Johnny is ready for Chelsea show
A Holbeach grower is in top form as it prepares for the Chelsea Flower Show after winning a gold medal in London.
Johnny Walkers, of Walkers Bulbs in Washway Road, was given the highest award at the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) April London Show on April 15 and 16.
His display of numerous varieties of daffodils went down a treat with the judges, who marked the displays in categories such as presentation, quality of flower, general tidiness and cleanness of flower.
A regular gold award winner at the RHS's flagship event, the Chelsea Flower Show, Mr Walkers is now looking to start the final preparations for this year's show, held between May 20 and 24.
He said: "The awards are given out for many reasons, including quality and general excellence in growth, so it's quite pleasing to get the highest award.
"Chelsea is a long hard show to do as the displays are open between 8am and 8pm so it's a lot to get through.
"We've got to get the flowers prepared beforehand, make sure they are perfect and that there are no blemishes on them."
Preparations for Chelsea have not been helped by recent weather in the area, which has kept those at Walkers Bulbs on their toes to ensure the best flowers are selected.
Mr Walkers said: "In the last three weeks or so we have had hail showers which are a bit of a nightmare because they shred the petals, rendering them useless, and also bruise the flowers so that when they open they have brown marks on them.
"We've also had to contend with the wind as the flowers can get damaged when they knock against each other.
"Basically we have got to be very particular when it comes to selecting the flowers that will be involved in our display."
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Weather for Spalding
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
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Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
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