Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 43 Entries. Thursday, May 19 View Page What a spring we have had here in Northeast PA. There is another flash flood warning for our area tonight. It was just looking like things may dry out when the flood gates opended. The patch is flooded AGAIN! I started my seeds on April 22 and had done my best to keep them cool with plenty of light to keep them from growing too fast and becoming pot bound. It worked quite well as the young plants were the healthiest looking that I have ever had. The plants are in the ground but not doing much at this point. I did not invest in any of those fancy heating cables so it is up to mother nature to turn on the heat. I had a great germination rate so my patches will be full of great genetics. The top spots at my home site will be the 1332 Wolf, the 1161 Radonis and the 1177 * Haist. Yes the 1177 again. If it was good enough for the GPC it is good enough for me. Those Green Jacket guys may not like the color it throws but I do. I am also going to squeeze in and prune heavy some of my seeds, a 218 and 689.5 for color and my *1082. Hopefully this is the last drenching we get and this swamp will dry up soon. Thursday, May 19 View Page I know everyone is a behind here in Northeastern PA but my growing challenger Mr. Rocky Rockwell from Sayre seems especilly coy this year. In checking some old entries he is falling weeks behind when he normally comes out of his hole to see his shadow and puffs around like a big rooster claiming that he is going to beat me soundly in the upcoming season. I hope he is planning on a challenge. He may be going for the sandbagger of the year award. I asked some of his friends and they all said he has been quiet. Rock where are you??????? Thursday, May 19 View Page "Come on Rock, eye of the Tiger...you can do it" Thursday, May 19 View Page " Don't be weak Rocky.. you will get crushed" Thursday, May 19 View Page " You have to have heart Rockwell, just because he holds the GPC squash crown doesn't mean you can give up." Thursday, May 19 View Page " We can make a deal Rockwell.. I will be your manager..how about a 30 for you 70 for me split.. I will by the sides of beef for ya" Thursday, May 19 View Page " Don't be fool Rocky, you were so close to getting that chimp off of your back ". Thursday, May 19 View Page " We were never that close Rock but I could give you a hand this year and help you out tryin to beat that GPC champ ". Thursday, May 19 View Page "For me Rocky, I love it when you're in the patch". Friday, July 8 View Page It has been awhile since I posted anything so I figured I better add something even if it isnt anything monumental. I had high hopes this year fresh after the Dyberry Patch guy and myself traveled to Niagara to pick up the GPC Squash award. We had a great time and brought back lots of new information. My plants were off to a great start until mother nature whipped some hurricane force winds and my 1161 and the 1332 Wolf snapped at the stem. I was forced to replant my backups and with the cold/wet spring I have not recovered. There are so many huge plants posted on BP by the Northeast growers that I can say I am at least 2 weeks behind. Here is a photo of how the stem healed on my 1082.9 * Squash. It was severed at least 3/4 the way through and I thought it was done for sure. I packed dirt around it and low and behold it healed itself. Friday, July 8 View Page The 1082.9* is out about 12 feet and it looks like I have one set. It looks to have a shade of GREEN to it. Friday, July 8 View Page It was dissapointing to hear that my Sayre challenger Rocky was not growing this year. It won't be the same this year without his constant encouragement pushing me to grow the biggest that I could. I understand he gave in to his other passion and just did not have the time this year. Good luck tracking that BigFoot Rock.. hope you find him. I have no big named pumpkins at my own patch. I have a couple of 218's for color and 2 more of my own seeds. Pictured here is my 730.5 ( 992 Sandercock x 1161 Radonis). We shall see. The plant is small but filling in fast. I should have a female available in a few days. Friday, July 8 View Page My closest to normal sized plant is once again the 1177 Haist. Its in the same location that we grew the 1082. It has no problem throwing females and it looks to have 3 sets. Guarding the prospective squash is my patch dog Geordie. Friday, July 8 View Page My other patch at the Mayor of Bethany's house is looking a little better. Growing there is another 218 Sandercock; a 915* Haist and a 1634 Werner. They to are fairly small plants and need some warm nights to push them along. I don't think I am going to grow any super big pumpkins at this rate but I should have a nice mixture of bright orange and green. I need to get down to that Dyberry patch guys set up to take some photos.. rumor has it his plants are HUGE this year. Go Drew... you da man. Saturday, August 6 View Page I see I haven't posted in awhile.. I guess because I don't have anything earthshattering to add to my diary. My home patch features, small plants and small pumpkins. The secondary vines just do not want to grow. Its time to be terminating all secondaries now and on most of the plants I have only a few in place. Its been a strange year. On another note I had no pumpkins to cull. The first sets were the one to keep and all others aborted. Very strange. Now it is pouring again here with rain in the forecast for the next 5 days. The only good thing is my pumpkins may be to small to split. It looks like I will end up with some mediocre sized fruit but hopefully will have some color so I can sell them. Here is one on my 218 at home that should be a nice orange pumpkin. Saturday, August 6 View Page I planted another 1177* squash as well in the same spot that I grew the 1082.9 last year. The secondaries stunted on this as well so the plant will not have the juice to push it to its limit. The fruit is taking the exact shape as the 1082.9. I just love the gray stripes on these Haist girls. Saturday, August 6 View Page The