Dereks Diary Part 2

Showery today and VERY windy.Didn't know whether to risk going on the allotment.Rosemary needed some veg though so I went. When I got there I saw that the framework of canes on which the climbing French beans were growing had been blown over.It had smothered the courgettes which were growing alongside. I picked some beans from it that I could reach. I could lift it up but I had nothing to prop it up with so it will have to stay on the ground. I suppose that is the end for the courgettes though .Apart from some of these beans I brought home some tomatoes, two caulis and a cabbage.
Went back in the afternoon and took another 10 sacks of weeds to the tip.When I returned I dead headed and disbudded the dahlias again but it started raining again so I came home and went in the greenhouse and carried on with what I was doing yesterday.
This evening I have been to the mini show of Salford and Bolton fuchsia society but not showing.At the A.G.M.in April all members are given two small plants to grow for this show.I couldn't go to this meeting though so I didn't get the plants.

I have got Edenfield show on Saturday (I went to their early show on Aug 10th). This is my last one for the year.As I have said before I like to sort most of the veg out on the Thursday so I can spend Friday cutting and sorting the flowers.I haven't got a full day tomorrow and the weather forecast is not good so I decided to start today (Wednesday)as I did for Whitefield 2 weeks ago.
 Rosemary needed the car this morning so I stayed at home.As you know I grow parsnips and long carrots in tubes made from builders damp proof material.I emptied them all to see if I could get a set of each for showing and I did.The carrots aren't very long but they are showable. Bundled all the tubes together and put them away behind the shed till next year.
 This afternoon I had only an hour spare (I had to go somewhere else first) but I went to the allotment.At my own show on Aug 24th I had only 4 gladioli ready but most of them came in the next week or two and there aren't many left now.3 or4 were only just beginning to open so I cut them and brought them home and put them in the house.3 or 4 more were at their best now but I decided to cut them so the rain wouldn't spoil them and hope they keep for Saturday,Also brought home leeks, marrows, courgettes, beetroot, turnips and fennel.

Thanks Tel . I have plenty dahlias and I hope this rain hasn't spoiled too many.
It rained all morning today while I was doing the health walk. Rosemary chickened out and stayed in the visitor centre while the rest of us did the walk.
I was concerned as to when I would be able to get the rest of my exhibits ready for the show.Anyway it cleared up in mid afternoon so I went to the allotment and got the rest of the veg and washed and sorted them when I got home.The weather forecast is better for tomorrow so I will spent most of the time cutting flowers (those not spoiled by the rain)

Well,the show season is over for another year. I have entered my last show today at Edenfield.There were some very good quality exhibits particularly in chrysanths, dahlias and veg.I put 69 exhibits in (Tony Bracegirdle said he doesn't know how I keep doing it.It is hard work but it is what I enjoy doing). I got 14 firsts, 16 seconds and 17 thirds and 3 trophies.One for most points in gladioli,one for most points in general flowers and one for most points in all the flower classes.I have now won 800 trophies. This year I have entered 6 shows and put 319 entries in and won 76 firsts, 89 seconds and 67 thirds .I will show you some pictures now (I hope you are not fed up of seeing my pictures)

This is the only first I got in dahlias (Taratahi Ruby)

Well done mate.