Polson man defends giant pumpkin growing title
Nicole Tavenner
Jim West of Pinesdale cheers as his giant pumpkin breaks 1,000 lbs. on the scales. Final weight of 1,002 was good for a third place finish in Saturday’s competition.
Nicole Tavenner
Polson resident Emmett May watches the numbers climb on the scale as his giant pumpkin is weighed. May’s 1,047 pound pumpkin took first place.
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
Nicole Tavenner
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“I’m a member of the half-ton club!” giant pumpkin grower Jim West proudly exclaimed.
West’s pumpkin “Miller,” had just tipped the scales at 1,002 pounds before a crowd of onlookers during the annual giant pumpkin weigh-off at Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply last Saturday in Polson.
Dressed for the occasion in an orange sweater and green hat, West’s enthusiasm was infectious as he kept the audience informed as to whose pumpkin was being weighed and how a giant pumpkin’s weight is estimated.
Using a measuring tape and a math formula, a giant pumpkin’s weight is estimated by its grower. If a pumpkin weighs under its tape weight, it’s considered “light.” If it weighs more, it’s considered “heavy.”
West’s other giant pumpkin, “Pancake,” which measured 740 pounds by the tape, came in light at 682 when weighed on a scale.
“Only a pumpkin grower would call that pumpkin light,” West hollered with a grin.
A grower was allowed two entries in Saturday’s competition, with the heaviest one counting for official competition weight.
West, who made the trip from his home in Pinesdale, and five other growers, most members of the Big Sky Giant Pumpkin Growers group, had nine entries between them. One grower from Spokane, Washington, also brought a pumpkin to the competition.
When all was said and done, Polson resident Emmett May defended his previous year’s title with another first place win. His giant pumpkin weighed 1,047 pounds, beating the Washington competitor by 20 pounds.
The crowd cheered each time the numbers on the scale climbed.
According to May’s wife, Maggie Newman, it’s all about the genetics.
West agrees.
He said that growers can trace the genetics of seeds going back about 40 years. Photos of grandparent pumpkins can even be found in the albums of some enthusiasts. Almost all giant pumpkins are related – tracing their lineage back to the first pumpkin to grow over 2,000 pounds.
Growing the behemoths admittedly takes quite a bit of TLC. Most growers start their seeds right around tax day, April 15, and check on their pumpkins several times a day, covering them at night with blankets.
By early to mid August the pumpkins can grow some 30-40 pounds in a day.
Fondly referred to as an addiction, a hobby, or a labor of love, growers are supportive of one another – sharing tips with each other and even seeds.
May has taken on apprentice growers John Jarvis and Jamie Dennis - helping them for the past three years to grow their own pumpkins alongside his in his greenhouse.
The giant pumpkin event continues to grow every year. A hamburger lunch benefitting the Mission Valley Mariners baseball team, kids activities hosted by the Boys and Girls Club and a scavenger hunt raffle for a wood-powered grill were all part of the day’s festivities.
