Giant Pumpkin

Last week, we had our very own Klipfel & Kids and the Giant Pumpkin moment. Thank you to Mrs. Lancaster for bringing her father-in-law, Woody Lancaster (who is the former Topsfield Fair Largest Pumpkin Winner) and his giant pumpkin to Fuller Meadow.

Every year, Mr. Lancaster attempts to grow the heaviest pumpkin and enters it in the Topsfield Fair. This year his pumpkin weighed in at 1954 pounds! Most of us were surprised to observe that it looks, smells, and feels much different than a regular pumpkin.

Mr. Lancaster shared his wealth of knowledge about growing such a large pumpkin. Let us tell you it is no easy feat. Surprisingly, giant pumpkin seeds are only double the size of typical pumpkin seeds but it takes lots of planning when finding the right ones to plant. Mr. Lancaster tends to his pumpkins for 4 hours everyday and watches them grow 30 to 40 pounds a day. Each pumpkin needs about 50 gallons of water a day, heated soil and lots of love. Here are the pictures of how his pumpkin plants grow, right in his backyard.

Don't try and turn this huge pumpkin into pumpkin pies. These giant pumpkins and seeds don't taste very good because they are mostly water and not sugar. However, they do make wonderful Jack-O-Lanterns!

The last two years, I was fortunate to help Mr. Lancaster and Mrs. Lancaster carve his giant pumpkins. The pumpkins are so big, I fit completely inside! We're looking forward to carving this year's Jack-O-Lantern face soon.