Growing 2 Giant Pumpkins on 1 Plant Contest

Two Pumpkins, One Plant: A Championship Strategy—and Your Chance to Join the Journey in 2026

In the world of giant pumpkin growing, one question always comes up:

Do you grow one pumpkin per plant for maximum size—or take the risk and grow two?

For most growers, the answer is simple: one plant, one pumpkin. It’s the safest way to push for maximum weight.

But we’ve never been afraid to do things differently.

A Proven, Winning Strategy

In 2025, we put the “two pumpkins on one plant” strategy to the test—and the results were nothing short of incredible.

From a single plant, we grew a massive 1,571-pound giant pumpkin, earning Grand Champion at the Michigan State Fair and taking home the $2,000 top prize.Plus prettiest pumpkin award.

Just two weeks later, we brought the second pumpkin from that same plant to West Virginia. That pumpkin weighed an impressive 1,532 pounds, placing 5th overall, earning $500, and also taking home a Prettiest Pumpkin award ($300)

Together, the two pumpkins from that single plant had a combined weight of 3,103 pounds.

Two pumpkins. One plant. Over three thousand pounds of pumpkin.

Why Grow Two?

Many growers focus all of a plant’s energy into a single pumpkin. But these plants produce an incredible amount of energy throughout the season.

In our opinion, running two pumpkins can actually help balance that energy. When all that power goes into just one fruit, the rapid growth can sometimes increase the risk of splits.

By allowing the plant to support two pumpkins, the energy is distributed more evenly across the vine.

This Isn’t Our First Time

This wasn’t the first time we’ve proven this strategy works.

Back in 2018, we also ran two pumpkins on a single plant—and once again, we came out on top. That year, we grew a 1,298-pound pumpkin that won Grand Champion at the Michigan State Fair, while the second pumpkin from the same plant weighed in the 900-pound range.

Two Attempts—Two Championships

Here’s what makes this even more exciting:

Both times we’ve committed to growing two pumpkins on one plant, we’ve won the Michigan State Fair.

That’s a pretty strong feather in our cap.

The Ultimate Goal: Two 2,000-Pound Pumpkins on One Plant

We’re not done yet.

Our ultimate goal is bold and ambitious:

To grow TWO 2,000-pound pumpkins on a single plant.

It’s the next frontier—and we’re chasing it.

Join the Journey: 2026 Pumpkin Growing Contest

Now, we want you to be part of this journey.

We’re inviting growers of all experience levels to enter our 2026 Pumpkin Growing Contest and test their own skills—whether you stick with one pumpkin or take the bold route with two.

Top Prize: $500

Additional awards will include: