Auburn businessman grows greatness in a pumpkin

Published 6:43 pm Wednesday, October 6, 2010

When Robin Halbert carefully planted a prized pumpkin seed nearly six months ago on his chicken farm, he had no idea he was about to create a monster of incredible dimensions.

Try nearly 15 feet in circumference and tipping the scales at a whopping 994.5 pounds.

The Auburn businessman won’t soon forget what he sowed – a heralded Big Pumpkin called Hallie, named partly after his daughter, Alliana.

“It’s a lifetime achievement,” Halbert said as a loader carried the great pumpkin to its temporary resting place – Mosby Farms Pumpkin Patch off the Auburn-Black Diamond Road – for the public to see last week. “It was a goal of mine, a dream come true.”

Halbert’s objective was to reap the winning prize at the Puyallup Fair. After years of trying, Halbert finally broke through last month, beating 16 other entries in the Super Pumpkin weigh-off for the purple ribbon and $994.50, a dollar for each pound, awarded to the champion grower.

Halbert plans to put the money back into his 10-acre chicken farm in Enumclaw, which accommodates an 800-square-foot greenhouse, the center of the family’s fertile pumpkin patch. He will donate many of Hallie’s seeds to a local growers association, family, friends and customers.

For Halbert, the Fair title marks a momentous event, a confirmation after years of trial and error.

In this game, the fatter the better.

“This is one of those things where size does not matter,” Halbert said.

Growing pumpkins is Halbert’s passionate sport of choice, something that has satisfied his competitive drive ever since he hung up the racing helmet. Years of maneuvering road-course motorcycles as an amateur rider took their toll on his battered body.

“There are no physical constraints. Anybody, young and old, can become a good grower,” said Halbert, 40. The former electrical engineer has become a successful small business owner in the locally-produced food market chain, beginning with his poultry farm and continuing with his Proper British Bacon, Cheese & Meats outlet. And growing pumpkins also is good for business.

Competitive vegetable growing has become popular, especially here in the state for pumpkin aficionados who enjoy a favorable climate and a chance to share tips. Some secretive growers, however, carefully guard growing formulas.

“The sport is really about to blow open,” Halbert said. “And Washington has many good growers … couple of world record-holders … and those with good knowledge.”

Halbert was by no means a quick study. He began growing pumpkins in 2003 and toiled in the soil. But three years later he emerged, finishing third at the Fair with an entry that tipped the scales at 499 pounds.

Halbert then took a bigger step, obtaining a seed courtesy of Stan Pugh and his Fair-record-breaking pumpkin of 1,136 pounds set last year. He planted that seed on April 16.

“(Pugh) was a generous man,” Halbert said. “It sprouted. It took off really well.”

Proper fertilizer and the right temperatures and soil were crucial for Halbert’s incredible hulk to beef up. Halbert’s army of chickens living in the greenhouse during the winter months did their bit, too, fertilizing the grounds with their droppings.

In the ensuing months, the Great Pumpkin took shape. By fall, it was ready to come off the vine.

Hallie is just the beginning for Halbert. He plans to enter an even heavier pumpkin in Saturday’s Central Market contest at Shoreline.

Halbert’s next pursuit is the state record held by Puyallup’s Joel Holland at 1,505 pounds.

“It will be harder to achieve, but obtainable,” Halbert said. “It’s a good goal for next year, right?”