Looking Back at a Giant Growing Year – and What’s Ahead for 2026

By Lee Herrington – Life at the Allotment

What a year 2025 was!

National and local radio interviews, stories in newspapers across the country, and even an appearance on Central News. At times my head was spinning from the amount of publicity my giant green squash brought me.

But behind all of that was a season of hard work and dedication in the garden. Growing it and caring for it had really paid dividends, and it turned out to be one of the most rewarding growing seasons I’ve ever had.

It all started back in mid-May when the seed was first set. Who would have thought that by the end of September the fruit produced by that plant would weigh in at an incredible 276kg (608lbs in old money).

Easily the biggest and heaviest thing I’ve ever grown.

I’m incredibly proud of that achievement. It earned me second place at the Malvern Autumn Show. On the giant veg circuit, the show is often known as “The Nationals” — only the best of the best compete there and the competition is fierce.

The Feed That Made a Difference

I’m convinced that Biocore Agri – Liquid Fish, Blood & Bone played a major role in last year’s results.

Not long after introducing the feed to the plant, I began to notice the difference. The vine grew quickly, and the foliage stood proud with a beautiful deep green colour.

I used Biocore Agri as a foliar feed, carefully spraying every individual leaf of the plant.

“I used Biocore Agri as a foliar feed, meticulously spraying every individual leaf of the plant which I believe kept the plant healthy and free from powdery mildew right up until the point of harvest.”

Before long, fellow growers, competitors and followers began asking how I had managed to achieve such strong results. Eventually I decided it was time to let them in on the secret…

The BIOCORE AGRI Challenge

One of the great things about the giant veg circuit is the sense of community.

At the shows we share knowledge, swap seeds, and talk about what’s working and what isn’t. Everyone wants to push the boundaries of what’s possible in growing. Even though it’s competitive, we all support each other.

Many of the top growers compete in multiple categories, and I was genuinely curious to see what they could achieve in the 2026 season with a little help from this growing elixir — Biocore Agri Liquid Fish, Blood & Bone.

So the challenge has been set: The BIOCORE AGRI Challenge.

We now have over 30 top growers from across the country running trials with the product. There’s a huge range of vegetables involved — squash, marrows, onions and tomatoes to name a few.

They’ve all promised to post regular updates and pictures in the Life at the Allotment Facebook group, so keep an eye out and watch this space!

My Plans for 2026

So what about my own plans for the 2026 growing season?

Well, I’m definitely aiming to be back competing at Malvern Autumn Show in September 2026.

My giant cabbages have already been started and are growing steadily in my cold, unheated greenhouse. Over the winter months I’ve also been carefully selecting seeds with the genetics that might help me grow something special again to present on the scales and show benches in September.

Unfortunately the weather so far this year has been atrocious, which has made it impossible to get much work done at the allotment.

But rest assured, as soon as the weather breaks, I’ll be back down there getting the ground prepared and giving it everything I’ve got for the season ahead.

One of my personal targets this year is to beat my own record.

“I’m going to try and beat a personal best by growing a giant cabbage heavier than 32kg.”

I’ll also be putting extra focus into improving two categories that I think I can push further this year — giant marrows and giant tomatoes.

If 2025 taught me anything, it’s that with the right preparation, the right feed, and a lot of dedication, amazing things can happen in the garden.

Let’s see what 2026 has in store.

Follow the BIOCORE AGRI Challenge

If you’d like to follow the progress of the BIOCORE AGRI Challenge and see how growers across the country are getting on, head over to Lee’s Facebook community “Life at the Allotment.”

Growers will be sharing updates, photos and results throughout the season, so you’ll be able to see exactly how the trials are progressing and what kind of giant vegetables are being produced.