Record-setting giant vegetables on display at Royal Winter Fair

When Phil Hunt talks about his carrot, size matters.

Hunt and his wife Jane are the foundersthe Giant Vegetable Growers of Ontario.

As the name suggests, the organization consists of farmers who specialize in growing huge vegetables.

In the past, the Hunts have grown record-setting pumpkins and tomatoes.

This weekend at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair the couple willdisplaya rutabaga, tomato, and, of course, a giant carrot.

On Friday, Phil Hunt told CBC Radio's Metro Morning he thinks the carrot, which weighs about six pounds, could set a record.

"That's a lot of carrot," Hunt said.

No chemicals are used to grow the giant vegetables and Hunt says it's a lot of work.

"You have to get it into the ground early in the season and keep your soil warm," he said.

Anyone who wants to grow for record setting size needs "good seed, good soil, good weather and good luck," he said.

Hunt says the seeds used for giant vegetables are carefully selected and, in some cases, sell for hundreds of dollars.

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs from November 4 - 13 at Toronto's Exhibition Grounds.