Community Corner

Photos: St. Michael Youth Brings Home First Place in Giant Pumpkin Competition

The STMA Middle School East student grew a pumpkin weighing more than 270 pounds.

Not many people can say they spent their summer growing a giant pumpkin.

For 10-year-old Aidan Foss of St. Michael, he not only grew a giant pumpkin – but also brought home two first place ribbons from the 2013 Minnesota State Fair for his effort.  A 270.5-pound winning entry.

Aidan earned first place in the 2013 Giant Pumpkin Competition category for youth and in the largest pumpkin-youth entry.

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The growing season started early for Aidan when he planted a seed in a pot in his grandfather’s basement in early May. 

By mid-May, he had transplanted it to the pumpkin patch with hopes of winning his first ribbon at the Minnesota State Fair.

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Aidan is no stranger to the world of giant pumpkins, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Bill Foss of Buffalo, who enters each year. Bill won the 2013 Giant Pumpkin Competition adult category at the Minnesota State Fair with a pumpkin weighing of 881.1 pounds.

What were some of the secrets to Aidan's pumpkin success? He started with “good soil” and used a “hoop house” to protect it from the weather. To help it grow, Aidan said he primarily used water and “fish-type” of fertilizer.

The hardest part of growing a giant pumpkin?

“Standing around in the hot weather,” the STMA Middle School East student said, “and watering it a bunch.”

(Photos courtesy of Gail Foss)


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