Alma Bear holds a 9.5-lb beet discovered during this fall’s harvest at Flying Dust First Nation’s Market Garden. (Photo/ Alma Bear)

By Kenneth Cheung

GIANT SURPRISE

‘I was so overwhelmed’: Flying Dust Market Garden unearths beet the size of a bowling ball

Nov 18, 2025 | 12:00 PM

When Alma Bear opened a heavy produce box at Flying Dust First Nation’s Market Garden earlier this month, she wasn’t expecting to find a vegetable that could double as a bowling ball.

“I was overwhelmed … it was so huge,” she said.

“Now, whoever harvested the 9.5 pounds beet, please come forward and let us know who you are. Thank you.”

Bear has worked at the community garden since 2009, supervising greenhouse seedlings, teaching young people how to transplant and overseeing a large harvest crew. She says this year’s growing season was different — in the best way.

“This is the biggest garden we ever had with produce and potatoes in all the years that I have been there,” she said, adding that the garden spans more than 50 acres.

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Typically, she says beets in their garden weigh around two to three pounds — making the 9.5-pound discovery all the more surprising, especially since it was planted with the rest of the crop in late May.

A 9.5-lb beet sits cleaned and weighed after being unearthed during the fall harvest at Flying Dust First Nation’s Market Garden. (Photo/ Alma Bear)

Earlier, Bear pulled a 6.5-pound beet herself and assumed that had to be a record.

“I thought that was the biggest beet ever until I saw that 9.5. It’s like three pounds heavier.”

The bumper season didn’t stop at beets. Bear said they also harvested unusually large carrots — though no photos were taken of those.

A giant beet — and a mystery

The hefty root was harvested during a hectic push to beat snowfall — and whomever dug it up quietly slipped it into a bin without a word.

“Because there was so much action going on and trying to get everything off the field before it snowed,” she said.

Bear hopes the gardener will come forward for proper recognition and a photo. If not, she already knows where the beet will go.

“I plan on cutting it and sharing it with the elders. I need an axe to chop it into quarters,” she said with a laugh.

Bear estimates the beet could be divided into about 20 portions for community elders.

“Beets are good for your blood,” she added. “And not only that, they can either fry it or bake it and put in your own seasoning or whatever your taste buds would like.”

For now, the 9.5-lb beet rests cleaned and weighed, waiting for its rightful harvester.

Bear says she’ll keep asking around the garden crew until someone admits to the impressive pull.

“That other 6.5-pound beat that I pulled out, it took some time to get it out and when I did, I almost fell with it,” she laughed.

“I don’t know how that other person did it with it being three pounds heavier,” she said.

One thing is certain: whomever dug up the beet deserves full bragging rights and likely the first slice.

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UPDATE: The search is over and it didn’t take long. A day after the story was published, Bear found out the gardener behind the giant beet was Mickey Rooney.

Mickey Rooney holds the 9.5-lb beet he harvested at Flying Dust First Nation’s Market Garden. (submitted/ Alma Bear)

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com