Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 160 Entries. Saturday, January 19 View Page Camp pumpkin! All tucked in keeping warm! Thursday, January 31 View Page Happy New Year! I'm beginning the new year by practicing seed germination tecqniues to see what will work. None of these expirements worked too well the first time thru. Soaked them far too long and they sunk. So will try again this week and not let them soak for so long. None of them germinated, but, they are my seeds and am hoping that I'm doing this right. Moving on to some extra seeds that I have that might be a bit better quality the next run thru. Might be my seeds may not work. Time will tell. Thursday, January 31 View Page Spending time trying to figure out what to plant for the season. This is my third season growing, and hoping for good things. If the weather cooperates, we should be in good shape. Thursday, January 31 View Page Well I can finally see my patch again, LOL! All the snow finally melted. Woo Hoo! Now it has to dry out enough to get a good soil sample. I'm hoping this week will warm up enough to do that. Due to see 65 tomorrow for the first time this year, woo hoo! I can hardly wait, no jacket, yay! The ice finally melted on top of the pool tarp, time to start getting the water off to get ready for the season, I know I'm rushing it, but, lets hope the last of the substantial snow is all gone. Saturday, February 2 View Page Experimenting with more seeds today. Soaking was a better success, they opened up in less then 2 hours. I now have them in seed starter dirt and in a warm dry location. Will be interesting to see how long they take to sprout. Friday, February 8 View Page Practicing on some extra seeds I have on had and so far they have sprouted green leaves. Last night I took the outer seed shell off of them, and watered them again. They have been sitting on the wood stove hearth, and keeping a comfy warm temp. I'll have to check on them again tonight to see how they are doing. Friday, February 8 View Page I'm going to start another batch of seeds this weekend with a different method to see what works. Thankfully I have lots of seeds I can practice with. I just hope I'm not practicing on the one that could grow a 1000 pounder plus. Sunday, March 23 View Page Happy Easter! It's been a while since I have posted. I finally have my germinating down to a reliable science I hope! Now I am struggling selecting seeds that will see dirt. I've been told because of my patch size 2 plants should be more than enough, which makes narrowing down a bit harder. I think I know what it will be, but, that may change 10 times over before planting day. We're designing cold frame or some kind of hoop houses for the plants so we can get them in the dirt earlier! I hope Spring cooperates by then, it certainly doesn't feel like it right now with temps in the 30's still. Brrrr.... It's very bright and sunny but cold. On a plus note, my bulbs have come thru the dirt and are up about an inch and the crocuses are up finally! Woo hoo! Monday, March 31 View Page Well I can finally see my patch again, LOL! All the snow finally melted. Woo Hoo! Now it has to dry out enough to get a good soil sample. I'm hoping this week will warm up enough to do that. Due to see 65 tomorrow for the first time this year, woo hoo! I can hardly wait, no jacket, yay! The ice finally melted on top of the pool tarp, time to start getting the water off to get ready for the season, I know I'm rushing it, but, lets hope the last of the substantial snow is all gone. Saturday, April 26 View Page Things are slowly improving weather wise here. Temps still around 40 for high point still below normal for this time of year. Will Spring ever arrive temperature wise. Plus note, no additional accumulated snow since Niagara! Whew! Sunday, April 27 View Page Filed and soaked seeds Friday night, all seeds are up and doing very well. The lineup for the season... 1149.5 Pukos 07, 1405.5 Bobier 07, and 1423.5 Wallace 07 Backups are: 1180.5 Pukos 07, 1054 Bobier 07, and 966.9 Vincent-McGill07 Yesterday was warm in upper 70's so seeds went outside for sunshine, and also got a nice little rain shower on them before they went back inside on the heat mat. All are opened up this morning and doing very well. Tuesday, April 29 View Page The patch. Working on the hoop houses and final patch prep. Tuesday, April 29 View Page The line up for 2008. Tuesday, April 29 View Page Depending on how germinations go, three to be hitting dirt this season. Tuesday, April 29 View Page And the three back ups, just in case. Sunday, May 11 View Page Plants are in the dirt. Decided to do double plantings in each hoop house. So all 6 plants went in the dirt this past Tuesday. We've had frost a couple