Lincolnshire is the heartland of UK horticulture, growing a quarter of all Britain's veg and Spalding Plant and Vegetable Auction is the biggest market of its kind in the country. They run three sales every week, selling as many as 1,000 bags and boxes of veg, and up to 16,000 plants, shrubs and trees each day. For the region's many smaller growers, they are the perfect sales outlet.

Local farmer John Dix is selling nearly a tonne of potatoes today. He's a man who loves his product: 'south Lincolnshire maris pipers are the best potatoes in the world. That's a fact!'. But there's been a national potato glut recently, so prices could be a worry. Buyer James Dawson has a bustling fruit and veg stall in Scunthorpe Market, 70 miles away. The Spalding Auction is vital for him. He has to strike a careful balance between getting the stock he needs to keep the stall running, but paying low enough prices that he can make a profit and pay himself a wage. Among the 30 or so buyers at the plant sale is Charles Stubbs, a man with a local empire of ten garden centres to buy for. He needs 4,000 plants, trees and shrubs today to fill two vans and keep the empire supplied. Show less