From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for June 10, 1972:

Lawrence landscape gardener J. R. Walker recently had discovered a huge dandelion growing on the top of his compost pile at his home on Pennsylvania Street. The weed measured 42 inches from the tip of one leaf to the tip of another. For those interested in growing their own monster-sized dandelions, Walker offered the information that his compost heap had contained not only the usual organic materials but also ashes from his fireplace and three old sacks of commercial fertilizer that had become hardened and unusable. Walker admitted that despite his professional status, he didn’t use commercial fertilizer at home. “I don’t have time,” he admitted.