The great pumpkins

Jack Schneider

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- For some, growing pumpkins seems like such a

little thing to do. But for Robert and Linda Espitia, it is a way to

reach out and find joy in their lives.

For the last 27 years, the Espitias have been growing and donating

unusually large pumpkins -- some close to 200 pounds -- to elementary

schools in Surf City.

For the last two years, the Espitias have donated a gigantic gourd to

Huntington Seacliff Elementary School -- something the students and staff

alike have appreciated.

“We decorated the pumpkins and have contests to see if the students

could guess the weight of it,” Principal Ann Sullivan said.

In the past, the family has also donated some of the two dozen or so

pumpkins they’ve grown to Hawes and Oak View elementary schools.

The gourds are grown from March to October in a field at Cal Coast

Medical Center on Huntington Street. Some maintain a height of almost 2

feet, and this year, the family has grown one that weighs about 198

pounds. The Espitias credit their green thumbs to careful planting and

nurturing of the vegetables.

When the donations are done, residents in the surrounding community

come and pick from what’s left in the patch.

The smaller pumpkins can be cut up to make pumpkin pie, said Robert

Espitia, 66.

On the weekends, the Espitias decorate the miniature pumpkins.

Besides the pumpkins, the Espitias’ entire backyard is decorated to

fit an autumn theme. On a patch of lawn lies stuffed animals and dolls

representing characters from the “Wizard of Oz”.

“We enjoy decorating the backyard. It gives us such pleasure,” said

Linda Espitia, 63, who also handcrafts and decorates dolls used in the

display. When Halloween approaches, they show the display in their front

lawn.

“We feel the ‘Wizard of Oz’ theme coincides with Halloween and

autumn,” she said. “We enjoy making people happy and bringing other kids

joy.”

Although the Espitias have been debating on whether to retire from

growing pumpkins, they have reached a decision to continue their

tradition of gardening.

“It is such a hobby to me, and I enjoy gardening,” Robert Espitia

said.