How to grow the biggest, fattest, fastest zucchini ever
Did you know your humble backyard zucchini could become a racing machine?
After the wild success of last year's inaugural Zucchini Cart Championships, we're getting ready to do it all again at Harfest 2027.
And if you want to be in with a chance of taking home the Golden Gourd, now is the time to get growing.
First things first: grow a zucchini
Find a sunny spot, give your zucchini good soil, regular water and plenty of love.
Then stand back.
Zucchinis are famously enthusiastic growers. One minute you've got a tiny plant. The next, you're wondering whether it needs planning permission.
For racing purposes, you don't necessarily want the biggest zucchini imaginable. You want one that's strong, reasonably straight and ready to roll.
You can pick up a variety of zuchinni plant babies at our seedling sale on 24 October.
Pick your champion
As your plants start producing, keep an eye out for your future racer.
Will it be long and sleek?
Chunky and powerful?
A natural-born speed machine?
Or simply the zucchini that looks most like a submarine?
Last year's champion, Hugh Adams, originally planned to build a bus. But when he looked at his zucchini, he realised it had other ideas.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to go with what the zucchini tells you.”
His yellow Yellow Submarine went on to win the inaugural Golden Gourd.
Start dreaming
You don't need to build your cart yet. For now, just grow, observe and imagine.
What will your zucchini become? A rocket? A race car? A dragon? A disco machine?
Because on Saturday 13 March 2027, your zucchini could go from garden bed to glory.
Get growing. Get creative. Get your gourd on.
Ready for the infamous call: 1… 2... 3... ZUCCHINI!
Harfest is a community event raising funds for the volunteer‑run Warrnambool Community Garden, a not‑for‑profit organisation supporting sustainable food production and connection through gardening.
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