Giant pumpkins in Durham, NH, are headed to the Deerfield Fair after a growing project brought together residents of Brookdale Spruce Wood, the University of New Hampshire, families, friends and neighbors.
Residents of the retirement community grew five massive pumpkins with help from UNH plant-breeding expert Christopher Hernandez. Several are approaching 800 pounds, and the largest reached about 1,000 pounds before splitting open.
Inspired by the image, Cross and fellow resident, friend and outdoor partner-in-crime Daniel Reich, 86, began researching how to grow a giant pumpkin of their own. Their efforts led them to Christopher Hernandez, assistant professor of plant breeding at the University of New Hampshire. With his guidance, Cross and Reich laid out and rototilled three pumpkin patches. They then made 10 trips to Coyote Spring Farm in Lee to haul horse manure back to the patches. With Hernandez’s help, they obtained seeds from two prize-winning pumpkins, including one grown in 2018 by Steve Geddes of Boscawen that weighed 2,528 pounds (a US record for six years).
On June 5, Cross, Reich and Hernandez planted four pumpkin seedlings – initially grown by UNH students – in each of the three pumpkin patches surrounding Brookdale Spruce Wood.
Geddes donated retired paper-mill conveyor-belt squares to serve as sturdy “beds” for the pumpkins. He and Hernandez also taught the team about support and cushioning, including the use of sand and pool noodles. Old sheets provided shade and protection from the sun.
Cross and Reich tended the plants every day and with Hernandez’s guidance, the team narrowed the field to the two strongest plants in each patch and carefully assisted with pollination.
Over the next 16 weeks, throughout July, August and September, the once-tiny seeds/seedlings grew rapidly.
The project soon attracted attention beyond Brookdale Spruce Wood. Members of the New Hampshire Giant Pumpkin Association paid the community a visit. Neighbors from the surrounding community stopped by during their daily walks to check on the pumpkins, while visiting family and friends did the same. Those regular visits sparked conversations and new friendships.
The largest pumpkin, affectionately named “Frankenstein,” reached an impressive 1,000 pounds before splitting open! Despite the major disappointment, the project continued.
Brookdale Spruce Wood residents helped name the four remaining pumpkins:
- Gourdon Lightfoot (approaching 800 pounds)
- Dolly Plumpton (approximately 630 pounds)
- Gourdzilla (approaching 800 pounds)
- Large Marge (approaching 800 pounds)
The winning pumpkin will be sent to the Deerfield Fair to compete on Thursday, Oct. 1 against approximately 30 other pumpkins in the heaviest giant-pumpkin and/or prettiest giant-pumpkin competition.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat. Reporting by Special to Foster’s Daily Democrat.