of nights, but, all are doing very well. This is the 1180.5 Pukos and the 1149.5 Pukos going in. Monday, May 12 View Page Started some backups this past week, just in case. 1182 Parenty, 1068 Papez, 966 Vincent-McGill, 1121 Bobier, 965 Pukos and 940 Vincent-McGill. All have sprouted and are under grow light ready for just in case. We have all kinds of critters and a very windy site. So, started replacements just in case. Saturday, May 17 View Page Gave away three back ups today. Couldn't just let them go without seeing dirt. 1121 Bobier, 965 Pukos, and 940 Vincent McGill will be in the cousins patch. Will be some interesting crosses there. All did very well germinating, and are ready to see dirt today. Monday, May 19 View Page Camp pumpkin! All tucked in keeping warm! Thursday, May 22 View Page Its been a very cold week here, with temps in the low 50's. I've managed to put some lights out in the patch for heat, and it seems to be working, and leaving things closed up during the day to keep plants warm and away from the winds. After today, temps should start to return to "normal" late May temps. I hope this warming trend continues. All backups are doing well, just in case. Saturday, May 24 View Page Temperatures today were finally seasonable. Sunny, warm upper 60's. Watered plants today and opened up the hoop houses. Frost advisory up in some southern areas of the county today. The high for the day was around 66F. Still cool for the end of May but much better than what it has been. Tomorrow will be even warmer in the 70's. I'm hoping that this warming trend will continue and we see more Summerlike temperatures. Thursday, May 29 View Page My dad's garden is lost due to frost. He risked it by not covering things up for one night and lost most of his crop, including 2 of his 926.5 Finn pumpkin plants. He has a back up plant and will put it in the dirt. Depressing for sure. He has back up of most items that he had in the garden, just sad to loose that much work and have to restart. I had to cover up tomatoes and peppers last night just as precaution, got down to 42, and didn't want to chance it after listening to my dad. All are doing fine. Will have to make the final cuts on double plantings soon in the hoop houses. It certainly has been a cold May. Thursday, May 29 View Page And then there were three plants in the patch. I made the final cuts in the patch today, down to 1423 Wallace, 1149 Pukos, and 1405 Bobier. All doing well, photo's to follow shortly. Thursday, May 29 View Page Updates after the final cuts to single plants in each hoop house. This is the 1149.5 Pukos. Thursday, May 29 View Page 1405 Bobier Thursday, May 29 View Page Last but not least 1423 Wallace Thursday, May 29 View Page The 1405 double vine. Thursday, May 29 View Page The 1405 Main Vine. Saturday, May 31 View Page Gave all three plants a dose of seaweed and fish emulsion today and we have touch down on the 1405 Bobier plant today, went out to check before watering and it's laying down looking to run, woo hoo! The Wallace and Pukos plants are doing fine, still not laying down just yet, but, I suspect with the warmer temps this week, they will be. Saturday, May 31 View Page Had a nasty late day thunderstorm, strong winds and heavy rain. All plants are doing well, one hoop house came apart a bit on one side, and had to anchor it back down. Plant is fine. Whew! Storm lasted about an hour, rain went away, sun came up and a rainbow, all in less than an hour. I hope it was enough rain to do some good on the crops. Thursday, June 5 View Page Finally Summer weather, but as usual from one extreme to another. Upper 90's tomorrow and possible record breaking heat. Will be out watering and removing hoops in the morning,maybe not all the way but, will not need hoops tomorrow in 90 plus degree heat. Friday, June 6 View Page The first full day of no hoop houses and 90 degree heat. All things considered plants survived fairly well. Gave them a good dose of water this morning, and watered them again this afternoon. Will water them again in the morning with some fish/seaweed mixed in. Friday, June 6 View Page This is the 1405.5 Bobier plant after extreme heat. Friday, June 6 View Page Last but not least 1423 Wallace doing very well. Friday, June 6 View Page First shot is the 1149.5 Pukos. Sunday, June 8 View Page It's been in the 90's since Thursday, and have been watering in early morning and again when I get home from work early evening, if needed. I still have the plastic up on the back side of the plants. I had to rescue one of the sheets of plastic from the extremly strong winds we've had today. I have touch down on the 1149 Pukos main, and the 1423 Wallace main vine. Spotted some cucumber beetles out there this afternoon. Have liquid