Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 108 Entries. Wednesday, January 21 View Page A change in my lineup, due to loosing my last 1149 that was in the patch this week, and didn't make it for grower mistake reasons, I decided to get a backup of one of my own 938.5's to grow this season. It's a very healthy looking plant with huge green leaves, and just starting to show 3rd and 4th leaves. I transplanted it tonight, so it will be an interesting season. The 1050 Sundstrom still going strong as the smallest in the patch still with the 938 in there, and the 1459 Sundstrom and the 1405 Bobier seem to be holdling their own after some extreme temperatures today, temps in the upper 80's for the first time this season. So transplant shock and heat shock, they are still growing and surviving more important. Now I gotta rethink what I am going to cross with which plant, provided the other two survive the heat. Sunday, March 8 View Page The challenge to beat a 938.5 and 802.5 from 2008, this year we have expanded the patch to 6,600 sq ft, and worked hard at getting it ready for this season. Still have a few amendments to add to it to get it ready for growing season. But in good shape. Still undecided on what to plant. I had the pleasure of a great visit with Mr. Carl Greene yesterday at my patch. We had a great chat about pumpkins, and watermelons. He's ready to get going for this season, and it was great talkin with him yesterday. Handed him some 938.5's yesterday, will be fun to see if they see dirt and what he can do with them. Monday, April 13 View Page Did some patch work yesterday, tilling underway with both tillers working hard yesterday afternoon, on a cold breezy Easter Sunday. Monday, April 13 View Page Seemed nice to have our tiller finally working after hours and hours of trying to put it back together, success on Saturday when the tiller finnally turned over for the first time this year, Woo Hoo!!! Monday, April 13 View Page Several hours worth of tilling on Easter Sunday. Hard to believe it was that cold on Easter. Made for nice working conditions, but another 10 degrees warmer would have been nice. Monday, April 20 View Page Will be seed starting on Saturday 4/25. The patch is in pretty good shape. Still need some finishing touches with hoop houses still to put together and pits need digging and need to get additional fencing for the patch expansion. I did get some of the garden planted over the weekend. I got three rows of potatoes in the back side of the patch, in the garden I got 3 rows of peas, one row of beets and two rows of raddishes in, and thanks to some help from the cousins, fencing around the garden early this year. No deer to attack my pepper plants. Tuesday, April 21 View Page Got my seed starting system setup and ready to go. Got the dirt in the pots and seed selections are made. Well mostly. I can be sure of 3 out of 4, but, that fourth one I have 3-4 seeds to choose from. Tough narrowing it down still. I may start a few days before Saturday, still not sure. Due to see some above normal temps this weekend, potentially 80 degree temps for the first time this year, woo hoo! Monday, April 27 View Page Filed four seeds on Saturday. This morning they are poking thru the dirt. Four pits were dug on Saturday for the patch, now have to fill them back in, till in final amendments, and build four hoop houses. Hoping to finish in time to get the plants in the ground. Let the season begin! Monday, April 27 View Page Just when I thought I was done, I'm picking more rocks out of my patch. Digging pits with backhoe is great, but, digs up lots of rocks, four trailer loads and counting. Got a nice pile of cow manure from my cousin today, nice and aged, and nicely mixed with some straw. Now I get to fill the pits with cow manure and peat moss, and perhaps some leaves that have been composting since last Fall down front. Then, need to add the kelp and final till. No more rocks! Friday, May 1 View Page One of my two pots of watermelon seeds finally came up last night, woo hoo! Now if my other seeds would do so well, I'd be happy. I have two plants 1459 Sundstrom and 1405 Bobier that I started on the 26th that are doing well, I need to get two more plants going. Gonna start some more backups tonight. The back ups to the 4/26 start up date are slow to get started. The 933 Vincent/McGill is doing well, and am watching an 1149Pukos in hopes it will take off. Still going to start more backups. Monday, May 4 View Page All four pits are filled. Now it's time to spread the kelp down and get a final tilling in to even things out after the backhoe had gone in and tore things up