The Fascinating World of State Fair Giant Vegetables
Raise your hand if you grew up listening to Avril Lavigne or Simple Plan, wore a studded belt, or parted your hair so deeply to the side you had to tilt your head to keep it out of your face? I see you, millennial. If you raised your hand then you, like me, are probably pretty emotionally invested in your house plants and/or garden now, right? Perfect. Then you’ll love what I want to talk about today.
With school starting soon, my mind is on fall and when I think of fall, I think of one of my favorite events of the year, the Utah State Fair. For some folks, the draw of the State Fair may be the FFA kids showing off their animals, or the demolition derby, or all the deep-fried foods. For me, I have two things I want to see at the fair; 1.) The quilt display. I cannot get over how many hours go into sewing those amazing creations. And 2.) The Giant Vegetables. Growing the colossal crops is a testament to the dedication and skill of the growers, and they deserve every accolade the State Fair gives. Ribbons, bragging rights, prize money; give it all to them!
Showing giant vegetables is a tradition that goes back to the late 19th century when fairs were the biggest available venue for a farmer to demonstrate their skills. Farming communities would come together to celebrate the harvest, and showing off unusual vegetables became a popular tradition that to my particular delight, we still carry on today.
While I do grow a garden every year, I have yet to grow any giant vegetables on purpose. My zucchini does sometimes get a little oversized, but that’s what zucchini bread is for (IYKYK). For any vegetable enthusiasts looking to make it big in the world of vegetable showing, it takes a mix of science, art and patience to grow a true giant veg. First, you have to start with the right seeds. You’ll need to find seeds specifically bred for size. Your run of the mill packet of Home Depot seeds simply won’t cut it. Where you plant is important too. You need a spot of land with rich, well-draining soil to plant in. From there it will take consistent watering, balanced fertilization, careful pruning, and a whole lot of patience to produce the perfect giant vegetable.
If you want to join the big vegetable leagues, you’ll be up against some pretty tough competition. State fairs have seen some record-breaking vegetables over the years. The current world record for largest pumpkin is held by Mathiias Willemijns from Belgium, whose pumpkin topped out at 2,624.6 lbs. The current record for largest watermelon is 350.5 lbs. grown by Chris Kent from Tennessee. The world record for heaviest cabbage is held by Scott Robb of Alaska, with his 138.25 lb. behemoth. Records are held for all sorts of veggies from tomatoes (technically a fruit, I know) to zucchini.
The giant vegetable growing community is a pretty tight knit group, and it would be easy to see how you could build a sense of comradery with others who are as dedicated to their crops as you are. If your parks and recreation department is looking for a great way to build a sense of community in your area, consider renting plots in a community garden, or hosting a giant vegetable growing contest of your own. Looking for a great software to help you rent plots, or sell tickets to the big veggie show? Sportsman can help with that! Our enterprise software is versatile enough to handle your everyday activities like day pass sales and rec sports registration, as well as big events like your online giant vegetable showcase ticket sales.