last plant that I put in at the home site was one of my 679's from last year. It was grown on the 1689 Jutras and crossed with the 1725 Harp. 2 world records combined. The plant was in late but is the healthiest one that I have in my patch and may end up producing my biggest fruit. It is growing at a fast pace now. Time will tell. It is gonna be creamy white like its momma and papa were for sure. Saturday, August 6 View Page I have one growing on my 730; (992 Sandercock x 1161 Radonis), that threw out a good looking pumpkin last year. I gave Tug from Newfoundland a few of these seeds and he has one growing as well. Good Luck Tug. I wish this plant would take off a bit, it has plenty of room to roam. Saturday, August 6 View Page Took the camera to my moms house for a look at the other patch. Nothing putting on great numbers there either but a couple that may make a certain guy Envy with Orange. Here is one with the family's smallest member my great nephew Greg. This is on the 1634 Werner. Saturday, August 6 View Page My 218 has produced 3 Howard Dill winners and known for its great color. This one could produce a contender and may be the best pumpkin that I have. Its 30 day numbers are not great but it should be a pretty one. What do ya think James? Saturday, August 6 View Page I really have missed Rocky not being in the game this year. My spirit has just not been in it. I even took a ride to Sayre to look him up. I was told he just left for another day of fishing! Crap. I will try again. Saturday, August 6 View Page I have a feeling any big numbers in Honesdale are gonna come from that Dyberry patch guy. He has put the work in this year and his plants have responded. Sorry to Jinx you Drew. Here Andy carefully does some pruning. Saturday, August 6 View Page We tried to reposition one and Andy just had to say, "lets give it one more little turn... snap". It was gonna be a slunger for sure. Saturday, August 6 View Page With the economy so bad this guy stopped over to ask if he could take it home with him.. no idea who he was or what he is going to do with it. He grabbed it and ran. Saturday, August 6 View Page Drew does have some nice ones starting to lift up threw the canopy. His plants are big and healthy. Keep em going Dyberry Patch Guy. Saturday, August 6 View Page Andy gave me a cull to enter in the Wayne County Fair. Now I guess I will have to split the $4 prize money with him. Its good to check out the lifting straps and get the hang of moving these beasts. Good luck all you Northeast Growers. Hope to see you soon. Sunday, August 14 View Page The rain has been back in Northeast Pa. At my home patch the stunted plants are still stunted and time is about run out. I should get a few porch pumpkins if they survive. The 218 at my moms house continues to be my best for this season. It has the traditional ribbing and deep orange of most of the 218's that have been grown. It wont be super big but has the potential for something around the 700 pound range I think. It could be a Howard Dill contender if all goes well. Wednesday, August 31 View Page Good nite Irene. Discovered a hole in my 218. This was my best pumpkin and growing well. It was a Howard Dill contender. Crap. This hobby is demanding. Wednesday, August 31 View Page The 218 does produce bright orange pumpkins that weigh heavy. To bad she went down. I have to get some final measurements but it was over 600 pounds. Wednesday, August 31 View Page With my best having gone down I will have to ride the coat tails of Andy a/k/a Dyberry Patch. If all goes well Andy should make Honesdale proud this year. Here is Andy with his Doylestown "Rosa" entry. Wednesday, August 31 View Page These entries were pre "Irene", but rumor has it that all survived the high waters. A patch tour at the Dyberry is always a good time with no one leaving thirsty. Here is my second dad and the leader of the Box gang. George loves the hobby and I believe has a nice pumpkin of his own growing at his house. Wednesday, August 31 View Page It just hasn't been the same for me with Rocky out of the game this year. I swore I would not rub in my GPC Green Squash award to him and I have kept my promise. I just can't seem to take off the coat that someone left for me in my Niagara sweet. What a generous surprise. Thanks guys its a keep sake. Here Andy asked the Squash King to check out some of his fruit. Wednesday, August 31 View Page Some nice ones hiding in Dyberry. Wednesday, August 31 View Page Andy's monster on his Hopkins plant should cruise to a personal best. Hold together please... Its a slunger. Wednesday, August 31 View Page Thanks for the tour Drew... Good nite Irene! Hey Rock if you ever need a green jacket.. you can borrow this one........ NOT. Monday, September 5 View Page The split on the 218 has been sealed. The old girl is still putting on weight. The ott is now at 307. She was a beauty. It was a bit lumpy for a 218 and the big rib gave way. Monday, September 5 View Page I hate to see her go. It was pollinated with the 1634 Werner so the seeds should be orange producers as well. Monday, September 5 View Page The home patch is now full of weeds to go along with the stunted plants. I will have some porch pumpkins that look good but nothing huge. Here is another beauty on the 218 seed. Monday, September 5 View Page My 730. This one is in the 400 plus range. Monday, September 5 View Page My 1177 Haist.. has taken on the exact shape of last years, 1082.9 * GPC's best. Monday, September 5 View Page I have something hanging.... Monday, September 5 View Page I grew some Ghost Peppers this year and the plants look great! They have been purely for entertainment purposes so far to see who can handle them. They do put out HEAT! Monday, September 5 View Page My best pumpkin is now on my 679 from last year. The plant is my biggest.. but still not very big. John Roba has one growing on the 679 that is looking to be in the 700-800 pound range, mine isn't that big. With 2 world champions in its genetic line ( 1689x1725 ) it should have big potential. I am hoping mine keeps putting on some September pounds.