Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 115 Entries. Sunday, March 1 View Page Got 18 yards of 2-3 year old Cow Manure and spread 120 wheel barrel fulls around the enlarged patch. 3 competition plants this year. 400-500sqft per plant. 1 pollinator plant. � Thursday, March 12 View Page Soil tested last fall in October. Results read by Matt DeBacco and ammendments have been made! � Thursday, March 12 View Page Thanks for the growers who dontaed me seeds. Mark Lombardi, Matt DeBacco, Joe Jutras, Jeff Zoellner and Kirk Chenier! � Thursday, March 12 View Page Seed lineup. 1385 Jutras, 1507 Jutras, 1116 Traylor, 1149 Pukos! Back ups will include 1306 Jutras, 1246 Lombardi, 1353 Debacco! � Thursday, April 2 View Page Tilled the patch and took some soil samples. � Wednesday, April 8 View Page Mailing out the soil samples today....Patch is still real soggy.... � Friday, April 24 View Page Bought some more 0-45-0 since I need to add it to 2 of my 3 sites. The soil tests look better then the fall, Thanks MATT! Lets see if we can get more than 1 to the scales this year! � Saturday, April 25 View Page Filed and soaked my seeds. Tried the baby wipe warmer and I think I cooked them. I pulled them out after 8 hours and potted them and stuck with the old method of heat mat...Lets hope they are still good! � Saturday, April 25 View Page Also put humic acid, kelp and secret ingredient in patch and did a fianl tilling. Now I need to make my planting mounds. I have also staked out my planting areas. 20x25 this year with some access points. � Tuesday, April 28 View Page 1116 pushing dirt at 42 hours, 1507 and 1353 pushing dirt at 69 hours... � Friday, May 1 View Page 1385 is 7 days post planting, club root and stuck below ground, lets see if i can get it to grow, did some searching on the site and now i have a couple of things to try...we will see in a day or 2...planted another 1116 and 1149, man they are coming up in 2 days...what gives � Sunday, May 3 View Page 1507, 1353, 1116 are in the patch. The forth site is waiting for the 1149, however i have planted two of them but can't seem to get them up. The 1385 is alive and cots look bad but she is up! 1385 will be planted next to 1353 and we will determine which one does better out of the gate, I realize the time difference favors the 1353 but I will favor the 1385, sorry Matt... � Tuesday, May 5 View Page 1385 is in the patch. The 1507, 1353 and 1116 are growing nicely with the 3rd leaf coming out...hoop houses are warm even on cloudy days. 1149 club rooted too and it also has a deformed cot wrapped around the other cot, it might not open, i hope to cut it in half tonite as it is greening up! this rain is not a problem as my plants are in their houses! still trying to germinate some more plants as i will have some pollinators at my nieghbors house.... � Sunday, May 10 View Page Main patch line up, 1507, 1385, 1353, 1116. These plants have been slow due to lack of sun but they will catch up they did it last year! Neighbor's house we are still working on patch prep. Hope to have 2-4 plants for pollinators. As of right now 1116, 1149 and 870DMG Traylor(1385 x self)look like they will see dirt. The 1149 looks horrible but I am waiting to see that first true leaf on it... � Wednesday, May 13 View Page Slow...Miracle Grow is not working....40 degree nights for the last week have stalled me.... � Sunday, May 17 View Page 1116 strongest plant followed by the 1507 the 1353 and then club root 1385...we all know things change and that seedling size won't predict future plant size but it is something to talk about... � Tuesday, May 19 View Page 27.6 Degree F above the hoops this morning...I could not open them to look, I did not want to be pissed all day...I will have someone uncover and open the hoops later....I love New England! � Sunday, May 24 View Page Seeds for this year. 1149 will be grown at neighbors for pollinator, it had a rough start...1353 will be grown in back section of patch... � Sunday, May 24 View Page Nice and wet...Final patch prep done... � Sunday, May 24 View Page Soil tilled and ready to go...Had the wall removed last fall with my 3rd place prize money... � Sunday, May 24 