There Arndt no bigger pumpkin for Ken

HE’S grown oversized bananas and New Guinea beans now Grantham hobby farmer Ken Arndt has added another oversized vegetable to his list.

PUMPING STOKED: Grantham hobby farmer Ken Arndt proudly shows off his 12 kilogram Queensland blue pumpkin. Picture: Ali Kuchel

HE'S grown oversized bananas and New Guinea beans now Grantham hobby farmer Ken Arndt has added another oversized vegetable to his list.

Weighing in at 12 kilograms, Mr Arndt has grown his largest Queensland blue pumpkin and it's a feat he's most proud of.

It took Mr Arndt about three months to grow his massive pumpkin, which came in two kilograms heavier than his other pickings.

"I've got lots at about 10 kilograms but none this big," he said.

"I was watching it grow for a few weeks and left it there a bit longer to ripen.

"I thought I'd better pick it up and bring it in.

"I knew it would be bigger than the other ones."

Mr Arndt's property has gone through the Grantham floods, but he believes the floodwater helped improve his soil for growing produce.

He farms .4ha (one acre) and said his secret to growing good produce was to look after it.

"I don't spray chemicals," he said.

The lover of growing fresh produce is a passionate preserver often creating jars and jars of pickled onions.

Mr Arndt said he would most likely cut up the pumpkin and share it with other people.