Wow, I am impressed by those show entries. I am almost too embarrassed to enter some of my own produce in Sunday's show now, in case the standard turns out to be as high as that!!

Thanks, Peter. That is what I thought too, but even though it is my entry, Mr Mouse is trying to insist that I supply some soda water so that the judges can taste the cordial at its best, and is trying to overrule me. If I don't, I wouldn't be surprised if he sneaks into the hall and puts it on the ...

Or more specifically, should I provide a bottle of (soda) water for the judges to dilute my elderflower cordial 'to taste' when they are judging? I have never entered this particular class (for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages) before and have no idea of the protocol! I am hoping that some...

I'm glad it's not just me then who likes to keep them for things like rosti.
It's a shame more people don't realize how versatile they are, as they are missing a treat.

I will be harvesting and weighing at the end of the week, ready for the show on Sunday. I have two contenders, both way bigger than anything I have managed to grow before, so I am quite excited! (Though they would still look puny next to the giants you see at big shows, so i still have some way to g...

For several years now, one of my favourite potatoes to grow has been Charlotte. The thing is, all the info on this second early variety seems to suggest that, while it continues to grow well if not harvested at the 'new' stage, it will not keep more than a month or so after harvesting. I find this s...

I feel for you, Monica. When I decided (quite suddenly) to do what you are about to do, I really thought I might regret it. However, once it was done, instead of regret, I felt a huge sense of relief, though I did miss my lovely lottie neighbours! Hopefully, you will find it so much easier being abl...

I garden on a budget - all of those supports are rather like Doctor Who, in that they have had many previous lives. Even the tree was already there when we moved here 20 years ago! I know that the pumpkin support doesn't look very strong, but the plan is that the branches of the tree will take all t...

Don't forget that there might be things that you can grow vertically too to maximise the space. I'm attempting to grow a pumpkin into a tree in a corner of the garden this year ( a eucalyptus that I am trying to kill!) because there was no room for it anywhere else, and two cucumber plants up the (o...

Thanks, Sally. I will keep an eye out for that book when browsing second hand book stalks/shops.

I think I have found the answer to my own question - or part of it, at least - here: m That giant-grower pollinated his marrows 45 days before the show, letting the plants get very large first. I also found another site where the grower didn't allow pollination until mid-July. Based on those timings...

I hadn't thought of slug pellets, Robo - that might be a good idea, especially when the dry weather ends!

Due to lack of space, I am trying to grow a pumpkin plant up into a tree this year.
If I actually succeed in producing any, the grandchildren will probably claim them for Halloween.

Pa Snip, I sourced my marrow seeds online this year. They weren't expensive - I think I only paid three pounds something including postage. Like you, I had no success with Long Green Bush - my standard 'courgettes' grew bigger!

I want to have a serious contender for the heaviest marrow class in our village show this year, having failed dismally in the past. (Ok, I could hollow one out and fill it with concrete, but I am too honest for that, ) This year, I did the first basic essential by buying some seed for a variety that...