Knowing Your Onions

It is wonderful to see the upsurge in the interest of growing your own produce - getting back to our roots so to speak.  At this year's fall fair as well those in the last few years there has some beautiful produce shown and it's been terrific to see it being displayed for all to admire.  Healthy homegrown food takes planning and months of care. For many years the pride and joy of growing your own food seemed to be lost.  'Dig for Victory' was the famous slogan during and after the second world war when people took tremendous pride in who could grow the best. Now with much of our food coming from sources that we know nothing about, it is only natural we are once again becoming sceptical of those faraway growing conditions and what is put into our food.  Hence the drive to grow your own once more.

As we harvest this year's produce and contemplate what will go into that space next year here is something to think about.  Mr. Glazebrook certainly knows his onions.

Thanks to the Sunday Telegraph for this:

Tears to Your Eyes:
British Pensioner Grows World's Heaviest Onion

Britain has won an eye-watering world title after gardener Peter Glazebrook set a new record for the heaviest ever onion.

He currently holds three other world records - heaviest potato, heaviest parsnip, and longest beetroot Photo: GETTY

By Will Taylor  17 Sep 2011
The pensioner, from Newark, Nottinghamshire, smashed John Sifford’s 2005 record of 16lb 8.37oz with his 17lb 15.5oz specimen at the Harrogate Flower Show.

Mr Glazebrook, who has grown several past prize-winners, was thrilled to have finally won the coveted title.

“Obviously I am over the moon," said the 67-year-old. “Winning these competitions is great, but in the vegetable growing world, the heaviest onion title is the one to have.”

The former chartered surveyor picked up £500 for winning first prize at the show, and a further £1,000 for setting the new world record.

He currently holds three other world records - heaviest potato, heaviest parsnip, and longest beetroot.