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Giant Pumpkin Growers

JULIE: IT'S SIX FOOT BY SIX FOOT, SO IT'S TALLER THAN ME.

ERIC: AT ABOUT FIVE FEET TALL, JULIE FAUST SAYS THIS GIANT GOURD IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PUMPKINS YET.

HER HUSBAND, DEL FAUST, AGREES.

DEL: THAT ONE GOT TO, I'D SAY 1700-1800 POUNDS, WHICH IS GOOD.

ERIC: THE PUMPKIN IS ONE OF 10 FAUST RAISED ON THIS PROPERTY NORTHEAST OF FOND DU LAC.

HE SAYS THE GIANTS HAVE A VERACIOUS APPETITE.

DEL: WE FEED THEM A LOT OF ORGANIC COMPOST AND FISH OILS. KELP.

ERIC: THESE PLANTS ALSO NEED A LOT OF WATER, ABOUT AN INCH PER WEEK. THE FAUSTS USE THIS POND NEARBY TO PUMP THE LIQUID TO THE GIANT PUMPKINS.

DEL: THAT ONE WAS GROWING AT 43 POUNDS A DAY FOR TWO WEEKS.

ERIC: THAT'S 602 POUNDS.

DEL: THAT WAS THE PEAK, AND THEN IT TAPERS DOWN.

ERIC: FAUST SAYS THE COOL WET SPRING AND THEN SUMMER WEATHER DIDN'T HELP.

DEL: LIKE THIS LAST WEEK, WHEN WE HAD 90 DEGREES. PUMPKINS DON'T LIKE IT 90 DEGREES, AND THEY DON'T LIKE IT AT 40 DEGREES. THEY DON'T LIKE THE FLUCTUATION.

JULIE: SOMETIMES, I WISH I WERE THE PUMPKIN.

ERIC: FAUST SAYS THE SQUASH ARE PAMPERED.

FANS RUN 24-7, KEEPING THE STEMS COOL AND DRY.

HEATING COILS IN THE GROUND GIVE YOUNG PLANTS A HELPING HAND.

DEL: YOU ALWAYS DO DIFFERENT THINGS TO MAKE SURE YOUR PUMPKINS GROW BIGGER.

ERIC: THE FAUSTS GROW THE GOURDS TO COMPETE IN WISCONSIN GIANT PUMPKIN GROWERS CONTESTS AROUND THE STATE.

THIS ONE IS HEADED TO NEKOOSA ON SATURDAY.

JULIE: IT'S A GREAT HOBBY. WE HAVE MADE A LOT OF FRIENDS THAT WE MADE BECAUSE OF GROWING PUMPKINS, SO THAT IS COOL.

ERIC: IN FOND DU LAC COUNTY, ERIC PETERSON


Find Out More


Website: Circleville Pumpkin Show | Ohio’s famous pumpkin festival. Check out huge pumpkin photos.

Website Article: Newsela, It's No Trick That Pumpkin Farmers In Europe Are Growing Orange Giants | May need to sign in.

Website: The Pumpkin Patch | Everything you need to know about pumpkins for Halloween.