R.I. farmer’s pumpkin could smash the record

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, October 8, 2006

WARREN, R.I. – Despite heavy rains that stunted pumpkin growth, a Rhode Island farmer has set what could be a new record for the largest pumpkin in the world.

Ron Wallace’s pumpkin weighed 1,502 pounds at Saturday’s contest, heavier than the current Guinness World Record-holding 1,469-pound pumpkin grown last year by Larry Checkon of Pennsylvania.

Wallace said at the Rhode Island Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Growers Championship that the key to growing a giant pumpkin is the ability to commit to the task from April to October.

“Pumpkin growing is a lot of work and you just have to stick with it,” he said.

It is also weather-dependent.

Agriculture officials say heavy rain this season has damaged or stunted the crop of many competitive growers of giant pumpkins.