Giant gourds for Pumpkin Regatta stunted by rotten weather

It's going to be a busy weekend of cutting, scooping and painting pumpkins for people in Nova Scotia. Not to get ready for Halloween, but in anticipation of Sunday's annual Pumpkin Regatta in Windsor.

Dozens of people stuff themselves into oversized gourds and race across Lake Pesaquid.

It's a highly competitivesport, but this year contenders might have more trouble than usual fitting into their PVCspersonal vegetable crafts.The rotten weather this yearhas taken a toll on the giant pumpkin growing season. And in this business, every week counts.

"It could mean a few hundred pounds believe it or not," said Danny Dill of the Dill Family Farm. For decades they've been leaders in the region for growing giant gourds. "Sometimes at their peak they're putting 40-50 pounds per day."

This year, Dill couldn't pollinate the pumpkins until July 24. That's more than two weeks later than usual.

"Once we heard the strawberries were going to be two weeks behind, I said 'there, everything else is probably going to follow suit.'"

The popularity of the Dill's product has also been a factor. This year he allowed up to three giant pumpkins to grow on each plant, so they didn't have as much wiggle room as usual to pack on the pounds. As a result, the largest pumpkin in the Dill field was 385 kgs (850 lbs).

"I don't think my dad will be too pleased with me," he said of his late father, famous pumpkin grower Howard Dill. The younger Dill says next year he'll likely have just one pumpkin on a few plants to try to get back into the competition.

Planning ahead

Dill grew nearly 100 giant pumpkins this year. They're sold for at least $250 a piece. As part of the sale, the Dill family keeps the seeds to try to grow a new crop next year.

While the majority of the pumpkins will end up going for a swim in the pumpkin regatta this weekend, others have a different fate. Some will end up in pies or soups, while others have ended up being converted into keg stands at university parties.