Mirfield couple to appear on BBC’s Gardeners’ World

David and Olive Peel – along with their award winning potatoes, sweet peas and other crops – will be on the BBC2s flagship programme on Friday.

The episode will follow the couple around their Mirfield allotment as they prepare their entries to this year’s National Vegetable Championships, which take place in Harrogate.

David, 53, who works at NPower at Birstall, said: “It’s a lot of work but it’s a hobby for us both, and a release after spending the day at work in front of a computer.

“It was a long day filming, but we’re looking forward to seeing the finished item.”

The couple, who also grow melons, flowers and other crops at their greenhouse, have had an allotment at Lowlands for six years, and won a host of awards and prizes, including national titles for their potatoes, French beans and cauliflowers.

David, of Robin Royd Croft, Mirfield, added: “To get two caulis to show standard you probably have to grow about 20. This year we’re aiming for prizes for our potatoes and French beans, but Olive has her eye on the Master Gardener title, for which you have to enter pot plants, fruit, vegetables and flowers, so need a knowledge of everything.”

Eve White, from Gardeners’ World, said: “We choose to film with David and Olive on their Mirfield allotment to see just how much dedication it takes to grow perfect prize-winning vegetables. We followed David’s preparation for this year’s National Vegetable Society Championships at Harrogate, choosing peas, polishing potatoes and picking prize cauliflowers!

“We had such a great day with them both and know the Gardeners’ World audience will enjoy a peek into the world of vegetable growing and showing.”

Gardeners’ World will be on BBC2 on next Friday, September 13.