sevin mixed and ready and used some of it today to combat with the beetles. Tuesday, June 10 View Page We're finally getting some much needed rain today. It does come with a price, of severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado watch. With the warm temperatures and with this cold front coming in, we're getting a wide range of weather today. I just hopoe we don't get those high winds. So far plants are ok. We did loose a big tree out in our front yard this morning after a real quick heavy storm that came thru. I hope that is the worst of it. Wednesday, June 11 View Page After a severe thunderstorm hit our region, and taking down a rather large tree out front, we're being rewarded with a very nice weather day today. Temps in the upper 70's and low humidity. Next few days should bring some big growth if I can keep the cucumber bettles at bay long enough. Plants are starting to run, and the vine burrying has begun! Looking into some fencing for the patch this season as we have virtually no wind break for it and to try to keep the critters at bay. Friday, June 13 View Page 1423 Wallace. Found a female today. Wow! We've received a good amount of rain this afternoon and more to come this evening.. Hopefully no strong storms, just some much needed rain. Saturday, June 14 View Page 1405 Bobier after some much needed rain. Saturday, June 14 View Page 1149 Pukos. Tuesday, June 17 View Page Putting up the plastic again on the plants, a low of 49 on tap for tonight. BRRR!!! All things considered, plants are doing well after extreme heat, winds, rain, and now cold. Tuesday, June 17 View Page First shot is the 1149 Pukos Tuesday, June 17 View Page 1423 Wallace doing very well so far. Tuesday, June 17 View Page 1405 Bobier has a wicked flat vine. I'm hoping it will straighten itself out. Not too worried at this point. Wednesday, June 18 View Page Last but not least 1405 Bobier. Another cold night tonight, after that temps will start to warm up again, and hopefully no more storms. Tuesday, June 24 View Page Been working on the patch and finally have a fence up around it this year. Also have a water timer and sprinklers ready to rock for the hot summer days in July that we usually get. Did some vine maintenance last night, all looking good. So far 1423 Wallace leading the pack. 1149 Pukos behind it very close, and the 1405 Bobier. Having spacing issues as I am trying to figure out how do do the Christmas tree pattern, and keeping up on vine burying has been a challenge. Females have been spotted on the 1149 and the 1423 at about 8-9 foot out. Still gonna keep looking at 12 foot for females, meanwhile, leaving these along to see what will happen the next week or so. Male flowers are finally starting to pop open. Our weather finally is warming up to seasonable temperatures this week. Pictures to follow soon. Wednesday, June 25 View Page The 1149 doing very well. Has 2 females that I am watching for now. Keeping an eye out for those SVB's and ready. Wednesday, June 25 View Page 1405 Bobier Wednesday, June 25 View Page 1405 flat vine. Wednesday, June 25 View Page 1423 Wallace Wednesday, June 25 View Page 1423 Wallace Friday, June 27 View Page 1405 flat vine, I think it's starting to split apart on it's own, and there is a female on it. It did touch down today, finally! Still watching the female on this one. Monday, June 30 View Page One female on the 1149 Pukos about ready to open any day now at about 10 foot out. A female also on the 1423 Wallace at the same pace as the 1149. The 1405 Bobier has females on it, but it's running a bit behind the other two. I'll try to post some pictures when it opens up. Gotta start checking on the two in the morning just in case. Males are starting to open up on a consistent basis now. Tuesday, July 1 View Page Pollinated the 1149 Pukos with the 1423 Wallace this morning. Also pollinated the 1423 Wallace with the 1149 Pukos! Now lets hope they take, this is my first ever attempt at pollinating my own this year, woo hoo! Tuesday, July 1 View Page 1149 Pukos female as of this morning, pre pollination. Tuesday, July 1 View Page An updated shot of the 1149 Pukos. Tuesday, July 1 View Page 1423 Wallace female Tuesday, July 1 View Page Wallace female... Tuesday, July 1 View Page 1423 Wallace Tuesday, July 1 View Page 1405 Bobier in the front, 1423 Wallace behind it, and to the right 1149 Pukos. Saturday, July 5 View Page Pollinated the second 1149 Pukos about 12 foot out, with the 1405 Bobier. Will see which one grows quickest, and keep that. I realize I can't keep the two that close together. Will see when decision time comes. All good. Saturday, July 5 View Page What do you do when two females on two different plants are going to set waaaaaay too close to each