Giant pumpkin weighs in at 1,034 lbs

EAST LYME, Conn. (WTNH) -- An East Lyme resident grew a giant pumpkin that weighs in at 1,034 pounds.

"In the competition world this is not a very big pumpkin here," John Williams, of East Lyme, said.

But in front of John William's East Lyme home, it's big enough to cause lots of double takes.

"They can grow anywhere from 30 to forty pounds a day once they start growing and conditions are really good," Williams said. "You can almost see it grow."

Williams tells News 8 he is part of Team Pumpkin, a group of growers who help out each other.

When asked if anyone in the group witholds secrets, Williams said laughing, "No, nope. Nobody witholds any secrets that we know of."

Williams told News 8 the soil has to have just the right amount of nutrients. Seeds are also bred, while weather and experience keep the big guys disease and bug free.

Soil must be very important because Williams vegetables are also growing larger than life. It's his watermelon which may be most impressive, weighing 165 pounds; a state record.

"This is the biggest watermelon that has been grown in the New England states that I know of," Williams said.

And it might not taste too bad either.

"If you want to, I'll cut it open," Williams said laughing.