View Page Planted...1507 left, 1385 middle, 1116 bottom, 1353 in back...Neighbors house across road you can see 18 yards of composted manure where the 1149 and 870TraylorDMG will be grown, they are planted now! � Monday, June 1 View Page 1st striped cuke beetle found on one of my eggplants...Pumpkins are still in the hoops...maybe next week they will come off...last year the hoops came off on June 6th....so I am still on schedule....36 degrees this morning... � Wednesday, June 3 View Page These kins are making me mad! 1116 is growing too fast, large leaf is breaking away from base and the plant is trying to touchdown still with side vines popping up top and bottom now! 1385 is small and very thick still waiting agian for touch down, it seems i have small segments between my leaves on this plant but thick! the 1507 is growing fast as well but won't lay down bec the elbow of a giant leaf is now in the way! Well this is pumpkin growing! next year i am not doing a planting mound...everyone says they do them but when you look in their diaries they got no MOUNDS! the 1353 is doing fine but still trying to find the corretc path to take...lets get some good weather so we can grow...hoops are still on. � Sunday, June 7 View Page Took the hoop off of 1116. Cut the downed leaf off and bent the upright secondary down to earth...Applied fungicide to wounds... Started with the mycor applications and burying the main...This is still my fastest plant... � Tuesday, June 9 View Page 1116 with kinked secondary � Tuesday, June 9 View Page 1385, 5 days behiind other plants but nice and thick � Tuesday, June 9 View Page 1507, main vine fell yesterday so now i have a kinked main � Tuesday, June 9 View Page 1353, kind of spindly but once she gets into the full sun i expect her to shine � Tuesday, June 9 View Page Patch over view, 1116 is the only one out of the house... � Thursday, June 11 View Page Hoop house off the 1507 and 1353. 1385 is still in hoop. I may try to put hoops back up tonite since we are expecting severe weather! Silt fences are around the plants. We haven't seen the sun in 4 days. � Friday, June 12 View Page Hoops back on for the day, except 1116. I will remove this afternoon, plants are too large now.... � Saturday, June 13 View Page Pumpkins on the tips of 1507 and 1353. 1507 is yellow but the 1353 looks green...lost another leaf on the 1116 due to heavy rains...1116 is about 9 ft now....choo choo � Sunday, June 14 View Page Heavy rains last 2 days. Lost more leafs and more secondaries are kinked. Plants now are starting to pick up the pace and are running. I am away in Boston for the next 4 days. So my wife is on Cuke Beetle watch. � Friday, June 19 View Page It been real dry here and hot...should be pollinating in a couple weeks...good luck everyone... � Monday, June 22 View Page Overview of Patch on June 21. Very windy last 2 days. I have lost numerous leaves. Pollinations will start by end of the week or sooner. Plants are growing fast. � Tuesday, June 23 View Page Wind has been whipping for 3 days straight here in Preston. I have lost leaves on all plants and covered secondaries are even rolling. Maybe by Thursday things will calm down. My silt fence oak poles are even snapping in the ground. � Thursday, June 25 View Page 1507 x 1385 10 ft out 5-lobe � Saturday, June 27 View Page 1116 x 1385 4 lobe � Saturday, June 27 View Page 1116 x 1353 4 lobe � Monday, June 29 View Page Caught a vine bore in my trap...culled the 1507 fruit...i hope to get my pollinatins in this week...the make it or break it week...i want to get them 11-17 ft out.... � Wednesday, July 1 View Page 1385 x 1116 5 lobe 11ft out...This should be the one! � Thursday, July 2 View Page 1507 x 1149 5 lobe, I hope she takes...real wet here this morning with thunder storms and down pours! If she takes it should be a good seed, all 1068 x 998! � Monday, July 6 View Page 1116 4 pollinated on main, tough decisions to make, 22 ft out � Monday, July 6 View Page 1385 1 pollianted on main, only threw 1 female before july 4th and 1 more blooming around july 9...looks like the decision been made for me � Monday, July 6 View Page 1507, i like the way the plant looks, leaves