other? Try to wait for a second female on the other plant further out? Or wait to see what the other female I just pollinated on the 1149 does? The 1149 and 1405 are setting pumpkins way too close to each other. Unless I settle for a pumpkin on the 1405 on a secondary further out. Which is possible. Next year, spacing further away from each other will be in order. Monday, July 7 View Page Debating pulling a plant due to major flat vine issues and no females in a good location just yet. I'm looking at one on a secondary that would be a good spot to set a pumpkin, but due to spacing issues, it's very limited to where it will place a pumpkin. It looks like the two 1149 Pukos pollinations are a go, the first pumpkin is a bit bigger than a golf ball, the second ahead of that is slighly smaller. I crossed the 1423 Wallace with the first pollination, the second one was pollinated with the 1405 Bobier. The Wallace pollination is good too, it's turning out long and very bright yellow so far. Getting some much needed heat this week, and tested the sprinklers last night, they work great, but, still need to learn how to use the timer. Watered this morning so hoping that will be enough along with some ice nearby the pumpkins to keep them cool during the heat of the day. I'm going to have to do some major trimming of the 1405 if I intend to keep the plant as it wants to grow straight up in the air still. I'm going to wait a week and see how that pumpkin does on the secondary. If it doesn't take, then, it's time to remove the plant and allow room for the 1423 Wallace and 1149 Pukos to run. For now, it's wait and see...Stay tuned. Tuesday, July 8 View Page A shot of the flat vine on the Bobier plant. To the right is two females on the 1149 Pukos and behind everything in the back is potatoes and corn. Tuesday, July 8 View Page Here is the first female that set on the 1149 Pukos. This was pollinated on July 1st. Not sure if it's in the best spot or not to set, but, growing well. Crossed it with the 1423 Wallace. Tuesday, July 8 View Page OK, I realize this is not good, but can you count the number of females in one spot? Tuesday, July 8 View Page Need to do some vine maintenance in a hurry here. To the right is the 1149 Pukos plant with two females. To the left is a nasty flat vine on the Bobier plant. I'm still undecided on pulling the Bobier plant. There is females on it, but, not in a good place to pollinate. There may be a couple towards the fence on a secondary or two, but, keeping an eye on it for now. Tuesday, July 8 View Page I came home to 93F temperatures and a new overhead watering system compliments of my better half. Now I have to learn to use the water timer, still. Tuesday, July 8 View Page This is the second 1149 Pukos female. I crossed this one with the 1405 Bobier. Thursday, July 10 View Page Pollinated 6 females this morning. 2 1149 Pukos x 1423 Wallace (1 4 lobe & 1 5 lobe) 2 1405 Bobier x 1149 Pukos (5 lobe) 2 1423 Wallace x 1405 Bobier (5 lobe) Did some vine trimming last night to be able to get to the pumpkins that are already out there, getting ready to put mill fabric down hopefully by this weekend. Friday, July 11 View Page 1149 Pukos as of this morning. 1149 Pukos x 1423 Wallace. Friday, July 11 View Page 1423 Wallace as of this morning, crossed with the 1149 Pukos. Looks like a football. Friday, July 11 View Page This is the second pumpkin on the 1149 Pukos about a foot or so out further on the main. Doesn't look like it's in a good spot. Need to get mill fabric ready this weekend, and another dose of fertilizer. Getting a nice gentle steady rain this morning and tomorrow will be getting some more 90 degree weather. This time we are ready with sprinklers overhead. Friday, July 11 View Page An overhead shot. This was last week. These guys are pushing the fence. Friday, July 11 View Page This is why we now have fencing. He was nibbling on my pepper plants. Didn't want to take a chance with the pumpkins. 3 ft high fencing and now ropes and hose for sprinklers over top. Haven't seen these guys back. Friday, July 11 View Page And here is mom. Friday, July 11 View Page EVIDENCE! Gotcha in the act. Hubby watched for a while with his camera and got him just as he was taking a nibble on my garden plants. Needless to say fencing went up in short order. Saturday, July 12 View Page And then there were two plants in the patc. Bobier flat vine was over running the Wallace plant, and no fruit set on the main was possible. Had to pull the plant today completely. Pictures to follow shortly, not in 92 degree heat....Stay tuned.... Tuesday, July 15 View Page 1149 Pukos pollinated July 1st, crossed with 1423 Wallace. Haven't measured it yet. Tuesday, July 15 View Page This pumpkin was a couple feet out from the last shot, it decided to split on me today. Tuesday, July 15 View Page I still don't like culling pumpkins, but...may as well have some fun. Tuesday, July 15 View Page A monster lurks in the Wallace plant. It's in a bad spot on the main vine, but, I'm hoping it's a keeper. Trying to adjust the vine now so I won't have any stem problems later. This guy is looking good! It's a looooooooong way to weigh off. Saturday, July 19 View Page Updated shot as of yesterday. This is the Wallace Pumpkin pollinated July 1st with 1149 Pukos x 1423 Wallace. Saturday, July 19 View Page As of yesterday. 