a bit. After that, more rock patrol, and then hoop houses can go up. I'm hoping to get my plants in the dirt this week, if not this week, then by the weekend. My lineup has changed a bit, 1459Sundstrom, 1405Bobier, 1149 Pukos, and one mystery plant, and it may end up being my own 938.5 this year if my backups don't germinate in time. I also have some watermelon seeds doing very well this season. Friday, May 8 View Page The patch ready for the season. Finally got the kelp spread in tonight and helpers with the final tilling. Hubby, along with our cousins got the final til done. Had to finish off the pits and move the tarps out of the way, with tons of dirt still on it, I wasn't able to move myself. Ready for the season. After hours of filling four pits and several trailer loads of rock later. Friday, May 8 View Page Even took the time to at least get three of the four hoop houses up tonight as well. Need to get finishing touches for a fourth hoop house, and additional fencing for the addition on the patch. The back side has potatoes, onions and soon corn. Decided on only four plants this year instead of six. Plenty of room for more plants with 6600 sq foot of patch. I have some giant watermelons too I am going to try this season. Thursday, May 14 View Page Some very windy weather, I was tempted to plant my pumpkins last night, and glad I waited with these strong winds coming in. I may try to plant tomorrow, Friday the 15 sounds like a good day to plant. Hoops are up warming the soil, and plants are out in the garage hardening off for the season. Monday, May 18 View Page The debate of when to plant continues and I know I am pushing the envelope with being late in the season, however, we've had winds upwards of 60mph and more this week, frost advisories last night and tonight, and temps to hit 80 this week. I'm going to bite the bullet and plant them tomorrow night, with lows in the upper 40's and risk it. They gotta see dirt before it's too late. I'm hoping with upper 70's and 80's this week they will get running fast, they are really too big for pots, and leggy. I finally anchored all three hoop houses down yesterday with hubby's help, and we built the fourth and final hoop house. They are all closed up today to warm things up, and keep the frost out over night. The season for me will begin with any luck tomorrow. Tuesday, May 19 View Page The 1050 Sundstrom in the ground tonight. Tuesday, May 19 View Page The 1149 Pukos Tuesday, May 19 View Page And giving another try to the 1405 Bobier this year... Tuesday, May 19 View Page Last but not least 1459 Sundstrom Wednesday, May 20 View Page And to be on the safe side, I started two of my own 938.5's and the 802.5 just as back 2 nights ago. Friday, May 22 View Page Two of the backup 938's are up and turning green. The 802's aren't quiet that far yet. But poking thru the dirt. Just in case. Friday, May 22 View Page Taking some much needed time off to get the rest of the plantings done too. Planted tomatoes, peppers, beans and corn today, and hilled 3 rows of potatoes that are looking really nice. Pumpkins are finally settling into their new homes, between heat stress and transplant shock, I had to change the lineup a bit. I lost the 1149, and put in one of my own 938's. Plants are all doing well adjusting, some are smaller than others, but, given the weather, I'm not going to worry, just a bit late in planting. Still have to plant the last of the veggie garden which means cucumbers, and that will be it for the season. Decided against the watermelons. Monday, May 25 View Page Added a light dose of seaweed today. Also put down boards to walk on most of the patch. Weeds LOVE the potato patch! Finally eating some fresh radishes. Waiting for the peas to come in. Fence posts are ready for the patch. Monday, May 25 View Page Pumpkins are in late this year and a bit behind, but doing well. The backup 938 is no longer the baby in the patch. The 1050 Sundstrom is small, but agresive. Sunday, May 31 View Page FROST Advisory tonight! DANG! I have hoops all lit tonight just to make sure. I knew I should have waited to put the tomato plants in this year, dad was right wait til June 1! DANG! FROST! Monday, June 1 View Page Well no frost, but a chilly 41 degrees at 6 am this morning out to the patch. Everyone survived the cold! Thursday, June 11 View Page No pictures just yet, but main vines are starting to run on plants now. The 1459 Sundstrom looking the best so far with main vine starting to run. My 938.5 has huge leaves and tendrils showing up so expect to see that vine out and soon. All plants survived the spraying of Sevin, and no more cucumber