Half-ton pumpkin takes top prize at Hicks
Scott Armstrong celebrates his win sitting atop his pumpkin in Westbury. (Oct. 2, 2011) Credit: Steve Pfost
A Commack man took top prize Sunday at Hicks Nurseries' annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Old Westbury. Scott Armstrong, 39, who grew the behemoth gourd that weighed in at 1,019 pounds, had to have the 162 inch-diameter pumpkin brought in by forklift.
He told Newsday reporter Nicholas Spangler no chemical fertilizers were used -- just manure. And by August, the pumpkin was putting on 25 pounds a day.
Astonishingly, there are even bigger pumpkins out there. According to Guinness World Records, a Wisconsin-grown pumpkin grown in 2010 is the largest ever, weighing in at 1,810 pounds.
You might not find one that huge on the open market, but if you're looking for jack-o-lantern material, check the LI Pumpkin Picking Guide to find a patch or U-pick farm and plan an outing.
