Dung named as key ingredient for prize-winning vegetables

17:08:20 28th August 2008

A keen gardener who has wowed judges in Fife with his vegetable-growing prowess has attributed his success to "old fashioned dung".

Jim Thomson, from Dalgety Bay, Dunfermline, has a particular aptitude when it comes to growing onions, leeks, parsnips, cauliflowers and cabbages, and as such was recently crowned the winner of the Best Vegetable Garden in Fife award for the ninth time.

He has also held onto the Best Vegetable Garden in West Fife award for 18 years in a row.

According to Mr Thomson, the main ingredient for success is hard work.

"My advice for new gardeners is to work hard at it, so I suppose you need dedication. I'm still learning," he told the Dunfermline Press.

However, he also said that nothing beats "good old-fashioned dung" when it comes to growing prize-winning vegetables.

Mr Thomson is due to pick up his latest trophies in Glenrothes next month, but has vowed to keep going due to the positive health benefits associated with gardening.

"Gardening keeps me fit so I'll be doing this for as long as I can keep it going," he told the newspaper.