Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 82 Entries. Sunday, April 19 View Page 2009 is off and running again. It was a wacky winter, with well above average snow and cold. We just lost the last snowdrift earlier this week. The cover on the farm patch went on today. The soil is still cold, but should heat up with warm weather this week. The plants for the farm were started on the 16th. I'm growing my 770.5 Makarchuk from last year. Andrew is growing his 396, also from 2008. We're sharing this hoophouse. Dad doesn't have the advantage this year. We'll see who pulls through with the biggest. Sunday, April 19 View Page Things are changing back at home. There's two hoophouses. Gone is the small garden that used to have the carrots, peas etc. My daughter is growing her own and she gets the small garden. It's 10x18 feet and has very sandy soil (used to be a big sandbox) It's not huge, but I've grown decent ones in smaller than this. She's growing my 770.5 as well. I gave her the option of any seed I have. She's a good girl and has to grow Daddy's seed. There's no pumpkin for me in the main patch at home. They keep splitting or rotting. So, time for a change. We'll put the squash at home. The 15th I started 2 848 Mackenzie squash seeds. Maybe I'll actually pull something out of this patch this year. Thursday, April 23 View Page Ahh, springtime on the prairies. Tuesday was 26 above. Wednesday wasn't that bad as well. Just before soccer started at 6:30, the wind shifted to the north and the temp dropped like a rock. At least the players got to run around and warm up. Us coaches froze!. This morning, this is what we woke up to. 6 inches of snow. Yikes! Thursday, April 23 View Page The wind blew most of the snow off the west side. The east side of the house caved in quite a bit. After I cleared it off, things bounced back. Nothing is in the ground yet. All the seedlings are under lights and warm in the house. Thursday, April 23 View Page Here's Alanna's house. Thursday, April 23 View Page The drifts were getting pretty deep. Warm and cozy inside all of the houses. The wind has been howling the past few days, but everything has been holding up well. Thursday, April 30 View Page Here we go! The plants at home went in the ground today. It's been cold and crappy through April. I still don't have a good feeling about the weather this year. Something's wrong. Alanna put in her 770.5's in her hoophouse. It's a small garden, but she's excited. The posts on the left of the picture are braces to give protection to the house from the wind. Not that it ever gets windy here..... The plants will go in at the farm tomorrow. Saturday, May 2 View Page A bit busy yesterday, so the plants at the farm went into the ground today. It's a fair fight between Andrew and I this year. Andrew is growing his 396 '08 (579 Makarchuk 07x1011 Zaychkowsky 07). I'm going with my 770.5 Makarchuk 08 (522 Zaychkowsky x 1011 Zaychkowsky). There's no excuses about who got the better piece of land. Andrew's are in front, mine are in the back. The forecast looks good for the next 5 days. Finally, I think we're into spring. Andrew's class at school all are starting seeds. Andrew has one of his 396's germinating and will go into the ground in a week or so. This will take the corner plot and will belong to my youngest. Ok, he'll get a bit more help than the others. Tuesday, May 5 View Page This is what I left the farm this morning after I opened up the hoophouse. Tuesday, May 5 View Page ...and around 4:30 this afternoon. I had built the houses stronger than last year. This was wild. One of Andrew's plants is gone and one is on the edge. My two are damaged, but should survive. Andrew started an extra plant at school a few weeks ago and should be ready to go into the ground this weekend. I started a few extra 770.5's tonight just in case. Did I mention that I hate wind? Tuesday, May 5 View Page A road trip up to Vauxhall for my daughter's soccer game. Dust and dirt was flying everywhere. Just walking outside was dangerous. All the sand and grit hitting your face. It seemed like pictures from the 30's. As I said before, I have a bad feeling about the weather this year. We get wind, but nothing like this. Wednesday, June 3 View Page May was a difficult month for pumpkin growing. The winning grower this month was my daughter. She's