Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 251 Entries. Monday, January 14 View Page Most of my 42 onions for the 2008 growing season, There are Kelsae and Ailsae onions to get planted in the hoop come March in there new bed.I hope to top out over 10 pounds on these if all goes as plan. Saturday, February 16 View Page This is what I have done the last few weeks. I find old camel back trunks and redo them. This one is Clare's and her favorite color is blue. The inside is lined and I made a top self also. This is the 7 trunk I have finished. I need to find a new one for the next child that is due April 26th. Saturday, February 23 View Page Here are the 40 onion plants some are Ailsae and the others are Kelsae. I put 16 oz plastic cups around them to keep them up. The larger ones are almost 20 inches long now. A few of the Ailsae onions are starting to bulb some so they may be some nice eating onions for early if they stop growing . The best 20 will be in a special bed and the others will be planted in a secondary bed. These onions are much bigger then the ones the last 2 years. Not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, time will tell. Saturday, February 23 View Page All the tickets that have been sold so far in the can.Hopefully there will be a few more added today before I draw Sunday. Saturday, February 23 View Page All the return bubbles ready to be filled and sent back out this week after the drawing. Everyone that entered will get a return envelope with something. Thank You, Thank You! Thank You! Sunday, March 2 View Page Temps to 72 degrees and finished hoop 20 x 20 today. Its still too windy and muddy to work on the large 30 x 96 hoop. Calling for more snow and cold the next couple days. Wednesday, March 12 View Page Started 3 watermelons for fair today.My cabbage are up and the large tomatoes. Friday, March 14 View Page Well its finally up 30 x 96 high tunnel hoop. I still have work to do on the roll up sides But it was 52 outside and 82 inside. Still need power work to do this weekend and much more work inside to do the next month. Friday, March 14 View Page Inside the hoop and lots of room. Saturday, March 15 View Page Final list of seeds for 2008 the best 10 will make it and may cull down to 8 or limit size on 2 plants. 1207 Young fair plant 1566 Rodonis fair plant 1242 Chambers fair plant 963 Paton fair plant All Fair plants started today Fall Plants 1188 Krug 998 Pukos x 1231 Pukos 1068 Larue 1370 Rose x 1142 Larue 893 Privitera 998 Pukos x 1068 Wallace 1446 Eaton 842 Eaton x 1301.5 Eaton 1420 Larue 1104.5 Hester x 1180 Daletas 1226.5 Kline 1250.5 Kline x 670 Daigle 1178.9 Lovelace 998 Pukos x 1370 Rose 1290 Poirier 772 Poirier x 500 Northrup 1159 Richards 919 Richards x 998 Pukos Should have some with great color and size. Saturday, March 22 View Page Here are the Fair plants. From left to right. 1242 Chambers (998 Pukos x 500 Beauchemin) 1207 Young (1370 Rose x 1068 Wallace) 963 Paton (1502 Wallace x 998 Pukos) 1566 Rodonis (1450 Wallace x 1231 Pukos) Saturday, March 22 View Page Fair plot # 1 is 20 x 50 will have 2 plants. The soil temps are 52 degrees and may add soil cables this week. Saturday, March 22 View Page Fair plot #2 in the big 30 x 96 hoop for 2 plants. Soil temps are only 48 degrees and may add cables this coming week if they stay low. Day time temps in hoops are from 65 -85 degrees but cold at night. I have the heat lamps going now to help warm soil some. Saturday, March 22 View Page My 4 x 12 foot onion bed 12 inches high ready for the onions. The bed has cables in and soil temps are 72 degrees. I wanted to plant them today but ran out of time. Thursday, March 27 View Page Will wait till Saturday to get pumpkins outside. Its just to yucky out and I am not feeling to good right now. Dang Cold! Saturday, March 29 View Page 24 onions planted( Ailsae and Kelsae) Saturday, March 29 View Page 1207 Young plant going in and Thomas watching everything I do. He did a lot of work today for me. I use plastic bags inside the pots and just lift them out and remove plastic. It works great but make sure soil is not wet and also have big hands. Saturday, March 29 View Page All fair plants are in ,1207 Young, 1566 Rodonis,1242 Chambers, 963 Paton. Now they just do not need to freeze. Thursday, April 3 View Page Started 4 Phat jack pumpkins for fair and started 1 35 pound cantaloupe seed that grew my 50.2 and 49 pounder and planted a 54 Murphy cantaloupe seed that grew the 64.55 Murphy. Will cross the 2 plants. Sunday, April 6 View Page The 231 Mitchell watermelon going into place. The bags work great on the melons and there was no root loss. Sunday, April 6 View Page Here is the 255 Mitchell inside the big hoop growing the best of the 3 plants for fair. Sunday, April 6 View Page Another shot of the 1207 Young and 1566 Rodonis with the 255 Mitchell in the back ground. I had the fans running today to keep air moving inside while I worked on the south roll up side. Sunday, April 13 View Page This is the 1207 Young plant(1370 Rose x 1068 Wallace). This plant wants to run so I will let it. Weather has been cold and wet but this week looks better after tonights predicted low of 27 degrees. Sunday, April 13 View Page This is the 1566 Rodonis (1450 x 1231 Pukos). Good looking plant so far. Sunday, April 13 View Page The 1242 Chambers (998 Pukos x 500 Beauchemin) This plant is much smaller then the rest but will wait and see if it picks up. Sunday, April 13 View Page Here is the surprise plant so far the 963 Paton (1502 x 998 Pukos) This plant has really taking off and may send it south and remove the 1242 Chambers if it does not improve this week. Wednesday, April 16 View Page The early fair plants are looking good so far and the 255 Mitchell watermelon is down and running, The 200.5 is ok but well behind the 255. The 231 Mitchell had some cats in there with it under the heat and I think they sprayed it good because the plant wilted and is almost dead and it smells like cat pee. I watered it well and the new leaves look better but may put a fall plant there later. Started fall watermelons tonight in zip lock bags. Thursday, April 17 View Page Planted more Ailsae onions outside in the other bed and found 3 onions from last year that might make it. Plant my cabbage plants(14 total) Premium Late Flat Dutch, OS, Alaska Giant, Northern Giant, and Megaton. My fair plants 1207 Young is doing great so far but it stands up some so far on the end and I hope it does not snap the main, The 1566 Rodonis and 963 Paton plants should be down by Sunday.Gave them a good drink of juice today of Humus and molasses. Saturday, April 19 View Page 1207 Young plant. Saturday, April 19 View Page 1566 Rodonis plant. This plant really looks good. So far this has been a great start for the 2008 year. The 963 Paton plant is ok but does not get the attention the other 2 do so far and I have a mole working around it. Will start fall plants soon. Saturday, April 19 View Page 255 Mitchell watermelon plant about a foot long now.I have fall melons in pots now after soaking. Saturday, April 19 View Page My onions (Kelsae