SANFORD — You’ve seen them in county fairs and contests ”“ those big, big pumpkins that sometimes weigh in the hundreds of pounds.
Well, now you can try your hand at growing them yourself, from local, Maine seedlings. If all goes well, you could have a chance to win big at a nearby New Hampshire fair.
Al Berard, a champion big pumpkin grower, unabashed promoter of big pumpkin growing, and head of the Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization, notes that the Rochester Fair, in nearby Rochester, New Hampshire, will offer a $2 per pound prize for the biggest pumpkin entered into their contest Sept. 19.
To grow a big pumpkin, you need the proper seedlings; the grower’s organization has that covered. Their seedlings are on sale now at Springvale Nurseries, across from Bonanza on lower Main Street in Sanford, for $3 each or 4 for $10. Berard said the seeds are from big pumpkins that weighed 990 pounds and 1,190 pounds each. For more information, go to www.rochesterfair.com.
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