are low, pollinated pumpkin on july 2 did not take, last chance was pollinated july 6th with 1149 pukos � Monday, July 6 View Page 1353, 2 open pollinations while i was on vacation...they were removed, next chance in 2-3 days and that is it, this plant will only be about 300sqft � Monday, July 6 View Page patch overview, wind storms and heavy rains then the hot sun for a day have numerous leaves on plants battered..not happy with plant conditions this year...i have yet to water plants...i have caught 3 male vine bore moths and have killed one female...cuke beetles seemed to have subsided...plants are around 20-23 ft out...i want to start growing pumpkins, but fear i will be disappointed this year...round up is working on the weeds... � Tuesday, July 7 View Page This is why my plants look crappy and also why I do not need to water!!!!!!! � Wednesday, July 8 View Page Day 10 1116 number 1 was a whopping 23.5 inches...WOW! There is no stopping me! I had the sump pump draining the patch yesterday and this morning, 2 more thunderstorms! � Thursday, July 9 View Page Growth has been real slow....last year between 10-30 days i was doing between 4.5-7 inches in CC a day! This year I am doing 2.5...WOW! � Monday, July 13 View Page Pumpkins are speeding up but not near the rate as last year. 1507 is not producing, It may get pulled in the next 10 days. Moles are back, but at least they are aerating the soil.... � Thursday, July 16 View Page 1385 was a whopping 20.75 inches in Circumference! Last year she was 28...what is the smallest pumpkin at 10 days to make it 1200+? � Friday, July 17 View Page Day 17 1116 was a holy cow whopping 52 inch in CC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Maybe I can make the Thanksgiving weigh-off with this growth rate! � Tuesday, July 21 View Page More rain today... � Wednesday, July 22 View Page vine bores in plants! I need them to slow my growth rates! � Wednesday, July 22 View Page Patch is filling in! � Wednesday, July 22 View Page 1507 is long and slow � Wednesday, July 22 View Page 1353 is ready to take off d 10 was 17 inches! � Wednesday, July 22 View Page 1385 Could be king of patch soon but she has to contend with an unproven seed! � Wednesday, July 22 View Page King of patch 1116, growing at a nice even pace! � Wednesday, July 22 View Page Team pumpkin patch tour. We had a good time lookin at my small kins! Thanks for showing up guys! � Tuesday, August 4 View Page Pulled 1507, PM and defect pumpkin, no male flowers with pollen. Remaining 1385, 1116 and 1353 now have PM since I was away on vacation all week and we recieved roughly 4 inches of rain! But it was nice to see the 1385 and 1116 avg around 30lbs a day for that 8 day period! The Durham fair is approaching fast....50 days away! � Tuesday, August 4 View Page 1507 Jutras 26 days old...just not growing good and bumpy looking...plant is pulled... � Wednesday, August 5 View Page 1385 Day 31 around 400lbs....Growing back on stem, not great position but the only one female on main for this plant that would grow... � Wednesday, August 5 View Page 1116 Day 35 around 500 lbs, has been doing 32lbs for 8 days, slow to get started but creeping up there... � Wednesday, August 5 View Page Whose is this guy trying to fix my problems...What a nice person...This dam PM is a problem...Thanks a bunch Matt... � Wednesday, August 5 View Page You can see the size of my giants sleeping under their blankies I hope they can keep up their growth rates....Thanks a Million Matt! � Wednesday, August 5 View Page Overview of Patch in Early August...Soil is damp and bad things are proliferating...Lets just hope my pumpkin weights will proliferate... � Thursday, August 6 View Page Crunched some numbers last night and since day 20 the 1116 has averaged 31 lbs a day...for 19 days...not too shabby...but it started out real slow...peak growth was day 38 when it astounded me with the largest gain I have ever had with 46 lbs in a 24 hour period! I just need to keep the plant healthy and I have yet to water it! This plant has now surpassed my 1116 last year in growth rate for the last 3 days...I am hoping for a new PB! It is the largest I have had this early, on August 5th! Today is day 40! � Friday, August 7 View Page D40 1116 700++ another 46 lbs in 24 hours...32 lbs for the last 20 days...As I said she started off real slow! � Saturday, August 8 View Page 1116 D41 Plant is showing more signs of disease, could be downy...lets just I can make it to end of August! 