From Colossal Cabbages to Mammoth Marrows at Aberglasney Gardens
From Colossal Cabbages to Mammoth Marrows, the Aberglasney Gardens Giant Vegetable Competition returns this October
Some of the biggest vegetables in the World have been grown in Wales and in the past this has meant a titanic tomato weighing in at an astonishing 2.602kg (5.73lb), a super swede weighing 54kg (119lb) and a colossal carrot weighing 8.35kg (18.4lb).
Aberglasney Gardens’ Giant Vegetable Competition which takes place on Sunday October 5 will be your chance to see some of these monsters ‘in the flesh’ as growers from near and far come together for the second time at this historic site.
In charge of the official weigh-in will be gardening guru Medwyn Williams MBE.
No one knows their vegetables like the 11 time Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner.
Medwyn also has a gold medal from the Hampton Court Flower Show and nine Gordon Lennox Trophies for the best vegetable of the year. He is president of the National Vegetable Society.
The head gardener at Aberglasney, Joseph Atkin said: “Since Aberglasney opened to the public fifteen years ago we have worked hard to build a reputation as a heritage garden of excellence. People come from all over the World to visit the Gardens but we’re also keen to encourage others to take up gardening and though this would be a fun way of doing that.”
He went on to say: “Last year we attracted many competitors who had never grown vegetables before but that exhibited some gigantic specimens – especially in the pumpkin category. We were pleased to have been supported by the ‘big guns’ too, real experts in the world of giant veg and consequently ended up with some World Record breaking entries which really ‘wowed’ our visitors.”
Thanks to competition sponsors and renewable energy specialist ‘Good Life’, prizes in each category are well worth competitor’s efforts – 1st prize is £40 or a joint annual membership for Aberglasney worth £65; 2nd prize is £20 or a single annual membership for Aberglasney worth £45; and 3rd prize is a family day ticket for the Gardens (2 adults & 2 children.)
Will Griffiths of ‘Good Life’ who were responsible for designing and installing Aberglasney Mansion’s green heating system, run by water from the Pool Garden, is delighted to be backing the competition. Speaking this week he said: “At Good Life we are passionate about renewable energy and sustainable living. We are proud to sponsor Aberglasney’s Giant Vegetable Competition, as we hope it will inspire everyone to grow their own food, do their bit for the environment and hopefully take a step closer to living the Good Life!”
Even if you don’t plan on entering the competition this year make sure you come along to Aberglasney on the day of judging to enjoy the fruits of other peoples labour. There will also be a special version of ‘Gardeners Question Time’ when a panel of experts including Medwyn Williams and Joseph Atkin will be answering your gardening questions.
The head gardener at Aberglasney, Joseph Atkin said: “Since Aberglasney opened to the public fifteen years ago we have worked hard to build a reputation as a heritage garden of excellence. People come from all over the World to visit the Gardens but we’re also keen to encourage others to take up gardening and though this would be a fun way of doing that.”
He went on to say: “Last year we attracted many competitors who had never grown vegetables before but that exhibited some gigantic specimens – especially in the pumpkin category. We were pleased to have been supported by the ‘big guns’ too, real experts in the world of giant veg and consequently ended up with some World Record breaking entries which really ‘wowed’ our visitors.”
Thanks to competition sponsors and renewable energy specialist ‘Good Life’, prizes in each category are well worth competitor’s efforts – 1st prize is £40 or a joint annual membership for Aberglasney worth £65; 2nd prize is £20 or a single annual membership for Aberglasney worth £45; and 3rd prize is a family day ticket for the Gardens (2 adults & 2 children.)
Will Griffiths of ‘Good Life’ who were responsible for designing and installing Aberglasney Mansion’s green heating system, run by water from the Pool Garden, is delighted to be backing the competition. Speaking this week he said: “At Good Life we are passionate about renewable energy and sustainable living. We are proud to sponsor Aberglasney’s Giant Vegetable Competition, as we hope it will inspire everyone to grow their own food, do their bit for the environment and hopefully take a step closer to living the Good Life!”
Even if you don’t plan on entering the competition this year make sure you come along to Aberglasney on the day of judging to enjoy the fruits of other peoples labour. There will also be a special version of ‘Gardeners Question Time’ when a panel of experts including Medwyn Williams and Joseph Atkin will be answering your gardening questions.
The full list of classes is as follows:
1. Heaviest Individual Marrow
2. Heaviest Individual Pumpkin or Squash
3. Heaviest Individual Cabbage (washed root)
4. Heaviest Individual Beetroot
5. Longest Carrot or Parsnip
6. Longest Runner Bean
7. Ugliest Vegetable in Show
8. Largest Sunflower Head (diameter)
9. Best Junior Exhibit
10. Best Aberglasney Members Exhibit
1. Heaviest Individual Marrow
2. Heaviest Individual Pumpkin or Squash
3. Heaviest Individual Cabbage (washed root)
4. Heaviest Individual Beetroot
5. Longest Carrot or Parsnip
6. Longest Runner Bean
7. Ugliest Vegetable in Show
8. Largest Sunflower Head (diameter)
9. Best Junior Exhibit
10. Best Aberglasney Members Exhibit
It will be free to enter the competition and each exhibitor will receive one free admission ticket for entry to Aberglasney on the day of judging. You are however required to complete an entry form for your exhibit(s). Entry forms are available from Aberglasney and via the website www.aberglasney.org . Entry forms must be completed and returned to Aberglasney Gardens, Llangathen, Carmarthenshire. SA32 8QH or emailed to info@aberglasney.org Exhibitors who have not registered their entries will still be able to enter but will be required to pay the normal garden admission price. Exhibitors are asked to arrive at the Gardens between 9.00am and 9.30am on the day of the competition. The Gardens will open to the public at 10.00am.
A note on Aberglasney: Covering an area of more than 10 acres, which includes three walled gardens, and at its heart a fully restored Elizabethan cloister garden and parapet walk, Aberglasney is recognized as one of Wales’ finest attractions. The Gardens contain a magnificent collection of unusual plants, including a wide variety of woodland plants. An award winning indoor garden has also been created within the ruins of the mansion’s courtyard, where rare sub-tropical plants are cultivated. Restoration of the ground floor of Aberglasney’s Grade II* listed mansion house was completed in Spring 2013 and officially opened by award winning actor Damian Lewis.
Aberglasney is 12 miles east of Carmarthen and 4 miles west of Llandeilo. Open all year.
www.aberglasney.org
Aberglasney 'A Heritage Garden of Excellence', Llangathen, Carmarthenshire SA32 8QH
Phone 01558 668998
A note on Aberglasney: Covering an area of more than 10 acres, which includes three walled gardens, and at its heart a fully restored Elizabethan cloister garden and parapet walk, Aberglasney is recognized as one of Wales’ finest attractions. The Gardens contain a magnificent collection of unusual plants, including a wide variety of woodland plants. An award winning indoor garden has also been created within the ruins of the mansion’s courtyard, where rare sub-tropical plants are cultivated. Restoration of the ground floor of Aberglasney’s Grade II* listed mansion house was completed in Spring 2013 and officially opened by award winning actor Damian Lewis.
Aberglasney is 12 miles east of Carmarthen and 4 miles west of Llandeilo. Open all year.
www.aberglasney.org
Aberglasney 'A Heritage Garden of Excellence', Llangathen, Carmarthenshire SA32 8QH
Phone 01558 668998
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