beetles on plants til it rains today. Photos to follow soon. Saturday, June 13 View Page Finally getting some much needed sun and warmth. I think Ma Nature finally figured out Summer was coming, and decided to warm up a bit. Gonna see 80 degrees next week first time since Memorial Day holiday in these parts, Cool! Vines are now starting to venture out into the patch. Happy to report a dead cucumber beetle this morning on the 1405, so that means my diligent spraying efforts last evening paid off! My 938 doesn't want to grow on the ground yet, and has HUGE leaves and a HUGE stem growing. I just hope it doesn't split on the way down. I'll have to take some pictures this weekend, been the first photos since planting day. Been kinda crazy in these parts, but they are slowly starting to move! Tuesday, June 23 View Page Out weeding the patch last night after heavy rains, and lo and behold I spot an SVB out on my 1405 plant. Stopped weeding and immediatley started spraying all plants. Plants are all doing well, starting to vine out at about 6-7ft. A bit behind last year, but not worried with the weather we will be getting this week. I'm sure I'll be burrying vines like crazy by Friday. Haven't had the chance to take any pictures latley. Once I get the weeds under control, I'll try to take a few photos. Wednesday, June 24 View Page Ok first I finally got a chance to take pictures last night after doing some vine burying, finally! Be warned you may see weeds, the patch has some world-class weeds growing in the patch that I can't seem to keep ahead of this year. But here goes, the 938.5DuRoss08 has HUGE leaves and starting to run at about 8ft out. Wednesday, June 24 View Page This is the 1050 Sundstrom and perhaps the smallest plant at planting day. It's finally taking off. The 938 was the last plant to see dirt a few days behind these guys but, they are catching up. Given the weather, I'd say they are doing pretty well, about a week behind. Maybe with this weeks 80 degree weather we can catch up. SVB's have been spotted in the patch. Wednesday, June 24 View Page 1405 Bobier, finally starting to move too. It has a few yellow leaves, not sure what is causing that, but the new growth seems to be fine. Some leaves were attacked by cucumber beetles, since it was hard to keep spraying in the down pour rain we got over the weekend. Wednesday, June 24 View Page Last and certainly not least the 1459 Sundstrom, doing very well and has secondaries too. After vine burying last night and upon plant inspection, found a female on it already. Not sure if it will be a keeper or not, as it's only about 8ft out. I'll keep an eye on it and see how much growth we get out of the plants this week and make the final decision in a few days. Wednesday, June 24 View Page OH yeah, and I've been having discussions about maybe having an award for the weediest patch and world class weeds? I think I may have a chance at winning that award this year.... Thursday, June 25 View Page Potential hail storm this evening, and strong thunderstorms over night. Guess I need to put the plastic back up on the hoops for over night. All plants loving the warm temperatures, finally feeling like Summer. Friday, June 26 View Page Thunderstorms yesterday, but thankfully no hail. Some of the vines had rolled around in the wind but nothing major. Did some weeding last night to try and get the corn and potatoes where you can see them thru the weeds. I did a good chunk of it, but still have lots more to go. Sigh. Monday, June 29 View Page Plants faired another doozy of a rain storm yesterday, basically down pour for about 3 hours yesterday. Did not make a great finish to our Ladies LPGA. Pumpkins are stubborn and want to grow regardless. Had a beautiful day here on Saturday, all day sun and warm 80's. NICE! Plants took advantage of it. I haven't been fertilizing since it's been so wet, I have all I can do to keep the weeds out and plants sprayed to keep bugs out. SVBs have been spotted, and direct killed with spray, ha ha! One less SVB in my patch, however, don't know if he did his thing before I killed him. Time will tell. No new photo's not much to report, just trying to grow and keep up with vine burrying. Well behind last year. Hopefully willl see some warmer temps soon on a consistent basis. 