and Ailsae)in the complex after about a month in there new home. They are about 15-27 inches tall and there are 15 that are real keepers so far. Some have 10-12 leaves on them already. Monday, April 21 View Page My new patch helper born April 21 at 5:24 am 7 pounds 15 oz and 21 inches long. Helen Mary Schnicker, everyone is doing GREAT! Just not much sleep Friday, April 25 View Page The 1207 Young plant at 5 foot. This plant is still ahead of the rest. I will be starting to bury side vines next week. Friday, April 25 View Page The 1566 Rodonis plant at 4 foot long and 24 inches leaves now. Friday, April 25 View Page Thomas with my new stirrup hoe. This is a great thing and he can do it with no problem. He did the whole patch in here and stayed on the boards.Then he layed down by the plants and pulled the small weeds under them. I see in a couple years I will be losing a spot or 2. Sunday, May 4 View Page Well I planted the 893 Privitera and 1178 Lovelace in the big hoop yesterday. I planted the 1462 Gibson,1159 Richards,1188 Krug and 1068 Larue today outside the hoop. Most plants will be 450 sq.ft. The 1446 Eaton and 1420 Larue will be planted at the farm for a genetics cross and they will get only a once a week attention. Sunday, May 4 View Page The 1207 Young plant is simply awesome and is over 7 foot now. I would like to see females at the tip soon but I all ways worry about that. The 1566 Rodonis plant is about 1 foot behind the 1207 but is sending out more side vine than the 1207 is. Both plants are the best I have had in 5 years so far. The 963 Paton plant in the 20 x 20 hoop got a beaten Friday in the wind after the plastic ripped lose. It is about 4 foot long but has no heat cables so under the conditions its doing ok. It just needs some TLC for a couple days. Saturday, May 10 View Page 1207 Young plant at 8 feet or better. Saturday, May 10 View Page 1566 Rodonis at 7-8 foot long main. Saturday, May 10 View Page My Kelsae and Ailsae onions. Sunday, May 11 View Page I also planted a 1420 LaRue, 1188 Krug and 2 Phat Jacks at the farm, Started a 1226 Kline today for there also.Started 2 more 35 pound cantaloupe and 3 watermelons for my brothers place. Going to have heavy rain and 45 mph winds for Sunday. Hope everything will hold up including my 30 x 96 hoop. Sunday, May 11 View Page Lost all my outside plants last night in the 53 mph wind,still blowing at 35 mph.All hoops blown out of ground and were rods drove over 12 inches in ground.1462 Gibson,1159 Richards,1188 Krug,1068 LaRue are gone all snapped off at ground level.Will start more. Big hoop has the 893 Privitera and 1178 Lovelace are ok. Sunday, May 11 View Page I have no more 1188 Krug seeds to start so will start a 1343 Krug. Tuesday, May 13 View Page Plastic on north side gave out today in the wind. The whole north side was flapping in the wind. All plants inside are fine.We got it back down and there is only 2 big holes in it on the east side and west side. The new plastic will be here Friday they hope. Tuesday, May 13 View Page Here is the hole that is left on the east side It runs from the roll up to the peak of the hoop. It may take a lot of tape. Wednesday, May 14 View Page 1207 Young fair plant is 16 ft wide x 12.6 ft long now. Female is about at the 12 ft mark. 1566 Rodonis Plant is 10 ft long by 12 ft wide and have females at 8 and 10 ft. The one at 8 will open around Friday. Thursday, May 15 View Page 1566 Rodonis female at 8 ft. and should open Saturday.I have had only 2 males open so far on this plant and none on the 1207 Young plant but looks like one will open tomorrow. Thursday, May 15 View Page The main on the 1207 Young plant and too early to take photo of female (she is shy). Thursday, May 15 View Page Here is one of my radishes in the hoop (German giants) It the size of a tennis ball. The tops are small yet so I think they will get bigger than a softball. If the pumpkins grow like this!!!!!!! Lookout. And if the hoop holds together. Thursday, May 15 View Page My 255 Mitchell Watermelon for the fair. The plant is behind last years pace and do not see any melons yet to set. Hope weather warms up soon.The 200.5 is still in its hoop and gets little care except for water. Will work on it this weekend and get more plants outside. Thursday, May 15 View Page My new cabbage bed with 6 in there (O.S.,Northern Giant,Alaska Giant, Premium Late Flat Dutch). The other bed has the same plus Megaton and there are 8 there. I have extra plants and will find places to plant them around the gardens. Saturday, May 17 View Page Well the kids went out and found a few big radishes and had to show me.They are not even woody yet on the inside and are very good(not hot). Pumpkin note the 1566 Rodonis should open today but may not have a male to pollinate. Saturday, May 17 View Page Helen wanted to know what all the fuss was about and wanted to see the big radishes. Saturday, May 17 View Page Went to the farm today to plant more pumpkin plants and found that the deer had dug up all 4 plants there. The first time they have done that. Lost the 1188 Krug 1420 LaRue and 2 Phat Jack plants. Thats 7 plants lost so far this year already. I planted another 1343 Krug,1250 Kline and two Phat Jacks again there. The 1566 Rodonis did not open and will tomorrow and should have a 1207 Young male to pollinate with. Sunday, May 18 View Page Pollinated the 1566 Rodonis today with One 1207 Young male. It was a nice 5 lobe female and I hope it took. Hand watered the plants and got the rain water tank going on the fall plants inside big hoop. The 893 Privitera and 1178 Lovelace plants look good so far. Planted another 1068 LaRue today in a new spot but little patch prep there. Monday, May 19 View Page My Brother just called me and they dug up my 4 new pumpkin plants again. They left everything else alone (cabbage tomatoes)Plants were very small and I do not know why they are digging them up. I had buckets over the first one and they broke most of the buckets getting to the plants. I will try one more time. I have plenty of seeds. Wednesday, May 21 View Page Picture of the 1566 Rodonis plant in front and the 1207 Young plant behind Anne. The female is 9 feet out and only 3 days old. Another female will open this weekend. A great plant so far. Wednesday, May 21 View Page The 3 day old female on the 1566 Rodonis was a nice 5 lober and was crossed with a lone 1207 Young male. Wednesday, May 21 View Page The 1207 Young plant at 20 feet wide and 14 feet long. I have started making the side vines turn to give them a few more feet before they are terminated. I will grow the first 2-3 side vines out along the length of the plant then terminate them after the pumpkin has started to take off. Wednesday, May 21 View Page 1207 Young female at 12 feet and looking good for the weekend. Wednesday, May 21 View Page Anne standing behind the onions and out of 27 onions there are 4 that are a double onion and 12 that are going to be nice. The others will make nice hamburger onions. Friday, May 23 View Page Pollinated the 1207 Young today, a nice 5 lober at 12 feet and crossed it with four 1566 