McEwen proves a pumpkin heavyweight

Posted on May 4, 2009, 1:01pm

The city’s heavyweights were on full display at the inaugural Community Garden giant pumpkin competition on Saturday.

Giants of the vegetable world gathered at the Old Gaol to find out who had the biggest.

Local MP Rory McEwen won the $100 first prize for his 83.05kg pumpkin, which weighed in 11.3kg more than the nearest rival.

Premier Mike Rann broke the news on his Twitter website, saying the former Agriculture Minister’s future beyond politics was now assured.

Mr McEwen said he entered because he thought it was a novel idea to raise money.

“It’s new and imaginative and I think the community garden is a brilliant idea,” Mr McEwen said.

Ever the keen vegetable grower, Mr McEwen encouraged others to get into their gardens and use plenty of organic fertiliser to ensure great results.

Mr McEwen said he looked looking to defending his title next year.

Old Mount Gambier Gaol Community Garden president Robin Conboy said officials were pleased with the quality and number of entries they received.

Mr Conboy said many ideas were already being thrown around for next year’s competition.

“We might create more categories, and maybe have a children’s section where they can dress up butternut pumpkins and make jack-O-lanterns,” he said.

A market was also held throughout the day with garden produce and homemade goods being sold.

The Community Garden has almost all of its blocks rented out.

“Learning how to grow your own food can be handy is these bad economic times,” Mr Conboy said.

Tags: gardening, Rory McEwen

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