The record for the heaviest pumpkin in Western Australia has been shattered with a remarkable 408-kilogram specimen cultivated in Albany by Kelsey Freemantle. Freemantle is currently awaiting validation from the Australian Giant Pumpkin and Vegetable Supporters to officially confirm her achievement.
This impressive Atlantic giant pumpkin was crowned the champion at the Lower Kalgan Pumpkin Competition, which is located approximately 420 kilometers south of Perth. Freemantle expressed her astonishment at the pumpkin’s size, stating, “I know that they can grow that big, but I wasn’t sure that I would be able to do it.”
Freemantle faced stiff competition from her sister, Amarah Freemantle, whose entry weighed in at 406 kilograms. In a shift from past years, the sisters decided to compete independently this time, each employing their unique cultivation techniques. Amarah noted her more relaxed approach to growing, saying, “I tend to let mine go a little bit more haywire than my sister, Kelsey, just seeing if that makes a difference.”
John Bocian, the organizer of the Lower Kalgan Pumpkin Festival, remarked on the fruitful season for pumpkin growers, mentioning that initial expectations for the winning pumpkin were around 286 kilograms. “We had three more come in on the Sunday, all over that weight, well and truly,” he shared, expressing his delight at the turnout.
The winning pumpkin was carefully loaded onto a truck by a forklift to transport it to the weigh-in, a necessary step for record eligibility. The essential details were then forwarded to the Australian Giant Pumpkin and Vegetable Supporters for verification. If the record is confirmed, it will surpass the previous state record of 361 kilograms, set by Robert Giumelli in 2018.
Kelsey Freemantle emphasized that while certain techniques may overlap, each grower has their distinct methods. “It starts with the genetics; you can’t just get any pumpkin and grow it that large,” she explained. “You definitely need a lot of water, fertilizer, the right fertilizer at the right time, and then there are different techniques—everyone’s got their little secrets.”
Preparation for this year’s competition commenced six months prior, requiring meticulous care as the pumpkin developed. Freemantle shared, “You just keep the skin really supple so it can keep on growing, so it doesn’t dry out and split the fruit. Some days it gains 15 to 20 kilos; you can kind of see it grow before your eyes.”
Amarah also took measures to shield her pumpkin from adverse weather, utilizing a tent for protection. “I started off with a two-man tent and I got up to a four-man tent,” she recounted. “It was actually really handy to be able to get in and do what you have to do and keep an eye on the fruit and the vine.”
Currently, Kelsey Freemantle’s prize-winning pumpkin is displayed at a local store for the school holidays, although it is unlikely to be served at the dinner table. “We’ll harvest the seeds from it and prepare them for next season, and then they’ll be fed to the livestock,” she stated. “Although my kids have been talking about turning them into boats and rowing them down the river, so we’ll see.”
