Vegetables will be the stars of the show in Moate, Co. Westmeath next weekend as the National Vegetable Society (NVS) Irish championships get underway.

The NVS championships will once again be hosted by the Moate Agricultural Show, which is taking place at Browne's Fields, Dublin Road, Moate on Sunday, August 23.

The National Vegetable Society was established over 50 years ago to improve the standards of vegetable growing by striving to foster a society that is modern, successful and welcoming to all vegetable growers.

The NVS in Ireland continues to increase its membership among individual growers as well as affiliated shows, societies and allotments.

National Vegetable Society

The society in this country is chaired by Raymond Higgins, a grower and exhibitor from Cork.

A large number of show societies across Ireland, north and south, are now affiliated members, according to the organisers.

The NVS helps to promote their classes, with a silver medal awarded to the best exhibit in the vegetable and fruit sections at the affiliated shows.

Members who have won at the championships in the past have came from all four provinces, the organisers said.

Competition classes

The Irish championships will be a showcase for the best vegetable exhibits in Ireland, featuring 18 competitive classes.

These include collections of vegetables; a collection of legumes to include three of runner beans, French beans or broad beans; shallots and onions; potatoes; beetroot; tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers.

A confined class for members who have not won a first prize at an NVS show as well as a junior class for those aged 16 years and under, will be part of the event.

There will be a chair’s challenge to exhibit Radish Globe Sparkler, with the seeds supplied by Unwins.

The judging team comprises Medwyn Williams from Wales and Mark Hall from England, both experienced and renowned exhibitors.

Prizes

Apart from prize money in all classes, the exhibitor winning the most prize money will be awarded the coveted RHS Banksian medal.

The Harold Lawlor Perpetual Cup will be awarded to an NVS Ireland member with the highest points in special collection class.

The NVS Ireland Perpetual Dibber will be awarded to the best exhibit in the class for members who have not won a first prize at an NVS show.

The extensive array of vegetables in the NVS Irish championships will be displayed in one of the horticultural marquees at Moate Show, which also has its own vegetable and fruit classes.

Not all members grow for showing, according to the NVS.

Many do so for their own enjoyment, relishing the opportunity to produce fresh food inspired by the quality produce seen on the show bench.

NVS Ireland hosts a number of organised events for members every year including spring and autumn seminars in Co. Roscommon and a garden visit.

During the winter months, members can avail of Zoom, joining fellow members from across Ireland and Britain every two weeks as noted growers and exhibitors share their techniques.