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ballston spa N.Y

When does a pumpkin grower become a heavy hitter? this is my first year growing one of thease giant pumpkins,im using a holland 629 and its up to 450 now. So am i a heavy Hitter now? or does it have to be over 1000 lbs? pleas reply frank.

8/31/2000 10:20:26 PM

Connecticut, USA

Very interesting question. In my opinion a heavy hitter is a grower who consistently grows pumpkins over 700 pounds. The number seems to be going up too. Maybe its like 800 pounds now. Pumpkins of this size do not happen by accident. Growing pumpkins of this size consistently does not happen by luck either.

9/1/2000 12:18:45 PM

South Hadley, MA

I like Ken's response. I think the key word he used was consistently. Not sure about whether there is an exact number of pounds attached, depends a lot on where you live. But the people who are at weigh-offs year after year with the really big ones are the heavy hitters. I'd think it was a pretty exclusive club, maybe a few dozen people world wide.

9/4/2000 6:14:07 PM

Long Island,New York

My definition of a heavy hitter would be someone who consistently produces the top pumpkins/squash relative to his area,assuming the area has an established knowledgable pumpkin community.It's not fair to designate a size criteria because some environments are not as "pumpkin friendly".A Georgia grower producing 600-700lbers every year would be a heavy hitter.An Ontario grower doing the same would not. A once in a while biggie is nice but doesn't make you a heavy hitter. I know great growers that dont get biggies often but they're still heavy hitters in my opinion.

9/4/2000 8:52:28 PM

Connecticut, USA

I agree. Geography definitely makes a difference. It is much harder to grow a 700 pounder in the south. I know one thing for sure - I have a long way to go to be a heavy hitter! Maybe a heavy hitter's bat boy?

9/4/2000 9:39:52 PM