1149 Pukos crossed with 1423 Wallace Pollinated July 1. Saturday, July 19 View Page Had to do some patch work on the pumpkins today. 1149 Pukos pumpkin is wanting to grow on it's stem and a very short stem at that. We pulled some more tap roots today and adjusted the mill fabric so it's under the main vine. We also put some sand under neath the main vine to raise the pumpkin so it won't grow on the main vine. Will probably prop the main vine up with styrofoam as it grows upward. Also had to do some adjusting the mill fabric under the Wallace plant tonight and adjust the pumpkin as it's not growing nice and straight, it's coming in at a very bad angle. The best part about it is it's growing flat like a pancake and not round. We're keeping the pumpkin away from the main vine and had to cut a path of leaves into the pumpkin. Whew! I think we have the dangers under control. Kinda scary when your holding a pumpkin so you can raise the main vine. I think it will be ok for the season, will have to keep an eye on the pumpkin to make sure it doesn't grow in the wrong direction. Oh and killed an SVB today in one of the vines on the 1423 Wallace plant. I hope that's all of them. I think he was dead already, but we made sure he was good and dead. Tuesday, July 22 View Page Measurements as of 7/21/08 Wallace Pumpkin - Stem to end 31", Left to right 42", Circumfrenece 73" - Total 146" = 76 lbs Pukos Pumpkin - Stem to end 31", Left to right 52", Circumfrence 68' = 151' = 83 lbs Wednesday, July 23 View Page Really heavy rains the last 2 days here. Probably close to 2 inches in 48 hours. Lots of rain showers and thunderstorms for most of the week. No patch work tonight, but need to get out there and spray again for SVB's and give a dose of fertilizer, and vine maintenance. These guys are pushing thru the fence and getting away from me and I need to cull pumpkins that are getting out of control on the secondaries. As my two main fruit are well established, time for the backups to go. Photo's shortly. Thursday, July 24 View Page Updated photo's tonight after heavy rains. This shot shows the 1423 Wallace indents on the top of the pumpkin. Thursday, July 24 View Page 1149 Pukos as of tonight, doing very well even after very heavy rains all this week. Strong thunderstorms today and hail again in parts of our county and Monroe county to the north of us. Thursday, July 24 View Page As of tonight, me with 1423 Wallace x 1149 Pukos. Friday, July 25 View Page Found two more SVB's in the Pukos main tonight after inspection. I made sure they were dead tonight. Looked like they may have been killed by the spray I've been using but with all this rain and not being able to spray this week right away, I had two more spots on the main I took care of tonight and sprayed well after. I hope that is the last of those critters, man I hate those things. Sunday, July 27 View Page Here is the 1149 Pukos pumpkin as of today. Keeping an eye on stem stress issues with this guy but growing very well. I don't think the measurements will be accurate on this due to the blossom end indent in the bottom, but he's taping over 200 pounds. Sunday, July 27 View Page Same issue with measurements due to the indent on the top of this pumpkin. Watching carefully for splits. So far so good. I do have backups that are smaller but, just in case. Slow and steady. Tonight will be fungicide night and more bug spray. Sunday, August 3 View Page Took some measurements and pictures today. Will post pictures in a bit. 1423 Wallace numbers are as follows s/e - 68 l/r - 65 circ. 116 total 249"= 333 Pounds 1149 Pukos s/e-73 l/r - 85 circ. - 108 Total 266" = 403lbs Did some work out in the patch today. Put a tent of sorts over top of the 1423 Wallace and put plastic over top for now to keep water out of the very severe indent(s) on the top of the pumpkin. Designed to keep the water out. Gave the patch some fish and seaweed today and more weeds! Monday, August 4 View Page Played a joke on my cousin this week. I culled a bunch of pumpkins over the weekend, and cousin took one home to put in his daughters patch, as my culled pumpkins are bigger than what she has out in her patch. She