For some it may be Sow/Grow/Eat only, and the Showing will not be part of your scene! As consumers, we all share the Eating and that is surely the best part of all. Freshly picked fruit and veg from the garden just before we cook it - or eat it raw, before or after it reaches the kitchen. Mmmmm!

For others, you may prefer just to Grow/Eat. You have a number of options here. You can buy in seedlings and there are a good range of organically grown plantlets you can buy through mail order. This is not the only source, but for a good range have a look at the following website - http://www.organicplants.co.uk/acatalog/ - and take a look at the August or September range at this time of year. They do deliver to the Isle of Man. They start with a March range and go on throughout the summer and autumn. This method is expensive versus sowing your own, but if you just want a few plants it may be the way for you.

A cheaper and local alternative to Grow/Eat is this. Whilst it applies mainly to Sow/Grow/Eaters, you may get what you want by just buying surplus plants. You become part of a small ring - as I seem to have become - where different ‘members’ grow from seed and sell, swap or give away surplus plants. This ring is very informal but in a way is what ‘networking’ is all about – one of MON’s most important aims. In this way, you have a very productive division of labour, the benefits of others’ successful experiences, and an introduction to a much wider range of vegetable types than otherwise would be the case. 

If you want to go the whole hog and Sow/Grow/Show, then we will aim on this website to give you a comprehensive list of the local Show dates for 2007 and the name and telephone number of the local Secretary to make your entries. There is no such list at present, and the aim is to help you to plan which Shows you want to enter. The local Show is an important part of the social framework of any community, whether it is the IOM or elsewhere. Some Shows are very well supported (St Johns and Andreas come to mind), but others are falling away fast and there is a view that their disappearance would be a pity and individual communities will lose by it. Looking at the average age of the Committee members of the Shows I have recently attended, they would welcome the addition of some younger members - 25-50 - as well as lots more younger entrants - 5-55!

The Shows are also an opportunity to demonstrate that in many cases, growing to organic principles can generate very attractive as well as what we consider to be safer produce. After judging has been completed, I have been leaving notelets with the following on them and inviting the viewing public to ‘PLEASE TAKE ONE. Grown to organic standards, without pesticides, herbicides or artificial fertilisers.  If you want more information on the Manx Organic Network, please call Ian Davies on 882332 or see the website at www.manxorganicnetwork.com.’

I did this at Ramsey Show recently and a number of them ‘disappeared’ during the afternoon. There is no such thing as ‘bad’ advertising and we have had one call already from a potential member.

To digress, yes I do know that herbicides are included in pesticides and shouldn’t need to have special mention. However, at the Royal Show recently, a visitor to our marquee said that she had heard that a local farmer did not use pesticides, only herbicides, so that was OK. When challenged on her logic in coming to that conclusion, she said that herbicides were made from herbs and they were OK, weren’t they?  Yet more proof that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing!

Recent Show results for MON members
Royal Show 11th/12th August, Sulby
Alfie Leach – age 10 – added significantly to his bank balance with a terrific performance once again…..
…….and moving outside the Fruit and Veg arena for once, MON member Melanie Kerman-Jansen won a (huge) trophy for the (relatively small) brown eggs produced by her rare breed Maran hens.  (If you go to http://freespace.virgin.net/a.wood/Poultry.html and click on ‘Breeds’ at the top of the page, scrolling down you will not only see an example of the beautiful Maran hens but also their brown eggs too!  They were apparently James Bond’s favourite eggs.  I wonder if Melanie knew that?) .  On the same website, if you go into ‘Links’, there is more on Marans, but those who have Marans probably already know this?

Editor’s Note I feel that when the website develops further, we will have a separate Section for Poultry Keepers. There is clearly so much interest among MON members, both for commercial and private development.  One family are in the process of going for organic certification right now, and a couple of others may follow.
What shall we call this new Section?  ‘Hen-pecked’? ‘The Hen Pen’ as on the website above?  or simply ‘Poultry’, with true Manx understatement?  E-mail the Editor with your suggestions.

Southern Gardener’s Show, Castletown 26th / 27th August
Michelle Jamieson, aged 8, did very well. As well as a prize for her carrots grown to organic principles, she also won a special award for her summer flowers, and 3rd prize for her miniature garden.  Her mother, Sharon, won a trophy for her collection of 6 different vegetables, 1st prize for her Rainbow Chard against stiff competition in the open various veg section, and various other prizes for carrots, beets, marrows, cucumbers etc, all grown to organic principles.
Pride of place went to MON member Bill Mizen with the Blue Ribbon for his collection and Best in Show for his Leeks.  The Chief Minister was there to give out the prizes.  Apparently, he is keen to grow so we will stay in contact with him.  ‘Grow your own’ in high places!

Ramsey Horticultural Society Show 26th August
At a Show where the number of entries was disappointing, Ian Davies won Best Exhibit in the Vegetable & Fruit Section and the Society Cup for his collection of 6 different vegetables, as well as a number of other prizes in other groups – 3 types of potatoes, dwarf beans, yellow tomatoes, runner beans etc, all grown to organic standards.  Viv Davies was persuaded to enter the Cactus competition, and won 1st prize, a special award - and a Shield - against not only stiff but prickly competition!

Forthcoming Shows in 2006
Please note that quite a lot of Shows seem to be on a Thursday.  Historical reasons, no doubt.

September
2nd St Johns.  No more details available.
Thurs 7th Peel.  No more details available.
9th Onchan.  No more details available.
Thurs 14th Cronk y Voddy.  No more details available.
16th Maughold.  Entries to Mrs Gail Kelly, 814585.

October
Thurs 14th Kirk Andreas Show.  Entries by telephone to Secretary Mrs P Kinrade, 880331 not later than Sat 7th Oct.