Santa Ynez Valley News 10/25/08

Steve Encell and his 9-year-old son Pace planted their pumpkin seeds two months late, but they still managed to take home first and third places at the Third Annual San Luis Obispo County Great Pumpkin Contest held Thursday, Oct. 16, at the Farmers Market in downtown SLO.

“I try and find really interesting and fun projects for my son and I to do throughout the year, and it was really a great experience,” said Encell, a Ballard resident.

Encell and Pace planted “Godzilla,” their 790-pound award-winning pumpkin, in late May. Most pumpkin growers try to plant their seeds in mid-March, two months earlier in the growing season, Encell said.

“We pretty much have to defy nature constantly. There is nothing natural about growing large pumpkins,” Encell said.

“It was really fun. My friends were impressed with how big they got,” Pace added.

Pace’s favorite part of growing the pumpkins, he said, was getting to sit on top of them and take pictures with his pets.

The two kept a diary of their experience on www.bigpumpkins.com, a forum for people trying to grow the largest pumpkin and learn from those who have learned the tricks of the trade.

“We really received great advice from the growers online. They are the ones who taught Pace and I that putting sand under the pumpkin prevents rot, and to turn the pumpkin sideways so the vine doesn’t break when it gets large,” Encell said.

Encell and Pace also put chicken wire underneath the pumpkin to prevent gophers from digging underneath and destroying it.

In mid-August, according to Encell’s diary, Godzilla was growing 14 pounds per day. By the end of that month the pumpkin was growing 35 pounds overnight.

“Green Coast Hydroponics in Santa Barbara ordered us special fertilizer and they were all excited about our project. They decided to help us out for next year’s competition as well,” Encell said.

A week before the contest, Godzilla was taken off the vine and weighed just over 800 pounds. Since the pumpkin wasn’t receiving any nutrients, it shrunk to 790 pounds by the time the judges weighed it.

Godzilla’s victory won $750 for the father and son, who also $250 for their other pumpkin, “PeeWee,” which took third place at 589 pounds. They also beat last year’s record by 75 pounds.

“We are definitely going to make this a yearly tradition. We videotaped the contest this year and we are going to make a documentary from planting to next year’s contest as well,” Encell said.

See how Encell and his son are doing this year with the pumkin diary

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