got a small hoophouse that has survived the wind the best. It's time to cut down to one plant. She chose the right plant to cut off. Wednesday, June 3 View Page She's quite proud of herself. My kids get kind of savage when cutting off extra plants or culls. Strange kids... Wednesday, June 3 View Page The squash plants at home have been a disappointment so far. I started 2 848 Mackenzie's this year and both came up slightly deformed. They grew slowly in the pots and not much better in the soil. One died about 10 days after going in the ground, the other one just barely held on. I started a 571 Barr on the 6th of May, but it's going slow as well. I can't quite figure this one out. Alanna's plants in the garden 8 feet away are doing great. I'm puzzled. I might have to get soil test done to figure this one out. Wednesday, June 3 View Page Here's the 4 plants at the farm. The ones in front are Andrew's 396's. The right plant was a replacement for the one killed in the windstorm on May 6th. Andrew had an extra plant from his class project and it went in the ground on the 11th. My 770.5's are doing nicely, despite almost biting the dust on the 6th. They looked quite sick and I thoguht all was lost. We've also fought frost the past 2 nights as well. We should be down to 2 plants in the house in the next few days. Saturday, June 6 View Page This one is new for me. I've got some wooden stakes holding up my sprinkler system in the garden. Tonight, at the base of one of the stakes in the soil, I noticed some cream colored ooze. It is the consitancy of runny pudding and doesn't have much of a smell. I dug the soil out and tossed it, but it concerns me. Anyone have any ideas what it is? Thursday, June 18 View Page The weather keeps going to extremes. After some nice frosts the first week of June, the past few weeks have been extremely hot and dry. It's been tough keeping the ground moist in the houses. Alanna's 770.5 has decided to grow a double vine. We did a bit of surgery this morning and took off some of the tip. How many kids in kindergarten take a tip of their vine to school? Apparently she went on for quite a while, detailing to the class what a double vine is and showing all the baby female flowers. She was the talk of the class today. Thursday, June 18 View Page The 848 Mackenzie took a long time to finally get going. The 571 Barr was taken out this week. It never amounted to anything. I really need to get the soil tested. I think I've screwed something up. Thursday, June 18 View Page This is Andrew's 396. The ends of the hoophouse has been taken off. We should be pollinating all pumpkins around the 30th. Thursday, June 18 View Page My 770.5 The side vines are now growing strong. Andrew is excited that his hockey tryout schedule in October allows him to go to Smoky. My worry is that he's going to beat me. Tuesday, June 30 View Page Poor Alanna, the female at 8 feet shrivelled and died. We cut off her tip to get rid of the mangled double vine. She's got two secondaries to choose from to train. Unfortunately, she's at least 2 weeks from a female opening. She's going strong in pruning her plants and weeding. Tuesday, June 30 View Page The 848 Mackenzie should have a female opening at 9 feet in 5-6 days or so. It was slow getting started this year but is catching up. The frame of the hoophouse will come down in a few days. Tuesday, June 30 View Page The hoophouse at the farm came down on the 29th. A female opened on the 28th, but only at 8 feet out. It was pollinated with Andrew's 396. There's another one a week away. Saturday, July 11 View Page For all of you wondering, yes, Eddy is still alive and kicking. Andrew and I were up in Calgary so we thought we'd pay him a visit. After oogling at his pumpkins, we spent time with his birds. Andrew had a great time. Saturday, July 11 View Page Andrew's biggest thrill (other than visiting Bass Pro Shop) was holding a baby bird Eddy just helped out of the shell. Saturday, July 11 View Page Yes, Eddy has been busy, real busy. Almost too busy to weed. Andrew and I helped pull 3-4 weeds after hassling him about it. Anyways, my camera batteries died right after I took this shot. This was the smallest of the bunch out at his place. I do not look forward to competing at Smoky Lake with him this year. Monday, July 13 View Page Here's Alanna's first female to open. After the main doubled, the only flower we could get to open was on a secondary at the edge of the patch. It was pollinated with the 770.5 Thursday, July 23 View Page So it's family vacation time. We spent some time at the Lewis and Clark Caverns in Montana, Yellowstone, Salt Lake City and now we're in Zion National Park in Utah. This place is soooooo hot, but very pretty. While riding our bikes we found something that caught my eye. Thursday, July 23 View Page I thought they looked like pumpkins. They are coyote gourds and are native to this area. There were even a few females getting ready to open up the next morning. 