Dirk Smal (35) has a passion for growing big things. The grower from Sundra started competing with large pumpkins four years ago.
“I started growing large produce a few years back and this would be my fourth year going for the weigh-in.”
Dirk grows large pumpkins, that take about 160 days to grow, with the rest of his family.
“Every year there is a competition in Pretoria called Goliat van Gat Pampoen Fees and this year it takes place in March. Last year I came third with my pumpkin weighing in at 309kg.
“The year before that I came second and my wife (Jackey) finished third.”
Their children, Ané and Ruben, took first place in their division with the heaviest pumpkin last year.
“They also won the prize for most beautiful pumpkin grown.”
Dirk confirms that there is a formula for growing large vegetables as the competition is tough.
“It starts from having the correct seeds, everything is in the genetics.”
He reminisces about his first pumpkin.
“The first pumpkin I planted six years ago weighed about 24kg. To me, that’s an achievement. It was big and I could not believe there could be bigger pumpkins until I saw them. The pumpkin bug had bit me.”
The pumpkins don’t go home with the growers after the competition.
“The pumpkins are left behind and are then cut and distributed to orphanages, old age homes and disadvantaged people. The seeds are dried and resold at the club for fundraising purposes.”
When Dirk is not growing pumpkins, he is growing giant sunflowers and rainbow corn.
“I am also a quality control manager and run a small business from home.”
