A farmer in New York has grown a pumpkin-record holder: it is the heaviest in North America
'04.10.2022'
Nadezhda Verbitskaya
A small farm in Lancaster grew a pumpkin weighing 1 kilograms. This giant has set a record for being the heaviest pumpkin in North America. Gothamist.
Scott Andrush, 63, and his family have been growing giant squash on their farm in Lancaster, New York, throughout the summer. The prize fund for the largest pumpkin competition ($5500) will be used by the family to replenish soil for next year's competition.
Andrush said it took months of focused daily care, meticulous pruning of gourd vines, and regular insect and fungus treatments to grow the giant.
“She needs to be given the very best you can think of. All fertilizers, castings from algae worms, chicken waste, - Andrush said. "And a ton of water every time she's thirsty."
Another difficult task was to protect the pumpkin from cats and raccoons.
“All the animals seem to love this pumpkin more than anything. They all want to eat on it. Cats come to me and try to scratch her,” the farmer said. “They think it’s a big sofa.”
This New York squash broke the record for the largest North American squash, set in 2018 by a New Hampshire-grown squash. Then the weight of the giant was 1 kilograms.
Andrush started growing record-breaking pumpkins three years ago. Last year he was close to winning. But his giant pumpkin cracked a few before harvest. Andrush said that the victory this autumn was pleasant.
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“Finally, just incredible! This is the culmination of many hard efforts for me and my sons,” he said. I like to stand next to the pumpkins and see them all. They are so amazing.”
Andrush pumpkin weighs 67 kilograms less than the pumpkin, which now holds the world record, it was set in Italy in 2021. Tuscan farmer Stefano Cutrupi has grown the largest pumpkin, weighing 1 kilograms, according to the Guinness Book of Records.
Pumpkin Andrusha will be exhibited on Great Pumpkin Farm until mid October
Andrush said he's not sure what he'll do with the pumpkin once it's taken off the public display in the second half of October. He is open to suggestions. The most important thing is to make sure that he collects the seeds for the next year.
