Show entry guidelines
Whilst we're not expecting RHS level entries, we do have some guidelines for each category. Quantities to be exhibited are shown in brackets. Incorrect quantities may result in the exhibit not being judged.
1 Beetroot (3)
You'll need 3 beetroot that are of a uniform size, well proportioned and with the taproot intact. The skin should be smooth and a good colour, although they don't have to be the traditional purple, and should be free from marks or pest damage.
Here are some tips on showing beetroot
2 Brassica - any (1)
Cabbages need to be shapely, fresh, solid heads with surrounding leaves free from damage, disease or pests. Remember to leave approximately 50mm of stalk. Calabrese needs to have fresh, solid, tightly closed heads of good colour with a good amount of stalk attached. Cauliflowers must have a good coloured curd, according to variety, free from blemish, stains or pests. Foliage should be neatly trimmed with around 50mm of stalk attached.
3 Carrots (3)
You'll need 3 carrots of a uniform size. fresh, firm roots with an even colour and foliage trimmed to approx. 75mm. Entries can be either long pointed or stump rooted varieties. Here are some tips on showing carrots
4 Courgettes (3)
Three young tender fruits of good uniform size, shape and colour. Any variety is acceptable, with shape and colour according to variety. Specimens may be shown with or without flowers attached.
5 Cucumbers (2)
You need a pair of matching cucumbers that are fresh, firm and blemish-free. Any variety is acceptable, with shape and colour according to variety.
6 French beans (6 pods)
We need to see 6 French beans that are nice and straight, fresh, uniform and a good colour with not outward sign of seeds. Keep the stalks intact. The judges will often snap beans in half to test the freshness.
7 Garlic (3)
You'll need 3 well-shaped solid, well-ripened bulbs. Trim the necks to about 25mm. Roots should be clean and trimmed, but not too short - leave about 25mm. Unlike onions, the tops should not be raffia bound.
8 Lettuce (2)
Lettuce comes in all shapes, sizes and colours, so bring us your most lovely pair of lettuces. Ensure they are fresh, crisp, free from damage and pests, with no signs of bolting.
9 Onions/shallots (5)
You'll need 5 equal sized, firm, blemish-free onions or shallots, with unbroken skins free from any damage or disease.
Tops are traditionally wrapped with raffia but this is not essential. Roots should be clean of dirt and trimmed.
10 Peas (6 pods)
You'll need 6 long, fresh, smooth pods of good colour with the stalks intact. The pods should be filled with tender peas
11 Potatoes (5)
You need 5 medium-sized tubers that are shapely, clear, and clear-skinned. No greening or excessively deep eyes. Here are some tips on showing potatoes
12 Radishes (6)
6 lovely radishes that are firm, young, tender, a uniform size and colour, and free from blemishes. Foliage should be trimmed to approx. 40mm and free from pest and disease damage.
13 Runner beans (6 pods)
The judges will be looking for 6 long, uniform, straight, fresh pods that have their stalks and tails intact.
Click here for some tips on growing the perfect show runners.
14 Cherry tomatoes (1 string)
The judges are looking for a string of fresh, ripe, well-coloured fruits of a uniform size with no blemishes.
15 Tomatoes - other (6 fruits)
You'll need 6 tomatoes with uniform size and colour, well-shaped (according to variety) and with fresh calyces attached.
16 Any other vegetable
If it doesn't fit anywhere else, this is the class for you.
17 Tray of mixed vegetables
This is just a selection of your loveliest vegetable, a chance to showcase what you've grown. You'll need at least 5 different vegetables displayed on a tray. You can have several of the same, but make sure you have 5 different types.
18 Tied bunch of herbs
They can be edible, fragrant, or medicinal, but we want to see a good selection of herbs. It can be parsley, thyme, rosemary, lavender, more exotic herbs such as Thai basil, or more unusual ones like salad burnet.
19 Basket of salad
Your basket must contain, but is not limited to, at least 3 of the following: lettuce, tomatoes, spring onions, radishes, cucumber, sweet peppers, beetroot, but try not to include any caterpillars!
20 Dahlias (6 stems)
The judges want to see 6 stems of dahlias, any variety. They can all be the same, or 6 different blooms. The flowers should be open, fresh and clean, and free from insect damage. They can be anything from the dinner plate variety or the perfectly formed pompons.
21 Sweet peas (12 stems)
5 stems of well-space, fully open, and at least 4 flowers per stem. Long, straight stems in proportion to the bloom. Flowers should be clean and with a silken sheen.
22 Roses (3 stems)
You'll need 3 stems of either single or cluster flowered roses. For single roses, they need to be in full bloom, fresh, free from damage or disease and of good colour. Cluster flowered need to have well-spaced blooms that are fresh, free from damage or disease and of good colour. Not all need to be in full bloom for cluster flowered.
23 Gladioli (3)
We want to see 3 erect spikes with fresh, unblemished blooms and foliage. An ideal spike would be one third in full flower, one third with buds in colour, and one third in green bud.
24 Potted plant
This can be either a houseplant or and outdoor plant. Size is not important - if you can carry it into the show tent, it's fine! The judges will be looking for something in a clean pot or container, that is healthy with no sign of pests or diseases, or dead leaves/flowers.
25 Mixed bunch of flowers
These will be judged on the colours, quality of the blooms and overall appearance. A cohesive arrangement displayed in a container (although they will not be judged on the container).
26 Any stone fruit (3)
Whether it's peaches, plums or nectarines (but not limited to these), as long as it has a stone in the middle, it will fit this category. We'll need to see three examples that are fresh and blemish free, and of a uniform size and shape according to type.
27 Any soft fruit (5)
This includes (but not limited to) strawberries, currants, raspberries, we'll need to see three examples (individual or strings in the case of currants) that are fresh and blemish free, and of a uniform size and shape according to type.
28 Longest bean
Any type of bean as long as it's long!
29 Ugliest vegetable
Show us your strange shaped vegetables. Wonky carrots and mutant celeriac are most welcome.
30 Vegetable sculpture
The vegetable sculpture can be made of any produce that's been turned into a work of art. Let your imagination run wild. The judges will be looking to be entertained and impressed by your sculpture. The Lambeth Country Show take their vegetable sculptures very seriously - check out their video and prepared to be inspired.
31 Jam (1 jar) 32 Chutney/pickle (1 jar)
The judges will be looking for tasty home-made preserves, that are set according to type. Please label your jar with what it is. The judges will taste all of the home produce.
33 Victoria sponge
Whether you go with a traditional WI Victoria Sandwich cake or decide to go a little off piste, that's fine with us. Not sure whether Queen Victoria would be amused though!
34 Marmalade (1 jar)
1 jar of delicious homemade marmalade. You are not limited to orange marmalade, lime, lemon or any other citrus is acceptable. Please label you jar with the contents.
35 Scones (6)
You'll need 6 perfectly formed (and tasty) scones, fruit cheese or plain is fine. They need to be a uniform size and shape.
36 Cupcakes (6)
For cupcakes you need to show us 6 cupcakes but they don't have to be decorated exactly the same but they do need to be uniform.
37 Bread (1)
Any bread is good as long as it's homemade. You can use a bread maker, sour dough, sweet or savoury bread.
38 Fruit or vegetable cake
The fruit or veg cake could be the perfect opportunity to use up some of those courgettes. Let your imagination run wild.
39 Photograph (gardening theme)
This is quite open to interpretation. The work must be your own and the subject matter must be something you'd expect to see whilst in the garden or on an allotment.