got caught off guard as she thought out of the blue a pumpkin grew and it harvested itself. LOL! I wished I was there to see the expression on her face when she realized it was a culled pumpkin. Cousin weighed it on the scale at approx 72 pounds. All good fun guys! LOL! Monday, August 4 View Page 1149 Pukos as of Saturday 8/2/08. Measured at approx 403 pounds. Not sure how accurate the weight is, but, it is pretty. Just hope it doesn't snap too soon in the season. Keeping everything crossed she stays together. Monday, August 4 View Page Side view of the 1149 Pukos. Nice shape and color. Monday, August 4 View Page The culled pumpkin that showed up in the cousins patch. Too much fun with this guy. Monday, August 4 View Page 1423 Wallace estimated as of Saturday 8/2/08 at 333 pounds. The indent gets bigger as the pumpkin grows. I hope it stays together. It's growing flat and round like a pancake. Again not sure how accurate the measurements are given these indents, but, estimated 333 pounds, not bad. Been keeping the water out of the indents. Have built a tent over top to keep water out. Need to do the same to the 1149 Pukos, but much wider scale. Monday, August 4 View Page This picture doesn't show the half of this plant. The 1423 is taking a good portion of my patch over. Headed towards my potato patch in the background. Already reached the edge to the corn. This plant is aggressive. Thursday, August 7 View Page I am now starting to see the 1149 Pukos pumpkin from the driveway, great to see these guys from the house. Provided I did the measurements right, the numbers are as follows as of yesterday: 1149 Pukos s/e 78 l/r 90 circ 115 Total 283" = 428 lbs 1423 Wallace s/e 72 l/r 68 circ 120 total - 260" = 377 lbs 1423 Wallace is hanging in there, he's happy now that the stem has been moved, no more stem stress. But I'm still concerned over the indents as they get deeper. 1149 Pukos looks like a wagon wheel. Great shape, nice orange color. Monday, August 11 View Page Measurements as of 8/10/08 are: 1149 Pukos - s/e 82, l/r 91, circ. 121 = 294"-539 lbs 1423 Wallace - s/e 75, l/r 71, circ. 132 = 278"- 458 lbs Tuesday, August 12 View Page Patch prep tonight included fungicide spray, insecticide spray and fertilizer, whew! Also taking off some of the male flowers that are still trying to bloom. After a cold snap this week, numbers are a bit down, way too much rain and cooler temps, but still not bad. Temps will level back off to seasonable later this week. 1149 Pukos - 303" = 588lbs 1423 Wallace - 285" = 492lbs Still way past personal best last year of 275. Took some updated photos tonight. 1423 Wallace certainly has its own um character. Indent does not seem to be much of a problem, but keeping the water out of it. Tuesday, August 12 View Page 1423 Wallace. 492 pounds. Tuesday, August 12 View Page 1149 Pukos 588 pounds Tuesday, August 12 View Page Shows the bottom of the 1149 Pukos. Thursday, August 14 View Page 1149 Pukos picture taken tonight. Reached the 310" = 629 pounds, not bad considering the colder temperatures. 1423 Wallace is at 289"=512 pounds. Thursday, August 14 View Page Strange things happened in the patch...I decided a few weeks ago to cull all pumpkins and go with the two that were set. Went to remove the pumpkins that were culled out of the patch to get them out before they started to rot. Well, one pumpkin was still attached to the vine and growing FAST! We measured it before we culled it on the 1423 Wallace, it measured 221 inches = 237 pounds. I had asked for help from my better half to remove the heavier culled pumpkins and was told it was still attached. What? NO! I culled that weeks ago. It's bigger, lets tape it! It's been culled and in the patch still, 237 pounds too much for one person to move. I still can't believe I missed that one. It would have snapped itself anyway, but 237 pounds! Other two pumpkins are doing great. 1149 Pukos is at 310" = 629 pounds, 1423 Wallace is 289" = 512 pounds. Saturday, August 16 View Page 1423 Wallace measurements today 294 = 539 pounds 1149 Pukos measurements 314" = 653 pounds Both growing in circumference only. Saturday, August 16 View Page Serious oozing going on with the 1423 Wallace. Pumpkin went up from 136 in circumference to 140 in a couple of days. Serious ooozing going on around the edges has me a bit concerned. I keep spraying daconil on it and it seems to keep things together. There was a nasty mark on the stem side that had me a bit worried. It did not go thru the cavity and sprayed heavily a couple of days ago and it seems to have dried out. She's not a very pretty looking pumpkin, but growing slowly. I assume due to the cooler temperatures at night aren't helping matters much. Tuesday, August 19 View Page Heavy thunderstorm