Pumpkin Patch Near Me: The Largest Pumpkin In Illinois Grown By Joe Adkins, The Wheaton Man

WHEATON, Ill. (WLS) – It’s definitely spooky season and a Wheaton man is making his place in the history books, planting the biggest pumpkin in the state this year.

And good gourd, pick this guy up!

“I think this might be one of the biggest pictures of him ever,” said pumpkin admirer Kurt Reidenbach.

Reidenbach stopped in on his afternoon bike ride to see the colossal prize of a pumpkin that was just named the largest in Illinois – 1,760 lbs. — at the Illinois Giant Pumpkin Growers Association event in Minooka late last month.

Joe Adkins is that talented grower who found pumpkins engraved with his name and wants more.

“With the carving aspect, I wanted to get into larger and larger vehicles so I decided then I would have to grow to get to the size I wanted to carve,” says Adkins.

“This year 1760 was enough for us to take first place, so we’re happy,” Adkins said.

At its peak, Adkins said the super squash gained 40 pounds a day and absorbed 150 gallons of water every 24 hours for three months. And it’s drawing quite a crowd.

Pumpkin admirer Tracy Delph said: “I was really shocked when I saw it. It’s really cool here.

“This guy always seems to have the biggest pumpkins, so he has some secret sauce,” added Reidenbach.

But for Adkins, it’s all about growing inspiration.

Andrew Engel, a 10-year-old pumpkin grower, said: “I’ve grown since I was seven, and so he guided me and he helped me.”

Now, thanks to Adkins, 10-year-old Andrew Engel can talk about their pumpkins.

“I just feel it’s great because none of the other kids in my class grow pumpkins and I feel like it’s really cool,” he said.