Forget James and his peach; Sam Gregory has grown a 200kg pumpkin in his South Launceston garden.
For the past six months Mr Gregory has been nurturing the pumpkin he hopes will take out the top prize in the Launceston Horticultural Society’s heaviest pumpkin competition.
Mr Gregory has been perfecting his pumpkin for the past six years and even developed his own variety.
“I cross pollinated two pumpkin varieties to make my own pumpkin. It’s a jack-o’-lantern style pumpkin,” he said.
He estimates the pumpkin will have around 500 seeds once cut open, which he plans to use for next year’s giant orange crop.
Only two questions remain: how does Mr Gregory transport a 200kg pumpkin, and what will he do with the pumpkin afterwards?
“I’ll use a sling to get it into the ute,” he said, in answer to the first and, “lots of pumpkin pie and pumpkin soup” for the second question.
Mr Gregory has also grown a giant marrow, gourd and onions for entry in the heaviest vegetable competitions.
Launceston Horticultural Society’s Autumn Show is on this weekend at St Ailbe’s Hall, Margaret St, Launceston.
Admission is $2 and the show runs 2pm to 5pm Saturday and 9am to 4pm Sunday.
Johanna Baker-Dowdell
Johanna has more than 22 years experience as a journalist for newspapers, magazines and online publications.
Johanna has more than 22 years experience as a journalist for newspapers, magazines and online publications.