rolled in late last night. Covered up the pumpkins, and both are fine this morning. Will have to adjust 1149 Pukos main vine tonight. It's getting mighty close to the pumpkin at this point. Should be fine to adjust it and maybe take care of a couple more tap roots. Will do a measurement tonight and fertilizer treatment as well as spray both pumpkins with fungicide just to be on the safe side. Due to get some really cold temperatures for August tonight, will have to cover pumpkins with blankets for the first time I can ever remember in August. After tonight tho a mini heat wave comes in. Hopefully pumpkins will pick up the pace and start adding on some pounds. Wednesday, August 20 View Page Measurements as of last night are: 1423 Wallace is 299" = 566 pounds 1149 Pukos is 324" = 710 pounds Pictures to follow shortly. Did an updated overhead patch shot too. Wednesday, August 20 View Page I haven't given an updated shot of the 1423 Wallace pumpkin as it's beauty vs beast out in the patch and he's the beast! LOL! Picture taken last night and measurements have him at approx. 566 pounds. Wednesday, August 20 View Page 1149 Pukos as of last night measuring at 710 pounds. Warmer weather ahead, slow and steady. Wednesday, August 20 View Page Lighting isn't all that great, but gives you an idea of the patch. Sunday, August 24 View Page An updated patch shot as of 8/23/08. I need to be a bit more tidy in my patch and a bit diligent on vines. I kinda let things go, and am now pruning some and hoping that these two pumpkins will stay together until weigh off. Wednesday, August 27 View Page After a very chilly last couple of nights, we finally are seeing some seasonable temps. It has slowed down the growth of the pumpkins the last couple of days. This was taken this evening, an awesome sun set. More good weather ahead thru next week, so am hoping the weight gains will increase again. Pumpkins are doing well, and the 1423 Wallace continues to ooze, but still growing. I continue to treat the oozing with Daconil for my own sanity. Measurements for pumpkins are as follows: 1149 Pukos 340" = 826 pounds 1423 Wallace 311" = 635 pounds Friday, August 29 View Page Another shot taken tonight with both pumpkins at sunset. Only problem is you can see the weeds, LOL. No new measurements today. Warmer weather coming, slow and steady. Tuesday, September 2 View Page Updated measurements tonight... 1423 Wallace 317"=672 pounds 1149 Pukos 350" = 900 pounds If they keep growing in September I'm a happy camper as I've always seemed to get them to stop growing come Sept. I'm hoping with warm temps we've been having and rain coming in this week all this has to be good growing weather. I'm seeing some swings in the tape measurements though, with the circumference tape on the 1149 Pukos, so not sure if it's due to the shape of the pumpkin or the tape measurement, time will tell when we see it on the scale. I hope it's the shape factor. Friday, September 12 View Page Measurements last night at about 930 pounds. Still growing in September. Cold nights the last two nights in the 40's, the jacket was to keep the bugs off, mosquitos are terrible this time of year. Friday, September 12 View Page Beauty and here is the beast. Measuring at 697 pounds last night. Still growing very slowly, and still oozing. Wednesday, September 17 View Page This shot was taken last night just before they got covered for the nights. Nights have been in the 40's and 50's but they still continue to slowly pack on pounds. I'm a bit concerned over the temps the next few days at night, low of 37 for tomorrow night. Brrr... Saturday, September 20 View Page The main on the 1423 Wallace pumpkin. I'm always amazed at how big they get. Saturday, September 20 View Page Updated shot of both pumpkins. Also have a couple of porch pumpkins started in the patch for Halloween. Saturday, September 20 View Page Taken this evening. Beauty and beast. Here is the beauty... Monday, September 22 View Page Removal a success. Truck bed now ready to carry a giant pumpkin to Cooperstown. Monday, September 22 View Page Liftoff! Double usage of a tripod. Tuesday, September 23 View Page Both pumpkins as we prepare to start harvesting pumpkins for Cooperstown and Oswego. Tuesday, September 23 View Page As harvest time draws near for this pumpkin, we have an orange sunset too. Friday, September 26 View Page Would like to take a minute to wish everyone safe travels as weigh offs begin, and may your fruit go heavy! Good luck to all! More pictures of weigh offs coming soon. Sunday, September 28 View Page Getting ready for Cooperstown... Sunday, September 28 View Page Cutting the main vine... Sunday, September 28 View Page Who put that pepsi can there? Sunday, September 28 View Page