Read More: History of Atlantic Giant Pumpkin
Howard Dill: The Father of the Giant
The story begins in the windswept province of Nova Scotia, Canada, with a farmer named Howard Dill (1934-2008). While not a trained scientist, Dill possessed an innate curiosity about plant genetics and a particular passion for pumpkins. In the 1970s, he embarked on a personal mission to create the world’s largest pumpkin. At the time, the largest pumpkins were only a couple of hundred pounds.
Dill’s approach was rooted in the time-honored practice of selective breeding. He meticulously hand-pollinated his pumpkins, carefully choosing parent plants that exhibited desirable traits, primarily focusing on size. He started with a variety called the Mammoth, that was one of the larger varieties at the time and cross bred it with other large varieties. Dill’s methods were a blend of intuition, observation, and meticulous record-keeping. He kept detailed notes on each generation of pumpkins, tracking their size, shape, and other characteristics.
The Breakthrough: ‘Dill’s Atlantic Giant’ is Born
Through years of persistent effort, Dill’s pumpkins steadily grew larger. He isolated the genetics that he wanted, and refined his process. Finally, in the late 1970s, his dedication bore fruit – or rather, a giant pumpkin. He developed a new variety that shattered previous size records, consistently producing pumpkins that weighed over 400 pounds. He aptly named his creation ‘Dill’s Atlantic Giant,’ a tribute to both his own name and the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
In 1979, Dill’s Atlantic Giant made its public debut, stunning the pumpkin-growing world. It wasn’t just its size that impressed; the variety also possessed a relatively uniform shape and a thick, sturdy rind that could support its immense weight. Dill continued to refine his Atlantic Giant, setting new world records in 1980 and again in 1981.
A Global Phenomenon: The Rise of Competitive Pumpkin Growing
Howard Dill’s Atlantic Giant revolutionized the world of competitive pumpkin growing. His seeds, once a closely guarded secret, became highly sought after by growers around the globe. The introduction of the Atlantic Giant sparked a new era of friendly but intense rivalry, with growers vying to break each other’s records and push the boundaries of pumpkin size even further.
The World Pumpkin Confederation was formed to standardize the rules and regulations of pumpkin weighing competitions. These events became increasingly popular, drawing large crowds and media attention. Growers, armed with Dill’s Atlantic Giant seeds and their own innovative techniques, began producing pumpkins of truly astonishing sizes.
The Legacy of Howard Dill: A Giant Impact
Howard Dill passed away in 2008, but his legacy lives on in every giant pumpkin that graces a weigh-off scale. He is remembered as the “father of the giant pumpkin,” the man who transformed a niche hobby into a global phenomenon. His dedication and ingenuity not only created a new variety of pumpkin but also inspired a passionate community of growers who continue to push the limits of what’s possible.
Beyond the Competition: A Symbol of Possibility
Today, the Atlantic Giant pumpkin stands as more than just a large vegetable. It’s a symbol of human ambition, the power of selective breeding, and the wonders that can be achieved through dedication and a deep connection with the natural world. These giant pumpkins continue to capture the imagination, reminding us that even the most seemingly outlandish goals can be realized with enough passion and perseverance. And while the pursuit of ever-larger pumpkins continues, it’s important to remember the humble farmer from Nova Scotia who started it all, forever changing the landscape of the pumpkin world, one giant seed at a time. His variety is still used to grow giant pumpkins today, and likely will be for many years to come.
Chef Tom Founder
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