Vegetable and Salad Open Days 2026
7th and 8th October | 8.30am – 4.30pm | Spalding, Lincolnshire
The biggest event in the UK vegetable industry calendar
Every October, hundreds of growers, agronomists, partners and industry professionals make their way to Spalding for the largest plot trials event in the UK. Elsoms' Vegetable and Salad Open Days aren't just a chance to see the latest varieties in the ground, they're the UK veg industry's biggest opportunity to come together, share knowledge, and build the partnerships that shape the season ahead.
This is where breeders, growers, agronomists and suppliers meet face to face. Two full days, a huge variety of plots, and one shared goal: the long-term success of UK vegetable growing.
Where the industry connects
Our Open Days are built around collaboration. Walk the trials alongside our breeding and sales team, compare notes with fellow growers, and connect with the partners and specialists who are working on the same challenges you are. With nearly 1,000 visitors across the two days, it's an unrivalled opportunity to network across the whole supply chain, from breeding through to the field.
Our long-standing partnership with Bejo brings an even wider choice of world-class varieties to the trials, reflecting the kind of collaborative relationships that sit at the heart of everything we do. This is industry support in action. Not a sponsorship, but a genuine, ongoing investment in the people and partnerships that keep UK veg growing strong.
Beyond the trials
Alongside the plots, visitors can explore a range of machinery and trade exhibits from trusted industry suppliers. See what's shaping the sector and connect with the wider network of businesses supporting UK veg growing. It all adds up to a day that goes well beyond the trials themselves, bringing the full breadth of the industry together in one place.
See the varieties. Meet the experts. Talk innovation.
Across the plots, you'll get:
The UK's largest plot trials – see our latest varieties performing in real UK conditions
One-to-one expertise – our team on hand for specialist, practical knowledge you won't get anywhere else
A look at what's next – conversations about innovation and our world-class breeding programmes, all with a UK market focus
BASIS and NRoSO points – professional development alongside everything else on offer
Every variety on show reflects our commitment to rigorous testing, continuous improvement and consistent quality — because confidence in what goes in the ground starts with confidence in the breeding behind it.
Join us
Dates: 7th – 8th October 2026 Time: 8.30am – 4.30pm Location: Spalding, Lincolnshire
Elsoms Vegetable and Salad Open Days. Where the UK veg industry comes together.
