A giant pumpkin grown by semiconductor engineer Tony Scott in upstate New York has drawn attention for its extraordinary size. The pumpkin, which weighed 1,931 pounds (876 kilograms), won third place at a recent regional weigh-off event. Scott began cultivating the pumpkin several months earlier, maintaining it with a steady supply of water, fertilizer, and warmth. He measured its rapid growth daily using a tape measure and kept it covered at night to preserve a stable temperature. The event was part of a long-standing tradition among competitive growers who attempt to produce the world’s heaviest pumpkins, with some reaching more than 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms). Experts reported that such growth requires a special seed variety known as the Atlantic Giant, which is widely used among agricultural enthusiasts for producing large fruits.

According to plant scientists, the impressive size of giant pumpkins results from both genetics and careful cultivation. The Atlantic Giant’s internal system allows faster movement of nutrients and water, enabling the fruit to expand rapidly. The pumpkins typically grow outward rather than upward because of gravitational force, resulting in a flat and uneven shape. Tony Scott protected his pumpkin from harsh sunlight using a tarp, which kept its skin soft and pale. The grower also used reflective barriers and a wolf model to deter animals such as deer and woodchucks. Experts at the New York Botanical Garden emphasized that while these pumpkins can increase by up to 50 pounds per day, their expansion eventually stabilizes as they mature. Despite the challenges, such cultivation demonstrates agricultural ingenuity, sustainability, and the remarkable capacity of human persistence in horticultural pursuits.