The 2026 Rye Flower and Veg Show is on Saturday 22 August at the Rye Community Centre.
As I write to remind you about the Rye Flower and Veg Show, the sun is (eventually) out and the soil beginning to warm enough to contemplate the first planting of your vegetable and flower seeds.
Helena and I have been busy compiling the schedule for this year’s show, and we are rather excited by some of the new classes to test your skills.
We have included all the usuals in the Fruit and Veg section – cabbages, onions, potatoes and tomatoes and much more – in fact there are 24 classes alone in this category. We had a particularly high entry for the Largest Squash or Marrow class in 2025 due in no small part to the amount of rain we had early in the season!
Last year’s new class under the Flowers and Foliage section called “Contrast, Clash or Co-ordinate” is set to return due to popular demand as are all the usual floral categories including the most fragrant rose which is judged by you.
In the cookery section, we are continuing with the favourites, especially the “Sausage Rolls with an interesting twist” which has been so popular over the last few years. For 2026, we are introducing “Sweet or Savoury Scones”, “A loaf of Soda Bread”, “Cupcakes decorated with a nature theme” and “Cheese Straws” in addition to the usual classes. It will make your mouth water just to view the entries.
The photography and handicraft sections will include some new and some familiar classes. In particular there will be a category for a “Fruit or Veg themed Christmas tree ornament” where entrants could be invited to lend or donate their ornament to decorate the Rye Flower and Veg tree at the Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s church in December.
A list of all classes will be available soon online and in the schedule which will be printed later in the year. Full details and rules will be available on our website at www.ryeflowerandvegshow.co.uk in a month or so.
Happy sowing.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .