Published: Thursday, 28th August, 2008 11:00
Nothing beats dung says prize-winning gardener
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Pic by: Dunfermline Press
A PROLIFIC Dalgety Bay gardener has yet again scooped first place for his prize vegetable patch.
And pensioner Jim Thomson, The Beeches, has blown away the competition so many times judges once considered banning him from the event.
He has just won the Best Vegetable Garden in Fife award for the ninth time, on top of winning the same category for West Fife an astonishing 18 times in a row.
The former civil servant revealed, “A few years ago they (the judges) were talking about banning myself from future competitions because I’d won it so many times.
“But the provost at the time said it would lower the competition, so I’m still here.”
He won the latest event after impressing judges with the quality of his onions, leeks, parsnips, cauliflowers and cabbages.
Jim, whose garden measures a third of an acre, added, “They also judge it on neatness – the garden has to be immaculate and free of weeds so you have to stay on top of it to keep it in good condition.”
When asked the secret behind his continuing success, he said, “Old-fashioned dung – nothing beats it.
“My wife Mary helps out too, and I often give vegetables to my neighbour who is a good cook and uses it to make different things, such as soup.
“He often comes back with containers of the stuff, so it’s a good arrangement!
“My advice for new gardeners is to work hard at it, so I suppose you need dedication. I’m still learning.
“A lot of new houses these days don’t have big gardens so people aren’t able to get involved, unless they have an allotment somewhere.”
Jim will pick up his trophy, again, at an awards ceremony in Glenrothes next month.
He added, “Gardening keeps me fit so I’ll be doing this for as long as I can keep it going.”
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