80's one minute then down to 70's this week, grr! Monday, July 6 View Page Spent time in the patch dong some serious weeding, and finally can see the corn and potatoes in the back part of the patch, TONS of weeds. Finally getting them under control. Pollinated a female on a side vine of the 1459 Sundstrom yesterday for practice. I have two sets of twins on the 1459 I am watching to pollinate this week, and also watching the other three plants, probably by the end of the week. I hope to have more male flowers out there by then. It was a struggle to find male flowers yesterday. Tons of them coming, but nothing ready yet. Monday, July 6 View Page Pollinated the 1459Sundstrom twins with the 1050 Sundstrom today. Will be pollinating my 938.5 with the 1050 Sundstrom tomorrow morning. The 938.5 females are bagged for the evening as more rain is expected in the forecast for tomorrow. I suspect I'll be pollinating in the rain tomorrow morning, so grabbed the 1050 males this evening and will keep them indoors for the evening for better pollinating and better pollination time. Will be out at the patch at 5am tomorrow morning doing my pollinations. More twins on the 1459 a bit further out, so watching them for better pollinating conditions. I think they opened up on me sometime today, so these will probably be practice pollinations. Tuesday, July 7 View Page Pollinated two females on my 938.5 this morning with 1459Sundstrom pollen brought in the night before to protect from the rains. No rain, but up at 5am to pollinate two female pumpkins. Great fun! I hope they take. Watching the one at about 12-14 foot out, hoping it makes it, as it's in a better location. If not, more coming ahead of it. Tuesday, July 7 View Page Correction on the pollen, not 1050Sundstrom, it was 1459Sundstrom pollen collected last night. Fun stuff, the two plants are side by side, easily confused! I'll probably keep doing that all season. Saturday, July 11 View Page Pollinated another female on the 1459 Sundstrom this morning, a nice 4 lober, but, I pollinated it with my 938. Will be interesting to see what happens. Almost looked like a 5 lober, but I think it was a 4 lobe but very tight. Also pollinated a couple of side vine females on my 938 and the 1459. More females to pollinate yet! Still waiting for the 1050 and the 1405 to set a female. Sunday, July 12 View Page Pollinated a nice 4 lober female on the 1050Sundstrom crossed with a 1405 Bobier. Some more pollinating to do on the 1405 yet, but that will be this week, and maybe done by then. Then the waiting to see which will be the keepers! Monday, July 13 View Page Ok Weeds and all time for some photo's coming shortly. Just finishing up with pollinating, and spotted another SVB out in the patch this afternoon. Will need to do a spray run this evening. Been dry and sunny for two full days, so time to do it. No summer time heat and chilly night time temperatures are a concern but plants are doing well all things considered, and so are the weeds! Tuesday, July 14 View Page The 1050Sundstrom as of yesterday. Cold/Wet temperatures haven't helped the season and a late start. All things considered not bad. Record cold temperatures for July last night. Brrr. Tuesday, July 14 View Page The 1050Sundstrom female. Pollinations pretty much completed this weekend. A few more extras to do this week, but that will be it. Tuesday, July 14 View Page 1459Sundstrom. An agressive plant, with a big flat vine I'm dealing with, but all things considered, very healthy plant. Tuesday, July 14 View Page 1459Sundstrom female. Note nice big split in the main vine before it. There is another female further out I am watching as security. Tuesday, July 14 View Page 1405Bobier, last to produce a female. Pollinated yesterday. Doing well all things considered. Not sure why all the yellow leaves, I'm thinking rain and cold temperatures aren't helping. Tuesday, July 14 View Page My 938, all things considered growing well. A soft spot on the main stump I am watching carefully and plan on treating with Daconil tonight. Tuesday, July 14 View Page The 938 females. I'm hoping for the one further out, but, that one has a brown line on one side that I am watching carefully too. So far so good. Tuesday, July 14 View Page The reason for lack of posting, my patch shot such as it is. With all the wet weather, it's been difficult to keep up on the weeds. And the other reason for the lack of postings coming up... Tuesday, July 14 View Page The weed mess. I've been trying to find my corn rows and potatoes, and I finally got a good handle on it yesterday. Took the day off to catch up on some much needed patch patrol. Not great, but much better. Tuesday, July 14 View Page The aftermath of my weeding efforts, you can finally see the rows of corn and potatos, horray! All good. Saturday, July 18 View Page Pollinated a backup female on my 938 this morning with the 1050Sundstrom. I think I already have my keeper on that plant but has a brown line on one side of it, this