RETIRED CIVIL servant Jim Thomson must have some of the greenest fingers in Fife, for he’s just won a council-run gardening contest for the 18thyear in a row.

Jim, from Dalgety Bay, impressed the judges in this year’s Dunfermline and West Fife section of the Fife Garden Competition and hopes to go on and win the Fife title.

He won the regional crown last year and had just handed the cup back when he found out he had won the district title yet again, as he told The Courier yesterday.

When asked if he was surprised to have won again, Mr Thomson replied, “No, not really.

“I don’t want to sound big-headed but I would say my garden is as good as it’s ever been.”

You name it, he grows it. Onions, sweet peas, leeks, parsnips, carrots, cauliflowers, cabbages, brussels sprout, broad beans, peas, the list is almost endless.

Jim, who worked at Rosyth Dockyard, said, “I’ve been a gardener all my life.

“My father was a good gardener and my grand- father before him was the same.

“My father was like myself: he grew vegetables and flowers, but in those days it was a necessity.”

Jim believes the secret of a good garden is in the groundwork, plus a generous helping of good, old-fashioned muck.

“A lot depends on your know-how,” he said.

“When I first moved in 30-odd years ago, I got it ploughed, double dug it and put a lot of manure in.

“I usually put manure in every two years.

“You have got to get the ground up to a good standard.

“There’s nothing beats farmyard manure.”

Jim insisted he’s not in it for the money. If he’s lucky and he wins the Fife title, the prize money may just keep him in manure.

Will he be back to defend his title next year?

Jim was keeping his competitors guessing. “I’m not sure yet, but I hope so.” was all he would say.

His thoughts are now turning to the competition for the whole of Fife, for which he is being judged later this week.

As for the veg he grows, he gives most away to a neighbour, who just happens to be a rather good cook.