Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 21 Entries. Wednesday, January 16 View Page Note to start diary: Cabbage was started on December 7. 18 plants are doing well as of today. 2 plants are doing better than the rest. Saturday, March 30 View Page Final decisions have been made today. The soaking will begin and the seed that shows up for the fight will win the spots available. 164.5 West (291 Kent x 282 Dawson), 255 Mitchell, 274 Kent, 282.2 Dawson, and 285 Edwards. All have proven to me they deserve to be grown. Friday, April 12 View Page Cabbage as of 4/12. There are 3 of them looking great, with 2 others that are real close to these. Friday, April 12 View Page All watermelon are germinated and going except the 255. I was not successful at getting either of the seeds to germinate. I am using the 282 as it's replacement. I was a great plant for me last year. Saturday, April 13 View Page Had my first Iowa patch tour today. Was able to visit the Carlson and the Peterson residence today in Clinton. Look out Iowa guys, they have a good start for the fair, even though it is cold later and ground just thawed. Thank you Dan for your time and advice. Monday, April 29 View Page Round one has the 1494 Bordsen, 1381 Checkon, 1548 Hawkley, 1168 Young, 1409 Miller and 1582 Werner. Round 2 is the 1494, 1381, 513 Vincent and 1048 Engel. 100% germination on all. Will watch for vigor and performance. The surprise of the batch is one of the 513s. Looks like the 1161 showed up in it. Looks just like the 1381 Checkon. Tuesday, April 30 View Page Round 2 starts looking good. Friday, May 10 View Page Giant cabbage are in the patch. 2 really nice ones, started them in December. Friday, May 10 View Page 1494 Bordsen in the ground. Friday, May 10 View Page 1381 Checkon in the ground. Friday, May 10 View Page 1548 Hawkley and 1582 Werner in the ground. Saturday, May 11 View Page 2 513 Vincent plants in the same spot. This is the orange spot and hopeful Howard Dill winner for the year. Sunday, May 12 View Page Started field pumpkin seeds today. 81 Wolf, 116 Swearingen and 75 Stromback. Sunday, May 12 View Page 1548 is running hard right out of the gate. Sunday, May 12 View Page OUCH! Got to the patch today and found the 1494 hoop house opener did not auto open today. Did not get out to the patch till afternoon. By then, damage was done. Hope it recovers well. Time will tell. Sunday, May 12 View Page OUCH!Last post, before picture. Got to the patch today and found the 1494 hoop house opener did not auto open today. Did not get out to the patch till afternoon. By then, damage was done. Hope it recovers well. Time will tell. Sunday, May 12 View Page Patch help looking things over. Except for the mishap with the hoop house, she is giving the 2 paws up sign. Tuesday, May 14 View Page Went to the patch yesterday after work. Found that many of the new plants did not handle the 96 degree temp we got there. Starting more seeds just in case they do not recover. Wednesday, May 15 View Page 100% germination of field pumpkin seeds. Thanks to Andy, John and Randy for the seeds. Saturday, May 18 View Page Looks like I have lost both 1494 Bordsen plants. 1548 Hawkley is the best plant right now and is on the ground. 1582 Werner flat vined on me. I may have pressured it too much. 1381 Checkon and the 513 Vincent orange plots are good too. Saturday, May 18 View Page Planted the 282 Dawson, 285 Edwards, 274 Kent and 164.5 West watermelon plants. All of these plants are excellent. I am really happy with my choices so far. Planted the 81 Wolf, 75 Stromback and 116 Swearinger field pumpkin plants.