Minnesota gardener grows record-breaking two foot carrot

An amateur gardener and father-of-three has grown a two foot long, 22lbs carrot – believed to be the biggest in the world. 

Chris Qualley, 34, has been growing giant veg for the past two years at his home in Minnesota.

The previous Guinness world record for the heaviest carrot was 20 pounds, set in 2014 by Peter Glazebrook from Newark, Nottinghamshire.

Chris Qualley and his carrot

An amateur gardener and father-of-three has grown a two foot long, 22lbs carrot – believed to be the biggest in the world

But Chris was determined to go one step further and has now grown the world’s heaviest carrot – with the root veg weighing an impressive 22.4lbs.

And, it’s not only carrots that Chris specializes in, he is also growing a giant watermelon, swedes, tomatoes and a pumpkin.

Green-fingered Chris credits his growing success to soil, seeds and lots of high-powered fertilizer.

The weather this summer was also somewhat cool and cloudy – perfect growing conditions for a carrot.

He also currently holds the Minnesota state record for giant pumpkins, with his biggest weighing a whopping 1918.5lbs, and hopes that his beloved giants continue to impress.

Chris Qualley, 34, has been growing giant veg for the past two years at his home in Minnesota

Chris Qualley, 34, has been growing giant veg for the past two years at his home in Minnesota

Chris, who works in finance at a marketing company, said: ‘I knew very little about gardening, but three years ago I start growing a “regular” garden and then the following year I started with giants.

‘In my first year I grew a carrot weighing 11.7lb, however I was determined to outdo myself.

‘In total this carrot took nine months to grow – just like making a real baby – and even though I haven’t measured the length it has to be about 2ft long.

Green-fingered Chris credits his growing success to soil, seeds and lots of fertilizer

Green-fingered Chris credits his growing success to soil, seeds and lots of fertilizer

‘I started the carrot indoors in January and had to keep it inside under grow lights until it was warm enough in the spring to take it outside.

‘The weather in Minnesota this summer has been somewhat cool and cloudy which is perfect growing conditions for a carrot.’

Chris will now store the carrot in the refrigerator and plans to plant it next spring in the hopes of reproducing the seeds. 

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