Longest turnip

The longest turnip (Brassica rapa) measured 4.605 m (15 ft 1.3 in) and was presented by its grower Joe Atherton (UK) at the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship at the Malvern Autumn Show, held at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire, UK, on 22 September 2022. The length was confirmed by National Vegetable Society judge Martyn Davis.

Atherton specializes in growing super-long vegetables and broke his own record for longest turnip achieved at the same event in 2019. His list of world records (as of September 2022) comprises longest beetroot (8.56 m; 28 ft 1 in), carrot (6.245 m; 20 ft 5.86 in), parsnip (6.550 m; 21 ft 5.87 in), radish (6.703 m; 21 ft 11.89 in) and salsify (5.57 m; 18 ft 3.29 in).

The secret to his unrivalled length is growing the vegetables in plastic pipe guttering, and leaving the cleaning duties to his wife, Carmel, who ensures that the specimen isn't damaged when being prepared for measuring.

“I planted the seed in May using guttering to grow it out," said Joe, "but it’s Carmel who does the cleaning, which is crucial because she makes sure it doesn't break. It’s true what they say, behind every man there’s a better woman."