Entries are open for the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) Giant Pumpkin Competition, with anyone able to get seeds delivered to them for free.
The competition offers more than $3,400 in prize money, with a new bonus $1,000 for the heaviest pumpkin over a whopping 500 kilograms.
The prize money on offer for the Open and Youth classes is $600 for first place, $400 for second and $300 for third.
All pumpkins over 80 kilograms are eligible for the coveted title of Champion Heaviest Pumpkin of Show and $850.
The giant gourds will roll into the Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday the 29th of April in 2023 for judging, with the competition held outside of the August Ekka dates to take advantage of the premium pumpkin growing season.
School students will also join the veggie patch heavyweights, with the competition curriculum-aligned for Foundation to Grade 8, planting the seed of knowledge about the importance of agriculture.
The minimum weight for entry into the Youth/School class has been lowered to 10kg to encourage more students to get their green thumbs on.
Entries close Friday, 21 April.
Farmers, gardeners, schools and students can request their free Giant Atlantic pumpkin seeds and an information pack through the Ekka website at ekka.com.au/competitions/education/giant-pumpkin
This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 10 November 2022.
