Stephania and Bill Jacula are no strangers to the agricultural world as they farm just north of Vermilion. Stephania has had an interest in pumpkins for a while and has been growing all different brands for about 10 to 15 years. She enjoys bringing her pumpkins to the Smoky Lake Pumpkin Fest but was unable to do so this year due to COVID, which was unfortunate because she reached a personal best in growing the Dill Giant pumpkin.
“This year was my personal best with my Dill Giant pumpkin as it weighs 285 pounds. If I had learned of the Pumpkin Fest in Lloydminster early enough I would have taken this one there,” commented Stephania.
According to Jacula, she started the seed process in April and by October 4 she had harvested the pumpkins. She also planted F1 Giant, Big Moon, regular garden pumpkins, and Warted pumpkins, and has about six of the large Dill pumpkins and 50 in total of the other pumpkin varieties.
When asked what she does with all her pumpkins she laughed and said, “I give them away to our neighbours, friends, and family.