In an impressive display of gardening prowess, Brandon Dawson, a California engineer from Santa Rosa, just won the 52nd World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off with a colossal gourd tipping the scales at 2,346 pounds! Yes, that’s right—this pumpkin weighs about as much as a small sedan or a hefty bison. You can bet there was plenty of cheering when the announcement was made, especially after Dawson narrowly lost the top spot last year by just 6 pounds. Talk about a comeback!
Dawson credits his engineering background at Rivian Automotive for his success in pumpkin growing. Who knew that precision watering techniques and sunlight calibrations could turn him into a pumpkin whisperer? Involving his kids in the fun made the experience even sweeter—after all, what’s more adorable than seeing your children perched on a pumpkin that could double as a small car? It’s a bit more hands-on than your average weekend DIY project!
Winning a hefty prize of $20,000 for his giant pumpkin is undoubtedly a cherry on top, or in this case, a pumpkin seed in the patch! Meanwhile, previous record holder Travis Gienger from Minnesota couldn’t participate this year due to his pumpkin sustaining damage earlier in the season. So, the pumpkin patch was wide open for the one with the biggest gourd on the block this time around. If only they had a category for the most enthusiastic gardener, Dawson would have taken home the gold for that too!
What about you—have you ever embarked on a gardening adventure that didn’t quite go as planned? Or do you dream of growing the next big pumpkin? Let’s hear your green thumb stories!
