NEED TO KNOW

After discovering a jack-o'-lantern sprouting in her compost pile back in 2012, Sarah Whitty began growing giant pumpkins

Whitty's pumpkins, which can weigh over 1,500 pounds, are showcased at local festivals before their creative transformations

The giant pumpkins are transformed into everything from art displays to motorboats for the town's beloved pumpkin regatta

In Maine, where the colors of autumn rival some of the most beautiful in the country, one woman's backyard has become the birthplace for some of the biggest pumpkins in the state.

For Sarah Whitty , what began as a simple gardening experiment more than a decade ago has evolved into a beloved seasonal tradition in her town.

“I live in the northern Maine area — there’s not much by me, so we find ourselves g

See Full Page