is a just in case female. Also looking at a backup female on the 1050, same reason as the 938, brown line on one side. Not too worried, they are all about softball sized or a bit bigger. The 1405 is in a bad location, but he is doing well considering he was the last one pollinated on Monday. I have a backup on that and it should open up tomorrow or the next day. Then all pollinating will be complete for the season. Took off some vines so that I could get thru to the pumpkins easier this year. Just need to get sand and mill fabric under neath them this weekend before they get too big. I have a feeling with this weeks weather coming up finally in the 80's all week, I see big growth coming and would rather get the mill fabric under them sooner rather than later. Saturday, July 18 View Page Got weeds under control finally today. Cousins came over and spent some time tilling the patch weeds down, looks much better now. We must have picked about 5 or 6 trailer loads of weeds today from previous weed pulling. Looks much better. Also got some edge fencing in between the plants to mark the spaces a little better, and got mill fabric underneath 3 of the 4 pumpkins tonight. Ran out of sand to finish the fourth one off. All pumpkins are about grapefruit size or so. Behind from last year, but considering the late start and the cold wet temperatures, I'll take it. Progress! Monday, July 20 View Page The corn, after the war of the weeds... Monday, July 20 View Page Again war continues, and I won for today...Patch shot after loads of tilling with help of the cousins again, many thanks for running the tiller... Monday, July 20 View Page First up, my 938 doing well... Monday, July 20 View Page My 938, I'm rolling with it even with the brown mark on one side... I'll keep an eye on it and there is a female further out but getting late. Daconil will be key here to keep this guy for the season. Monday, July 20 View Page 1050 Sundstrom Monday, July 20 View Page 1050Sundstrom female...a bit behind last year, but given the weather and lack of warm temperatures, all things considered not bad... Monday, July 20 View Page 1459Sundstrom, very agressive, nice plant. Big flat vine I'm watching that is splitting all the way up. This female is doing ok, but a big split on the main vine right next to it. There are females further out, but nothing ready to pollinate yet. Will watch them carefully just in case. Backups... Monday, July 20 View Page 1459Sundstrom female. Monday, July 20 View Page 1405 Bobier, last to pollinate a female. I also pollinated a backup female this weekened, nice four lober further out on the main and in a better location. We're watching both of them, but would like the one further out. I know it's getting late, but location location location on this guy. Monday, July 20 View Page Pollinated last Sunday, not doing too badly... Monday, July 20 View Page The backup 1405 female. Decisions later which to keep. Monday, July 20 View Page Sorry wrong photo. This is the 1405Bobier plant, the other was my 938. This pumpkin is set unfortunatley on the back side of the plant as close to the fence as I could possibly get towards the house. Go figure. I'm watching carefully the backup female as it's in a better position. Not sure how to handle the main vine on this guy short of bending it back behind the plant on the back side to allow enough room for pumpkin. I suppose if I have to move the fencing a bit, it could be done. Depends on how big this guy gets... Monday, August 3 View Page 1050Sundstrom-170"=114 lbs Very low numbers for August 1, but July has been one of the coldest on record, so all things considered, the late start and cold/wet June/July, I'm hoping they will pack on pounds in August/September...Disappointing! Monday, August 3 View Page 1405Bobier 148" = 78 Pounds Last to pollinate, and I cut the main vine after the pumpkin on this one, because the pumpkin set right in the corner of the patch by the fence. May have to adjust the fencing depending on how big this guy gets. So far so good, just disappointed with the weights so far... Monday, August 3 View Page 1459Sundstrom - 155" = 89 Pounds Monday, August 3 View Page I have high hopes for this guy, my own 938 doing fairly well so far. 177"=128 pounds. Lets hope for some extremely hot August temps! Monday, August 3 View Page The patch. A bit more organized this year, fencing in between the plants to section them off a bit, and I have been deading all the vines this year, something I didn't do soon enough last year, and still catching a pumpkin here or there that I didn't see a day or two ago. Nothing huge, but, honeydew size, and culled