North Vancouver gardener Jeff Pelletier has once again made headlines with his colossal pumpkins. This year, his giant pumpkin, Cinderella, tipped the scales at 1,243 pounds, marking a personal best for the Queensbury backyard grower. The pumpkin placed fourth in B.C.’s Great Pumpkin Commonwealth competition held at Langley’s Krause Berry Farms.
Pelletier has been cultivating enormous vegetables in his garden for years, transforming nutrients and water into massive produce. This summer, conditions were ideal for Cinderella, allowing the pumpkin to gain up to 57 pounds in a single day. Over an 11-day stretch, it averaged 41 pounds daily. “You could leave for work in the morning and come back to a completely different fruit,” Pelletier explained.
This year, the top three giant pumpkins were grown by first-time competitors, with the largest reaching 1,758 pounds from Galiano Island. Pelletier praised the winner’s luck and skill, noting that exceptional seed genetics and simple compost growing techniques were enough for a rookie to take the top spot. “The pumpkin gods have smiled on him,” Pelletier said. “He just grew it in a compost pile, without any supplemental nutrients. It shows how far seed genetics have come.”
Cinderella will remain on display at Krause Berry Farms for several weeks. Once the pumpkin softens, Pelletier will harvest the seeds. While seeds from record-breaking pumpkins can sell for hundreds of dollars, Cinderella’s seeds are expected to go for around $5 each on giantpumpkinsbc.com. All proceeds will support next year’s Great Pumpkin Commonwealth competition.
Pelletier also showcased other impressive vegetables in his garden this season. Highlights include a 434-pound squash, a 129-inch-long gourd, an 82-pound zucchini, a 65-pound field pumpkin, and a tomato nearly three and a half pounds in weight. True to form, all his giant vegetables were named after Disney princesses.
Although his pumpkin placed fourth locally, Pelletier’s overall harvest could earn him a ranking in the World Master Gardener competition. He admitted that growing giant vegetables can be a challenge, likening them to pets that require constant attention. Despite the effort, Pelletier is already planning for next year. Breaking two B.C. records this season has boosted his confidence and excitement for future plantings. “Next year, we’re going all-in,” Pelletier said. “It’s always about improving on what you’ve done before.”
