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Howard Dill
Canadian giant pumpkin breeder / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Howard William Dill (July 11, 1934 – May 20, 2008[1]) was a Canadian giant pumpkin breeder who patented a pumpkin seed variety called Atlantic Giant.[2] Dill was known as "The Pumpkin King" and "The father of all pumpkins".[2]
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Dill grew pumpkin varieties for many years in the Annapolis Valley close to Windsor, Nova Scotia.[3] He left school in grade 6 and taught himself plant genetics. Dill earned business from competitive giant pumpkin growers and ordinary gardeners from Thailand and Turkey.[4]
At the International Pumpkin Association weigh-off in 1979, one of his early hybrids earned him the top prize for 199 kg (439 lb). He was given the title of "Pumpkin King" at this time.[5] Atlantic Giant pumpkin seeds were first patented in 1979 by Dill, who then went on to set the world record, this event took place in 1980 with a 459 lb (208 kg) record.[6]
Dill died in 2008 of liver cancer.[4]