Doug from Michigan Punkin?

[Compost Pharmer]

Giant Pumpkin Just Misses Record

POSTED: 10:24 am EDT September 26, 2005
UPDATED: 10:31 am EDT September 26, 2005
ST. JOHNS, Mich. -- Todd Swarts' vision of pumpkin fame is a couple of hundred pounds shy.
The Loomis, Mich., man hoped to set a Guinness record with his monster pumpkin. But it only tipped the scales at 1,100 pounds. The current record is just over 1,337 pounds.
Swart is a little disappointed. He figured his giant gourd was a sure record-breaker. But at least he gets the Michigan pumpkin title.
But Swart isn't giving up. He said he'll try growing a record-breaking pumpkin next year

[DougfromMN]

Greg,
The current Guinness listing may be 1337 lbs., but the current WR set last year by Al Eaton, is 1446 lbs. Swarts grew a Mich. state record of just under 1200 lbs. I believe. His green squash(of this year) now holds the current WR of over 1000 lbs. He had a great year. The next week or two could tell us if a new WR pumpkin has been grown this year.
Thanks for your post.

[Compost Pharmer]

This was in one of my emails a couple of days ago. Phil had posted pics of the 1446 pounder from Minnesota. I hope to grow a 500 pounder next year. My punkin run is almost down. I only need to put the compost and good black dirt in the run, build a misting system, then I will be ready for next spring. I hope next year we get some regular rain and not to many 100 + days.