Jim Beauchemin of Goffstown, N.J., owner of Green Thumb Landscaping, grows pumpkins – giant pumpkins, that is. His personal best is a 1,314-pound pumpkin, grown in 2005 which holds the New Hampshire record.
While this year’s growing season probably won’t yield record results, Beauchemin has already won a blue ribbon at the Hopkinton (N.J.) State Fair with a 794-pound entry and is nurturing a 900-pounder in his hillside pumpkin patch.
The art of growing giant pumpkins is learned from years of experience and by comparing notes with other growers. Beauchemin has been growing giant pumpkins for 12 years and is one of the founders of the 100- member New Hampshire Giant Pumpkin Growers Association.
Goffstown is the home of many growers and also is the site of the official New Hampshire weigh-off, which will take place Oct. 18 and 19 as part of the Goffstown Main Street Program’s Giant Pumpkin Weigh- Off and Regatta.
The growing season starts in late winter with the crucial seed selection decisions, then the indoor raising of seedlings. The seedlings are transplanted in late April to sophisticated outdoor cold boxes, where they are protected and kept warm, even the soil is warmed to enhance growing.
Once the pumpkin plant’s blossoms are pollinated, the fruit begins to grow over a 60-day period. At peak growth periods, the pumpkins can add up to 30 pounds per day, but slows to a few pounds per day in September.
After the vine is cut, the pumpkin is loaded onto a special padded pallet so it can be transported by truck and moved by machines.
Beauchemin has been featured on CNN news, the Science Channel and the National Geographic Channel, as well as in countless articles. He recently started raising giant gourds, that can approach 8 feet in length, and bringing them to the fairs.
While this growing season is going to be good for Beauchemin, breaking the world record of 1,689 pounds is still the goal.