Full Breakdown
Ben White’s Giant Pumpkin “Gladys” Aims for Competition While Raising Charity Funds
9/8/2026, 10:19:38 PM
Giant Pumpkin Growth: The Rise of Gladys
Amateur gardener Ben White of Maldon, Essex, has been cultivating an Atlantic giant pumpkin he named Gladys. The fruit was germinated on April 19 and pollinated on June 30, then nurtured in an 18-metre polytunnel with water, nutrients and cooling fans. White documents the pumpkin’s development on social media as it continues to gain weight.
Background & Competition Context
White is preparing Gladys for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Malvern Autumn Show, scheduled for the last weekend of September, and later for the Canna UK National Giant Vegetables Championship at the end of the month. Giant-pumpkin contests have long showcased extreme horticulture; the current Guinness World Record is held by twins Stuart and Ian Paton of Lymington, Hampshire, who grew a pumpkin weighing 2,819 lb (1,278 kg) in October 2025.
Data & Statistics
- Current weight of Gladys: about 1,200 lb (544 kg), comparable to a small car.
- Circumference: 4.3 m (14 ft), covering roughly 600 sq ft.
- Record pumpkin (Paton twins): 2,819 lb (1,278 kg).
Official Statements & Responses
White emphasizes that the effort serves a charitable purpose. He notes that previous giant-pumpkin projects, “Gloria & Greta,” helped raise £1,100 for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. The upcoming competition entries will similarly support the air-ambulance service, aligning the horticultural challenge with community fundraising.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It gives the challenge a purpose beyond simply trying to grow an enormous pumpkin,” — Ben White
