WEST BRIDGFORD & RUSHCLIFFE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

BEST KEPT ALLOTMENT COMPETITION 20....

PLOT NO………….. SITE ………………………………..

Items to be judged / Possible points / Points awarded
1. Condition of plot / 60
2. Good gardening skills / 50
3. Quality of crops / 100
4. Continuity of cropping / 25
5. Layout and planting regime / 25
6. Overall cleanliness and finish / 20
7. Composting / 20
Total / 300

DATE PLOT VISITED……………………….

Signatures of judges 1: ……..…….………2: ………………..……..3: …...…......

NOTES

1 Condition of plot. Plots should be well stocked with most of the available space used for growing. Any unplanted areas where crops have just been harvested or that are just about to be planted up should be clean and free from weeds. The soil should be well cultivated and have a good condition and texture.

2 Good gardening skills. Soil between the crops should contain little or no evidence of weeds. Paths and leisure areas where included should be neatly edged, even and well maintained. Intelligent use of organic methods of weed and pest control such as the use of mulch, the pinching out of broad bean tips to inhibit black fly or the use of barriers against root fly should be given credit. Supports for those plants that require them should be properly positioned and sturdy enough to withstand bad weather.

3 Quality of crops (flowers, fruit and vegetables). All plants should be vigorous, sturdy and free from obvious signs of damage by pests, disease or weather. A broad range of crops, both vegetables and fruit should be in cultivation and flowers grown for cutting or decoration should be assessed on the same basis as food crops i.e. with regard to their health, skill in cultivation and suitability to the site. The inclusion of culinary herbs in the cropping scheme and the cultivation of less common crops should be given credit.

4 Continuity of cropping. There should be evidence of planting for a constant succession of crops throughout the growing season.

5 Layout and planting regime. The intelligent adaptation of the layout to suit the needs of the plot holder, the use of companion planting to reduce damage by pests and a pleasing overall visual effect should be considered meritorious. The cultivation of crops using ‘no-dig’ or ‘deep-bed’ methods of cultivation should be given credit.

6 Overall cleanliness and finish. The overall appearance of the plot should be neat and pleasing and the balance of the cultivation should be as broad as possible. Sheds, if present, should be of a neat and workmanlike appearance both inside and out. Frames, cloches and greenhouses should be clean and well maintained.

7 Composting. There should be evidence that garden waste is being recycled using ‘environmentally friendly methods’ such as composting. The area used for recycling, where present, should be neat and tidy and should not be a nuisance to neighbours. The method or methods used should be capable of producing a reasonable quality of compost and contain material which is suitable for composting.