Last year’s State Fair of Virginia Giant Butternut Squash Competition winner Paul Jarosh of Culpeper County, held the world record title briefly, before a Michigan grower bested his attempt.
But the sight of that 103-pounder at the State Fair fascinated Jason Loris of Rappahannock County.
“I said if I can get a couple seeds, I will bring the world record back to Virginia,” he promised Jarosh.
And he did—setting a new world record at this year’s State Fair with his 131.4-pound butternut squash that Loris carefully cultivated in a 2,000-square-foot raised bed with customized soil.
Loris first potted Jarosh’s seeds in his basement, where they thrived. He eventually moved the most vigorous butternut plants to the garden around Mother’s Day. They took on three feet of vine daily and had to be pruned every morning and evening.
“You have to pay attention to the details, because every seed’s genetics is different, even if it comes from the same squash,” Loris explained. “I ended up having two ...