The Farmers’ Almanac states that “If on the 8th of June it rains, it foretells a wet harvest”. Fortunately for us in Rye it was a dry day this year, so I’m taking this as a good omen moving forwards in our growing season.
Ahead of the 20th Rye Flower and Veg Show on August 31, Rye News is hosting a series of Q&As with different gardeners in our local area. This week’s gardening insights come from another key organiser from the Rye Flower and Veg Show – the fabulous Helena Hudd.
Where is your garden?
I have a small garden at home which is mostly laid to lawn but I have a raised bed for flowers. Tomatoes, salad, herbs etc. are grown in pots. Any veg is grown on the allotment.
What is your earliest memory of a garden?
The garden where I grew up was grass with flower borders. Ideal for children playing games and enjoying themselves so it’s probably why I associate gardens with happy places.
How long have you been gardening?
We took on the allotment in 1990 but before that we used to grow vegetables in the back garden.
Did anyone teach you to garden or did you teach yourself?
Any gardening knowledge I have has been picked up along the way or if there is some specific knowledge needed, books and more recently the internet are useful.
Do you have a favourite celebrity gardener? Why do you admire them?
I don’t really have a favourite as I’m not really into gardening programmes. They always make me feel so inadequate! Carol Klein seems to talk a lot of sense though and seems very grounded in her attitude to gardening.
What is your favourite flower to grow and why?
For years I persevered with roses, however I’m a recent convert to dahlias. I love their vibrant colours and the range of sizes and shapes. Best of all, I find they’re far easier to grow!
What is your favourite vegetable to grow and why?
I don’t really have a favourite vegetable, we try to grow the usual vegetables – beans, onions, garlic etc. and my favourite tends to be whatever crops the best!
What is your favourite gardening task?
I’m a fan of winter digging. It can be hard work but I find it rewarding to see the soil turned in readiness for the coming season. The no dig gardening concept will have to wait for the time being.
What is your least favourite gardening task?
It has to be weeding.
Do you speak to your plants?
I always wish seed and plants good luck as I plant them. The elderly gent who had the allotment next to us when we first started grew fabulous produce. He said he used to “croon” to his plants. It may have worked but I suspect it had more to do with his skill as a gardener!
What’s your favourite drink and snack when gardening?
I usually take just a bottle of water with me to the allotment. As most of my gardening is done on the allotment first thing in the morning I can treat myself to a hearty breakfast when I get home.
Apart from the standard consumption of your produce do you make any extra items like preserves cake etc.?
I’ve enjoyed making cakes from an early age and like to make sure I have a good stock of preserves in the cupboard.
How’s your growing season so far?
In a word, late! It’s been exceptionally wet this year and some of my seeds have just rotted in the ground. Hoping things will start to pick up now and with some warmer weather make up for lost time.
Will you be entering the Rye Flower and Veg Show this year?
Yes, I will. Exactly what I’ll be putting in produce wise will depend on how the things I have planted grow on. In the meantime, there are the handicraft and cookery classes I can get planning for. My photographic skills however are non-existent so unless there’s a category for “the top of someone’s head”, or “a blurry landscape” I’m unlikely to have much success!
What do you like about the show?
It sets out to celebrate all things grown and made and provides an opportunity for like-minded souls in the community to come together, so that in itself is positive.
Thanks to Helena for the insights into her gardening world – if it’s given you some inspiration to take part in the Rye Flower and Veg show this year, then did you know that there are over 60 different classes in the show? There are plenty of options for vegetable growers, flower fanciers, bakers, keen cooks, crafters and photographers. Take a look at the schedule online and, like Helena, get a head start with some of the crafts and preserves: https://ryeflowerandvegshow.co.uk/classes-and-prizes-2024/
Until next time – happy growing!