16 days away from home, but I stil get some kind of pumpkin fix. Tuesday, July 28 View Page After Zion, we spent a few days at the north rim of the Grand Canyon. That place is huge. Then it was off to Bryce Canyon. This was smaller, but more interesting. The last night, we spent in Pocatello, Idaho. The Texas Road House was where we had dinner. That place was really cool as well. We'll see what we have at home for pumpkins. Thursday, July 30 View Page Andrew had his first female open also at 9 feet today. It was pollinated with my 770.5 Later that night, we found cow tracks again through the patch. One just missed his main again by a few inches. He then proceeded to go and fertilized the field pumpkins in the corner of the garden. My 3 1/2 year old was very impressed with his fertilizer placement. At least he didn't eat or step on anything. Friday, July 31 View Page So we're back from vacation. Lots of weeds and lots of vines. The entry from July 30th should actually be June 30th. Thursday, August 6 View Page So after a week of being home, here's what we have. Yes, I am in last place in our house. This is my 770.5 It pollinated on the 11th and was crossed with the 396 at 13.5 feet. The two others on the main both aborted. It was a crap shoot if it would take. It's small small small. Thursday, August 6 View Page Here's Andrew's 396. It's got a bit of a jump on us, but has been slowing down lately. It's been very cold and very wet the past 3 days. Nothing, except the ducks and mosquitos are liking it. Thursday, August 6 View Page This is the fastest growing pumpkin we've got. Pollinated on the 13th, it's showing way better numbers than the other two pumpkins. The garden is 8 feet by 17 for 136 square feet. Alanna is quite excited it's growing so quickly. Thursday, August 6 View Page And finally, the 848 Mackenzie. Pollinated on July 5th and selfed, it's the fastest growing squash I've ever grown (not saying much some years). It's also the first year I never had a my squash abort. Go figure. The leaves are very tall and very wide. I'm worried when the winds in September come back the plant might suffer. We're looking for some heat the next week to get things back on track. Tuesday, September 1 View Page Ugh, September and back to work. The past 10 days have been almost perfect conditions. What a change from the rest of the year. The nights haven't been as cool as they normally are this time of year. The next week looks good......knock on wood. Here's Andrew's pumpkin. It's getting older and never bounced back from the cold 3 weeks ago. Tuesday, September 1 View Page My 770.5 started slow, but has been steady. I won't be getting a personal best this year, but I'm catching up to Andrew's pumpkin quickly. But as he reminded me, the year isn't over until they hit the scale. Smart boy! Tuesday, September 1 View Page Here's Alanna's 770.5 at home. Like Andrew's, it never recovered from the cold and has slowed to a crawl. It is getting some very nice colour. If it doesn't grow too much, we should be able to stand it on the blossom end for Halloween and be a massive carving pumpkin, not like the blobs we usually carve. Tuesday, September 1 View Page And the 848 Mackenzie. It is the largest squash or pumpkin I have ever had on September 1st. Tuesday, September 1 View Page Just for kicks this spring, I started a few long gourd plants. Life got complicated and I never got anything built in time, so I planted them where I had my beans last year, right behind my tomatoes. It is the only one I could get pollinated and has been growing on a board for the past week. It may not break any records, but it is loving this heat. Tuesday, September 1 View Page So it was