Potato in a Bucket
Potato in a Bucket
Stubton’s “Potato in a Bucket” competition is a much-loved annual event in the village, following the tradition of quirky and friendly gardening contests like the Longest Carrot and Giant Marrow competitions. Here’s what you need to know about the event and how it works:
About the Competition
- Annual Event: The Potato-in-a-Bucket contest is held every year in Stubton, typically attracting around 35 entrants.
- How It Works: Participants are given seed potatoes (usually in February) and grow them in buckets at home. The goal is to produce the heaviest crop of potatoes from a single bucket by the weigh-in, which usually takes place in July.
- Community Spirit: The event is all about fun, friendly rivalry, and celebrating local gardening skills. After the weigh-in, potatoes are often shared or used in community meals.
How to Take Part
- Get Your Seed Potato: Usually distributed by the organizers in February.
- Plant in a Bucket: Use a standard-sized bucket (often 5 to 10 gallons) with drainage holes. Fill with compost or soil, plant your seed potato, and care for it through the spring and early summer.
- Weigh-In: Bring your bucket to the village hall on the set date in July. Buckets are tipped out and the potatoes are weighed to determine the winner.
Tips for Success
- Use Good Compost: Many competitors experiment with different compost mixes to maximize yield.
- Water Regularly: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
- Hill Up: As the potato plant grows, add more soil or compost to cover the stems, encouraging more potatoes to form.
- Drainage: Ensure your bucket has plenty of holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging.
Why It’s Special
Stubton’s gardening competitions, including the Potato-in-a-Bucket event, are a highlight of the village calendar. They bring together residents of all ages, foster community spirit, and celebrate the joys of homegrown produce. The event is often mentioned alongside the Longest Carrot and Giant Marrow competitions, making Stub
The Longest Carrot
Longest Carrot Competition
Stubton has a charming and quirky tradition when it comes to carrots! Each year, the village hosts the Longest Carrot Competition at Stubton Village Hall. This event has become a highlight for local growers and residents, now in its sixth year. The competition celebrates not just the size of the carrots, but also the community spirit and horticultural enthusiasm of Stubton.
Highlights from the Latest Competition:
- 2025 Winner: Mike Libby, a long-time vegetable enthusiast, grew the winning carrot, which measured an impressive 720mm from tip to top.
- Judging: The carrots were measured by Sam Kirk, chairman of Stubton Parish Council, with help from his son Ralph. The event is known for its friendly rivalry and precise measurements—carrots are measured in millimetres!
- Other Winners: Second place went to Ian Phillips, and third to Ted Critchley, with only millimetres separating the top entries.
- Community Involvement: After judging, the carrots are displayed and then distributed to attendees for making carrot-based delicacies at home.
- Spirit of the Event: The winner, Mike Libby, humorously claimed he “just sowed it, watered it and fundamentally ignored it,” showing that anyone can participate and enjoy growing carrots in Stubton.
- Future Events: The village is already planning next year’s competition, and also hosts other horticultural challenges like the Potato-in-a-Bucket event, which draws around 35 entrants annually.
Why Carrots?
Carrots are a popular crop in the area, likely due to the local soil and gardening culture. The competition is a fun way to bring the community together, encourage gardening, and celebrate local produce.
Fun Fact:
According to the Guinness World Records, the longest carrot ever grown was over 6 meters, but Stubton’s 720mm carrot is still a remarkable local achievement!
