GREEN-FINGERED allotment owners in Basingstoke have come together to take part in a Heaviest Pumpkin Competition.
The competition was run by Basingstoke charity Mencap, who provides one to one support and leisure activities to people with learning disabilities in Basingstoke.
Allotment holders on Elizabeth Road in Basingstoke came together to bring their heaviest pumpkins to be weighed.
A garden therapy project called GreenFingers, run by Basingstoke Mencap also decided to enter the pumpkin competition.
The winning pumpkin weighed 216 lbs, which is over 15 stone.
The pumpkin was grown by Malcom, who is a regular on the allotment. Previous winners Mick, and Eric were not far behind.
A spokesperson from Mencap, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to all the Allotment holders for their continued support of our project and of course the great growing tips.
“It’s a wonderful project that brings the local community and the learning disability community together through their love of gardening.”
The secret to growing a big pumpkin is the right seed, plenty of water and plant food.
The allotment owners who had grown pumpkins donated them to the GreenFinger project, who managed to find homes for most of them, donating to both schools and food banks.
If there are a budding pumpkin grower and you would like to enter next year, contact the charity on 01256 361964.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here