Lush!

The tunnel house is more lush and gloriously full of growth than ever before. I have finally got to grips with consistent and plentiful watering, as well as reliable composts and fertiliser. 

Despite most things maturing later than usual, it is nevertheless going to provide me bumper harvests. 

The cucumbers - which are at the bottom right of this shot - are already pumping and my supplies of tsatsiki are now being supplemented with pickles. 

Tomatoes are at last starting to change colour, so I am in with a good chance of having some for the A&P Show next week.

The corn are going to be fabulous, both in size and abundance. As to whether they will be ready for the Show, I'm not so sure. A few days of warmth and sunshine would help them.

On the other hand I do not want a few days of warmth and sunshine on the cabbages, which I fear may burst just before Show-time. I am monitoring them very carefully and if necessary I will harvest a couple early, wrap them in damp newspaper and keep them in the fridge until they are needed. I had to resort to the same last year.

There is not a lot I can do to prepare for the A&P Show just yet, other than dig jams, pickles and cordials out of the cool store. I am entering 10 categories using preserves I have made in the last couple of months.

The other 15 categories that I am entering are fresh produce which (other than possibly the cabbages) will be picked the day before the Show, or even on the morning of the Show for leafy entries which wilt. I need to be well organised and work like a well-oiled machine in the final 24 hours. 

What I can start addressing now is the design for the "Edible Produce from the Garden in basket/container". It is the most important prize in the fresh fruit and veg section of the Show, and one which I have won for the last four years. No pressure then! 

Horticultural Shows held six months ago in the UK and USA post excellent images of winning baskets online and I shall study them for inspiration so I can decide a basic theme. 

Last year I created a design based on 'trios and straight lines'. The year before was the year of the UK's WW2 'Dig for Victory' postcard recreation. I look forward to the research and decision about 2025.