Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 287 Entries. Monday, April 6 View Page Here's a pair, for Glenn Peters & George Caron for getting me off the couch, & full time in the patch, note the Sam Adams in each hand too!! This young lady works at the info desk at Nashoba Valley. Here she's supplying the judges at the 1st Annual Pond Skim at Nashoba, March 15, 2009. Sam was flowing freely. Monday, April 6 View Page The Gals kicking up a storm at the 1st annual Nashoba Valley Pond skim.3/15/09 Monday, April 6 View Page 1st Nashoba Pond skim 3/15/09, Super Leo( part-time instructor skimmin. I work part-time as an instructor at Nashoba Valley in Westford MA., from before Thanksgiving til my last lesson closing day 3/22, ( a 3yr.old that just about killed me). I only missed a few Mon. & Fridays all season, trying to get in shap for growing season. Monday, April 6 View Page Nashoba Valley Pond Skim 1009 Monday, April 6 View Page Nashoba Valley Pond Skim 2009. This instructor a teenager Eric, won a snowboard setup for hitting the pond backward. Monday, April 6 View Page nashoba Valley 2009 Pond Skim. A lot of water was eaten that day. Judge bench on right was from WAAF radio. Monday, April 6 View Page Nashoba Valley 2009 pond skim. Chris(L) & Olivia (R)HS Seniors, are part of the 210+ part-time instructors. They usually get the real young learners, 4 and under. None of them were around on the last Sunday, So this ugly decrepit, old buck got the tiny 4 yr old, Noah. Under 4 we usually have a parent on skiis, cause after 7-9 minutes Noah was tired, sore, boots too heavy....... So I dragged him around & held his ski tips whils skiing down backward. I took him up the chair which is where he indicated he was 3 fingers old. I was sore for 3 days. Monday, April 6 View Page Back to my story. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THIS 2009 GROWING SEASON!!! George Caron's patch,HH are up,not tilled yet, 4/4/09. Met at George's house to ride w/Glenn Oeters to pick up some Humic Acid & Kelp in Topsfield from Woody Lancaster. We DID go on the RIGHT DAY!!! And the tour of Downtown was great.... "Hey didn't we just go by here???" Monday, April 6 View Page Kearns, Front compost pile (L) brush to be cleared (R). Worked 8hr. Sat. clearing & moving to patch, after road trip w/Glenn & George, to Woody's for the Humic & kelp. I lost count on how many plots Woody keeps up. Hearing His Enthusiasm & listening to Glenn & George on the ride, "I" decided to skip the End of Season Nashoba Valley Cookout, (Sam was going to be there,)to work on the patch. Also my lovely wife told me I had to pick up Duncan Sat.night 7:30, (No Sam!!). Monday, April 6 View Page kearns 4/5/09, Piled brush all Sat. Burned all Sun. Monday, April 6 View Page Kearns 2009 patch pre burn 3/5/9 Monday, April 6 View Page Kearns Patch 4/5/9. Holy Cat!!! It's "Crackey Croc"!! That's not nest there "Crackey" Monday, April 6 View Page Kearns Patch 09 I wouldn't lay eggs in there unless you want them overhard, "Crackey Croc". Monday, April 6 View Page Kearns09 patch. WOA! "I warned you "Crackey". I wonder what amendments a cooked saltwarter croc, adds to one's patch???? The flame is what's left of the Christmas Tree I split and threw on each fire for Good Luck this season. Monday, April 6 View Page Kearns 09. There's something Green in the patch. Yeah!!!Crackey!!! Monday, April 6 View Page "Crackey"!?!?! It is you!! The black areas are "Lower Patch" 4 Mounds 7x10'. Added/spread: 3# Blood Meal, #5 Gypsum, #4 Kelp(Organica,last yr.)3# Humic(new) and #2 Kelp(new). Watered in w/sprinkler. Kearns patch 4/5/09 Monday, April 6 View Page Kearns 4/5/09 Thanks again to Glenn,George & Woody for motivating the start of my season. I've got the crown areas covered w/old plastic to warm. I'll add 1 bale peat moss, 4-8 bags of manure, and any compost ready material I find when I flip my 4 piles. I've also got some great soil in the lilac brush area I cleared, that I'll be moving to the patch. I hope to try George's old tiller this weekend, & thanks for the seeds. Then put up my HHs, and heat lights. My patch is about 4 weeks ahead of last year!!! Now if I can get my germinations to pop?!?! Thursday, April 16 View Page My 15 year old Duncan suprised me when I got home from the ski area 1 night!!! Said he wanted to be like his old man. Actually he made the Regionals in Highschool swimming as a freshman. He made it in the breast stroke and freestyle. Hard to believe that all the boys that went shaved. I don't think I would have done it in high school. Now look at me!! Thursday, April 16 View Page Went to the Tea Party Protest in Lowell MA. 4/15/2009 Estimates of 300-400 showed up. Really hard time finding parking, due to the outside carnival around the corner at the Tsongus Arena parking