SE1 flower and vegetable show to celebrate Octavia Hill centenary

The Flower and Vegetable Show on Friday 14 September is a tribute to the Southwark Flower Show Octavia Hill regularly held at Red Cross Garden over a century ago.

Hill was a prominent social reformer and founder of Red Cross Garden and the National Trust.

With five months to go, BOST is urging local residents to start growing in preparation for the big day.

"We are really looking forward to bringing together the many different individuals and groups working on Edible Bankside gardens, and at the same time honouring the work of the great open spaces campaigner, Octavia Hill, who helped make this area green for the people who live here," says BOST director Helen Firminger.

"We hope as many people as possible can join us."

For more information, if you'd like seeds or help growing your flowers or vegetables – or if you would like to know where your nearest Edible Bankside garden is – you can contact Nicola or Hej at BOST on 020 7403 3393 or [email protected]

Full instructions for how to enter the show, as well as details of judges and prizes, will soon be available at www.bost.org.uk

The show, which is open to entries from individuals and groups, will have 12 categories:

• A seasonal SE1 grown floral display in a small vase – judged for presentation and variety

• Best SE1 September Display – vegetable and fruit display in a bowl or basket

• Most Unusual SE1 Vegetable eg unusual shaped carrot

• SE1 goes Exotic – home grown fruit or vegetable display eg okra, melon, tomatillo

• Best home produce entry – must contain at least some SE1 ingredients e.g. quiche, carrot cake, chutney

• Most interesting arrangement – container with SE1-grown flowers and vegetables eg in a shoe , tea cup, toy etc. (adult & under-14 sections)

• Biggest SE1 Pumpkin – or squash or marrow or other member of the gourd family.

• Best painting or drawing of a local flower or garden (adult & under-14 sections)

• Best photograph of a local flower or garden (adult & under-14 sections)

• Best SE1 Sunflower (under-14s)

• Paper garden which can be created on the day (under-14s)

• Best Octavia Hill Pelargonium (adult & under-14 sections).

Plug plants can be potted up and collected at the Red Cross Garden during the May Festival on Friday 11 May. If you cannot make the May Festival event please get in contact with Agnes at BOST to collect your plug plant from Red Cross Garden while stocks last.