Inaugural vegetable growing competition

Are you proud of your home grown veges?

Ponsonby News has launched its inaugural vegetable competition to be held at the Grey Lynn Community Centre, home of the Grey Lynn Farmers’ Market on Sunday 19 February.

Yates Garden Guide suggests some vegetable varieties which will be ready for harvest in February includes: beans, beetroot, brocolli, cabbage, carrots, courgettes, cucumber, garlic, leeks, lettuce, potatoes, spinach, tomatoes. The Ponsonby News team hope to have enough entries of these to have prize certificates for the best plate of each vegetable (perhaps 4-6 per plate), followed by a reserve champion and grand champion vegetable.

Vegetables will be grouped together where there are not sufficient entries for a separate category.Prizes will be awarded for: Best children’s grown vegetables; Best plate of salad greens; Traffic light trio (perhaps a yellow capsicum, a cucumber and a carrot); Most unusual vegetable (type, shape or colour).

Entries must be brought to the Grey Lynn Community Centre before 10am on Sunday 19 February, the third Sunday in February. (the same morning as the Farmers Market.  Judging  will be at 12 noon).

Local chef Sid Saharawat of Sidart, Ponsonby is one of at least two judges, who will assess the merits of entries for suitable gourmet dishes.We know lots of locals have vegie gardens – don’t be shy -your vegetables don’t have to be the biggest (those have probably had poisonous sprays all over them!), but it is an opportunity to promote healthy home produce, fresh, cut straight for the salad,  with no food miles necessary and good healthy exercise for all family members.It’s all about the participation and we’re certain many of you would love to have  a winning certificate to show the grandchildren.

To enter please email info@ponsonbynews.co.nz by 8 February. To cover hall costs, there will be an entry fee of $2 per family.