lot. Parking lots near the 2 events were charging $20, so I parked in the municipal lot, for $3, about 1/2 mile walk along a canal. If Obama thinks he can Spend our way out of a "Recession", then why not just give US ALL $1,000,000. and REALLY Stimulate the economy??? Then I COULD afford a blower!! Thursday, April 16 View Page Tea Party Protest, 4/15/2009. Lowell MA. Had to limp the 1/2 mile to the JFK Plaza, along the way I thought I'd relive a little history & visit Jack Kerouac's old hang out. Besides my older son's band has played upstairs there & I know where the bathroom is. I too a squirt/chugged a 10oz $1 draft, & met these 2 gentlemen, Paul & George,(Beatles??) on their way in. Didn't see Jack. Thursday, April 16 View Page Tea Party Protest, 4/15/2009, Lowell MA. Even Uncle Sam showed up. I've been listening to Talk Radio for the last 30 years Starting with Gerry Williams and now with Howie Carr,Peter Blute, Todd Feinburg, Laura Ingraham and a few others. Conserative not republican. The Runaway government spending is going to bankrupt our children. How Obama can say he's going to straighten out the deficit in 5 years, while he's tripling it, and people actually BELIVE him, is beyond me. Thursday, April 16 View Page "Quasimoto"(the Hunckback) #330 Kearns '08, Goffstown NH Ist Place!!!! Biggest, Ugliest, Out of State entry!!!!! Thanks to all the other Out of Staters, for not attending. Thursday, April 16 View Page Kearns front yard 2008, Westford MA. My younger son Duncan & I carved these & 4 more out of pic to the right. Iknow Iknow. This year fewer and BIGGER. Thursday, April 16 View Page My First Topsfield 2008, #1311, #1398, & #1464. My 2009 patch is way ahead of last year. I've been burning brush on the crowns and various locations. I've also been applying CTea around the crowns Compost piles & rasberries, every 2-3 days. Thursday, April 16 View Page My 1st Topsfield 2008. Yes good eye!! That is the #408.5 Kearns 2008 the little blonde on the right. Patch work going ok. Tomorrow Friday I've got a vacation day. Supposed to be our 1st day in the 70's and sunny. I'll be trying to till the crown areas 5 finish amending them and getting some Hoop Houses up. Tuesday, April 21 View Page Kearns 2009, Had Friday 4/17 off got to till a little over 1/2 of my main patch. Want to thank George Caron, AHAB, for giving me his old tiller. I usually flip it all by hand. On each of the 4 crowns I put down: 40# dehydrated manure, 2 x 40# bags humus/manure, mixed with, Humic Acid/Kelp/Garden gypsum/Blood meal,worm poop,and Mycorizae. Tuesday, April 21 View Page Kearns 2009, thanks again to George Caron for the tiller. Fri.4/17 tilled and amended the 4 crown areas/middle of the patch. Also tilled a few feet in around the perimeter, where the fresh horse poop I threw down last fall didn't seem to be doing anything. I distributed 10 gal. of compost Tea on, and covered the crowns w/plastic. Tuesday, April 21 View Page NHGPGA 4/18/2009 Seed Swap. Demers Garden Center Manchester NH. Linda Rodonis, -------(sorry), Jim Kuhn, Bill Rodonis, Bruce Hooker. Pizza, Beer, and 2 tables of seeds, YEAH Baby!!! Tuesday, April 21 View Page NHGPGA Seed Swap 4/18/09, Demers Garden center. First time growers take a seed starting class with (l-r) Peter Carter,Eric Sperry, (lady I don't know name, Sorry!), and Robert Demers. Tuesday, April 21 View Page NHGPGA Seed Swap 4/18/09 Demers Garden centar Manchester NH. (L-R) Mike McMurry, Bruce Hooker, Matt Thistle,(sorry),(Sorry), Robert Demers w/logo, Eric Sperry (profile) Friday, April 24 View Page Kearns 09, inside the Tea Shed, "Crackey Croc" and Capt. Nemo plough the froth off the latest batch of Compost Tea. During the Ice Storm in Dec.we lost power for 5 days, the tank heaters I was using shut-off and the batch I was brewing froze in the 2 buckets. They cracked and spilled into 1 corner of the shed. When the shed heats up it smells pretty funky. Friday, April 24 View Page Looks Like "Crackey"'s had enough brew and is ready to go to work??or something. I've been brewing CT since early March, trying to get some biology going in my compost piles (4), Bins (2) and various growing areas. My rasberries, roses, Upper & lower Patches, and Anne's Day Lillies. My set up is really basic. Monday, April 27 View Page Kearns 2009. Sat. 4/25 went to Woody's secret underground lair at an undisclosed location in Topsfield. (L-R) George Hoomis, George Caron, Glenn Peters, & Woody Lancaster. I drove down with Glenn & George C. to pick up 5 Gal. buckets of fish emulsion. Beautiful day hi 70's and sunny. Monday, April 27 View Page 4/25/09 Woody Lancaster's Germination Lair. George Caron, Woody, & George Hoomis check out Woody's seedlings and germination area. He's got some stuff growing for verious people, I didn't take notes, so I can't