If anyone were to use one of Columbus resident Ed Probst’s pumpkins as a jack-o’-lantern, it could be considered a giant-o-lantern.
The former dermatologist, who practiced in Columbus for about 30 years, achieved his goal of growing big pumpkins this year. One, which he named Bertha, was weighed recently and tipped the scales at 320 pounds.
He has three other large pumpkins, named Beulah, Betty and Belinda. Probst said he thinks Beulah weighs about the same as Bertha, and Betty a little less.
Probst said he grows some pumpkins every year and usually gives some to neighbors. This year, though, he decided to try for big pumpkins.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
Probst is reforesting a farm on County Road 330W west of Taylorsville. He tore down a barn on the property, which gave him space to grow pumpkins.
Two of his grandchildren, Jake and Samira, who were visiting from Florida, helped with the selection of pumpkin seeds and assisted with the planting on June 20. Probst tended to the plot after that.
Probst had to use a tractor to lift Bertha onto his truck so he could have it weighed. He did so Sept. 27 at Silgas on County Road 550N. The weight was greater than what a friend, a retired Cummins engineer estimated, by about 70 pounds.
“I was delighted,” Probst said.
Probst tried growing big pumpkins once before, in 1979, as a bet with friend Don Henshaw. Probst grew one that weighed 113 pounds.
“I’ve just been saving that, trying to come up with a time when I could grow a bigger one,” Probst said.
Mission accomplished.