them out of the patch. That is all the space the plant is allowed, now it is time to grow some fruit! Tuesday, August 4 View Page Well after several "normal" Summer days, not without rain, but the numbers on the pumpkin weighs have improved some, and makes me feel a bit better today. No where near where I was this time last year...Mother Nature doesn't know its Summer in Upstate NY... 1050 Sundstrom 190"=155 pounds 1459 Sundstrom 171"=116 pounds 938 DuRoss 194"=164 pounds 1405 Bobier 169" 113 pounds A bit better in numbers, but still behind..We're due a nice heat wave this weekend, upper 80's and humid, with yep, rain! So maybe a few more additional pounds to catch up would be nice. A few yellow leaves showing up on the 1405Bobier, other than that everyone is healthy, and enough leaves. Time to grow fruit! Friday, August 7 View Page OK I know this is not pumpkin stuff, but this is Buffalo Bills territory, and training camp is in full swing. We have attended several camp sessions already and here is the favorite this year, TO! My cannon camera does not do the players justice, but you get the idea. We've been having fun going to night practices and weekends too. Friday, August 7 View Page More training camp. There is all kinds of activities on the field, you have to pick and choose what you are going to watch when they aren't doing game time practice stuff. This is where they split the defense/offense up and do different drills. Friday, August 7 View Page Offense and defence practicing tackles. Always fun to watch. Back to pumpkins... Friday, August 7 View Page All pumpkins are still growing, although they are behind, with the weather ahead, I may still have a shot to compete. Pumpkins are no where near the pace they were at last year, but they are growing. My smallest pumpkin went from 89 pounds to 113 pounds in less than 3 days, so I hope with some warmth and rain, we'll be in good shape. I hope! Friday, August 7 View Page OK after looking at that photo again that was #85, not #81. I need glasses or my husbands camera to see the numbers better! LOL. Not sure who 85 is but, it was a fun night. Back to pumpkins... Monday, August 10 View Page Quite a few rockin and rollin thunderstorms over night and this morning. Bring on the heat this week. Highs in the 80s and sun sun sun! FINALLY! Lets hope it's enough. Fertilized the patch on Saturday. Photos soon. Thursday, August 20 View Page My 938. I never would have thought my own pumpkin plant would be so much fun to grow, but here is the 938.5 growing nicely in the patch. Roughly around 500 pounds. I haven't measured it since Saturday it was roughly 480 plus pounds then. Well behind this time last year, but all things considered, I'm happy to have what I have given July was so cold. Thursday, August 20 View Page The 1050Sundstrom. Considering that I almost didn't plant this one, it's doing very well. Neck in neck with my own 938 within 10 pounds or so. Not bad, and remaining all white for now. Thursday, August 20 View Page The surprise of the patch, the 1405.5Bobier doing well. As of Saturday it was around 330 pounds, smaller than the other two, but gaining more pounds then the others. Maybe it will catch up with all this warm weather we are now getting. Thursday, August 20 View Page The disappointing 1459Sundstrom. I'm not sure why it quit growing, but it stopped around the 200 pound marker and never really picked up the pace again since. I've been trying to get it to pick up the pace, it hasn't stopped growing but not gaining the way it should. Maybe I pollinated too close to base camp, not really sure what's going on. Thursday, August 20 View Page A very dark patch shot. You can see three out of the four pumpkins in the patch. A bit more organized this year. Vines are getting a little out of control. I'm still snipping off females like crazy even tho I have been deading vines every couple of days. I still find more... Saturday, August 22 View Page update in numbers...The 938 is now up to 544, still behind from last year, but not a bad pace. The 1050 is still doing battle with the 938 at 512 pounds. The 1405 Bobier still packing pounds at 412 pounds. Slightly behind, but I did find a vine borer entry this week on a satellite vine, grrr! Will have to do an investigation this weekend to find more. I have a feeling it's what may be slowing down that 1459. Too late for that one to pick up the pace I think, but all things considered, stll chugging pounds and healthy. Can't ask for better than that. Hoping for a warmer than normal September to pack on pounds lost in July. Sunday, August 23 View Page The patch during the day. Sunday, August 23 