Weird/wonderful plant customs and competitions!

[Monkey Orchid]

I thought I'd start a thread which hopefully will get added to on a regular basis...

When I was down in Dorset last year I had lunch in a pub called The Bottle Inn in Marshwood Vale, and discovered that there is a Stinging Nettle Eating Championship held there every summer! Competitors see who can eat the most stinging nettles (raw) in an hour. Winners are judged by the quantity of two-foot nettle stalks they have managed to strip and eat the leaves from.

I'd love to know what other eccentric plant-themed competitions or customs people have come across in the UK. They could be traditional ones that have been carried out for years, or more recently started.

[Jason Claxton]

Well I can only think of the obvious Chili eating competitions,also there is a tomato ketchup one out there.Nettles ,some endurance there,oh my

[Hobjob]

There is a curious and messy tomato chucking fiesta in Spain somewhere

[Johnny Redgate]

I came across a Rhubarb festival in eastern France once. They ought to have the same in the "Rhubarb Triangle" near Wakefield.

[Kayleigh]

There is a garlic festival on the Isle of White

[pammosley]

Hi everyone, just had a google & found out that an old Welsh tradition is to rub themselves with Leeks before going into battle. It was supposed to give them extra power & strength as well as protecting them from injury
Curtosy of the Gardening folk lore page on Anglian Gardener.

[Balsam Basher]

Oxenhope Nr Keighley, West Yorkshire has a Straw Race (Oxenhope Straw Race). It involves carrying a bale of straw, from pub to pub, drinking a pint of beer in each. Most people go in fancy dress and there's a prize for the best outfit. Well worth visiting if you're in the area

[Pennywort]

Heres a seasonal one. A superstition really. You should not pick or eat Blackberries after the 11 October, Old Michaelmas Day. This is because when St Michael threw Satan out of Heaven on Michaelmas day he landed in a Blackberry bush and he (Satan) cursed the bush. I was reminded of this as I have just watch "This Morning" and they made and ate Apple and Blackberry pie!!!

[metalfish]

In Newent 8 miles from Gloucester they have an annual Onion Fair, the whole town gets involved in all things onion related- it's amazing how many things can be done with a humble onion! One year they even got the Wurzels to play. And yes as you have guessed I have been, a few times