picture time and I asked Andrew to pose with his pumpkin. Just as I was about to take the picture, Alex popped his head up behind my pumpkin with a big grin. Gotta love kids. Saturday, September 5 View Page Oh no! The backyard patch has done it again. This time, it is my daughter's pumpkin. We were checking Alanna's 770.5 today and found out it's starting to turn to mush. Poor girl. It hadn't grown more than a few pounds in the past week. Final measurements from September 3rd were 71.5, 70.5, 103 for an OTT of 245 and estimated weight of 318 pounds. Not the biggest, but for a 6 year old, grown in a small patch of untested soil, on a secondary vine, she was quite proud of it. Pics will come tomorrow as we dispose of it. The kids are already conspiring as to how to go at it. Sunday, September 6 View Page So here's Alanna's 770.5. It was rather sick inside. The seeds were all rotten by the time we opened it up. She's taken it pretty good. It hasn't grown in the past little while, so we let another pumpkin grow on a side vine. She'll still have something on Halloween. Monday, September 7 View Page After Alanna's went down, we decided to pick Alex's pumpkins. They haven't changed in a while, so we'll get them while they are perfect. He wanted quantity over quality, and we found the perfect plants for him. Thursday, September 24 View Page So Andrew and I are out at the farm, building the long gourd trellis for next year and I remind Andrew to check all of his pumpkin. He jumped back and ran out of the patch, like he had seen a ghost. Not as scary as a ghost, but a small stem split. Ugh, poor boy. It's not really that bad and doesn't go too deep. We put a fan on it and is drying nicely. 9 more days till Smoky. He's excited to get it out of the patch and up north. Saturday, September 26 View Page Since Alanna's went down, it's been perfect weather for growing. Today was the Greenhave Charity weighoff in Lethbridge for the Children's Miracle Foundation. She had two pumpkins we let go early in September and we picked the largest of them today. It ended up being 101 pounds. Not bad for a late season accident. She's a happy camper. Saturday, September 26 View Page And the winner, Phyllis Visser of Lethbridge with 478 pounds. Alanna didn't get a prize, but it was a nice day. Andrew had the choice to go to this weigh off or Smoky. He chose to play with the big boys next week. Saturday, September 26 View Page It's been a warm September and our second real frost threat. The 848 Mackenzie is still putting on decent weight, however my 770.5 is down to 3-4 pounds a day. Pretty good for late September. Thursday, October 1 View Page So it's squash picking day. We had our first frost last night. Pretty good September. Thursday, October 1 View Page Alex and the 848 Thursday, October 1 View Page So the biggest thing to come out of my backyard comes out with a picker. Actually, it's the biggest thing I've ever grown. Final numbers are SS 96, FB 92, Circ 156 for an OTT of 344 inches and estimated weight of 855 pounds. Thursday, October 1 View Page Half the neighbourhood turned out for this. Thursday, October 1 View Page So after the squash is secure (the pumpkins get loaded tomorrow) our kids and their friend decided that it would be fun to dig up my garden. How many kids find this fun? I guess they get it from me. Friday, October 2 View Page First to be loaded today is my 770.5 Final measurements are 84 1/2, 80, 125 for an OTT of 289.5 and estimated weight of 510 Friday, October 2 View Page Now for Andrew's 396. Final measurements are 77, 80, 122 for an OTT of 279 and estimated weight of 463. Saturday, October 3 View Page So after a stop off in Calgary to pick up my parents, and a quick visit with Eddy, it's off to Smoky Lake. The cargo arrived safe and sound. Saturday, October 3 View Page Unloading the 848 Saturday, October 3 View Page The long gourd entries. Mine's the one in front. 87 1/4 inches is good enough for second place. Saturday, October 3 View Page The 848 Mackenzie ended up at 825.8 pounds for a new Alberta record. A little bit light, but it was rather concave underneath. I thought it would go heavy, but I'm still very happy with it. First place again! I like squash! Saturday, October 3 View Page Andrew's had one of the nicest orange coloured pumpkins there. 