View Page My 938 taping around 544 pounds... Sunday, August 23 View Page Sorry no picture... Sunday, August 23 View Page Approx 512 pounds... Sunday, August 23 View Page 1405 Bobier at 412 pounds... Sunday, August 23 View Page Picture shortly... Wednesday, August 26 View Page And proof a pumpkin does grow when you cut the main vine after the pumpkin with that 1405. I did cut it way too close to the main pumpkin, but all things considered a needed measure given where this guy set. Still packing on the pounds. Will measure again this week. Temperatures falling off a bit into the 60's and 70's for the next week won't make putting on 20 pounds a day easy to do. Saturday, August 29 View Page It's raining it's pouring the old man is snoring. Yup raining AGAIN! HARD! Gotta get out there and cover em tonight. It's gonna be a chilly couple of days out there. I hope my soft stump issue is cleared up with the captan I put on it this week, and the soft stem on the 1405, I hope had a chance to dry before all the rains came! EEKS! I can't get out there to check in a down pour. Monday, August 31 View Page OTT = 324... Monday, August 31 View Page OTT 308...Very cold temps the next few nights. They have remained covered all day yesterday and today. Supposed to start warming things up around here by Wednesday. By then, the blankets will come off. Will judge night time temps from there...Slow and steady.... Wednesday, September 2 View Page Finally, I hope last night was the last of the 40 degree nights in these parts til October, at least. I've been covering pumpkins up at night time, and some very heavy dew in the mornings almost feels like Fall! YUCK! Things are finnally drying out here and warming up into the upper 70's and no rain in sight til sometime next week. Bring on the pounds! More photos to come over the long holiday weekend. Did a fertilizer run last night in the patch, fungicide and bug spray and covered the pumpkins. By then it's dark at 8:00, I hate this time of year when it gets dark so much earlier. Gone are the days of 9pm and still light enough to see. Summer? Where? I didn't see enough of it this year.... Tuesday, September 8 View Page The 1050 Sundstrom, roughly 650 plus pounds and still gaining... Tuesday, September 8 View Page Stem cracks on the 1405. And she's oozing all over the place. I gave it a bath with soap and water on Saturday, you'd never know it today. Whoever said cold and flu season is near? I'm still playing nurse to this one for now, watching closely.... Tuesday, September 8 View Page Stem on the 1050 Tuesday, September 8 View Page My own 938 doing well. Around 743 pounds and still gaining... Tuesday, September 8 View Page Another short stem, just like the 938... Tuesday, September 8 View Page Patch shot. Yes the weeds are terrible this year, and with all the rain and wet weather, didn't make it easy to stay on top of things. Still finding baby pumpkins around the patch and clearing them out as fast as I can find em. Some of them are interesting green and yellow mixed colorings. Friday, September 11 View Page Taken this past weekend on Saturday morning. This guy now measures 777 pounds and still gaining. Sunday, September 20 View Page And then there were two pumpkins left in the patch. My smallest pumpkin that I had been nursing for the last two weeks finally went down to a soft spot yesterday morning. Over 650 pounds of pumpkin goo. Rotten on the inside, and stinky! Spent most of yesterday cleaning out the pumpkin first and then working on clearing the vines. Got most of it, but still more vine clean up to come. The other two are around 750 and 850 plus pounds. Will do a measurement today. Been in the 40's the last couple of nights and looks like we got a light frost. Hubby took some photos of me with the ugly little pumpkin that didn't! LOL. It was all mush on the inside but thick side walls, it was taping over 650 last week. Saturday, September 26 View Page As weigh offs begin, I want to wish everyone good luck and may your fruit go heavy on the scales! Good luck to all and safe travels... Friday, October 2 View Page Off to Oswego in the morning. Safe travels everyone, and may your fruit go heavy! Wednesday, October 14 View Page Not a new PB but happy to have a good sized pumpkin to the scales in a lousy Western New York Summer. Coldest July on Record in these parts did not make for good pumpkin growing weather, however, I was happy to find my 914 pound pumpkin did well and came in 10th place at Oswego. For those wondering, I did not have two pumpkins at 914 in top ten. The second listing is correct cross 938.5DuRoss08 x 1459Sundstrom08. It was a great day!