Rodonis males. The 1566 will have another female open tomorrow and the first one is not doing much at 5 days.Lost another 255 Mitchell watermelon plant, just to cold. Still have a couple fall watermelon plants left. The fair melons will have females blooming this weekend.Temps only in the 50's today. Monday, May 26 View Page Had a storm come by last night and had winds up to 60 mph.Need I say more. When do I say enough and is it worth it.I could not even take a picture of the plants inside it made me sick to look at them.The new plants outside seem to be ok. I may to take up golf and fishing again. Well back outside to start cleaning up. It looks like I may need to take the whole thing down because what is not broke is leaning to the east a few feet. We have more storms coming later today. Sunday, June 1 View Page The 1207 Young at 9 days old, only 3 inches a day now growth.Going to be a warmer week so should pick up.Terminating side vines at 28 feet long first and second secondaries and down to 8 feet long 5th secondaries now before pumpkin.Everything before pumpkin will be terminated this week. Sunday, June 1 View Page The second female at 5 days on the 1566 Rodonis. It has a longer shape than the first did but a little deformed blossom on this one. Hope it holds later in the season. Look at the nice long stem. Sunday, June 1 View Page Well we got the frame back up and straightened. Now I cemented the ground rods in and cabled the ends down. I am starting to frame the ends up today and the new plastic should be coming soon. Sunday, June 1 View Page The best fall plant as of now is the 893 Privitera plant at 4 feet long.It took a hit when the hoop blew up in the 60 mph wind. I had nothing protecting it in case this happened. Sunday, June 1 View Page 1178 Lovelace plant at 3 feet long. The leaves are torn up good on this plant but at least its still there. Just amazing both of these plants did not snap off at the ground. Sunday, June 1 View Page Thanks to Steve Krug here is the 1343 Krug plant.Thanks again Steve! Sunday, June 1 View Page Another Krug plant is the 1078 Krug (1180 Daletas x 998 Pukos) Sunday, June 1 View Page The second 1068 LaRue plant planted in the north garden.It will be a small plant but will do my best with it. Sunday, June 1 View Page My onions are turning double and not sure why.They start to send up new shoots and split. Sunday, June 1 View Page Heres what they look like after. Sunday, June 1 View Page My best watermelon plant now is the 200.5 Mitchell for the fair. Just need to get something set soon. The worst start to a melon season in 5 years. I have lost 6 melon plants all ready to the cold weather. Maybe it will be a pumpkin year. Sunday, June 1 View Page My Northern Giant cabbage plant at 3 feet across now. Sunday, June 1 View Page The O.S. cabbage plant at over 3 feet across. The others are the same size or smaller. Saturday, June 7 View Page Thomas with the 1207 Young female at 15 days and 40 inches and is 12 feet out on the main..Just a great shape and color. Saturday, June 7 View Page A side shot of the 1207 Young. Sunday, June 8 View Page Ok here is a small problem and maybe someone has a great idea.This is a 1207 Young female thats is 7 days old on the first side vine out at 16 feet. The vine is a double and this female was very big and my son told be he wanted to pollinate it and he did and now it is 26 inches at day 7. What to do? It was under the vine and we got it out to the side after 3 days of working on it and it is scratched up some. I think we will let it grow some more but how long? Can this plant hold 2 fruit? Sunday, June 8 View Page Here is the early 963 Paton plant back from the dead. The plant is small vined but growing well now.This plant has been through the mill.The kids will be working on this plant. Sunday, June 8 View Page Female 963 Paton crossed with the 1566 Rodonis at 5 days. Monday, June 9 View Page I finally have a watermelon set on the 255 Mitchell crossed with the 200.5 Mitchell out about 4 feet from the stump. It is not a very good shape but I have to take it if I want something for the fair. Still trying on the 200.5 plant and it is a great growing plant but not many females yet to set. Monday, June 9 View Page The 1207 Young pumpkins are growing well now. The main vine pumpkin is at 122 ott day 17 and a 5 inch cir. gain. The side vine pumpkin is 30 inches cir. day 8 now and gaining speed at 4 inches already. See my problem, it will be hard to end it and I may cut side vine from main out about 3 feet from stump. I will still have 16 feet of vine to feed it. Thursday, June 12 View Page 1207 Young at 20 days,61 cir + 45 ss + 44 ee = 150 ott. Just not taking off yet, gains of 11,12 and 10 pounds the last 3 days. Weather very wet and no sun. Big storm heading this way then weather should calm down after tomorrow if there is anything left. Friday, June 13 View Page Well the storms came through last night,(3 times).Over 2 inches of rain again.The whole state of Iowa is flooding I think.All rivers are at record levels and I mean record like 10 feet plus over record. There was hail the size of eggs just 5 miles away and a funnel cloud reported just a few miles away.We missed the large hail but got penny sized hail. The tarp was over the 1207 but still got hit 4 to 5 times.The plants have holes in the leaves and a few hole in the stems but not as bad as it could have. Not having the plastic on the hoop is killing me. We have several pumpkins set on the 1566 plant (2 on the Main). They are all long stemmed and white colored. The 963 Paton is also white colored and 21 inches day 10. Tuesday, June 17 View Page Not much to report here. The 1207 Young pumpkin is slow to grow for some reason,9 only 193 ott day 25 but cool nights and wet soil do not help. The ugly 255 Mitchell watermelon for fair split so will be hard to get anything set for fair now. other fair pumpkins are growing but slow only 3-4 inches a day. I have been working night shift this week 5 pm - 5:30 am. I finally got the hay mowed so Thursday will be fun (not).The fall plants are growing fine so far but not the greatest color again.Most plants are 8 feet long now and a couple are 14 feet. Set 2 pumpkins on the 893 Privitera plant this week. I will be off Thursday - Sunday so hopefully get somethings caught up on. Friday, June 20 View Page The hoop filling up with plants. The 1178 Lovelace is in the front and 893 Privitera behind it. In the back is 1566 Rodinis and 1207 Young. The 255 Mitchell watermelon and 54 Murphy cantaloupe is in here also. Plus 8 tomato plants and 2 sunflowers and my Giant onions. Friday, June 20 View Page 1207 Young at 25 days with Clare and Thomas.a very slow grower so far. Friday, June 20 View Page 1207 Young side vine fruit that was cut from the main. Still growing but slower. Friday, June 20 View Page The 893 Privitera female crossed with the 1178 lovelace. Very nice shaped fruit with long stem. But it did get hit with hail if you can see it. Friday, June 20 View Page Here are the fall plants with the 1078 Krug plant leading the way out here.there are 4 plants 1078 