Stanthorpe's Jim Baxter and his 130kg pumpkin have taken out the Royal Queensland Show's iconic giant pumpkin competition in Brisbane on the weekend, weighing almost 50 kilograms more than the closest opponent.
Mr Baxter claimed the heaviest pumpkin of show and $1450 in prize money with his monster vegetable.
"It took me about four months to grow, I used plenty of water and manure and no synthetic fertilisers,'' Mr Baxter said.
Also read: Dancing under the stars for Dolly
Mr Baxter first attempted growing giant pumpkins 15 years ago when he entered his local Stanthorpe show, before entering the Ekka competition in 2015.
"It's my first win at the Ekka and I'm delighted," he said.
"I grew six vines in total, each vine had one pumpkin on it, the key is to keep the water up to them each day."
RNA chief executive Brendan Christou said it was the first grand champion for the 2022 Royal Queensland Show to be crowned.
"In 175 days, we will celebrate the historic return of the Ekka," he said.
"After two years without a show, we look forward to finally bringing back this beloved Queensland institution.
"It has been a very challenging two years and we look forward to reuniting the country and city.
"The support we have received has been overwhelming - there is wonderful community sentiment for the Ekka."
Mr Christou said planning for the Ekka's return started last September.
"We have already launched 15 Ekka competitions and the entries are pouring in," he said.
"We have 38 competitions set to launch between now and July."
The Royal Queensland Show's giant pumpkin competition dates back to the first show in 1876.
Some of the giant pumpkins will return to the Brisbane Showgrounds in August, to be displayed in the Agricultural Hall.
2022 GIANT PUMPKIN COMPETITION RESULTS:
Class 1 - Open:
1st Jim Baxter - 130kg
2nd Jim Baxter - 81kg
3rd Jen Finch - 53kg
Class 2 - Youth & Schools
1st - Downlands College - 46.5kg
2nd - Tom Finch - 23kg
3rd - Jimmy Finch - 22kg
Want daily news highlights delivered to your inbox? Sign up to the Queensland Country Life newsletter below.
