MARILYN CORNWELL: Marilyn's Photos - Oct 15 2026

There are a few "biggest vegetable" contests around the world. They mostly go on weight - the heaviest. Is it a surprise that it is England that is considered the champ of the champs in producing the biggest in the world. A beetroot weighing 26.02 kg, a sunflower head weighing 7.808 kg, a cucumber measuring more than 7.5 metres. The longest dandelion/weed root was 1.127 metres. The BBC article on all the winners is HERE.

We're partial to pumpkins and it was awarded this year for a 3,156 (1,432.5 kg pumpkin from Rhode Island. It is the first to cross the 3,000 pound weight. What I most enjoy about the pumpkin contest is that it is at Half Moon Bay, California. We've driven along Highway 1 in the autumn and see the pumpkin field next to the ocean. It is a magical combination.

Take a look at how much has changed in a century of pumpkin records. The first giant pumpkin on record was grown by William Warnock from Ontario and it was 365 pounds at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. He was the expert for decades. The most recent cultivar that is used is Dill's Atlantic Giant selected by Howard Dill and likely descended from "Mammoth". Besides genetics, agricultural techniques maximize the growth. I expect those are the secret moments. Here's the stunning progress through the decades.

1900: William Warnock (Canada) – 400 lb (181 kg)
1980: Howard Dill (Canada) – 459 lb (208 kg)
2006: Ron Wallace (USA) – 1,502 lb (681 kg) (First to break 1,500 lbs)
2009: Christy Harp (USA) – 1,725 lb (782 kg)
2012: Ron Wallace (USA) – 2,009 lb (911 kg) (First to break 2,000 lbs)
2021: Stefano Cutrupi (Italy) – 2,702.9 lb (1,226 kg)
Early October 2026: Ian Paton (United Kingdom) – 2,856.8 lb (1,295.8 kg) (Nicknamed "Bagheera")
Mid October 2026: Ron Wallace (USA) – 3,156 lb (1,431.5 kg) (First over 3,000 lbs)