The cup-winning plot. This remarkable plot scored full marks right across the board - almost unheard of. Congratulations! Certificates and the cup for the Best Plot will be awarded at the Summer Show on Saturday 23rd August at about 3pm - don't miss it!

Here are some more inspiring photos of the winning plots. For a number of reasons not all the photos were taken on the day of the judging - some were taken afterwards, when we'd had those storms! Also we weren't able to get photos of all the winning plots. If your plot won, and isn't featured here, then we'd love to see a photo so do send one in. It doesn't have to show the whole plot, we welcome 'arty' shots of the best-looking bit. Don't forget to give us your plot and site when you send the photo in. The best photos will feature on the News page too!

Click here to go to the page with the Most Creative Plot Numbers on.

Thanks for photos to: Mark Chandler, Christine Green, Eileen Law, and Brian Spencer; thank you all for your help.

25B Westrees

30B Westrees

16B Westrees

27 Westrees

Westrees as usual has some lovely plots, although they also have their share of problems.

4 Musgrove Farm - the result of the storms clearly visible on the soil

10A Musgrove Farm

The August shots were taken in the middle of the storms, and you can see that distinctive storm light in Brian's moody shot of Plot 10A!
It is interesting to contrast the fresh neatness of Plot 50 in June with the full-blown magnificence of August; look how much the beans have grown in 2 months!
Musgrove is a large, mixed site, with some of the best plots in the borough nestling alongside some distressingly neglected ones. It is a tricky site to navigate and takes a lot of work by the site rep.

50 Musgrove Farm taken on the day

50 in August; beans now full-grown

Another view of 50 Musgrove in August

21b Burton

24a Burton

25b Burton

Interesting again to see the difference between photos taken in June and those taken last week. Plot 24a has clearly been 'let go' somewhat since it was judged - plotholder's holiday perhaps? Plot 25b is still as neat as a pin though. Plot judging is always difficult and, of course, all the plots can't be judged when they are at their very best. Most of us try to make sure ours are looking as trim as possible for the judging period, but a few days warmth and rain can have weeds sprouting, the edges of the paths getting shaggy and even taller crops blowing over.

Some people like bark paths - certainly they are easy to keep neat - while others prefer the look of labour-intensive grass. The reason grass edges should be kept neat (several marks in the judging) is that weeds encroach and slugs are harboured when the edges get overgrown.

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31 William Road

17a William Road

1 Musgrove New

6 Christchurch

18a William Road

58B Jemmett - a difficult decision as several of the plots were of a very high standard

7 Christchurch

Well done to all those whose hard work paid off, and sorry we couldn't photograph them all in June when they were looking at their very best.

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