Maine’s Giant Zucchini Comes Up Just Short of National Record

A Maine gardener is chasing a national milestone by trying to grow the largest zucchini in the U.S.

According to WABI TV 5, Sarah Whitty has been passionate about gardening since moving into her home 13 years ago. Her interest in giant produce began when a random pumpkin sprouted from a compost pile left by the previous homeowners. That unexpected pumpkin sparked her love for growing enormous vegetables.

“I started with giant pumpkins, and I’ve been at it ever since,” Whitty said. Her largest pumpkin has reached nearly 1,600 pounds. She also grows long gourds; one she grew this year measured nearly 11½ feet and won first place at New Hampshire’s Deerfield Fair, the news station reported.

This year, Whitty aimed for a national zucchini record. Her latest zucchini was estimated at 150 pounds and still growing roughly three pounds per day. WABI said that The U.S. record stands at 152 pounds, putting her zucchini well within reach. Unfortunately, she discovered a crack in the vegetable that runs into its cavity, which automatically disqualifies it from the record.

Despite the setback, Whitty is no stranger to records. She recently set the state record with a giant marrow and has beaten her own records multiple times. “If you want to improve each year, you have to adjust and learn from what you did before,” she said, noting that she plans to refine her techniques while keeping the strategies that work.

The article went on to explain that This year’s zucchini ultimately weighed in at 162.5 pounds, 10 pounds heavier than the U.S. record and just half a pound shy of the North American record, but a tiny blossom-end split prevented official recognition. Whitty says she’s already thinking ahead to next year’s attempt.