It’s that time of the year when the parish constables, the local media, Occupation VIPs, the Island’s branches of the Women’s Institute and all 33 primary schools put their gardening skills to the test in the Jersey Royal Potato Growing Competition.
Local fruit and vegetable wholesalers Homefields delivered over 300 growing kits this week to mark the launch of Genuine Jersey’s 18th competition.
Judgement day is Thursday 16th May when it will be revealed who has cultivated the heaviest crop and who has achieved the highest yield in each category.
Every competitor has received a complimentary growing kit, comprising two Jersey Royal seed potatoes from MasterFarms along with soil donated by the Government of Jersey’s household green waste team.
John Garton, Chief Executive of Genuine Jersey Products Association expressed his enthusiasm for this annual event.
‘The Jersey Royal remains a cornerstone of the Island’s exports, and the inclusivity of this event, involving people of all ages, exemplifies its brilliance. Come weigh-in day, we revel in witnessing the joy on every face of those who have dedicated 12 weeks to this competition as they unearth the fruits of their labours.’
Catherine Conway, Director of Homefields, the event’s sponsors, said: ‘We take pride in supplying and distributing the growing packs, contributing to educating young minds about the significance of fresh, local produce and the Island’s agricultural heritage.’