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Growing giant pumpkins has been a sport since the middle of the 19th century, but the last few years have pushed the boundaries of horticulture amazingly. It's an entirely new thing.
By the begining of the 20th century, the world-record pumpkins hovered around 400 pounds (180 kg or so). But 1976 saw a new run of records being shattered -- ten years later, the world record was 671 pounds (304 kg). This was due to both to the creation of new breeds of pumpkin, and of new greenhouse techniques. And it kept going. And the increase just kept going and going.
The world record was set at the Deerfield, NH a couple days ago. 1,844 pounds. But Steve Geddes didn't get to hold his record long: last night, at the Topsfield Fair, Ron Wallace's pumpkin weighed in at 2009 pounds.
By the begining of the 20th century, the world-record pumpkins hovered around 400 pounds (180 kg or so). But 1976 saw a new run of records being shattered -- ten years later, the world record was 671 pounds (304 kg). This was due to both to the creation of new breeds of pumpkin, and of new greenhouse techniques. And it kept going. And the increase just kept going and going.
The world record was set at the Deerfield, NH a couple days ago. 1,844 pounds. But Steve Geddes didn't get to hold his record long: last night, at the Topsfield Fair, Ron Wallace's pumpkin weighed in at 2009 pounds.