The Littlest Pumpkin Farmer

So it's almost the middle of June, and for many that means it's also Pumpkin Growing Time.  

In order for those shiny round orbs to be plump and round and ripe in time for Halloween....there is a lot of hard work that must precede the prize, and this is the time of year that Pumpkin Farmers everywhere are getting their head in the game.
And that includes pint sized Farmer, Milan Lukes of Manitoba.  Yes, Milan may be a bit smaller than the average Pumpkin Farmer, but the boy's 'got game' when it comes to cultivating squash!  It started with his love of all things that are orange....which inevitably ended up with every Halloween Lover's favorite orange object....the PUMPKIN! 
Milan learned everything he could about growing pumpkins and got straight to work.  He tilled up a patch in his backyard,  planted his seeds, watered, fertilized, composted, heated them and even left a night light on for them.  But he says that the real secret to successfully growing a giant, is in selecting the perfect seeds to plant.  Apparently using seeds that came out of a 1300 lb. gourd increases the odds in your favor of cultivating another giant specimen.  Thus at the end of last year's growing season, Milan's labors of love rewarded him with a 500 lb. Giant Pumpkin, taking 21st place at the local Giant Pumpkin Growing Contest, and a $100 prize!  And that just served to peak his interest even more!  He will attempt to best his own record this coming Fall....when he hopes to reach at least 800 lb.  You gotta love the tenacity and determination of this little fella!  Be sure to check out the video link below of Milan's Pumpkin Farm...it's really inspiring to see his journey!

(Image of Lukes © Janice Lukes)

Big ambitions for 11-year-old boy growing pumpkins | CTV Winnipeg News