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Mission Viejo, CA

What is the protocol for weighing squash at the weighoff?
I saw today where one event puts them in order with the AG's and then they are judged as squash.

I recall there was some confusion last year about prizes also.

We've never had a giant squash at our weighoff and wondering if there is a standard practice.

8/26/2024 7:36:51 PM

Bloomfield, Iowa

We weigh Green Squash against AG's for placing and prize money. We don't have a separate class for them. We usually only see 1 of them if we ever see one at all. Largest Green Squash gets the Green Squash plaque. If it does good enough against the AG's then ribbon and prize money is awarded. What I've seen here is that they usually don't make top 10. (That's here though). We enter them as a Green Squash on the GPC site of genetics, not an AG so it is placed in the proper place. We did this since we see other sites doing it.

8/27/2024 8:37:20 AM

Westmoreland, KS

Sheriff is spot. Now as far as "What" is a squash you'll probably want to double check the rules with pictures judging them can be a real pain. starts around page 17.

https://gpc1.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GPC-Rules-and-Handbook-2024.pdf


Squash will be classified as follows; 100% of the following colors or color combinations:
green, blue, and gray. The surface area of the fruit grown in the garden, not including
the portion that was in contact with, or in close proximity to the ground, will be
considered. This area will include the area between the ribs, around the stem, and the
blossom end. This will not include any netting (cantaloping), any discoloration caused
by the proximity to the ground, or minimal amounts of striping or mottling associated
with some squash. Mottling may appear as white to cream or beige to bronze.

[Last edit: 08/27/24 10:23:01 AM]

8/27/2024 10:22:26 AM

Nova Scotia

Yes sounds simple to me like the past 30 years or so. How any weigh off distributes their prize money is their decision as long as it abides by GPC rules over all in standings my understanding.

8/27/2024 5:08:28 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

Ok as simple as this sounds, I want to make sure I understand it.
Scenario 1: A grower brings a giant squash that is the third heaviest at the competition would get the third place ribbon. He/she would also earn the squash plaque, assuming it was the heaviest. Do I have that right?


Scenario 2: A grower brings a squash and a pumpkin. They are both allowed to compete. The same squash earns the third place ribbon and the plaque. The other pumpkin, if it came in say, 9th place, would also earn a ribbon. Do I have that right?

Scenario 3: What happens if the giant squash wins the weighoff? Would they earn the plaque for heaviest fruit AND the green plaque for top squash?

Thank you all.

[Last edit: 08/28/24 4:28:33 PM]

8/28/2024 4:28:01 PM

Nova Scotia

You pose some interesting possible scenarios that could arise for a few GPC sites that do combine them? I am sure a GPC rep will help you with us. Good luck!

8/29/2024 8:07:57 AM

President - GPC

Check out the plaque for the site award. It says Heaviest Overall Fruit -

So that Grower who brought the squash that was the heaviest overall would indeed haul home > The Green squash plaque, and the Site award for Heaviest overall including any prize funds for 1st place....

Hope this helps clear things up. GROW GREEN! GROW BIG!

[Last edit: 08/29/24 10:57:42 AM]

8/29/2024 10:56:22 AM

Syracuse, NY

I'm seeing squash growing becoming even more of a thing in the next few years with this info; I certainly think they are a more-docile version of the AG and to see those jumbo stigmas inside of a normal-sized flower is a thrill, lol. The latest poll/set on my squash plant is as happy to see me as I am her.
(Hearts Emoji!) eg

8/29/2024 4:35:29 PM

Bloomfield, Iowa

Kevin, Wizzy is correct on his explanation. As for your 1st scenario the answer is yes. We show on our prize structure and explain in wording at the GPC Central US Bloomfield Giant Pumpkin Bash that Green Squash will be weighed against AG’s. With that you can bring an AG and Green Squash, but pick which one will compete and the other is exhibition only. The exhibition fruit will still be officially weighed and recorded on the GPC site. So your scenario 2 answer is no. Your scenario 3 is yes like Wizzy explained.

[Last edit: 09/12/24 8:16:42 PM]

8/30/2024 9:35:44 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

Thank you everyone. This helps a lot!

8/30/2024 10:41:41 AM