Growing potatoes "for as long as I can remember", Dave Young (80) said it was nice the humble spud was getting the recognition it deserved.
"There has been a real resurgence in people growing their own vegetables," he said.
Mr Young, Dunedin Horticultural Society president said he was pleased with the turnout at the group's Grand Autumn Show, held at the weekend at Forbury Park Raceway.
The show featured flowers, floral art, cacti, bonsai and fruit and vegetables - but it was the potato which headlined the annual event.
With more than 40 entries, including heritage varieties with names like urenika, Chatham Island rock, and old Otago there "were plenty to look at", he said.
Not a fan of the heritage varieties, Mr Young said he preferred to grow the modern varieties, such as lisetta which "were more attractive and tasted better".
Mr Young said he often had surplus stock from his garden, and donated the extra spuds to the local foodbank" I eat them everyday.
It is nice to think other people are enjoying them."
Mr Young won first prize for his lisetta potatoes and first and second for his seed potatoes.
Results were.
- L.Keenan, Cactus Cup, Jim Banwell Memorial Trophy; E. Eaton, Succulent Cup; J.Morton, DHS Bonsai Cup; J.Hoogweg, Andersons Bay Cup; J.Dahlenberg, Moncrieff and Stewart Cup, Hilliker Cup; B.Gordon, Cyril Preen Cup; M.Newton, McKay Trophy, Jones Trophy, DHS Trophy; B. Dow, McKillop Trophy; M. Braid, DHS Cup Intermediate; C. Pickar, Barbara Cave Trophy equal 1; J.Leslie, Barbara Cave Trophy equal 1; F. N.Brown, Barbara Cave Trophy equal 1, Annie Cable Prize, Doris Rivers Trophy; W. Larkins, Ramsey Simmers Cup, Dunedin Floral Art Society Tray; M. Napier, Dickinson Cup, Boock Cup; G. Holt, DHS Master Builders, DHS Vegetable Cup, DHS Cup Vegetables Tray Classes, DHS Hungerford Cup.
Whitecombe memorial awards: Dunedin Dahlia Circle 1, Sawyers Bay Garden Club 2, Otago Lily Society 3.
Gordon Mills Memorial Trophy: Dunedin Dahlia Circle.
