© 2025 KPCW

KPCW
Spencer F. Eccles Broadcast Center
PO Box 1372 | 460 Swede Alley
Park City | UT | 84060
Office: (435) 649-9004 | Studio: (435) 655-8255

Music & Artist Inquiries: music@kpcw.org
News Tips & Press Releases: news@kpcw.org
Volunteer Opportunities
General Inquiries: info@kpcw.org
Listen Like a Local Park City & Heber City Summit & Wasatch counties, Utah
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Midway Pumpkin Man reveals secret to growing giant pumpkins

Amber Johnson
/
KPCW
The growing season is relatively short. Jamie Johnson starts the seeds indoors in April, transfers them into hoop houses with heaters in May and he usually hand-pollinates the plants mid-to-late June.

Pumpkin season has arrived and KPCW’s Amber Johnson has a confession: she is married to a man obsessed with growing the Great Pumpkin.

Amber Johnson's husband Jamie grows pumpkins so massive they require a forklift and their own fan club. While most people greet fall with cozy sweaters and leaf peeping, he’s out back hand-pollinating, adjusting heat lamps and fussing over soil like a man preparing for the harvest Olympics. His biggest? Over 1,300 pounds.

Jamie’s gourd devotion has gone fully public: he's been featured on TV, in newspapers, in 'National Geographic,' and was even serenaded by Jerry Seinfeld on the hit NBC show, 'The Marriage Ref.' There have been competitive weigh-offs, regattas, dramatic carvings and one Halloween where he popped out of a pumpkin to frighten teenagers like a squash-based Jack-in-the-box.

If you’re wondering what life looks like with a man whose primary relationship is with produce—don't miss this hilarious glimpse behind the orange curtain.

The Pumpkin Man in his patch
Jamie Johnson
The Pumpkin Man in his patch
Jamie Johnson
Stanley the pumpkin
Hiding inside the pumpkin
/
Jamie Johnson