Teen wins trophy for 1,224-pound pumpkin

TAUNTON, Mass., Oct. 21 (UPI) -- A teenager with a green thumb was a top contender at a Rhode Island fair recently with his 1,224-pound pumpkin and equally imposing squash.

After spending months babying his prize pumpkin and squash to help them on their way to such gargantuan proportions, Alex Noel, 16, was recognized for his hard work at Rhode Island's Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, The Boston Globe reported Sunday.

While Noel's pumpkin fell short of a top spot at the annual fair by placing sixth overall, his 903-pound giant squash was awarded a blue ribbon by the event's judges.

After the event, Noel shared some of his personal keys to agricultural success with the Globe.

"You spend all your time with it," he said. "No sports. You just come home and be with the pumpkin."

Now the teenager can look forward to more traditional pursuits involving his awe-inspiring gourd: pumpkin carving.

"I try to do a better, more elaborate carving every year," he said of his autumn tradition. "People love it."