The Show Must go On!

Just a few more pictures from the RHS London Autumn Harvest Show this week. Many classes in the competition, such as a basket of fruit! Here is the winner!

Of course it was the Autumn show, so would not be complete without a display of pumpkin and squash. Here at the front is my favourite Cornell's Bush Delicata squash. Also known as the sweet potato squash. Amazing sweet, dry texture. A wonderful Winter keeper.

A plate of Harlequin tomatoes. I grew this variety a couple of years ago, did very well for me. So named as the upturned green calix reminds you of a jester's hat, or collar...or something..I can't remember!

Another class of entry was the trug! You might remember that on June 29th 2008 Matron published a special Trugblog. (I just can't figure out how to put a link into a previous post - what a luddite!) This is an impressive entry and would not have looked out of place among the others!

Just look at these runner beans! - amazing. Who wants to eat straight beans anyway?

Now for a quick snigger to finish the post. This less common fruit is a Medlar, these are probably not ripe yet, they must be 'bletted' first before eating. That is to leave them to ripen, ripen some more, then almost over ripen till they are soft. I've never eaten them, but have located a secret supply 'somewhere in England' so may get to taste soon. The French call these medlars 'un bout de chien' - the sanitised version translated means - dog's bottom! - Oh Yummy!

Showtime!

I've had such an exciting day today, I think I am going to have to lie down for a nap before I leave again for dog training class tonight! Why? - I've been to the RHS London Autumn Harvest Show. On today and tomorrow at Horticultural Halls, Westminster. In the spectacular surroundings of the Art Deco exhibition halls, I was invited to a preview. Of course there were flowers there, so after taking a polite viewing, I made of to where my heart led me. To the veggie show!

Fantastic array of stands to view, including the hottest chilli in the world, the Dorset Naga.

Now, I have never entered a horticultural show, it is quite a cut-throat, competitive bun fight by all accounts.

And they take it very seriously indeed! Largely a male domain..

Is it stiffer, cleaner, thicker or longer than all the rest?

So the judges went round seriously with their clip boards and pencils at the ready.

An amazing display of fondled, tweezered, manicured and polished produce!

Size isn't everything you know boys!... I wonder what Dr Freud would have made of it?

Autumn Harvest

Where has the Summer gone? I find it hard to believe that it is October already! There is still plenty of excitement on my patch. A few years ago I planted a potfull of Garlic Chives that came free with a magazine. They come up with a spectacular display of white flowers and seed head this time of year, and do not disappoint with a tasty salad ingredient either!

Just last week I found these Hops growing in a hedgerow, so I picked some and dried them. Apparently dried hops are known for making you feel sleepy, so I am going to mix them with some dried lavender and make a 'hop pillow'. Supposed to aid restful sleep! - I'll let you know.

I found this little novelty in a garden centre today. Sold as 'Christmas Potatoes' it appears to be a shoot in a pot!! If the seed potato has been prepared properly (and it looks like just one eye shoot rather than a whole potato) there is a slight possibility that I might be digging my own potatoes on Christmas Day. I'll pot it up in the greenhouse and keep my fingers crossed, but I won't hold my breath!

Speaking of Christmas Dinners - they say a watched pot never boils, but my brussels sprouts Bosworth are coming along a treat. Getting bigger each day.

These Sungold tomatoes are slow to ripen now, there has been a distinct lack of sunlight over the past couple of weeks, so I might feel the need to make some green tomato chutney before long!

Ditto with these Chocolate Cherry tomatoes. I just love this variety, such a great taste!

I'm just about ready to harvest these Delicata squash. One of my favourite squashes, this is also known as a sweet potato squash because of its sweet taste and dense texture. Doesn't do terribly well here in the UK, I was kindly sent the seed from Petunia's Gardener in Seattle. I just think it needs a longer, brighter Summer than we get here. Nevertheless, I wouldn't give this one a miss, it is well worth it.

Still just a few courgettes growing at the moment. This is my brilliant climbing courgette Black Forest. Definitely slowing down now, but perhaps we might have a couple of warm, sunny days soon....perhaps?

And these strawberries are a mystery! I thought that getting a few flowers a few weeks ago was just a response to a warm, sunny day. But look here! I'm pretty sure that I don't have any Autumn varieties planted... but on the other hand... Again, we need just a couple of late, warm sunny days to see if they will ripen. I'll label this plant for next year and see what happens in Spring.

And while I'm on the subject of Autumn Harvest, I've been invited by the RHS to attend the RHS London Autumn Harvest Show on 5th October. I'll report back to you on the highlight of the veggie gardener's year!

And finally.. I've never been good at finding both gardening gloves in the same place at once (or so I thought) one would mysteriously disappear, or I would find it half buried in the garden somewhere. Until today. I most definitely put both of them in the greenhouse last night, and came back home today at 5pm to find this one half way down the garden, in the rain... with a finger nibbled off!! I blame foxes! any other suggestions?