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Our marrow competition attracted a great deal of interest and we had some cracking entries but it was clear we needed to split the competition into two because some people grew their marrows from the free seeds we gave away in our April issue.This variety was ‘Long Green Bush’ and although you can grow a nice sized marrow from it you would not compete with some other marrow varieties.

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WHOPPER CATEGORY

1ST ADRIAN READ FROM NORTHALLERTON, NORTH YORKSHIRE

Marrow stats: 76cm (30in) long, girth 143cm (56in). Weight: 53.9kg (8st 6lb 13oz)

Adrian said: “The biggest secret to growing a large marrow is getting a good big plant and covering the stalks/ leaders with the soil they are growing in. This allows the plants to develop a further root system at each leaf joint.”

2ND ALAN MILLS FROM SHREWSBURY

Marrow stats: 83cm (33in) long, girth 122cm (48in). Weight: 36.7kg (5st 11lb) Alan grew his marrow from saved seeds and fed his marrow on a comfrey and nettle brew.

3RD ROBIN RUTTER FROM HEXHAM, NORTHUMBERLAND

Marrow stats: 59cm (23in) long, girth 98cm (38in). Weight: 22kg (3st 61/2lb) Robin said: “The seeds are large and usually hard to germinate so I have found that if I gently sand the round end of the seed with fine sandpaper, this helps stop them rotting before germination. I sow in 3in pots in Singleton’s Multi Purpose Compost.