When Giant Pumpkins Bloom Bigger Than Cars
- Diana Pierce
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
Inside Minnesota’s Backyard of World Records
Aug. 27, 2025- By Diana Pierce
Once upon a time, a pumpkin turned into Cinderella’s magical coach.
But in Anoka, Minnesota—known as the Halloween capital of the world—pumpkins grow so enormous they could practically be the coach.
Travis Gienger, better known as Minnesota’s Pumpkin King, is the man behind these record-breakers. A horticulture teacher at Anoka Technical College, Travis has transformed his homestead into a stage for world-class competition. With four world championship titles and the Guinness World Record for the heaviest pumpkin ever grown—an astounding 2,749 pounds, nearly the weight of a Honda Civic—his story proves that sometimes, fairy-tale magic is rooted in soil, sweat, and a little creative ingenuity. He also won $30,000 for taking 1st place.
Where Giants Take Root
Here’s the twist: Travis doesn’t operate from a sprawling farm—his giant pumpkins come from a supersized backyard. But this isn’t your average garden. Each plant stretches about 40 by 50 feet, with leaves as wide as umbrellas. That’s roughly 2,000 square feet—the size of a decent single-story house. And he grows at least two behemoths at a time!
From Seeds to State Fair Dreams
Travis’s passion began over 30 years ago when he admired the giant vegetables at the Minnesota state fair, while his father grew more modest 100-pounders. His advice: start with quality, pedigree seeds, not ones from a big-box store.
His seedlings get an early boost indoors, then move outdoors under protective covers with heat cables.
By June or July, pollination kicks off rapid growth—40, 50, even 70 pounds a day. A serious commitment, but one he carves out with love and precision.
Soil, Time & Tactics
Travis has spent years enriching his soil with turkey manure, leaves, and grass. Now, it’s more refined. He does a spring soil test followed by targeted micronutrients and nitrogen.
Time commitment? He calculates he spends four hours a day during peak season. But for the casual gardener, even 30 minutes daily can make a difference.
Battling the Elements
Weather in Minnesota is no joke—hail, storms, and short seasons can sabotage weeks of work overnight. Travis uses wind fences and sprays for bugs like vine borers; but sometimes a resilient plant still can’t avoid damage.
Happy: A Year of Hope & Heartbreak
This year’s main pumpkin—affectionately named Happy (a nod to Happy Gilmore 2)—looked promising. But a blossom-end split dashed its chance at both the Minnesota State Fair and the California world championship.
“It happens,” Travis reflects. “That’s gardening.”
Yet the thrill remains: once a pumpkin hits about Day 30, it can gain 40–70 pounds daily. He’s still chasing that “Wow—I saw it grow overnight” moment.
From Tiger King to Growth Tips
Travis’s pumpkins often earn memorable names. Think Tiger King in 2020, inspired by its stripes—and yes, the show’s producers even thanked him for the publicity.
For everyday gardeners aiming for size (not records), Travis recommends this simple checklist:
Choose strong seeds (check his site: greatpumpkinseed.com or World Class Gardening).
Feed the soil—not just the plant; use amendments as needed.
Water consistently—whether by drip or sprinkler.
Protect against pests and storms.
Give them room to grow—even modest pumpkins need space.
What's Next?
With a new baby at home and talk of slowing down, Travis still feels the pull: “I’ve built something bigger than I expected. We’ll see what happens.”
Whether or not the world-record return comes, his inspiration—and his giant backyard—remains legendary.
What about you?
As Minnesota’s garden season carries us through October, Travis’s story shows us how far a single bloom can go—from a flower to a pumpkin the size of a car.
Would you ever try your hand at growing a giant pumpkin? Drop me a note—I’d love to hear if this story has inspired you to plant big dreams for next season.
Diana
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