Yet another year has seen the growing season get off to a dreadful start – well for me at least.
First an exceptionally wet February with rainfall well above the average for our area, although we did experience some warmer than usual spells. March was apparently the warmest on record – really? April again was one of the warmest in recent years which lulled us into a false sense of security but some icy winds, lack of rain and chilly enough nights to warrant scraping the windscreen caught out some of us who had impatiently planted out our bedding plants and runner beans.
And then this week. Hot! Hot! Hot!
By the time the Flower and Veg Show arrives on 22 August, Rye’s gardeners will once again be showcasing a fine display of fruit and vegetables. Each year Rye Community Centre is filled with hundreds of colourful exhibits of fruit, flowers and vegetables, and even if you have nothing from your garden to enter, there are still classes for baking, preserves, photography and handicrafts.
If you’d prefer not to compete, then viewing the event is also a great way to spend the afternoon whilst enjoying tea and cake courtesy of the Landgate WI.
We can’t claim to compete with Chelsea Flower Show and we don’t yet include a gnome class or a Sir David Beckham garden display but it’ll be fun nonetheless.
Pop the date – 22 August 2026 – in your diary and take a look at our website www.ryeflowerandvegshow.co.uk for full details and an interactive application form for entries… should the weather allow.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .