Guinness World Record heaviest cucumber grown in Barry

Vince Sjodin, 57, only started growing humongous fruit and veg six years ago.

Since then he has achieved two UK records, for heaviest tomatoe and heaviest green squash, as well as smashing the record for the heaviest cucumber, weighing a colossal 13.388kgs.

Vince Sjodin with niece Lacy Sjodin and THAT cucumber (Image: Newsquest)

The result was certified at the Malvern Autumn Show UK Giant Vegetable Championships on September 22.

So what does it take to grow a world-recording-breaking cucumber?

Mr Sjodin explains you need water, a lot of water. But fear not if you think there’s no water pressure in the houses round Dyfrig Street – in fact, Mr Sjodin is environmentally aware, collecting huge amounts of rainwater in containers littered round his allotment.

With this, special “giant seeds” acquired from specialist growers, and a bit of hard graft – Mr Sjodin can be at his allotment for six hours every day in the height of summer – you’ll achieve a world record.

Mr Sjodin has been growing giant veg for around six years (Image: Newsquest)

It can take over two months to grow a world-beating vegetable. In the case of the record-breaking cucumber, Mr Sjodin put the seed in the ground in July and in September he was pulling out a 13kilo cucumber.

He collects rainwater to help water his massive vegetables (Image: Newsquest)

In his time, Mr Sjodin has grown a 113kg marrow and an incredible 580kilo pumpkin. (However incredible that is, the world record is an astonishing 1,000kilos).

His massive pumpkin! (Image: The Sjodins')

So once you’ve grown a record-breaking vegetable, what do you do with it?

The myth that giant veg don’t taste of anything is untrue!

Mr Sjodin says all his enormous vegetables get used. His giant radish for example is turned into chutney by his aunt who sells it and gives the proceeds to charity.

Mr Sjodin next wants to grow a giant carrot (Image: Newsquest)

Stunning views from his allotment in Barry (Image: Newsquest)

So what do you do after you’ve grown the heaviest cucumber in the world?

Carpenter by trade, Mr Sjodin isn’t resting on his laurels in the giant vegetable-growing arena.

“Keep competing,” he answered with a clarity of vision. “Keep aiming for world records.

"Maybe go for a carrot this time. People at the show asked me to grow a carrot. Bring the record back home (it’s currently held aboard).

“Bring it back to Welsh soil.”

The motto ‘go big or go home’ comes to mind…

Congratulations on your world record Mr Sjodin!