Horticultural Hightlights

   09 Mar 2023

As we edge further into spring, it’s just about time to turn off those heated seed mats and start planting outside. With almost 100 horticultural classes to enter, you’ll wish you had a bigger garden! Even if you don’t have any outside space you can still enter our House Plant or Terrarium classes; there really is something for everyone. Here are some of our favourite competitions and tips for entering this year.

Plot to Plate
With an adult and a young person’s class, the whole family can get involved. March is a great time to plant out strawberries and raspberries which can be preserved as a delicious jam or baked into a cake or tart. Make sure you save the very best-looking fruit to be displayed alongside your cooked and preserved items. Beetroot seeds can be planted now too, and you’ll be rewarded with an abundant crop come August. Did you know that beetroot can be baked into chocolate brownies and cake? Just try not to eat it all before you get to the Show!

Novice Classes
If this is your first growing season why not try one of our novice classes? All you need is 5 runner beans and not to have won a prize in a horticultural class before. Or, if you prefer flowers try creating a stunning floral art display. This year’s theme is ‘A Celebration Dinner’ and the exhibit must be a maximum of 72cm wide by 72cm deep.

Children’s Classes

Get creative with the kids this summer! Use up any sad looking fruit or vegetables by turning them into a sea creature. Let their imagination run wild as the criteria for this competition is that the creature must be made with minimal parental assistance. How about planting some carrot seeds outside? There’s always a few mis-shapes in a carrot crop which make brilliant entries for the Wonky Vegetable competition – the wonkier the better! The longest bean is another competition not to be missed, especially as all children’s classes are free to enter.

Every family member can get involved with the horticultural classes at our show, to find one which suits you best have a look at our schedule click straight through to enter now. We really can’t wait to see the fruits (and flowers and vegetables!) of your labour this August.