By Khalida Sarwari
On Carlyn Drive, one house has something that compels many passersby to stop and take notice. Children, especially, marvel at the object–a giant pumpkin sitting proudly on the sprawling front lawn.
The pumpkin was planted only about 3 1/2 months ago, but already it weighs at least 500 pounds, according to its owner.
“Everybody comes by and looks at it,” said Faye Dixon, the 86-year-old woman who lives at the home and planted the pumpkin. “They say they can’t believe it, they’re not used to seeing big pumpkins early.”
Dixon estimated the pumpkin’s dimensions as approximately 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Too big to lift, she said.
Past the impressively large pumpkin are two smaller pumpkins and a front yard that boasts a shoestring acacia tree, mulberry bush and pear, lemon and peach trees. Dixon is in the process of making the lawn drought-resistant and for the time being is using the yard for “everything I can imagine that doesn’t need water except the pumpkins.”
Gardening is not so much a hobby as it is a necessity for her, said Dixon. Peering deeper inside her 1953 cottage-style home, it’s easy to see she takes gardening a little more seriously than the average homeowner.
Her friend Elaine Sullivan-Digre calls Dixon’s back yard “an organic feast for the eyes.” There are all sorts of fruit trees, from fig and grapefruit to orange and tangerine, along with tomato, red pepper, chard, dill, ginger and herb plants.
Flowers are aplenty, from roses, lavender and verbenas to hydrangeas and California Matilija poppies. Adding to the beauty of the space are a banana bush and 30-year-old butterfly bush.
The back yard very much resembles an English garden, said Dixon.
“It’s not the tidiest place, but I love it,” she said. “It’s great just to sit and look at.”
The yard is a result of more than 30 years of hard work. Though she has lived in various places–she even called Morocco home for several years–Dixon has lived at her Carlyn Avenue home since the mid-1970s.
“I love Campbell,” she said.
Dixon does most of the work herself, an ability she credits to her great health. When she’s not gardening, she is usually playing tennis competitively as she has done for several decades.
“I’m very active,” she said, adding that she makes it a point to attend the national women’s tennis tournament every year. In October, she plans on participating in a tournament in Vancouver, Wash.
“I enjoy participating in the sport and getting reacquainted with my friends from throughout the country,” Dixon said.
October is also an important month for Dixon–that’s when her pumpkin is expected to reach full growth.
“I think I’m going to give it to the neighbor’s child, Lincoln,” Dixon said. “He’s about 6 years old. Last year when I had a pumpkin we took photos with him and he was so excited about it.”
Maybe Lincoln would like to enter the pumpkin in the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival, she said.
