The Great Longridge Potato Growing Competition

Potatoes and Pride (But Never Too Seriously)

The judge lifts a handful of spuds for all to see – official inspection underway.

Each year at Longridge, a very serious (but not at all serious) event takes over the village. It’s the Annual Potato Growing Competition, now in its fourth glorious season. The rules are simple, the stakes are low, and the laughs are absolutely guaranteed. It’s the kind of event where garden gloves go on and pride’s on the line.

The tradition began naturally not long after Longridge opened, thanks to two of our founding residents, Alan and Phyllis, who kicked things off with a friendly growing challenge. Since then, it’s become a much-loved part of life at Longridge, equal parts hilarious and wholesome.

Here’s how it works. For just five dollars, residents get their starter pack: a seed potato and one grow bag. Everyone picked up their seed potato at the official handout session last Thursday. Miss it and you were behind before you began.

Some of the Longridge residents collecting their seed potatoes. Let the spud games begin!

This year’s variety is Desiree. Everyone gets the same type of potato, so no one has an advantage. That’s important, because this is meant to be fun, fair, and just a little bit competitive. You can use any soil you like, though. Some stick to potting mix, others go for their own blend.

Then it’s back to your villa to plant the magic.

You’ve got 100 days to grow your prize spud. That’s it. No extra help, no swapping with your neighbour, no hiring in a secret horticulturist from Mitre 10. Just you, your dirt, and your gardening chops.

This year’s seed potato – Desiree variety and full of promise

And yes, all our residents have space to do this. Our villas aren’t cramped little boxes. Everyone has lawns, back gardens, patios, and sun traps. There’s room to grow a potato or six and still sit out with a cuppa while judging your neighbour’s technique.

Official Rules

The potato that gets judged must be the same one residents received at the start. Everyone is given the same variety, this year it’s Desiree. Past years have included Rua, Ilam Hardy, and Agria. To keep things fair, the potato must be presented in the official grow bag.

As for tactics, there’s always a bit of mischief. One resident once snuck in a plastic bag of supermarket potatoes under her soil. Another year, someone found carrots and parsnips instead of spuds. It’s all taken in good humour. Mostly.

Judging this year takes place on 30 November, right in time for BBQ season. AJ collects all the bags in the village truck and brings them to the Rec Centre for the big weigh-in. This is not a quiet affair. You’ll hear it before you see it.

The big reveal: residents gather as potato grow bags are tipped and judged during Longridge’s most lighthearted competition of the year.

There are four official categories:

1. Biggest potato – wins the admiration of many

2. Funniest-looking potato – wins a novelty prize. One year it was a potato masher. Nobody knows what it’ll be this year

3. Smallest potato – earns the booby prize and possibly a new nickname

4. Biggest total yield – for the serious gardeners out there. Competition is fierce

The moment of truth. One grow bag, one gardener, and a whole lot of potato-based pride on the line.

Peter, one of our residents, is back again as judge. He’s funny, loud, and deeply invested in potato aesthetics. Equal parts spud expert and village comedian, he’s the perfect man for the job.

Final weigh-in at the Longridge Potato Growing Competition. Clipboards out and scales ready.

After the judging comes a BBQ in the sunshine with certificates and bragging rights all round. It’s one of the best days of the year. Full of banter, triumph, heartbreak, and plenty of laughs.

The moment of truth – Longridge residents gather at the Rec Centre for the official potato weigh-in.

You don’t need to be a gardener. You just need five dollars, a bit of soil, and the ability to remember to water your bag every now and then. If you’re returning, you’ve got reputations to uphold. Or reclaim.

Whether you're in it to win it or just keen to laugh at your neighbour’s oddly shaped root veg – let the potato battle begin!

Want to see what else goes on at Longridge?

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