32lbs for 21 days � Saturday, August 8 View Page 1385 is slow. D37 here...around mid 500's...26lbs for 17 days � Sunday, August 9 View Page 1116 Day 43 was 800+, I have removed numerous leaves. I did some fish and seaweed today which was the first time in 3 weeks. Growth is slowing with nights around 51-54 degrees. I did another dalconil spray and will do one every 3-4 days now. The 43 day weight now has given me an avg weight gain of 32 pounds for 23 days now. The 1116 peaked around 36-40 days old and is now slowing down. � Wednesday, August 12 View Page Day 44 picture, Small Patch tour. It was nice to meet the Northrops, Norm(abbynormal) and ofcourse have a visit from Matt Debacco to give me a disease ID! On Day 45 the 1116 is still chugging with 32lb avg a day for 25 days! � Wednesday, August 12 View Page 1116 D 46 946lbs 32.5lbs per day for 26 days � Wednesday, August 12 View Page I figured I would try! Hey it is my biggest ever at this age. � Saturday, August 15 View Page 1116 D 48 1000+, had to remove a large secondary vine due to stem stress, we will see if it effects growth, 32.5 for 28 days! � Saturday, August 15 View Page 1385 is still growing, between 6-700lbs, looks to be orange! � Sunday, August 16 View Page Well I don't know if it is as big as everyone elses but it is the biggest I have ever had at this age or this early. I just am loosing sleep as well and I am stressed out. I can not measure anymore everyday. Maybe every 3 or four days. I had a TeamPumpkin Patch tour today. Thanks for stopping by! I had a famous Mr. Connolly stop by as well. Day 50 was 1078lbs. 32.6lbs per day average for 30 straight days! WOW! � Thursday, August 20 View Page 1385 D 49 around 786 estimate weight....slowing down...the only thing growing on it is the stem! � Friday, August 21 View Page 1116 D 51 1100+ 1116 D 54 1X00 you can figure it out....soft spot on main, cut out, sprayed with bleach and dalconil paste...too humid...32.1lb avg for 34 days...tapering down now... � Monday, August 24 View Page Heres the seed information. � Monday, August 24 View Page A picture is worth 1300 words...1 month till weigh-off...lets see if I can hold her together. Day 58. 31 per day the first 3 days of week, 26 per day the last four days of week...tapering down...plant is tired and so am I! 31.8lb avg for 38 days! � Saturday, August 29 View Page 1116 has averaged 30.5 lbs per day for 41 days. She has put on 1250 lbs in 41 days. Not too shabby. I was hoping for 900 lbs for the month of August. I will measure on Monday, the last day of August. I have removed secondary vines now to slow her down. I really want to get her to the scales. She has growth cracks in ribs near stem. Real scary as they continue to grow on a daily basis. At least she is still growing and I know she did have some serious potential, only if her skin was still young. � Saturday, August 29 View Page First big rain in about 4 weeks. Had the sump pump going since the big one is growing in the swamp. Pumpkin is still safe for the moment. � Monday, August 31 View Page 1385 Day 60 was taping 900lbs...tough to measure since it is growing on an angle. Not to shabby. Should be a good seed next year. 1385 x 1116. The 1116 is in the elusive 400 OTT club (I think it is). I always wanted to be there. � Saturday, September 5 View Page 1353 Debacco, This one is around 700. It was pollinatd with the 1116 so it is a CT connection. 