Tony Scott, a semiconductor engineer from Wappingers Falls, New York, has been growing giant pumpkins for eight years. This year, he was able to do the impossible. In fact, he grew such a beautiful pumpkin that it topped out at 1,931 pounds (876 kilograms) and placed third in a local pumpkin weigh-off. The event underscored the surprising magnitude of his pumpkin. It also introduced viewers to the surgical precision and avant-garde methods he employs to produce these colossal fruits.
Scott’s adventure in growing giant pumpkins started with the seeds Scott chose to grow, the Atlantic Giant seeds that many giant pumpkin growers start with. His backyard has become a beehive of activity, where he uses experimental techniques drawn from science to maximize growth. Throughout the growing season, he carefully monitors the pumpkin’s needs, ensuring it receives adequate fertilizer and protection from environmental factors.
Cultivation Techniques
In order to grow a record-breaking pumpkin, Scott sticks to a detailed plan aimed at creating the perfect environment for his giant pumpkin. Each night he blankets the pumpkin to insulate it and help maintain a stable temperature. During the day while not in use, he protects it from direct sunlight by draping a work tarp over it. Consistent and precise management is essential to reaching the lighter color of the pumpkin. The tarp works wonders to protect it from prolonged full sun conditions.
Scott’s dedication is paying off big time. It’s a pretty impressive growth rate at an astounding 40 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kilograms) daily! As he admires this crazy fast growth, he’ll say, “I’ve never seen anything that grows this fast.” He’s out there every day, learning all that he can about the pumpkin growing process. This promise has pushed him to innovate with unorthodox methods frequently dismissed in conventional farming.
Community Engagement
After the weigh-off on September 17, 2025, Scott has made it a point to share his giant pumpkin with the community. Then he hauls it on a trailer to different themed events, so people can marvel at his creation in person. The most frequently asked question from our attendees has to do with that magnificent pumpkin and it’s usually the $100,000 question – “Is that thing real?
Scott jokes back, “Where would you get a phony [pumpkin] this size?” It’s his interactions with the public that really capture what is so fascinating about giant pumpkins. What he enjoys most, he says, is sharing his love of gardening with everyone around him.
Challenges Along the Way
Even with those accolades to his credit, Scott has struggled in his pursuit of the ideal pumpkin. For the last few years, woodchucks have eaten his pumpkin vines, jeopardizing his chances of success. This year, he went above and beyond to shield his crops and keep them vigorous all summer long.
Experts like Aleca Borsuk have noted that Scott’s methods help produce pumpkins that are “extra big in a way that you might not see in the wild.” These endorsements go a long way in reiterating Scott’s progressive new direction and welcoming more people to the exciting field of competitive giant pumpkin growing.