Jumbo Jack-o’-Lanterns: The Great Annapolis Pumpkins

This October, the narrow streets of Annapolis will have some very large guests. The Great Annapolis Pumpkins are half-ton gourds so gargantuan that they’re almost fit for a carriage. And when these fantastic fruits set up shop on several street corners, they signal the official start of the fall season. 

Word on the Pumpkin-Vine

According to Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel Co., The Great Annapolis Pumpkins “are handpicked from a regional giant pumpkin weigh-off, with many hailing from Atlantic-region farms.” Some pumpkins weigh in at more than 1,000 pounds. Imagine how many pies that would make! 

They roll into town starting on October 10. On October 29, local pumpkin-carvers extraordinaire will sculpt and paint these squashes into works of art. You’ll want to head downtown quickly, because they’ll be gone by November 2. 

As for where to go, the City of Annapolis states that the pumpkins will be located at “Hopkins Plaza, the Visitor[s] Center, Dock Street, and Opera House on Maryland Avenue.”

That won’t be all, though. The pumpkins will have company starting on October 25 when the Scarecrow Stroll begins.

Cultivate Your Own Colossus

Perhaps when you see how big these plants can get, you’ll be inspired to grow your own. You might even have one big enough for the regional competition! But first, here are some suggestions from the University of Maryland Extension:

• Find the right kind. “Check seed catalogs and garden centers for [types] such as ‘Atlantic Giant[,’] ‘Big Max[,’] or ‘Big Moon[.’]”
• Mark your calendar. “It will take 4 months to get these pumpkin varieties to produce pumpkins in the 100+ pound range.”
• Plant the seeds. “Mound up the soil in the middle of the planting area and plant 3-5 pumpkin seeds about ½ in. deep.”
• Pick only one. “When [the baby pumpkin fruits] are 6-8 inches in diameter you should keep the largest and fastest-growing fruit and remove the others.”
• Keep things tidy. “After selecting your one fruit, pinch back the ends of your vines to direct the plant’s energy into the fruit.”
• Don’t forget fertilizer. “Fertilize plants with a water-soluble fertilizer every week according to label directions. Apply the liquid fertilizer to the soil around the base of the plant. The fertilizer should supply nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium.”

Whether you want your little ones to have a photo op with these behemoths or can’t wait to see the carving craft on display, The Great Annapolis Pumpkins is a tradition for the entire family. On your next visit to downtown—perhaps for the Maryland Avenue Fall Festival or one of the Annapolis Boat Shows—check out some prodigious produce and celebrate autumn in Annapolis.