300sq ft of plant in the sub par section of the patch, shade and no water or ferts for over a month. � Saturday, September 5 View Page 1385 has stem problems,has a fan...taping around 900 still...thumps like it is empty...should go real light....only kin I could get on main...hey it is orange...it has also been crossed with 1116. � Saturday, September 5 View Page My son said dad I think we are going to need a big Skid Steer. D 68 around 1400 for the 1116. The cracking on shoulders continue to grow...half of plant has been removed and she still wants to grow...I will pull more secondaries off today Matt...just need to keep her whole for 18 more days...easier said then done...Hey this picture is for you Shazzy, its all about posting...and Christy I can't catch you now...I am out of the race...daily gains down to 5/day � Sunday, September 13 View Page Weighed the 1385 Jutras Today...Matt Debacco stopped by. What a dedicated professional! � Sunday, September 13 View Page 1385 had a stem rot problem, I was too concerned about something else in my patch...Final OTT had a weight of 877 and the actual was 989. 12.7% heavy. So now it is known as the 989 DMG Traylor 09, it was bred with the 1116. � Sunday, September 13 View Page Last pic before we chopped it up and harvested the seeds. � Sunday, September 13 View Page Here is the cross section. Rotten stem area and juices had puddled up on bottom. Fairly thick in upper shoulder area and lower blossum area...seeds are drying... � Sunday, September 13 View Page 1116 Traylor, Stem view...these cracks have healed nicely, the other shoulder is the problem...6 days till picking...still gaining but i have removed more plant...CC is around 187inches...doesn't it look beautiful...nice stem... � Monday, September 14 View Page When I have been removing my plants I have noticed that my roots are sending out new root hairs and shoots..they are bright white...must be the EndoPlus... � Thursday, September 17 View Page The 1116 waiting for the weigh-off. Down to 2 days till picking and 6 days till weighing...Think heavy please... � Sunday, September 20 View Page Start of harvest. Coworkers Hoa, Robbie and son assisted with Matt's expertise... � Sunday, September 20 View Page Couldn't get the bottom rope around circ was too large, we had to dig it out...Hope that is a good sign... � Sunday, September 20 View Page Tripod up.... � Sunday, September 20 View Page Another tripod shot...thanks for the tripod Matt...Team Pumpkin! � Sunday, September 20 View Page Matt lifting...we had to put her back down and re-center the tripod...bottom was solid...yippee � Sunday, September 20 View Page On the trailor...it made it, so now some of the stress is over... � Sunday, September 20 View Page Trailor shot...Matt taped it and it tapes way under 1500lbs...i quess i shouldn't have wrapped the tape around the stem...or dug holes side to side or end to end of pumpkin...dam.... � Sunday, September 20 View Page Matt checkin out the 2 large cracks...they are dry so i hope it is acceptable... � Thursday, September 24 View Page yippee i made it... � Thursday, September 24 View Page New state record...Thanks for all your support this year! Thanks Matt Debacco and thanks Joe Jutras for the seeds and special thanks to my wife! And also My neighbors for the use of thier Trailor! Go Team Pumpkin! � Sunday, September 27 View Page 1353 debacco went to 878 lbs good enough for 6th place at CT weigh-off....15.7% heavy! Pollinated with 1116! Should be a good one next year � Thursday, October 1 View Page Sign out in front of the local nursery! This is where I purchase some of my secret soil ingredients....Holdridge Nursery In Ledyard CT on Rte 117. � Tuesday, October 20 View Page WOW! � Monday, November 2 View Page 1449.5 inside � Monday, November 2 View Page 1449.5 was nice and smooth inside and plenty thick throughout! � Monday, November 2 View Page nice and I got plenty of seeds too...which were smaller in size... � Monday, November 2 View Page 878 traylor, 18%heavy...quite thick but the flesh was real dense! Not many seeds but they were big and plump! � Friday, December 4 View Page 2010 potential cross: 1449.5 x 1725. 1449.5 has all WR seeds crossed in it(1354, 998, 1068), it has 998 WR pollen showing up 3 times now and hopefully next year I can get the 1725 in it which will give me the 1385 WR pollen which also had the 998 WR pollen...ya see where I am going with this...good luck to everyone getting their seed selection set for next year. I am all set! � Monday, December 21 View Page Yesterday I added 15-17 inches of an ammendment called snow to the whole patch...I hope it helps with the soil structure... �