The Complete Vegetable Grower

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DGM Growers is part of Fresca Group Ltd, one of the most trusted names in the fresh produce industry. See www.frescagroup.co.uk for more information. Competitive giant vegetable growing is not as popular in Australia as it is in the UK and the US, Sansom said, which could explain why Australia’s records are slightly lower than those set overseas. The new record was certified by the Australian Giant Pumpkins and Vegetables Supporters society, where Oliver also holds the record for Australia’s largest giant green squash, a 612kg specimen grown in 2015.

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I know it’s a weird thing to get into,” says Tom Carre, 24, from Portsmouth. “I’ve had some funny comments from people on the allotment.” Carre started growing giant vegetables this year when we were all confined to our homes: his work as a sound technician dried up overnight in March when theatres and live music venues shut. “It has given me something to look forward to, as funny as that might sound,” Carre says. “It’s nice to have something to keep myself busy.” Carre has found quiet satisfaction in watching the fruits of his labour loom large from the earth – this year, he grew a 2-metre-tall leek and a swede twice the size of his head. “I feel very emotionally invested in them,” he says. “I did spend my entire summer looking after them.”Gardening was my physiotherapy’ ... Jenna Brown at home with her children, Effie, two, and William, four. She says growing pumpkins helped her recover after surgery. Photograph: Sam Frost/The Guardian I have used Medwyns for over 30 years. Great range of high-quality seeds particularly for exhibitors. Lots of new varieties introduced by them which are now proven winners. Friendly and helpful advice if you need it and a personal service second to none. I make them my first choice for my seeds – they are a big part of being successful on the show bench.

NSW gardener sets new record for biggest pumpkin in southern

It weighed in at a whopping 867kg, beating the previous record for Australia’s heaviest pumpkin of 743kg, also held by Oliver. Record-breaking hot and dry September weather, followed by an unusually warm beginning to October, has meant that top-fruit and grape harvesting could progress without wet weather issues.... A gardener from northern New South Wales has set a new record for the biggest pumpkin in the southern hemisphere, beating his previous record by more than 100kg. Since its founding in 1908, American Vegetable Grower ® magazine has served as the voice for the fresh and processing vegetable industry in the U.S. Now with accompanying digital products and events that are unmatched in the commercial horticulture industry, American Vegetable Grower delivers insight on field, greenhouse, and organic production; marketing; and new varieties and new products to growers, shippers, and other influencers from coast to coast. On his Facebook group, Fortey troubleshoots the common mistakes that first-time growers make, such as overfeeding their crop or not supporting them properly: a metre-long cucumber will fall off the plant unless you rig up a supportive contraption. (Tights are commonly used.) Timing is everything. “Starting too early is a problem,” says Fortey. “People are keen to get their seeds in the ground in March, but some plants don’t get started until late April, May.” He tells me that the giant-vegetable scene has come on leaps and bounds in the past decade, as more people discover the hobby. As a result, world records are continually being set, as people refine their seed strains and their techniques, often using polytunnels and lamps to grow their crops. Cheating is unusual, but not unheard-of. ‘They’re the lowest of the low,’ says Peter Glazebrook

The Diggers Club chief executive Tim Sansom said growing giant vegetables was “a scientific challenge”. The soil must be well prepared and rich with nutrients, moisture kept up but not overdone, and the climate warm enough to encourage growth but not so warm as to split fruit and send things to seed.