Krug,1462 Gibson,1343 Krug and 1159 Richards. The 1068 LaRue in the north patch is coming along at 5 feet long. Friday, June 20 View Page My new cabbage bed with some nice cabbage growing. the first one here is the Northern Giant and is over 4 feet across.The cabbage moths are everywhere. Friday, June 20 View Page The other cabbage bed with 8 cabbages and the first one here is the O.S. cabbage. Friday, June 20 View Page My giant onion bed with few nice ones growing now.There are 3 at 16 inches cir.They have one more month of growing I hope. The biggest one has over 16 leaves on it now. Friday, June 20 View Page What a year here in Iowa so far.From all the snow then a cold spring to big storms and tornado's then all this flooding! I am lucky to have anything alive no less than a 2 hundred pound pumpkin growing. I feel it is very slow but Then I went for a drive to the farm and all the corn is yellow or dead from flooding out or sitting in water for too long. They are still planting beans but I think it is too late. The plants at the farm are small but the deer seem to be leaving them alone for now. Just to have plants that are growing I am lucky. I just got done bailing hay for the first time this year. We are usually doing our second cutting by now but you need 3 days with out rain and we finally got it. Maybe July and August will be nice and we can get some watermelon and pumpkins set. Trying to get anything to the fair August 12th will be a challenge. Sunday, June 22 View Page The 963 Paton around 20 days. Sunday, June 22 View Page The 1566 Rodonis crossed with the 1207 Young. Cut off all other pumpkins. The side vine pumpkin was growing the fastest again. I may have to start keeping the side vine fruit. Tuesday, June 24 View Page The 1566 Rodonis day 20 is 77 inches cir.This is the one to go big. Wednesday, June 25 View Page The 1207 Young pumpkin with Anne at 33 days. Still growing but slow and it may just get to 500-600 pounds but we hope for bigger. Wednesday, June 25 View Page The 1566 Rodonis with Thomas and Anne. This thing was the size of a volleyball 6 days ago.It has grown 16 inches cir. the last 2 days combined ave. 8 inches. Wednesday, June 25 View Page The next week will be busy pollinating pumpkins on all fall plants except the 893 Privitera and 1178 Lovelace which have 2-3 set on now. Toms 893 plant will be very small because of the 1566 plant had trouble setting pumpkins at 10-15 feet and have one set at 18 or more. So I lost around 100 sq. feet of space for the 893 plant plus the hail snapped the main off at 15. The best one set is at 8 feet but still 2 more to open till end of main. The plant will be only 18 feet wide and 18 feet long at the most.I may work a few vines into the 1566 plant area. Next year there will be only 3 AG plants at the most inside. The 1178 Lovelace sets are all long shaped fruit. Thursday, June 26 View Page Storms came through last night with strong winds and 2 inches of rain. Plants came through OK and hardly lost any leaves. pollinated 2 more plants today but with the wet weather they may not take. Calling for big storms the next 24 hours then a big cool off with lows in the 50s. Not the greatest pumpkin growing weather. The watermelon this year have been terrible. I have set 20 some melons and 0 have had a good shape yet. We need some warm days and nights before I get anything.Still time to set for October and 2 plants are 150. sq ft. My early 54 Murphy cantaloupe plant look great and may have a few set on now for fair. The jumbo tomato plants are setting now with a few good one on. The cabbages are starting to head now and looks to have many to chose from for fair. I have 3 Phat Jack pumpkins set for fair and my long gourd vine is about 10 feet high now. I pollinated the 1242 Chambers in the small patch for my daughter for the weigh off here. This plant was moved from the original spot so the 963 Paton would have room. If I would have left it it would had died when the plastic rip off the hoop. The plant is 12 feet long and 10 feet wide. This is a small area but should grow her a nice pumpkin to take. Sunday, June 29 View Page Day 25, 963 Paton x 1566 Rodonis is 80.5 + 56.5 + 58 = 195 ott est. 167 pounds. Sunday, June 29 View Page Day 37, 1207 Young x 1566 Rodonis is 116 + 82 + 73 = 271 ott est.425 pounds. averaged weight is 20.7 pounds the last 17 days. Sunday, June 29 View Page Day 25,1566 Rodonis x 1207 Young is 98 + 69 + 64 = 231 ott est.269 pounds.Its around 30 pounds a day now and should be close to 300 tomorrow. The stem and vine is bad are in a bad place because of all the aborts.I may need to dig the vines up to move vines away from pumpkin. Monday, June 30 View Page Finally getting a couple nice watermelon set on the 255 Mitchell plant. Monday, June 30 View Page 1566 Rodonis at 26 days close to 300 pounds. I like the stripes on it. Monday, June 30 View Page 1207 Young from the stem side. Monday, June 30 View Page The 1566 stump that had a soft spot starting so I added bleach then captan. Monday, June 30 View Page 1178 Lovelace set at 10 - 11 feet out. I have one more at 12 that I may keep. Friday, July 4 View Page 1068 LaRue x 1566 Rodonis 5 lobe, 1207 side vine x 1343 Krug, plus 2 Phat Jack pumpkins on mains. Friday, July 4 View Page Annes 963 Paton pumpkin growing Ok around 16 pounds a day, day 30. Friday, July 4 View Page Day 30 on the 1566 Rodonis est. 400 pounds. Friday, July 4 View Page The 1178 Lovelace at around 10 days. Very nice long fruit and starting to jump in size. Friday, July 4 View Page The 1343 Krug at 3 days. I hope it takes because the vine just past the fruit was just about wore into from the wind and the sticks holding it in place. You can see it just behind the pumpkin.It shows no sign of repairing its self. It was crossed with the 1462 Gibson. Sunday, July 6 View Page Early fair plants. 1207 Young is Day 44 300 ott est 572 pounds. 1566 Rodonis Day 32 is 275 ott est 444 pounds. 963 Paton Day 34 is 236 ott est 286 pounds. Sunday, July 6 View Page 893 Privitera Day 10 33.5 cir. 1178 Lovelace Day 15 is 110 ott est. 36.5 pounds A very long fruit. 