if you could eat them, without hesitation he said, "no it will kill you"! "It's due to the shear amount of pesticides used". He dosed his leeks four times as they were growing. They were beautiful leeks but deadly!

[allotmentdiary]

@eatmoreraw Well,unfortunately some show growers do spray with all sorts of pesticides which is fair enough if you just growing them for show and have no intention of eating them.

But all the stuff I grow ,be it a giant carrot or 5 pound onion have never been sprayed with anything so they're perfectly safe to eat,and have probably got less pesticides than the veg available in the local supermarket.

Cheers,Dan.

[SueMoseley]

@allotmentdiary Hi Dan. I've just bought a field and I'm going to be growing organic fruit and veg. What tips do you have for dealing with pests (or discouraging them in the first place)? I think I remember an episode you did with garlic spray - but do you do anything else, like companion planting (carrots and onions for example) to keep your plants healthy?

[allotmentdiary]

@SueMoseley Hi,if like me you're turning a field into a veg patch then the main pest initially will be wireworms in potatoes and carrots.Not much you can do for the 1st few years except bury some sacrificial potatoes before you plant and then remove them when they become infested.As for companion planting, garlic and onions inbetween carrots does help deter the fly a little but it can still be a real nuisance.You can apparently make your own sprays from chillies for bugs but I'm not sure how.Dan

[diaryallotmentgarden]

My Carrot (Sweet Candle F1) seeds arrived in the post today from T&M. Will be following you closely next year and see what I can come up with!

[allotmentdiary]

@diaryallotmentgarden 22 weeks from sowing to pulling otherwise the stump end won't form.

[baconsoda]

Everyone deserves a prize...that's impressive. If you win something don't go all modest on us and say nothing. I enjoy your success and it inspires me to try harder, I'm sure the others do too.

Best Wishes,

Brendan.

[credenza1]

I can't help it...all I can think of is double entendres...

[allotmentgirl100]

Like the baby onions>>>

[garryentropy]

such well behaved vegetables

[VonLeachim]

so many quality exhibits.. *wondering what their story is to having so many turnout

[woodturningjohn]

Very nice, did you show any of your items at this show and if so how did you do ? Thanks for the video.

[mhpgardener]

Thats a beautiful display, very nice.

[bvbjb]

Never been to one of these, now I have, thank you for sharing. Outstanding.

[cathcronin1]

Any of your own veg there, Dan?