From huge aubergines to long runner beans: Inside the world of giant vegetable growing

Many pensioners leisurely take to their garden to grow a few bits and bobs. But for 80-year-old Peter Glazebrook there’s a slight difference.

Instead of growing a few tomatoes to throw in a summer salad, he’s breaking records with 27.48kg cauliflowers, 89.7cm runner beans and 4.98kg potatoes.

“I was looking for a new challenge,” he tells Euronews Green from his home in Nottingham.

More than 20 years ago Peter had conquered the world of exhibition vegetables, where growers prioritise appearance, shape, and condition, and decided to turn his green fingers to the fascinating and competitive world of giant vegetables, where size and weight is prized above all else.

Having won 25 Guinness world records and the current holder of six (heaviest aubergine, 3.12kg, and largest runner bean leaves at 63.8 cm by 67.7 cm), it’s fair to say the move has been a successful one.

Photos of Peter proudly clutching his winning veg often make it into the media but don’t forget this is only the end result. Behind the scenes it’s months of hard work, skill and dedication to grow these other worldly creations.

As Peter puts it, “It’s my life really and it has been for years.” 

Peter explains that many of the veg need a long growing season to get them into giant territory. This requires specialist equipment like artificial heating and lighting, daily watering and, of course, lots of tender loving care.

“Most of the time I can’t go on holidays as I have to be there to check on the veg,” he says.

This is what it takes to compete with the world’s top growers. In the UK, there’s events across the country where Peter and his peers go head to head to see who has the biggest, heaviest or longest veggies.

“It’s very competitive but it’s friendly competition. We’re