1242 Chambers Day 12 is 40 cir. Sunday, July 6 View Page Still having some issues with stem rot on 1207 and stump rot on the 1566. They are getting better with the dry weather . I found the 54 Murphy cantaloupe stump was soft also so scratched out most of bad stuff and added bleach and dried with captan.I hope I do not lose this plant. Wednesday, July 9 View Page 1566 Rodonis day 35 only 290 ott. est. 518 pounds Friday, July 11 View Page 1178 Lovelace at 20 days est. 125 pounds,from day 15 to 20 averaged 16.5 pounds. Saturday, July 12 View Page 893 Privitera at 15 days and 82 pounds est. This is a very small plant at 20 x 17 feet. Saturday, July 12 View Page Heres is the 1242 Chambers at 15 days and est. 69 pounds.Just a great shape and is growing fast also now. The plant is 10 x 16 feet but I am letting some vines grow out of the area for more space but they will not be buried. Saturday, July 12 View Page Looking inside the hoop at all the vines. The 1178 Lovelace is the front pumpkin and 893 Privitera is next but can not see it yet.The 1566 Rodonis is next and 1207 Young in the back. I have 4 watermelons in here on one plant and will pick 2 off soon.The cantaloupe is still alive but not sure for how long but have 4 nice ones on around 5- 8 pounds already. There is no more room in here for anything and is very hard to walk around. Saturday, July 12 View Page Outside the hoop with 4 plants with the 1159 Richards then 1334 Krug with the 1462 Gibson followed by the 1078 Krug. The 1159 is the only plant out here that I am still working on sets. Saturday, July 12 View Page Here is the 1078 Krug (1180 Daletas x 998 Pukos). This is so far a super plant as Steve thought it would be. Pumpkin set out around 12 feet and I have put down mill fabric since this photo was taken. Crossed with the 1159 Richards. Saturday, July 12 View Page 1343 Krug 10 days old crossed with the 1462 Gibson at 13 feet. Another long shaped fruit so far. This plant has the shortest leaves I have ever grown. Saturday, July 12 View Page 1462 Gibson crossed with the 1078 Krug at 11 feet and 10 days old. Not sure what to think of this pumpkin yet but its early. Saturday, July 12 View Page 1207 Young day 50 314 ott est 653 pounds. It just keeps going slow and steady. Still at 16 pounds a day. It just never got going. But still could get to 800 pounds. Nothing wrong with that ;) Saturday, July 12 View Page 1566 Rodonis still packing it on well over 300 ott now. Not the greatest photo with the leaves everywhere. Monday, July 14 View Page 1068 LaRue x 1566 Rodonis day 10 32 inches. Monday, July 14 View Page Well the last 2 nights have been very cool in the mid 50s and I have seen my numbers fall off. Just can not get any great gains.Going to warm up some so maybe they will jump a little. The 1566 still close to 25 a day. But will be tough to get to 1000 now. Wednesday, July 16 View Page Sprayed last night at 10 pm because this is the time my plants usually shut down. I saw a post of a picture of the same problem I get every year and got a sick feeling. I hope it stays away but 2 more weeks and I will know. Saturday, July 19 View Page A shot of the 2 Atlantic giants at the farm. I know was was a Vader plant and the other one I would have to check and may never know. I had so many plants killed there I was planting anything with good crosses,One plant has one set at 8 feet out and 2 bloomed yesterday so I hope the bees helped us out. I come here ever week to work on plants with my brother Rick. I have 5 Phat Jack plants here also but there are none set. Saturday, July 19 View Page The 1068 LaRue crossed with the 1566 Rodonis at 15 days, 56c-40e-37s=133 ott est. 59 pounds. Plant is small and has other plants growing in and around it. Plant should get 350-400 sq ft. Saturday, July 19 View Page Picture of where the 1068 LaRue is. It is where the tarp is and there is 2 watermelons 2 Phat Jacks in there with one sugar Pumpkin. You can see one of the melons in the middle. I need to get the melons covered. The sweet corn is almost ready. Saturday, July 19 View Page Here is the 1207 Young plant and this is a side vine I let grow for this purpose. A late set on a plant that I grew for the fair. The pumpkin for the fair is 57 days old. I have another on the main also we pollinated on the 14th.This pumpkin is growing fast but we have had 3 warm nights. Saturday, July 19 View Page the 1078 Krug (1180 Daletas x 998 Pukos) crossed with the 1159 Richards day 22 83c-55e-54s=192 ott est.160 pounds. Just a great plant so far. Saturday, July 19 View Page 1462 Gibson(998x1068) day 17 78c-53e-54s=185 ott est. 144 pounds. Saturday, July 19 View Page The 1343 Krug (1231 Pukos x1334 Daletas) crossed with the 1462 Gibson. day 17 78c-51e-49s=178 ott est.130 pounds. What a long fruit and solid feel to it. Saturday, July 19 View Page 1159 Richards day 11 crossed with the 1343 Krug. Saturday, July 19 View Page 893 Privitera (998 Pukos x 1068 Wallace)crossed with the 1178 Lovelace(998 Pukos x 1370 Rose) at day 23 95c-64e-68s=227 ott est.256 pounds. Its going to be orange for sure and a great shape. A tour favorite here. Saturday, July 19 View Page 1178 Lovelace (998 x1370) crossed with the 893 Privitera (998 x 1068) at 28 days 104c-68e-72s=244 ott est.314 pounds. Saturday, July 19 View Page Here is the first side vine fruit set 50 days a go on the double vine that was cut from the main vine only 18 feet of single vine feeding this pumpkin and should be close to 300 pounds. Saturday, July 19 View Page The 963 Paton (1502 x 998) at day 45 slowing down.125c-79e-83s= 287 ott est.502 pounds. This plant has not had the greatest life.But sure put out a nice looking pumpkin. Saturday, July 19 View Page The 1207 Young (1370 x 1068) crossed with the 1566 Rodonis at day 57 142c-94s-87e= 323 ott est.710 pounds. It will go heavy! 26 more days to go! Saturday, July 19 View Page 1566 Rodonis(1450 x1231) crossed with the 1207 Young at day 45.142c -98s-90e=330 ott est.756 pounds. average last 5 days is 23 pounds. The warm nights has helped it . Only 26 days left on this one will it make 1000 pounds? Saturday, July 19 View Page I forgot one more, the 1242 Chambers(998x500 B) At day 25 is 100c-71s-63e=234 ott est.279 pounds. The plant I gave up for dead. I have some wilting issues now so i need to see what gives but its very humid and not much wind. Monday, July 21 View Page Did some numbers and good gains again on fruit from 24-32 pounds a day but no big numbers.The 1566 is a shape shifter now getting ribs and the blossom is about shut.It is 53 inches across now and hard to measure because the largest cir. is changing positions, now below the stem.The 1207 is about done growing but still gaining a little.I do have powder mildew In spots from the high humidity and warm nights. Wednesday, July 23 View Page 1242 Chambers(998 x500 B)261 ott est. 381 pounds day 29. Wednesday, July 23 View Page 1159 Richards day 15 is 54c-42s-41e=137 ott est. 64 pounds. Not a fast grower but a great shape so far. Wednesday, July 23 View Page 1178 Lovelace growing great so far around 400 pounds day 32. Wednesday, July 23 View Page The surprise of the south patch is 1462 Gibson at 230 ott day 21. It has gained 100 pounds in 3 days. Wednesday, July 23 View Page The 893 Privitera day 27 around 350 pounds. What a great looking pumpkin so far. Wednesday, July 23 View Page The 1566 Rodonis view of the blossom end.There is a 3 inch tear on the bottom under the blossom but it is on the thickest part so I have a fan and captan on the tear. The top of the pumpkin is about to touch the bottom then I do not know what will happen.I put some soil under the sides to help take some of the weight off. I have a bad feeling this will not make it 21 more days. Wednesday, July 23 View Page stem view of 1566. Wednesday, July 23 View Page A side shot of the 1566. A very wide and tall pumpkin. Thursday, July 24 View Page Well I screwed up last night and applied VCP at a high percentage and burned the 1566 tear and it was mush about 3/4 of an inch deep. I have dug it out and dried it and have a small fan on it. I know these things are tough and