Lee Herrington, from Wollescote in Stourbridge, has grown a giant squash weighing more than 650 pounds. The enormous green vegetable is currently awaiting an official weigh-in after being transported to Southampton for public display at the Pumpkins in the Park show.
A lifelong passion for giant vegetables
Mr Herrington is no stranger to growing giant vegetables and even held a Guinness World Record in what he describes as the 'competitive sport' of vegetable growing. He has grown two giant green squashes this season, both of which are now on display at the show.
Mr Herrington said: "I have been growing vegetables now for many, many years, and a lot of this is down to genetic seeds. I am part of a group called the European Joint Vegetable Grows Association, and we share seeds with proven genetics."
Transport and display
A man drove up hundreds of miles from the south coast just to collect the pair of giant squashes, which he had to lift with a forklift due to their size. Mr Herrington said: "They're going to do some pumpkin carving on it, which will be good, as it's so big."
The huge vegetable has weighed in at approximately 650 pounds at Lee's allotment, though the official weigh-in is still pending.
Community and fundraising
Mr Herrington runs a Facebook community group called Life at the Allotments, which has more than 30,000 members. He said: "From one of the squashes they are going to send me the seeds back, which I am going to auction off in order to create some money to put back into the local allotment in which I am chairman of."
He credits his success to careful growing techniques but keeps some details close to his chest. Mr Herrington said: "I could probably write a book on this really, and I am not going to give away all my secrets am I? It's all down to meticulous pruning, using the correct fertiliser, and just sort of looking after issues with pests and disease in particular."
Previous achievements
Mr Herrington also took part in the Malvern Autumn Show, home to the world’s largest giant vegetable competition, where he took second place this year with a giant cabbage. He previously held a Guinness World Record for the longest and heaviest runner bean, a title that has since been broken.
"My mom was so pleased when she saw me in that book" added Mr Herrington.
