A carrot tipping the scales at 22 pounds, 7 ounces has landed Chris Qualley a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for growing the world’s heaviest carrot. Qualley, of Otsego, Minnesota, credits his growing success to soil, seeds, fertilizer and luck. He also said this summer’s somewhat cool and cloudy weather provided perfect growing conditions for carrots.
Qualley just started gardening three years ago and began growing giant vegetables two years ago. He now grows giant carrots, tomatoes, pumpkins, watermelons and more. He wants to set world records in the pumpkin and tomato categories, as well, but said it’s a “very competitive sport.”
In the meantime, Qualley said being a Guinness World Records titleholder feels “pretty awesome.” He hopes to be able to share the seeds from the record-breaking carrot with other giant-vegetable growers with the goal of growing an even bigger carrot.
Giant carrots generally develop secondary roots that grow out of the main central root, which is what makes them so large.
The previous record of 20 pounds was set in 2014 by Peter Glazebrook from the UK.