hope it heal. Calling for rain the next day and night so it will be hard to keep dry. I think it would have been ok without my stupid worries about it.I panic and payed for it. Life goes on and there are many more pumpkins out there. Thursday, July 24 View Page Oh ya, someone slap me. Sunday, July 27 View Page Lost my 1566 Rodonis fair pumpkin today. The soft spot I cause went 3 inches into the pumpkin till it hit the cavity. I could not stop the vcp burn.The pumpkin looks terrible. I will cut it wher it is and get seeds out soon.It will measure it and go by that. Sunday, July 27 View Page Lost the 1178 Lovelace today to blossom end split.It is 36 days old and 300 ott. I will let it grow till it stops and get seeds. Sunday, July 27 View Page Looks like the 1566 is 350 ott. est 900 pounds. Monday, July 28 View Page 1242 Chambers day 34 122c-84.5s-76.5e=282 ott est. 477 pounds. Monday, July 28 View Page 963 Paton at day 54 132c-83e-87s=302 ott est.583 pounds. Monday, July 28 View Page 1078 Krug day 31 111c-68e-69s=248 ott est.329 pounds. Monday, July 28 View Page 1462 Gibson day 26 is 113c-74e-76s=263 ott est.390 pounds. Monday, July 28 View Page 1343 Krug day 26 is 111c-68e-67s=246 ott est.322 pounds. Monday, July 28 View Page 1159 Richards day 20 is 64c-59e-50s=173 ott est.120 pounds. Monday, July 28 View Page 1159 Richards day 20 is 64c-59e-50s=173 ott est.120 pounds. Monday, July 28 View Page 1068 LaRue day 24 is87c-57e-57s=201 ott est. 128 pounds. Monday, July 28 View Page 893 Privitera day 32 is 116c-76e-83s=275 ott est.444 pounds.Slowed down just a tad for some reason,maybe no sun for 2 days but the others are down also.Just a great pumpkin Tom,Thanks! Monday, July 28 View Page 1178 Lovelace day 37 split blossom end.est.583 pounds.Will let grow till it stops and hope seeds are good. Sorry Sam it was doing so well. Monday, July 28 View Page One of my watermelons for fall at 123 ott est 60 pounds. Monday, July 28 View Page A couple more melons but just not taking off. Wednesday, July 30 View Page The 1462 Gibson that was growing 35 a day has almost stopped after it there was green stuff everywhere around the stem and ribs.I think it is aborting after 30 days. i have never had one slow down that much and live.Hope the others hang on but going to get hot the next week or so.I have lost the fastest growers now. Still have 4 nice ones and 2 average ones left.The 2 timber pumpkins at the farm are very young and about basketball size.Plants look great there. Wednesday, July 30 View Page My biggest tomato of the season that was going to the fair but decided to turn ripe 12 days before it should. The Delicious Weighed 3.4 pounds.I took a few seeds from it and made BLTs and still have a lot of tomato left to eat. Thursday, July 31 View Page The 1462 Gibson after it stopped growing day 29 270 ott.est. 421 pounds. It was growing over 30 pounds a day then started sapping heavy around stem and ribs then stopped growing. The 1078 Krug has done the same thing and now seems to be stopping also. Plants look fine but could be the same thing as the past years.The 1159 Richards has stopped also but no sapping going on with it. Thursday, July 31 View Page Inside the 1462 and were the sap was there is a path to the center and could of caused it to go down but not sure. The bottom of it was bad on the inside but outside looked fine. If anyone has any ideas let me know. Thursday, July 31 View Page A closer look at the sapping area on the rib by stem. Friday, August 1 View Page Watermelons are 61c-40e-32s=133 ott est.74 pounds.gained an average of 3.4 pounds the last 4 days.The other melon a couple weeks old is 50-33-26= 109 ott est. 44 pounds.These will probably be the 2 for October. Friday, August 1 View Page Very little growth on the 1078 Krug again so may cut it off also and go with one 30 feet out. Not much choice but the new one is kicking in so more plant to feed it but there is a mole under the plant. The 1343 Krug is still gaining weight at 265.5 ott day 30.est 400 pounds but has slowed down also some from 20 pounds a day to 16 a day.1159 Richards has stopped and will cut off this weekend and set another. The split 1178 Lovelace is growing like crazy but need to get it out soon also. Saturday, August 2 View Page The pumpkin at the farm on a Vader Plant but not sure what.I did not write it down and the tag got taken by some varmit. Its only out 9 feet on main and 15 days old 67c-47s-50e=164 ott est 102 pounds. This plant has smaller leaves than the other plant but the other plant has aborted all main fruit. We do have a couple side vine fruit if we need them.This is an unknown plant also. I wish these animals would bring the name tags back.This is the place to grow these AG's but no power or water. Saturday, August 2 View Page My long gourd is 73 inches and only a couple weeks old but plant in bad shape.It is very thin and fuzzy yet.Too bad leaves are falling off. Saturday, August 2 View Page The 1242 Chambers at 299 ott est.566 pounds. Saturday, August 2 View Page 893 Privitera day 37 is 123c-88s-82e=293 ott est.533 pounds. Saturday, August 2 View Page The 1566 Rodonis still gaining and most of the hole has healed but a 1 inch section.I will let it go and get measurements when I cut it off. Over 150 cir.and 365 ott. I am sure it would of been a personal best and I may wait till after fair and get it weighed. Sunday, August 3 View Page Well this is the best I could do this year with the onions.These are 20 inches except for one 17 incher. I hope to take 5 to the Iowa State fair in 9 days for kicks in the white onion class. They say put them on a paper plate for show but one takes up the paper plate itself. Monday, August 4 View Page The kids getting seeds out of the 1178 Lovelace.The walls are very thick 6-8 inches except were the dill ring is and its only 3 inches there. Monday, August 4 View Page One final shot of the 1178. Clare wanted me to save it but the flies are very bad. Monday, August 4 View Page The beautiful 893 Privitera at 39 days and over 300 ott Everything is a go for this plant an no problems here yet except for some powder mildew. Tuesday, August 5 View Page The October 5th post is an error It was suppose to be August 5th. Personal best on long gourd as of now is 86 inches and growing.It very thin and fuzzy yet. It has grown 10 inches in 2 days. Tuesday, August 5 View Page Pulled the 1159 Richards plant it has a soil born problem as 3 other plants now that may need to be pulled the 1462 Gibson and 1078 Krug that have aborted there pumpkins at 30 days and 400 pounds. There are new pumpkins set and growing fast but they may stop also so if the leaves start to yellow I will pull the plants asap. We did get a 1/2 inch of rain last night . The 893 Privitera is 303 ott day 40 not big numbers but steady. I have 3 more set on the 1178, 2 on side vines and 1 on the main at 35 feet out. Thursday, August 7 View Page Watermelon 223 Mitchell is 143 ott est.90 pounds. Watermelon 223 Mitchell # 2 plant is 133 ott est 74 pounds. Long gourd plant - 90 inches 1207 Young is 330 plus ott 963 Paton is 310 ott est. 629 pounds 897 