THE jealously guarded secrets of giant veg growers are about to be revealed at a Harrogate Autumn Flower Show.

Visitors to the show will be invited to find out just how it’s done and even have a go themselves, when British record holder and author Kevin Fortey reveals the trick to growing giant vegetables.

He will launch three new classes for novice growers aimed specifically at gardeners who have never won a prize for super-sized specimens.

They will include entries for monster marrows, giant tomatoes and rambling runner beans.

Flower show director Nick Smith said: “We have seen many records set here at Harrogate over the years and our champion growers are without doubt among the very best in the world.

“The amazing array of monster specimens is incredibly popular with our 40,000 visitors, but there is always one very big question left hanging in the air – how do they get so huge?”

The man with all the answers is local council officer Kevin Fortey, from Cwmbran, South Wales, who started growing giant veg as a young boy alongside his father.

Now 39, Kevin and his family hold the British records for growing the heaviest marrow at 77.56kg, the largest bell pepper at 560g and field pumpkin at 72kg.

Kevin Fortey added: “Growing giant veg can be fascinating, rewarding and frustrating all at the same time.

“I learned alongside my late father, Mike, and am now passing on the knowledge to my son, Jamie.

“It is great to see novice classes being introduced at a major show like Harrogate because, despite the cloak and dagger reputation, we would all like to see new growers trying their hand at giant veg.”

The show runs from September 15 to 17 and Kevin will be giving talks on getting started with giant veg at 11am on Friday and Saturday. At 1pm on Saturday he will give a talk on growing veg the hydroponic way.