459.4 pounds, a new personal best for him. Good job big guy. Good enough for 5th place. Saturday, October 3 View Page My 770.5, estimated weight of 510 pounds comes in a little heavy at 533.8 pounds. Good enough for 4th place. Not my biggest, but considering the year, I'm happy. Saturday, October 3 View Page And a new Alberta record. John Lobay of Smoky Lake with 1199.2 pounds. Saturday, October 3 View Page Andrew's and his ribbons. Saturday, October 3 View Page So my new personal best comes from a squash. Saturday, October 3 View Page Don Crews brought this monster, 1180 pounds, but it had a small hole in the bottom, so he donated it for the pumpkin drop. Saturday, October 3 View Page I offered my 533 up for the pumpkin drop, so it was time to take out the seeds. I've never used power tools on a pumpkin before. This was fun! Saturday, October 3 View Page My Dad even got in on the sloppy job of seed collection. Saturday, October 3 View Page And the victims for the pumpkin drop. Saturday, October 3 View Page And the first victim for the drop. A 300 pound specimin on a pile of pumpkins. Saturday, October 3 View Page My 533 starting to go up. Saturday, October 3 View Page The 533 started twisting in the wind on the way up and the release mechanism got stuck. It swung around pretty good before they brought it back down and redid it. Saturday, October 3 View Page Gettin Don's 1180 ready to go. You can see the remnants of mine to the right of the car. Pieces flew for 30-40 yards when it hit. About 100 kids went to get souvenirs before security called them back. Wow, a chunk of pumpkin flesh was a souvenir! We even saw one kid eating his piece. Strange place. Saturday, October 3 View Page And the crowd in the car afterwards. They were after the seeds. I guess no one told them that Don and I both took the seeds out before. Saturday, October 3 View Page The bottom end of my 533 where it landed. It felt wrong to cut it open this early before Halloween, but it felt even worse seeing it get hoisted up in the air to be quickly destroyed. You spend so much time caring for these things, making sure nothing happens. Strapping it down on a trailer for a 710 km one way trip, babying it so it arrives in one piece, and all of a sudden, it's a zillion pieces of pumpkin flesh flying across a northern Alberta field. And yes, it's true, I did say goodbye to it, thanked it for being a good pumpkin, and gave it a hug before they hauled it away to the drop site. No, I'm not kidding. Friday, October 30 View Page It's that time of year again. Here's Andrew opening up his 458, with his little brother ready to scoop out seeds. Saturday, October 31 View Page After a few hours of work, here's what Andrew came up with. It was a pretty nice few days to work on the pumpkins. Saturday, October 31 View Page Alanna designed her pumpkin. It's too bad her big one didn't make it. It would have been a good carving giant. Saturday, October 31 View Page And here's what I came up with the 825 squash. Saturday, October 31 View Page So this year we have a Harry Potter putting a spell on Spider Man, while a fuzzy bear looks on. It was a wild and windy night for the kids, with about 100 or so kids coming to the door. Lots of people just drove to our house, unloaded the kids for candy, took pictures of the pumpkins, and left. I guess we're a popular place in Taber. Saturday, October 31 View Page And everything all lit up. Andrew had very few mature seeds from his 458, while I had about 600 from the squash. The next day, everything was into the compost bins. Coffee collecting has been going on for 6 weeks with another few weeks to go. It's been a long season and I need a rest... Saturday, December 19 View Page To say the least, most of November and December was not a great time in Taber. Something messed up my liver again and had me off work for 3 weeks, followed by a long recovery. Things are almost back to normal, but it wasn't fun. However, December 19th was a great day for Andrew and I. Unfortunately, the Flames lost to Nashville, but we got to take in the game at the Saddledome and had a great time. I had him convinced we were going Christmas shopping, and he still didn't clue in until we hit the doors of the 'dome. Poor trusting little kid. Thank to a very generous individual, you really made Andrew's day. Watch your mail, there's a package coming your way.