The Wanaka A&P Show has added a vegetable-growing competition, ‘Produce a Patch’, ahead of next year’s show to encourage locals to grow their own vegetables.

Open to participants of all ages, Produce a Patch aims to inspire locals to get busy in their gardens over spring and summer and create a vegetable patch in any location in the Upper Clutha A&P catchment region.

“Gardening and growing your own food is one of the most sustainable, satisfying and easily accessible activities one can partake in, not to mention the numerous social and mental health benefits it brings,” Wanaka A&P Show event manager Jane Stalker said. 

“The aim of Produce a Patch is to help novice and experienced gardeners in our community create something from the land that they can be really proud of.”

The vege beds will be judged by Harvest Homegrown founder Erin Allison, local gardening expert Liz Buggs and Ben Elms (aka Dr Compost) who will visit and evaluate each patch on March 1, 2021. Produce a Patch winners will be announced by celebrity gardener and judge Lynda Hallinan at the 84th Wanaka A&P Show on March 12-13, 2021.

“Produce a Patch is an event that people of all ages can participate in and learn something from, and we are delighted to include this as a highlight of our Home Industry category at next year’s Wanaka A&P Show,” Jane said.

There are two entry categories of Produce a Patch: Best Open Garden and Best Family Garden. Produce a Patch champions will win prizes to help take their gardens to the next level, including two greenhouses and other gardening-related prizes.

To enter, participants must fill out the Produce a Patch entry form via the Wanaka Show’s website by 31 October, 2020. Details of garden dimensions and other terms and conditions are also available on the website here.

Mitre 10 Wanaka will also be hosting two Produce a Patch events this spring. The first is a Produce a Patch information session at Mitre 10 at 10am on Saturday September 26 where entrants can learn more about the competition. 

The event is a free workshop at Mitre 10 Wanaka with local garden guru Dr Compost and experienced local gardener Liz Buggs to discuss tips and tricks for creating the perfect vege patch on Monday, November 30 (time TBC).

PHOTO: Wanaka A&P Show