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Kelowna, British Columbia

Do you think there would be interest in adding a GPC category for heaviest cucumber? I've grown them the past 2 years and have really enjoyed it. I know they're not super popular at the moment, but I think if there was a GPC category for them it would generate a lot of interest. They're lots of fun to grow, and if you grow them vertically they take up very little space, about the same as a tomato plant. You could probably grow them in a pot on a balcony and still grow something of competitive size. I think they would be a nice alternative for those who still want to enter something gourd-related to a weigh-off but don't have or want to use up a lot of growing room, as the other 7 GPC gourd categories tend to require a bit of room or a large trellis to grow.

Just an idea! :)

12/30/2025 3:54:32 AM

Grittyville, WA

There's a lot of little league veggies that could be bumped up. I haven't heard anyone suggest onions, but if the gpc wanted to add a category they'd get my vote.
Have you tried long gourds Jordan???
I would try cucumbers if it was a gpc category, but the category which might be the most viable... would be sunflowers???

[Last edit: 12/30/25 4:22:55 AM]

12/30/2025 4:18:22 AM

Ontario

The most likely I could see them adding would be sunflower, butternut squash, or cantaloupe. As much as I enjoy all the lesser known giants i grow (beets, rutabaga, cabbage, onion, sunflowers, carrots) there's simply not enough people to bother making them official categories.

12/30/2025 6:56:00 AM

Lymington UK

I would second onions as a new category. They are a great winter project and very technical. The world record is just under 20lbs and been stuck there for a number of years. We have all seen what happened to the tomato record when the GPC got hold of it.
I may be just a little biased.
Ian

12/30/2025 10:07:01 AM

On a cliff in the desert

There could be a new category of master small space gardener created for vegetables that don't require a big space to grow in. 150 sq ft fruit could be included as well as tomatoes.

12/30/2025 12:52:05 PM

Grittyville, WA

Interesting to see if onions or tomatoes makes it to 20 lbs first?

I guess the only problem with sunflowers at the highest level of competition is it would not be easy for the average person to move it because 20-30 ft is a lot for an average vehicle?? But if you grow a WR or a state record sunflower, pumpkin, etc. then you'll probably figure out a way to move it.

12/30/2025 3:55:35 PM

Syracuse, NY

They should be able to be cut in half by a standard method and measured accordingly at the weighoff/measureoff, like others' stems, lol. Once pumpkins and squash get too big...ut-ohhh;---eg

12/30/2025 9:21:12 PM

Grittyville, WA

Ha. Well bent in half maybe. Cutting things up is a recipe for cheating.

12/30/2025 10:39:50 PM

Deer Park WA

We would love to see giant cucumbers as a GPC catagory!

12/31/2025 12:35:18 AM

Jericho Vermont

Many years ago we would try to compete in the master gardener contest because it only took 3 varieties to enter out of 5 choices I believe. This was fun for many growers even those like us that grow in a very small back yard. When it changed to 5 different fruits we dropped out because we could not fit it all in. I would love to see 2 divisions of master gardener, 1 that is the current version and then a small space master gardener that added a couple of small crops to be added for those of us that do not have space. I also understand that a volunteer board that the GPC has it puts a strain on people power to create rules and to be able to do their best due diligence to make sure everyone is recording results correctly.

I would love to see onions, cucumbers and rutabaga's added that could be grown in a small space and a small space master gardener award category added.

1/1/2026 3:18:41 PM

Nova Scotia

Lots of great options when the time comes for the GPC to decide on new classes. It always comes down to the public since Dad's day with the giant pumpkins. What would they enjoy seeing and peak their interest? A giant onion? Cucumber? Cabbage? Etc. I do not grow them but my vote would be onions. Imagine the size of those onion rings! Rules would be straight forward as always, sound, no signs of rot, clean, stems cut to whatever length, etc. But what if it was a red onion? Sorry had to throw that in there. LOL. Happy New Year!

1/1/2026 4:11:03 PM

Lymington UK

Most of the rules on these vegetables are well versed. I hadn’t thought about master gardener points. Very good point about master gardener space John.

1/6/2026 2:52:02 PM