If you came to the AGM in February, or sent your apologies, you will have been given some packs of seeds to grow for the summer and autumn shows. The growing instructions are here:
AGM 2024 – Free Gifts!!!
Summer Show — Members-only Class
BREAM BLACK PEAS: uniform set of 6 pods
This very rare heirloom variety came to Bream over thirty years ago. It arrived with the new vicar, whose family had been growing it in South East England.
This tall pea yields heavy crops of purple- podded peas that start almost black.
Bream Black Peas: Growing Instructions for Showing
Adapted from Getting Started on the Show Bench by Derek Brooks.
Position: Peas prefer a sunny position with good drainage and in neutral to slightly alkaline soil. If possible, add plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost to the growing site at least a few weeks ahead of planting.
Sow: Sow peas 10 to 12 weeks prior to the Summer Show. You could make two sowings a fortnight apart to improve your chances of having some peas in peak condition on show day.
Start peas in deep modular trays, small pots or cardboard tubes of compost in the greenhouse – one seed per pot, 25mm (1inch) deep. Alternatively, sow peas directly outside.
Pinch out the tip when the plants are 100 – 125mm (4 to 5 inches) tall. Remove all but the strongest sideshoots. Indoor grown plants will need hardening off before planting outside.
Growing on: Ideally, grow in double rows 600mm (2 feet) apart with 225mm (9 inches) between plants to allow good airflow. Bream Black peas are tall and require support. Preferably, put canes in first and then set out one plant at the base of each cane. Train the leading shoot up the cane and secure regularly. Other methods of support can be used. Your peas can be grown closer together, even in a large container if necessary.
Extra tendrils and sideshoots may be removed as the plants grow, to direct energy into flower and pod formation.
Water regularly but avoid getting water on the leaves. Pea plants produce their own nitrogen but may still benefit from feed a couple of times during the growing season.
Pests: Watch out for pea moth and powdery mildew.
Harvest and selection: Harvest fresh, full pods the day before the Summer Show. Look for undamaged pods of a uniform size, shape and colour. Handle the pods by their stalks to avoid removing their bloom.
Staging: Stage directly on the black bench cloth. Make sure that you stage six pods. Arrange the pods with their stalks at the top and all curving in the same direction. Do not remove the stalks but trim them to the same length.
If your peas vary slightly in length, arrange with the longer pods in the centre and the shorter pods to each side.
Autumn Show — Members-only Class
PEANUT YIELD: total number of pods harvested from the two pods provided.
Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are perennial legumes native to South America but they can be grown as an annual in the UK.
Following pollination, the peanut flowers grow downwards towards the soil where the peanut pods develop – leading to the common name of ‘groundnut’.
Peanuts: Growing Instructions for Showing
Position: Peanuts may be grown in the ground or in containers. Choose a sunny, well drained site. Peanuts need a long growing season, and so may benefit from being grown in a conservatory or greenhouse.
Sowing: Sow indoors in March. Crack and remove the shells. Soak the peanuts in water for 12 hours. Sow single peanuts 25 – 50mm (1 – 2 inches) deep in pre-watered compost. Put the pots in a warm, sunny place and water regularly but do not allow them to become waterlogged.
Growing on: Plant out in early summer, once all risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. Space 30 – 45cm (1 to 1 ½ foot) apart or plant individually in large containers. Keep moist but not waterlogged throughout the growing season. The leaves will fold up at night – this is normal and nothing to worry about.
Pegging: The pollinated flowers will swell and will start to grow downwards towards the soil. They will eventually peg and bury the pods into the soil. You can mulch around the base of the plants to help the pegging process.
Harvesting: Peanuts are ready to harvest 120-150 days after planting. Once the plant is fully wilted and yellow, carefully dig up the plant, taking care not to damage the peanuts. Shake off any excess soil. Lay the plants somewhere dry and with good air circulation for a fortnight.
After the peanuts have dried, gently remove the pods from the plants. Store the pods in a dry and well-ventilated area for a further two weeks to cure.
Staging: Bring your entire dried harvest, grown from the two peanut pods provided, to the Autumn Show.
Count the number of whole pods you have harvested and display this number next to your entry.
Summer Show — Free seeds!
LONGEST RUNNER BEAN: Jescot-Long-Un
John Baker has kindly donated his prize-winning runner bean seeds to BGS.
Free bean seeds are available to members only who promise to:
Enter the Longest Runner Bean class at the Summer Show.
Save some seed at the end of the season.
First come, first served – see Kathryn. NOW SOLD OUT!
medwynsofanglesey.co.uk
GiantVegSeeds.com
Seed from Medwyn Williams – Thirteen times Gold medal winner at the Chelsea Flower Show, Past Chairman of the Royal Horticultural Society Fruit Vegetable and Herb Committee and President of the National Vegetable Society.
“A very special fleshy bean that’s been reselected for sheer length. Definitely not one for the quality classes, but is guaranteed to win in the ‘Longest Runner Bean class’.
A delicious fleshy bean to eat if picked young.” £4.50 for 8 beans!