Privitera is 305 ott est. 600 pounds but slowing down. 1242 Chambers is 308 ott est.614 pounds 1343 Krug is 284 ott est.487 pounds Friday, August 8 View Page Pumpkin at farm on the unknown Vader plant crossed with the other unknown plant is 21 days old and 221 ott est.237 pounds. averaging 22 the last 6 days. The other plant has 2 on the side vines and a new one on the main out 20 feet.It has 60 days or 67 days to get big. The plant is a monster. I have found a place to grow them as long as I can keep the land in the family. Sprayed for bugs there and its only the 3rd time all year nothing like here spraying every 5-7 days. Tuesday, August 12 View Page Found out was in the farm patch on the east side.519 Veader(1260.4 Weir x 998.6 Pukos) So it has a chance to go big. On the way to the Iowa State Fair today with my veggies. I do not have much most of my cabbage rotted from all the rain and that hot week 2 weeks ago.Its all for fun anyway and note to self start cabbages 2 weeks later. Tuesday, August 12 View Page Iowa State Fairs results for veggies my Wife and I took. 1st and 2nd Jumbo Watermelon 1st and 2nd Jumbo Muskmelon 1st and 2nd Giant Sunflower Head 1st place Jumbo Cabbage 2nd and 4th Jumbo Pumpkin woody stem 2nd and 4th Jumbo Tomato 3rd and 4th Long Green Been 3rd place Plate of 5 Red Tomatoes I was really surprised how well we did but the whole state was very wet and cold early.I lost most of my cabbage to the week of heat we had 2 weeks before the fair. I will load the Ags tomorrow and hope they do not spill there guts when we raise them. 1207 Young is 82 days old,963 Paton is 67 days old I think. I took the papers to the truck already so it should be close Thursday, August 14 View Page Ready to cut the 963 Paton. Thursday, August 14 View Page The 1207 Young and 963 Paton loaded up and ready for the long haul to the Iowa State Fair. I borrowed Dons Scale to weigh the 1566 and it weighed 1003 Pounds! So it went 80 pounds heavy.A personal best ! So I need to get the seeds out Friday before it gets too skunky. The 1207 Young looked sound and solid when we loaded it on the trailer but the rough roads and 160 miles was too much for it. We got up in the morning and Mike found a soft spot on the bottom and was leaking.Game over. It had to be going bad on the inside for a couple days. I would say the heat we had 10 days ago was too much for it and 82 days old fruit. Thursday, August 14 View Page Mary and I behind our 4th place 688 pounder.We had a great time this year again. Thanks again to Don and Julie Young for having us there and being great hosts. Thursday, August 14 View Page My results so far this year. 688 Schnicker (963 Paton x 1566 Rodonis) 1003 Schnicker dmg (1566 Rodonis x 1207 Young) 9 percent heavy. Personal best! 800 Schnicker dmg (1207 Young x 1566 Rodonis) Thursday, August 14 View Page Gus Smithhisler from Marengo,Ohio came to the Iowa State Fair and carved my 800 pound dmg pumpkin.Thanks Gus and John Maston for coming to the fair. It was great to meet you both. Thursday, August 14 View Page One more photo of the 800 carved by Gus. It looks great Gus,thanks again! Thursday, August 14 View Page A group photo of the growers at the Iowa State Fair. From the left Gus Smithhisler, John Maston, The Schultz's, Me, Mike Frantz, Rob Seals, Dan Carlson, Mark Peterson. Friday, August 15 View Page Got the seeds out of the 1566 pumpkin now the 1003 Schnicker dmg 2008. The seeds are (1566 Rodonis x 1207 Young) There were very few seeds that are good, maybe 50 at the most. There were 10 or so that were germinating so I know the good ones should germ without a test. The 800 Schnicker dmg 2008 had several good seeds and are drying out and was the reverse cross. Sunday, August 17 View Page Watermelon #1 is at 153 ott est.107 pounds. Very slow at 1 inch a day growth. Watermelon #2 is 150 ott.est. 102 pounds. Growing OK for the weather. Still lots of days to go on both melons. Sunday, August 17 View Page The 893 Privitera had its stem rot off from the inside.I think the heat took it down from 2 weeks ago. Final ott 305 est. 600 pounds. so 600 Schnicker est. dmg 2008 (893 Privitera x 1178 Lovelace) I will plant this one next year. Sunday, August 17 View Page The 519 Veader at 30 plus days est. 400 pounds. This maybe my only chance for a fall plant. I took 100 gal of water to it today with brew. Very young looking fruit so far. Sunday, August 17 View Page Lost the 1242 Chambers at est. 700 pounds. Smelled something and it was soft on the bottom. Running out of pumpkins again. Sunday, August 17 View Page The 1242 Chambers pumpkin est 700 pounds.Dang soft spot on the bottom. Another good looking pumpkin bits the dust. Down to 2 pumpkins here and 2 at the farm. Friday, August 22 View Page The 519 Veader is 280 ott day 36 est 467 pounds. Slowed down some from no rain but got .4 of an inch Thursday.The other plant has 3 set on but 2 are doing the best at 25 days is 205 ott and the main is 183 ott and 20 days old. I still have 2 plants here but the 1068 LaRue plant is turning yellow.The 1343 Krug pumpkin is still growing but like 10 pounds a day and is a very low flat shaped pumpkin. Friday, August 22 View Page Watermelon at the north patch and 43 days old is 160 ott.est.121 pounds. the plants leaves are turning yellow as are all the plants there. I will fertilize them tomorrow to see if it helps.Average gain is 2 pounds a day. Watermelon south patch is day 35 and also 160 ott est.121 pounds average gain is 3.5 pounds a day the last 21 days. The plants there looks ok so far.I still have 42 days of growing left and I think they will grow till then if the weather lets them. Tuesday, August 26 View Page The 688 Schnicker (963 Paton x 1566 Rodonis) 4tyh place Iowa State Fair at Hy-Vee food store in Mt. Pleasant. It should last one more week there then get it out and get the seeds. Tuesday, August 26 View Page The best pumpkin now for Oct is the farm pumpkin on the 519 Veader plant. Should could use some rain here.Pumpkin still very young but the cold nights have slowed it down to 12 pounds a day. Thomas does not like the sun in his eyes. This is a very nice shaped pumpkin. Tuesday, August 26 View Page I found this photo my Wife Mary took at the fair with the TV crew filming me talking without me knowing it. Neat photo though. Friday, August 29 View Page Got my soil test back today. I was surprised what I have and what I need to do.Its not phytophthora or Pythium or Fusarium.Its Rhizoctonia a root pathogen caused by warmer soils..Thats why they stop when it gets warm outside in late June and July.Its a hard pathogen to control.So no more manure ,straw,hay or compost for awhile.Some fungicides can help with the problem but may not completely control it. But its a start to final get answers.Also my soil levels are off the charts causing plants to stress to help the pathogen get going. Friday, September 5 View Page Watermelon still going at 168 ott est. 139 pounds and 172 ott. est. 147 pounds. Still 28 more days to go till Anamosa. Picked the long gourd and is on my boat taped to a board around 105 inches. Pumpkin at the farm is 305 