Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 32 Entries. Monday, April 30 View Page Plowed down winter rye today - finalized seed list for 2012 = 1244 1213 Rea, 1085 Williams, 1789 1568 1377 Wallace, 750 1338 1196 902 Swain, 1432 1190 1117 1101 983 Northrup, 1059 Vincent McGill, 1102 785 Pukos, 977 Bosworth, 1544 1579 Revier, 1046 Stevens, 811 Gerhardt, 1436 Wolf, 1167 Courson, 980 Fredericks,1311 Fletcher, 895 Grande, 1229 Nesbitt, 716 Dill, 922 Mohr, 1451 Scherber - thats 32 now I need to narrow it down to 22 for planting Wednesday, June 6 View Page June 5th - 1st time I've tried back to back - so far I like it. With the cold wet weather recently, they have lost the dark green color. There are 10 groups of 2 here - farthest 2 are field pumpkins Wednesday, June 6 View Page June 5th - the big and orange row - 1244 Rea in foreground. Most of these were started 5/3 and planted on 5/15. Wednesday, June 6 View Page This is my best ground but least protected from wind - 1190 Northrup, 1244 Rea, 785 Pukos Wednesday, June 6 View Page Just to the right of the last photo - 1568 Wallace, 1789 Wallace, 980 Fredericks, 902 Swain Wednesday, June 6 View Page This how my son, wife and I planted 15 acres of pumpkins from 5/26-5/30. Most have not germinated yet - hopefully they have not damped off due to the cold, wet weather - stay tuned Monday, June 11 View Page June 11 - Patch 1 - location of the "heavy hitters" although they have been beat up by the wind. Monday, June 11 View Page June 11 - patch 2 - planted late but most are growing well. Monday, June 11 View Page June 11 - patch 3 - protected from wind - doing well. All 3 patches drenched today with imadacloprid, companion, neptune, kelp powder, extreme blend, nitro 30-0-0, microtech 4-0-0. Wednesday, June 27 View Page After reading Matt D. post on diseases, I think this may be mosaic virus Wednesday, June 27 View Page Again is this mosaic virus? Wednesday, June 27 View Page 1568 Wallace foreground with 1789 behind it. Wednesday, June 27 View Page These all look good - more to pollinate tomorrow Saturday, June 30 View Page The big and orange row Saturday, June 30 View Page 1059 Vincent McGill - certainly 1 of my strongest plants Saturday, June 30 View Page 1432 Northrup - I've got high hopes for this one - strong from the beginning - pollinated with 1789 Wallace Saturday, June 30 View Page Had to pull another plant due to mosaic virus - pretty discouraging when you've done all the correct prep with merit drench, rootshield, actinovate, companion, etc. Looking for some large field pumpkin seeds to fill the spots. Thursday, July 19 View Page 1432 Northrup - showing effects of mosaic virus - ripening early and little growth of pumpkin or plant. Thursday, July 19 View Page 1432 Northrup again showing green and yellow blister like skin Thursday, July 19 View Page 1059 Vincent McGill - also suffering from mosaic virus - none of the other 30 plants have fruit worthy of a photo - I may be looking to buy some giants in early to mid October for my wife to carve for our yearly display Sunday, July 22 View Page 811 Gerhardt showing effects of mosaic virus Sunday, July 22 View Page 716 Dill - also with mosaic virus Sunday, July 22 View Page 716 Dill also with mosaic virus Saturday, December 1 View Page 26th year of growing AG but a difficult season after getting hit with mosaic virus early but still fun and the ultimate challenge. Saturday, December 1 View Page My wife, Sharon, continues to design and impress all with her carving ability. Saturday, December 1 View Page The Grinch that stole Christmas Saturday, December 1 View Page again the Grinch carving Saturday, December 1 View Page Lorax Saturday, December 1 View Page Usually we have 6 to carve for the front of the house - hopefully next year will turn out better - I will be looking for seeds from smooth, orange giants to grow for next year Saturday, December 1 View Page My favorite "The cat in the hat" from the 1244 Rea (thanks Glenna) Saturday, December 1 View Page "Green Eggs and Ham" - ironically I gave Len Stellpflug plants for his granddaughters to grow and they grew this 405 pounder - I bought the pumpkin from them so my wife would have something to carve. Monday, December 3 View Page This photo of Sharon and I was on the front page of a local Rochester NY newspaper this week. I can't get the entire article to transfer - if you google Gates Chili Post it will show as photo 2.