Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Join the field of giant pumpkin growers

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Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) has advised that entries are now open for the Giant Pumpkin Competition. The iconic competition offers $3,450 in prize money, including a bonus $1,000 for the heaviest pumpkin weighing more than 350kg.

There are two competition classes – Open and Youth – both offering $600 for first place, $400 for second and $300 for third.

The growers of the pumpkin crowned Champion Heaviest Pumpkin of Show will also walk away with an additional $850.

For the past two years, school students have dominated the competition, squashing pumpkins produced by veteran growers plus their longstanding records.

Downlands College from Toowoomba carved their name into the record books in March 2024, when their monster entry of 368.5kg smashed the previous Ekka record set by Minden farmer Geoff Frohloff of 261.5kg in 2015.

For schools, the competition is curriculumaligned for Foundation to Grade 10, with lessons in biology and even mathematics.

Whether you’re a farmer, gardener, student or novice, you can register for FREE Giant Atlantic pumpkin seeds through the Ekka website.

It’s best to plant the seeds in December 2024, giving the gourds time to reach their full giant pumpkin potential.

Judging will then take place at the Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday 8 March 2025, with the competition held outside of the August Ekka dates to take advantage of the premium growing season.

Entries close 28 February 2025. To enter and for more information go to www.ekka. com.au.

Allora Advertiser 6 November 2024

This article appeared in the Allora Advertiser, 6 November 2024.


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