ott and slow but it all I have left but the kids pumpkins for the family weigh-off in town. Saturday, September 13 View Page We have received over 6 inches of rain the last 24 hours and is still raining and calling for rain tomorrow. I will be out of town the next 3 days so I hope things hold together. Wednesday, September 17 View Page Well after over 8 inches of rain from Friday - Sunday everything has stopped growing here at the house. Watermelons are still at 175 and 172 ott and the 1343 Krug stem has finished rotting off the pumpkin so it will not make it next week now as I had hoped. I have not been to the farm for a week so not sure what is happening there but I do not think it is too good. Just ready to get this year over and start to plan for next year. Thursday, September 18 View Page Made it to the farm today and the deer must of had a party there and tore up a couple 300 pound pumpkins but they will be ok but not pretty anymore. They only put one scratch on the big one there at 315 ott now but only a 6 inch gain in 7 days.So the otts are 315,255,253,239,and 205 ott at the farm. est,660 pounds at 63 days,357 pounds at 45 days,349 pounds at 55 days,296 pounds at 50 days and 192 pounds at 30 days. The 660 pounder is gaining only 5 pounds a day and I hope it makes it to 700 now. Friday, September 19 View Page Lost my biggest watermelon after the 8 inches of rain at 175 ott. I was gone for 3 days and it was in water and split the bottom. When I got back and measured it and it had not gained any I knew something was wrong so I turned it over to check.The other melon is 172 ott but the plant is done so may not have anything to take this year. Saturday, September 20 View Page Storm rolled through last night and got 1 inch of rain and plants look great! I bet they all gained 20 or more pounds. I have 3 white pumpkins so far with orange genetics but growing nicely. I did drench and sprayed Subdue 2 days ago for the record.It is 88 degrees and with dew point of 72 and no wind. Monday, September 22 View Page Here is the pumpkin at the farm on the 519 Veader (1260 Weir x 998 Pukos).Running out of days of growing on this one, Too bad it was planted so late. Thomas lost his first tooth and he is showing it off. Monday, September 22 View Page Clare with the other pumpkin plant that has 3 set on. This one is on the main vine 25 feet out.This one is around 400 pounds now and growing 10 pounds a day. Just too late of a set in August. Saturday, September 27 View Page A group shot of the Henry County Giant Pumpkin weigh-off at Mt. Pleasant IA, Agri-Center.We had a good turn out for such a bad year here. They all had a great time and also everyone got cash and a ribbon thanks to the seed raffle you all helped with, Thank you all! Monday, September 29 View Page Annes 320 pound pumpkin off the 963 Paton. This is the second fruit from this plant.The other was 688 pounds at the Iowa State Fair. Monday, September 29 View Page Clares 420 pounder off the 1068 Larue was first place kids class. Monday, September 29 View Page Thomas with his 340 pounder and 2nd place.It made his day because he likes red ribbons. Monday, September 29 View Page Thomas with his first place watermelon at 79.7 pounds. Monday, September 29 View Page My kids Anne, Thomas and Clare showing off there ribbons and cash.They had a great time and are looking forward to next year. They are doing more work every year in the patch and learn the good and the bad of growing giant pumpkins. Monday, September 29 View Page All my pumpkin kids Anne, Thomas, Clare and Helen. Monday, September 29 View Page More photos of the weigh-off. The one behind Thomas won the prettiest pumpkin. Monday, September 29 View Page Another shot of the different pumpkins. Monday, September 29 View Page Another photo of Clare's 420 pounder off the 1068 Larue. Sunday, October 5 View Page Personal best on the long gourd and still growing at 86 inches.Thing is only 2 inches across at the most and fuzzy. I hope it keeps going ,it has grown 10 inches the last 2 days. Sunday, October 5 View Page My personal best solid pumpkin this year weighed 749.5 and tied for 12. It went 40 pounds over chart. Sunday, October 5 View Page My 1st Place long gourd is the light colored one at a personal best 107 inches.Richard Stivers was second at 105.5 inches and was great to talk to him and plan for next year. He told me a story about him and Dan Carlson about a super long gourd one year. Do you remember Dan? Sunday, October 5 View Page My 1st place melon at 143.5 pounds with Anne and Helen. We had like 12 melons here this year. Sunday, October 5 View Page The top 20 pumpkins at Anamosa and I made the top 20 for the first time at 749.5. Sunday, October 5 View Page Here is Nancy and Paul Meissner's watermelons. The 128 took 2nd place and went a little light for some reason. They are very good melon growers and should be some great melons coming in the furture from them. Sunday, October 5 View Page Kevin Gripp was 3rd place at Anamosa with this 114 pound watermelon. Sunday, October 5 View Page Julie Young's 1354.5 pounder on the scales.Great Job Julie !grown off Don's 1207. Sunday, October 5 View Page Don's 3rd place 1146.5 on the scale off the 998 Pukos I believe.See him sweating it out.Great Job Don! Sunday, October 5 View Page Photo of the top 20 growers at the weigh-off. The photo is a little dark. Sunday, October 5 View Page Julie's 1354.5 on the truck in the parade. I tried to yell at her to turn around and finally. Next> Sunday, October 5 View Page She did! Sunday, October 5 View Page The top 4 pumpkins on the float, Julie Young 1354.5,John Barlow 1279.5, Don Young 1146.5 and Mackenzy Ruff 1079. You can see Don,s back side as if he is upset that Julie beat him or else he is getting more candy out of the bag (you make the call). Thursday, October 16 View Page Cleaning up the farm patch with 3 more to load on the trailer. This was a August 4th set on the main out at 23 feet. It should be over 500 pounds. So you can still grow a nice one on a late set. Thursday, October 16 View Page Here is the other pumpkin that was set on the first side vine around 500 pounds also. So This plant had 3 late sets, two 500 pounders and a 320 pounder on the 6th side vine out. So we had 1320 pounds on one plant that were set late. I will find homes for the 3 pumpkins. Thursday, October 16 View Page This was the latest set pumpkin set around August 25th on one of Ian Patons plants.The patch is all cleaned and ready for tilling here. Saturday, December 27 View Page Here is a photo of the wall quilt I have the other 2 will be about like it.With an entry in our Mt. Pleasant raffle you will be entered to win one or both of them. They are about 3 ft x 3ft in size. Sunday, December 28 View Page Onions I started around the 12th-20th. There is still more Ailsaes coming up.I have 18 Kelsae's and 6 Ailsae's in bigger pots now. I should have 40 plants for spring to go out.I should have last years Kelsae and Ailsae bulbs planted for seed in 09. I have 5 potted now and growing well and the rest will be planted in a couple months if they hold up.