Bio Gro Black Gold

[Showe]

I have started growing leeks for the show im wondering if any one has tryed this Bio Gro Black Gold

[Aberdeenplotter]

it seems to be a seaweed product and if used properly will no doubt be equally as good as the other seaweed products on the market

[marchogaeth]

it seems to be a seaweed product and if used properly will no doubt be equally as good as the other seaweed products on the market

Or maybe lots of other things, too. AP do you feel you show vegetables actually cost you more money to produce or is it just more time and skill?

I don't show and although I love gardening I see it as hobby that shouldn't really leave me out of pocket (even in these early set up years). This has made me really question using some of the supplements and feeds no matter how good they look. Sheet mulching with nettles and comfrey especially seem to give excellent results. I am promising myslef a trip to the beach in spring as well for a direct harvest - at least I'll be able to monitor my environmental damage that way!

[Aberdeenplotter]

Definitely need deep pockets. many of the exhibits that win are only available from specialist suppliers so seeds are expensive, best of composts are used and fertilisers are made up from base chemicals etc.. Remedies for things like rust on keeks, botrytis on onions, are horrendously expensive. Heating and lighting crucifying.

Having said that, there is a lot of skill and knowledge involved and a huge amount of time and application needed as one has to commit to loads of care and attention.

An example of skill, pot leeks can only extend to 6" from the root plate to the fast button(where the first leaf joint is visible. After growing leeks for a goodly number of years, I only learned from an expert last year how to drop the button if it is too high.

I don't class myself as an expert in anything even in onions which I try to specialise in. I'm experienced. Big difference.

[SarzWix]

You can make a bit of money on the show circuit though, especially if you enter and win at the bigger ones. Our old allotment committee chair used to travel all over the place to shows and made a decent amount of cash at it - she'd often enter the same exhibits in more than one show as well.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Prize money up here isn't worth starting the car for. £2 for a first prize with large onions at the biggest local show and a packet of seed costs a fiver. I know that in the North of England, especially at the leek clubs, the prize money and prizes can be large but in the main, the club members are paying weekly to help fund and there is sponsorship from pubs and brewers as many of the clubs are associated with pubs.

My brother used to live in Thirsk in Yorkshire (there is a Skipton on Swale close by, is that where you are Sarz?) and at some of the clubs, there would be up to a hundred prizes and the bottom prize could be a fridge or a telly.


The First prize at the NVS national championships for 5 onions which is incredibly difficult to get an entry for is £30. Show was at Malvern last year. Cost me that in Fuel to get to Edinburgh plus it was a two day show so three nights B&B.

I certainly don't do it for the money. It's my hobby

[Showe]

Last year i came 22nd and all to gether i won over £500