Members Potato Growing Competition 2021

We are again saddened that we could not hold our Annual Show for the second time, there were just too many unknowns when we were in pandemic lockdown earlier in the year to make any definite plans. However, as in previous years, we were still able to run our members only potato growing competition and the seed potatoes were handed out from the store in February. For those who don't already know, the competition is to grow the heaviest crop of potatoes from a single seed potato tuber in a container with a maximum of 40 litres of growing medium. We chose the same variety of potato, Vales Sovereign, as last year which our members found make a very nice jacket potato! On Tuesday 24th August the potato crops from some 23 members were collected and weighed.

The winners were: in 1st place, Trevor Allcoat with 3.90kg, 2nd place Malcolm Dale with 2.34kg and in 3rd place Tom Upton with 2.27kg. They each received a voucher for use at the store and Trevor will be presented with the Pat Frain Memorial Cup at the postponed and long overdue AGM in September.

Interestingly Malcolm grew his potato in Sylva Grow peat free compost from the store with no additional fertiliser!

Malcolm Dale 2nd prize winner

Tom Upton 3rd prize winner

Judges Comment: Many potato bags were extremely dry despite in some cases being regularly watered by competitors, take note for next year with better luck in 2022.
Congratulations to the winners of the top 3 places!