Next month, the UK National Giant Vegetables Championship returns to Shepton Mallet in Somerset.
A highlight in the horticultural calendar, it attracts fruit and vegetable growers from around the country and has become famous for producing specimens that break world records.
The giant vegetable competition is part of The Bath and West National Gardening Show, which takes place from 2nd to 4th September.
Growers must present their fruit and vegetables to be weighed and measured by adjudicators on 1st September.
The rules are strict and the rivalry fierce as gardeners can often spend an entire year nurturing one promising vegetable.
Giant vegetable growing takes time and dedication.
Peter Glazebrook, (pictured above with Guinness World Records Editor-In-Chief Craig Glenday), has won numerous Guinness World Records for his produce, including last year's potato weighing 3.76kg.
He stresses the importance of a long growing season with a lot of love and care, sowing his seeds at the beginning of the year in order to harvest record-breaking giants for the September show.
For many gardeners, it's not the prize money that matters, but the satisfaction of growing a world-beating specimen that motivates them.
"We always say about a show we've done really well if we can cover the petrol money," says Peter, "It's a hobby. It's a challenge."
Judge Ray Davey is excited about the competition, explaining that despite a very dry spring, growers are skilled at overcoming all weather conditions.
In fact, most of their hard work starts now as "with only a month left until the competition, they'll be concentrating on getting their vegetables just right."
Davey makes clear that while size and weight are of most importance in a giant vegetable competition, entries must also be edible and in good condition in order to win.
He is confident that this year's championship will be as brilliant as ever and we can't wait to join him there to see which vegetables succeed in breaking a world record!
Click here to enter the competition. Forms must be submitted by 23rd August 2011.
Records set at previous National Giant Vegetables Championship:
• Heaviest Leek: 8.1 kg (17 lb 13 oz), Fred Charlton (UK), 2002
• Heaviest Cucumber: 12.4 kg (27 lb 5.3 oz), Alfred J. Cobb (UK), 2003
• Longest Beetroot: 6.405 m (21 ft), Peter Glazebrook (UK), 2008
• Heaviest Parsnip: 5.90 kg (13 lb), Peter Glazebrook (UK), 2009
• Heaviest Potato: 3.76 kg (8 lb 4 oz), Peter Glazebrook (UK), 2010