Whew! Airborne..Waiting for the truck. Sunday, September 28 View Page Slow and steady... Sunday, September 28 View Page Success! Ready to strap down... Sunday, September 28 View Page Unloading in the rain at Cooperstown. Sunday, September 28 View Page Tape measurement of my pumpkin in the pouring rain... Sunday, September 28 View Page Not sure why no photo at last post, but, taping pumpkin at Cooperstown...Here is the photo. Monday, September 29 View Page Ending of a great season for this pumpkin going 2% heavy to tape. Tape at the festival was 787 pounds, weighing in at 802.5 good for 11th place. Monday, September 29 View Page Randy at it again this year, the kissing bandit at work! Monday, September 29 View Page Congratulations to Randy and Deb Sundstrom on their winning pumpkin. Monday, September 29 View Page Final group shot at Cooperstown 2008. Congrats to everyone. Friday, October 3 View Page So they let me tighten up the chain pull. What a workout... Friday, October 3 View Page Once the weight started to pull, the guys took over. Thanks to my hubby and cousins for all the help loading. Friday, October 3 View Page Here she is airborne, and solid on the bottom. Whew! Getting her in the truck sideways was a challenge. I think we have it good and tight and in the garage for the night. Taking no chances. Friday, October 3 View Page Ready for the drive tomorrow. Saturday, October 4 View Page It's 5:30 am, I'm up and rarin to go have breakfast with the crew before heading out to Oswego. Good luck to all travelling this weekend, safe travels, and may your fruit go heavy! Sunday, October 5 View Page And end of a great season! Now it's time for patch prep for 2009 and another patch expansion. Woo hoo! We came in fourth place at Oswego. Wednesday, October 8 View Page Got the patch cleared over the weekend and finished picking up vines last night while hubby did the tilling. Time to start adding amendments and get ready to get the patch in shape for the Winter. We'll be expanding the patch this Fall enough to do 5-6 plants next year. Thursday, October 9 View Page Can't have all the fun with the tiller. I finally got to give it a try. Monday, October 27 View Page Patch prep 2009 well under way. All systems go for 2009 season. I have gypsum ready to be picked up, and had two weekends of rock patrol with the cousins, I can't believe how many rocks we sorted thru 4400 sq foot of new patch. Whew! Hubby's been tilling and adding leaf mulch all last week. I found an additonal source for cow manuer for the patch. Delivery for that will be sometime later this week. I hate when we have snow flurries in the forecast, slows things down a bunch. Been getting rain and snow flakes on and off all last week. Between getting darker sooner and the weather it's been crazy. But fun. Hope to get my one pumpkin I have at home carved this week somehow. I'm not sure how to carve the 802.5 with the indent, trying to add that into the carving will be fun! Monday, October 27 View Page And my other pumpkin 938.5 will be coming back home this weekend after being on display at a local farmers market. I probably should go take a picture or two while she's still on display. Sunday, November 2 View Page No more pumpkins! We've destroyed both the 802 and 938 and retrieved seeds. Good seed counts in both seeds. Now they are in the drying process so will take a few weeks before they are ready. Sunday, November 2 View Page Um good seed counts in both pumpkins, LOL. At any rate they are drying and hopefully ready in a few weeks. It's going to be a long Winter. Photo's to come shortly of the 938. Tuesday, November 4 View Page We did our own mini pumpkin drop from the tail gate of the truck. Opened up the tail gate, popped it in 4 wheel drive, and let the pumpkin drop out of the truck, and this is how she opened up. Nice! Tuesday, November 4 View Page I'm harvesting seeds. Good seed count. Some white spots on some of the seeds, but, should be good to go. Some were sprouted on the inside already. I'll be doing some test germinations in the next week or so to make sure these seeds are ok. I also harvested the 802.5 seeds as well. Good seed count there as well, and currently drying. Saturday, November 15 View Page Started some test germinations today to see how the 802.5 and 938.5 will do this season. Barely got the gypsum down last night before the rains came, and talk of December like temperatures and that nasty four letter word in the forecast. If opportunity and weather allow tomorrow will be one last final till for Winter and cleanup around the patch. Whew! It's going to be a LONG winter... Monday, November 17 View Page Success! Seeds are up and smiling at me! LOL. Wondering why I have opened them up so early is it Spring? No, just testing