On October 1, 2017, 13 giant pumpkin growers competed for prizes and bragging rights at the 15th Annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off at Hicks Nurseries in Westbury.
Growers came from across Long Island, including East Northport, Northport, Commack, Huntington, Dix Hills, Mill Neck, and Hicksville. “It takes 5½ months from seed to weigh-off day to grow a pumpkin,” said Scott Armstrong, the first-place winner with a 1,623-pound pumpkin. His goal for next year? “To better my personal best is always the goal!”
Scott Armstrong
Nels Freund-Nelson
Frankie Rasizzi
Second-place winner Nels Freund-Nelson grew a 516-pound pumpkin. He uses Atlantic Giant seeds and grows organically. “These pumpkins don’t taste like traditional pumpkins—they’re more like zucchini. I make everything out of them: giant pumpkin parmesan, pumpkin bread, anything you’d make with zucchini.”
The youngest grower of the day was Frankie Rasizzi. He earned third place with a 464-pound pumpkin. A member of his school’s garden club, Frankie learned how to grow pumpkins from his earth science teacher, Mr. Boyd. This year, he decided to try growing one at home.
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