THERE were plenty of smashing – and supersized – pumpkins at an annual Petersfield competition.

And growers had their own methods for making their pumpkins swell the most.

In the end though, the 30-odd green-fingered members of the Petersfield Pumpkin Growers Association voted Peter Crew’s the best all-round offering, and Nolan Greeves’ twin pumpkins the best matched pair.

The heaviest, at 61 3/4 lbs, went to Bob Keevil, the second to Ian Huxley and third to Richard Boorer.

Bob Keevil was delighted with the accolade given out at the Half Moon pub in Sheet, but he came nowhere near the club record of 156lbs for a pumpkin grown by Peter Crew a decade ago.

His brother Simon, secretary of the association, founded in 1976, said:?“It’s all good fun but the growers do take it seriously.”

His tip was plenty of water – a gallon a day – and chicken manure. One competitor swore by spent hops from a local brewery.

The variety grown by all was British Hundredweight with seeds handed out in April.

If you haven’t grown your own, then pick-your-own pumpkin at Slade Farm, Rogate, during half term week at the end of this month. There are children’s rides, refreshments and more to be had at the former car boot sale site on the A272.