Kids sell giant pumpkin seeds and starters for college fundraiser
Giant pumpkin grower Jamie Johnson proves one thing: size matters….at least when it comes to competitive pumpkin growing. Jamie recently grew a 1,325-pound pumpkin, his personal best. “Uncle Sam” is the largest pumpkin ever grown in the Heber Valley and was the second largest pumpkin in Utah at the 15th Annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off at Thanksgiving Point last weekend.
This is Jamie’s 12th year growing giant pumpkins and it has become a family affair: His children, Hadley (15) and Bode (13) have been growing since they were toddlers. Bode recently won the Utah Junior Division with his 299-pound pumpkin and is a former Colorado state record holder in the children’s division.
“It’s a lot of work but it’s pretty cool to see just how big the pumpkins can get,” says Bode. “We always get asked how we get them so big and it starts with the right seed. So this year, Hadley and I decided to start a business selling giant pumpkin seeds and starters to save for college.”
According to Hadley, these aren’t just any seeds and they have amazing genetic potential: the seed they’re selling comes from a 1,325-pound pumpkin.” The “mother” was a 2,005-pound pumpkin and the “father” was a 2,255-pound pumpkin. “That combination means you could grow a 200- or 300-pound pumpkin with basic growing techniques and if you spend a crazy amount of time like my dad, you can grow a 1,000+-pounder.”
The Johnson children are selling individual seeds for $10 (available via mail or pick-up in Midway after November 10) and pumpkin starters for $15 (available for pick-up in the spring). There is a limited amount of seeds and starters and they will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Go to PumpkinsForCollege.com for additional information and fun facts about giant pumpkin growing, including the Halloween when Jamie jumped out of the pumpkin and terrorized the neighborhood. Because giant pumpkins are all about good fun. Contact: Jamie Johnson 720-548-0602.
Photo by Justin Bowen
