Imagine a garden where vegetables are infused with anabolic steroids and instantly you can visualise the gist of Susan Warren's first book Backyard Giants: The Passionate, Heartbreaking, and Glorious Quest to Grow the Biggest Pumpkin Ever(aff.).

It's a story, not a how-to, on growing ginormous pumpkins. Following the do-or-die tactics of father-son combo Ron and Dick Wallace, Backyard Giants exposes the beauty and absurdity behind those gardeners with a passion for - LARGE!

Many uni-focused gardeners will resonate with the challenge that lies in front of these two. The right seed. The masses of fertiliser. Precision watering. Everything needs to be perfect in order to produce a pumpkin that wrestles a mention.

But for those gardeners who are just happy producing a summer bed of annuals - you're probably not going to 'get' the testosterone-charged behaviour that forces these two to alter nature's path. Their sheer determination and desire to win - however banal the competition may seem - is inspiring. A little perplexing at times but provided you can appreciate their dream you'll find this a fascinating read.

Susan Warren is the deputy bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal in Dallas, Texas. She is also an avid gardener and this is her first book which goes on sale today.

Here's what other bloggers are saying about the book;

Carol from May Dreams Garden linked to these other great gardeners as well -
Hannah - This Garden Is Illegal
Genie - Inadvertent Gardener,
and Michelle from My Grandpa's Garden (who's actually growing her own giant pumpkin).