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“He inspired me everyday. Dad was my mentor for many years, he taught me a lot.”

Operating out of a top secret allotment in Caerphilly, Tyrone Layman had been growing giant vegetables with his late father – and championship grower – John Layman, since 1997.

Alongside his whopping 20.2kg beetroot at 2021’s Three Counties Show, Tyrone, 43, also took top prize with his 4kg parsnip – both of which he’s confident on beating this year.

For Tyrone however, in 2019 it became less about the veg when he tragically lost his father to cancer. Determined to continue his father’s legacy, Tyrone carried on.

“Since his passing, I have taken on a few youngsters under my wing in hope of bringing through a new generation of growers. I’m trying my best to get more and more people into it,” Tyrone told Caerphilly Observer.

John Layman started growing back in 1986 and that same year won first prize in the Abertysswg Show, with leeks weighing in at more than 8lbs. 

“Dad always grew leeks. At the time of his passing we were growing some big ones together. I felt I had to take them to the show. The funny thing is that even in death he beat me. It was a sweet way to go out – still at the top.”

Described as a real character by those close to him, John would’ve been one of the earliest in Wales to start showing off his giant vegetables, with records of giant vegetable competitions in Wales beginning in the early 80s.

When asked how it felt to win for the first time without his father, Tyrone said: “I had some mixed emotions. I was over the moon that I had won of course, but it was also upsetting that Dad wasn’t there to see it.

“It helped that I was in good company, you really get a community feel from this.”

Tyrone will be entering this year’s Vale of Glamorgan show, which is set to take place in August after being cancelled for the past two years due to Covid. 

Despite his success however, Tyrone still feels like he needs a push to take his stuff to the next level.

“I’m still getting mentored myself by multiple giant veg world record holder Ian Neale – who once famously met Snoop Dogg.

“Dad taught me most of what I know but Ian has been great in helping me compete with the best.

Tyrone also spoke of the benefits of being outdoors and growing. He said: “I’d advise everyone to have a go. It’s great for your mental health and gets you to focus on the positives. Plus, you can eat it all when you’re finished.

“Best of all though, it’s great fun. I have no plans on retiring and preparations are underway for an even bigger set of vegetables next time.”