A Bayfield Elementary student who grew a 16-pound cabbage was randomly selected as the Colorado winner of a nationwide program and received a $1,000 savings bond for his efforts.
Jackson Artichoker received the cabbage at the end of school last year as part of the Bonnie Plants’ national cabbage program.
He said he kept the pot inside for about a week and half, then built a raised bed with his family, planted the cabbage and fenced it to keep deer out.
“I would water it every day or every other day,” he said. He picked the cabbage at the end of summer, and a photo of it was submitted as a contest entry.
In Colorado, 18,691 students participated in the program, according to statement from Bonnie Plants.
Jackson’s mom, Melanie Artichoker, said she is proud her son was able to grow the plant at 8,200 feet at the Forest Lakes home.
“We were quite surprised at how well Jackson’s cabbage grew,” she said. She also was pleased he completed the project from start to finish. When he picked the cabbage, it weighed 16 pounds. After it was cleaned and trimmed, it weighed 12 pounds, providing the family with lots of cabbage for corned beef, along with cole slaw.
