Ron Wallace’s Record Pumpkin Was Still Growing When He Harvested It

Ron Wallace, the Rhode Island grower whose 3,156-pound pumpkin became the first on record to top 3,000 pounds at an Oct. 10 weigh-off in Warren, told Hooray News in a Nov. 3 email interview that his first greenhouse season let him keep nights from dropping below 60 degrees. He also said he has not decided whether he will grow giant pumpkins again next year.⁵

Hooray News first reported on the pumpkin in October.⁶ Guinness World Records recognized it as the heaviest pumpkin ever. It beat a record of 2,856 pounds set only a week earlier by British grower Ian Paton.¹

This is Wallace’s third time holding the title. His 1,502-pound pumpkin in 2006 was the first to officially pass 1,500 pounds, and his 2,009-pounder in 2012 was the first over 2,000.¹ Now he has been first past 3,000 too.

Wallace, 60, is president of Wallace Organic Wonder (wallacewow.com), his company in Greene, Rhode Island.⁵ Guinness describes him as an online retailer of gardening supplies. He has grown giant pumpkins for about 35 years, inspired by his father, who he says was one of the first growers of giants in New England.¹

How a greenhouse helped grow the 3,156-pound pumpkin

This was Wallace’s first season growing in a greenhouse. Guinness reported that he credited near-perfect weather for most of the season and a more scientific approach that came after a few off years.¹

Related: Rhode Island Grower's 3,156-Pound Pumpkin Is First Fruit Over 3,000 Pounds

Asked what the greenhouse changed the most, he pointed to the nights. “I could control nighttime temps as I never let it drop below 60 degrees,” Wallace told Hooray News.⁵

At its fastest, the pumpkin was putting on 60 pounds a day, he said.⁵

He would keep most of the method. “I don’t think I would change much but I might start a week earlier and pollinate a week earlier,” he said. His reason: “My 3156 was still growing at harvest.”⁵

So the heaviest pumpkin on record was, by its grower’s account, not finished.

Where a record pumpkin goes after the weigh-off

Wallace said the pumpkin was carved in Salem, Massachusetts, after the weigh-off and set a world record for the largest jack-o’-lantern.⁵

Its seeds will be donated, he said, to auctions that support giant pumpkin grower clubs.⁵

Will Ron Wallace grow giant pumpkins next year?

In October, Wallace said he was contemplating taking next year off to finish projects around his farm. He noted that his off-season is busy with seminars and requests.¹² In the Nov. 3 interview, he said he is still undecided:

“I am undecided at this time. Much depends on how I feel after all the winter work to help the hobby.”

He told Hooray News that this winter work includes seminars and email requests.⁵

For anyone curious about the hobby, Guinness reported his advice: beginners can start in as little as 150 square feet, join online grower communities and local clubs, start small and have fun.¹