Unsurprisingly, the world record Atlantic giant pumpkin was broken again in 2023. They certainly grow to tremendous weight. On October 9, 2023, Travis Giener brought his Atlantic Giant pumpkin to the 50th annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-off. It weighed in at an amazing 2,749 pounds, almost 50 pounds heavier than the prior world record.
Giener has been growing monstrous Atlantic Giant pumpkins for over 30 years. Surely, when you are involved in a hobby for that long, then you’re bound to learn all the tricks. Like many other giant pumpkin growers, Giener traditionally names his pumpkins. He must have had a premonition that this particular fruit was destined for glory, as he aptly named it Michael Jordan. Perhaps the name spurred Giener and his pumpkin on, as it is now the reigning World record holder.
Did You Know? Amazingly, to produce record-breaking weight, a pumpkin grows over 50 pounds a day during peak growth.
The world giant pumpkin record falls almost yearly. It was no different in 2021. The new record is held by Stefano Cutrupi, a native of Bordighera, Italy. In October, 2021, brought his monster pumpkin to the weigh-off at the Big Pumpkin Festival in Peccioli, Italy. It weighed in at a massive 2,702 pounds (1226kg)!!
Pumpkin Nook tips its lid to Stafano Cutrupi for this fantastic accomplishment.
For the Record: Over the past 25 – 30 years, the record weight of these behemoths has steadily risen. Before the turn of the century, a pumpkin weighing 800 – 900 pounds was impressive. The world record is broken almost every year. Where will it top off? No one knows. But it’s sure fun watching the world record fall almost every year.
For almost 20 years, competitive giant pumpkin growers smashed the world record almost yearly. Two factors led to the weight gains. First, growing techniques were refined and improved. Yet, highly competitive growers still felt compelled to share their knowledge. This is a rare and noble feat in a competitive environment. However, it was one common belief that drove pumpkin weight to such lofty heights. Growers universally believed the record would fall each year. These same growers believed they could be the ones to do it.
The current world record for giant pumpkins is held by a grower in Germany. German grower Mathia Willemijn brought his behemoth pumpkin to the European Weigh Off on October 9, 2016. It weighed and amazing 2,624.6 pounds!
Congratulations to Mathia!
Up to now, the world record has largely come from the United States and Canada. But, not any more!
Europe entered the competition with an enormous thud. Beni Meier of Germany broke the world record in 2014. He brought his 2,323.7 pound giant pumpkin to the European Championship Weigh-off on October 13, 2014.
It’s over a ton, and no limit is in sight as to how big a pumpkin can grow. (See picture above)
A mammoth congratulations goes out to Tim Mathison. On October 11, 2013, Tim brought his now world record 2032 pound pumpkin to the Uesugi Farms Pumpkin Park Weigh-off at Morgan Hill, Ca. Tim grew his record pumpkin on the 2009 Wallace seed and crossed it with the 1554 Mathison. Yes, big genetics certainly begets big…..and even bigger weights!
Meanwhile, every pumpkin grower on the planet is acutely aware this new record. And, each one of them has set their sites on breaking Tim’s record next season.
It’s another absolutely unbelievable record! This is the first pumpkin to weigh in at a ton or more! We knew someday, someone surely would grow a giant, make that enormous, one-ton or more pumpkin. With this firm belief, every serious giant pumpkin grower set out to be the one to produce the first one-ton pumpkin.
We congratulate Ron Wallace, from Greene, Rhode Island on this remarkable accomplishment. The tiny state of Rhode Island looms large in the world of giant pumpkins.
Ron brought his 2009-pound pumpkin to the Topsfield Fair in Topsfield, MA on September 28, 2012.
Ron is no newbie to the hobby of growing giant pumpkins. In 2006, he broke the world record. At that time, all it took was a mere 1,502 pounds to break the world record.
Will this record also fall someday? You betcha! It’s only a matter of time.
Pumpkin Recipes – Indeed, over 155 Halloween and pumpkin recipes. And, the collection is still growing.
Halloween Party Recipes – Are you planning a Halloween party? Most importantly, put the icky, gross, and gory into your party snack tray.
TGN’s Garden Recipes – You grow them all season. Now, you cook and bake your harvest.
Apple recipes – Let’s cook and bake with apples, too.
Holiday Recipes – Without a doubt, all sorts of recipes for all sorts of holidays.
