Green fingers at the ready

Sunday 04 February 2018

School children, media organisations, constables and Women’s Institute branches should get their green fingers at the ready - it's time to see who can grow the top tattie.

Genuine Jersey has launched its annual Royal Potato Growing Competition to see whose crop can produce the largest number of potatoes and the heaviest weight.

The event will be keeping the competitors busy for the next few months as they look to nurture a bumper crop to be presented at a Grand Weigh-In due to be held at St Mary’s Parish Hall in early May.

Each competitor will receive a growing kit featuring two Jersey Royal seed potatoes, polystyrene chips, compost and fertiliser, as well as a bucket to grow them in. The Royals are judged against two sets of criteria, the weight once removed from the bucket and the number of individual tubers grown.

Last year, 7,550 children from primary schools took part in the competition, celebrating the humble Jersey Royal and enjoying the excitement of growing their own vegetables.

John Garton, Chief Executive of Genuine Jersey Products Association, is looking to stir up even more enthusiasm for Jersey’s most famous export with this year’s competition. He said: “For many this competition is the highlight of their social calendar and a great, fun event that brings together thousands of Islanders of all ages.

“As well as celebrating the Jersey Royal, this is a chance to educate people on the benefits of a healthy diet, growing their own vegetables and supporting local Jersey producers. There is a great deal of pride linked to Jersey Royal potatoes and it is important that we pass this down to younger generations.”

Pictured: Each competitor receives a growing kit.

Last year the Constable’s trophy for most tubers (43) went to Deirde Mezbourian of St. Lawrence, with Shelia Le Var of Trinity’s Women's Institute taking the prize in her category (46). These were both beaten by the school’s winner, as D’Auvergne Gardening Club 3WA produced the largest crop of the competition with 50 tubers.

The Channel Islands Co-operative Society have supported the event for the last three years, with stores and staff members participating in their own category of the competition. In addition to the Co-op as main sponsors, the competition is also supported by Belles Fleurs Garden Consultancy & Plant Supply and The Jersey Royal Company.

Colin Macleod, Chief Executive Officer of The Channel Islands Co-operative Society, said: “The Potato Growing Competition always brings great furor to the Island and the Co-op are thrilled to once again be associated with the event. As a retailer, we are eager to support our local producers wherever possible and are immensely proud of the place that Jersey Royals take on our shelves.”