327 kg without chemicals: his secret to growing giant pumpkins revealed

327 kg Without Chemicals: The Secret Behind Nicolas Marche’s Giant Pumpkin

Imagine opening your front door every morning to greet not just the mail carrier or your neighbor’s cat, but a 327 kg pumpkin. That’s not a typo. In Condé-Northen (Moselle), Nicolas Marche has accomplished what most of us only dream of after one too many slices of pumpkin pie: growing a gigantic pumpkin, right on his doorstep, with zero chemicals involved. His journey from humble seeds to record-breaking behemoth is not only inspiring but also refreshingly down-to-earth—quite literally.

How Do You Raise a 327 kg Pumpkin? Patience, Love, and No Chemicals

Nicolas Marche, an amateur gardener with visible passion and a twinkle of determination, spent about two hours every single day tending to this mammoth of a vegetable. That’s commitment. When September drew to a close, he finally harvested his prized pumpkin, but instead of hoarding it or selling slices at a premium, he plans to donate it to a local association in his village. Their mission? Turn it into a delicious dish to benefit the Telethon. Who knew charity could taste so good—and in XXL portions?

But what set this XXL pumpkin apart? Last year, Nicolas’s best result was a “mere” 280 kg. “We always try to do better and improve,” he explains. Clearly, his efforts paid off this season. We’re witnessing growth, in every sense.

And the logistics? Well, weighing a vegetable that size is no walk in the park. Nicolas had to transport it to a local farmer, where (and you’d be forgiven for chuckling here) the pumpkin was harnessed and carefully lifted onto a scale usually reserved for animals. Because when your squash is heavier than most dogs—improvisation is key.

The Method: Specialty Seeds, Heated Greenhouses, and a Lot of Water

If you suspected, for even a second, that this pumpkin came from the bargain bin at your local garden center, think again. Nicolas is part of a European club for giant vegetable growers. The secrets swap hands—or rather, seeds—between club members, giving each a shot at greatness. Standard seeds? Not for Nicolas. He opts for top-tier, club-sourced varieties known for their Herculean potential.

His soil isn’t doused in mystery chemicals or potions either. In his own words, “I never use chemical products!” Instead, he enriches the earth with green manure, ensuring a robust, healthy environment for his ambitious veggie. Seeding begins in April, inside a heated greenhouse—the warm luxury spa of the horticultural world. Watering is serious business too. Each day, the plant receives about one cubic meter of water. And if you’re wondering if these plants grow overnight—you’re absolutely right. The vine can stretch a full meter in just one night, making Jack’s beanstalk look a bit underwhelming.

A Decade of Dedicated Growing—And Not Just Pumpkins

Marche’s green-thumbed adventure isn’t limited to pumpkins. Over the past ten years, his garden has transformed into a vegetable colossus arena. With the support of his wife and young granddaughter, Victorine, he pushes the limits on onions, tomatoes, leeks—you name it. Every year, he enters a competition in Luxembourg, presenting the biggest, boldest fruits (and veggies) of his labor. Sadly, this time the event was cancelled, courtesy of the wild weather that battered the region last summer. Even giants need to bow to the elements sometimes.

• Tends to his passion daily with family help
• Strives for size in many vegetables, not just pumpkins
• Presents his goods at annual competitions (when the weather behaves)

If you think Nicolas is in a league of his own—think again. The giant pumpkin bug is sweeping across France and Europe! In Sarthe, a market gardener recently broke the national record with a colossal 897 kg pumpkin. And the European champion? Unveiled in Germany in October, it weighs in at over one tonne and was grown by an Italian farmer. The spirit of friendly competition (and enormous vegetables) is alive and well.

So, next time you pass by a seed packet or contemplate your own backyard plot, remember the story of Nicolas Marche. With a humble start, a network of fellow enthusiasts, relentless dedication, and a strict no-chemicals principle, he’s proven that astonishing things can grow where the heart is set—and with a little help from family and friends. Who knows? You might just be the next to need an animal scale for your harvest.