list what he had going. Those leafs as big as your hand are cots, WOW!! Monday, April 27 View Page 4/25/09 Woody Lancaster's underground Germination at an undisclosed location in Topsfield. "See when I hold the light under George's chin how SCAREY he looks!!" Woody showing George Caron, Glenn Peters, and George Hoomis, his heat source for his Germination Chamber, green box on left. Monday, April 27 View Page 4/25/09 Lancaster Lair. Woody shows George Caron his Germination Chamber, a discarded insulated food service box, with tray shelves and a "Vent Hole", in the front door that George Hoomis had to update Woody on. Thanks to Woody for the bulk by on the Fish Emulsion, this day I got 2 x 5Gal pails and a couple weeks ago,40# Kelp and 100# Humis Acid. Monday, April 27 View Page 4/25/09 Thanks to Glenn Peters, for driving George Caron & I to Woody Lancasters TOP(sfield) Secret Germination Lair. I didn't get all the details but he's starting seedlings for a few club members, and an impressive set-up it is. Those green leaves on the seedlings on the left are hand size cots!! His Green Germination Chamber, with the 2 lights hanging off that he showed us cooked some seedlings, trays below them. Monday, April 27 View Page Kearns 2009, 4/26/9, after the road trip to Topsfield Sat. to pick-up some fish emulsion, and viewing Woody Lancaster's plant starting set-up, Glenn Peters giving me his 1370 Rose x Selfed,(and mentioning that he's ALREADY in the ground), George Caron, whose all tilled, showing the seedlings in his germination closet, and George Hoomis out doing me in the facial hair dept. I figured I'd better get serious. Sunday 2/26 I finally started some seeds and finished tilling. This is my 3rd year and 1st Till. Beside: wire, rope, string, fish line, Wire coat hangers, Long winter rye, getting tangled,I managed to pretzel a 2 foot re-bar,(to left of center). Monday, April 27 View Page Kearns 2009, 4/26. 80 degrees sunny, After untwisting the 2'rebar from the tiller I managed to finish the Main Patch (far) and the Top Patch (near). Top patch added prior to till, 2 x 40# bags Humus/Manure, 50# bag dehydrated manure, to crown, along with: 7# humic acid, 3 C. kelp, 1 C.worm poop, 3 C. Blood meal, and 6 C. Grubex. to whole Top Patch. I distributed 5 Gal. C.Tea mixed w/Fish Emulsion and 50 Gal. water, to Top P.crown, and around plastic Crown area on Main P. Monday, April 27 View Page 2009 Kearns, After the Road Trip to Topsfield with Glenn and George, I returned to yard work, This is the front yard. The area was overgrown honey suckle and weed like bushes. I finished cleaning and burning about 2/3s of it. Sat. was in the hi 70's & sunny, TOO HOT this early. I also planted a Blue Spruce & Black Canadian Fir(name?) both tall to block rte 40. Also put in some common lilies, to hold the soil and fill in. I've been able to take out 4 barrows full of the composting leaves and dirt from this area, for the Patches, hope to get a lot more. Monday, May 4 View Page I'm 0-5 for my 1st germ try. I think I've got the temps in my Wipe Warmer and homemade "Hot Box". Started 7 new seeds in Pill Box in Wipe heater, on Sat.5/2/09. 1011.4 Peters (1370 Rose x Self 1028 Powers (500 Northrup x 1101 Northrup) 719 Tanner (1370 Rose x 775.5 Tanner) 1073 Vandrey (893 Privitera x 1367 Rose) 1054.5 Tanner (998.6 Pukos x Self) 711 Zuhlke (772 Poirier x 500 Northrup) 996 Dwelly (772 Poirier x 1566 Rodonis) Hopefully they'll be up when I get home. Monday, May 4 View Page Kearns 09. My Wipe warmer with Pill box inside 5/2/09. I've a temp sensor below the Pill box and thermometer on Pill box. The "Hot Box" right is staying between 85-95 degrees. I soaked 8" peat pots in (fish emulsion/H20, Hydrogen Peroxide), loaded w/seed start mix, put in sealed 1 gal. plastic baggies, and in the Box on a metal tray with a tank heater attached to the bottom of the tray. Friday, May 8 View Page Stopped into George Caron's in Wilmington MA. Wednesday in a brief dry moment between rain storms. AHAB's got 3 plants in the patch, and 2 Long Gourds, enjoying the lovely spring weather Friday, May 8 View Page 5/6/09 772.2 Poirier in 1 of George Caron's Hoop houses. Friday, May 8 View Page 5/6/9 AHAB uses zippered doors on his hoop houses. They use the zippered openings to get in /out of the boats they shrink wrap for the winter. Friday, May 8 View Page 5/6/09 George Caron's Long Gourd trellis. He's got plants in at the base of both posts. Alot growin in a little backyard. Friday, May 8 View Page 5/6/09 Hidden in the bowels of the Caron Manse in Wilmington MA. George showed me his Magic Closet. His success rate in germinating, to a seed killer like me, was amazing!! I did note that he didn't overdo with moisture, which I'm thinking is ONE of my problems. Friday, May 8 View Page 5/6/09 George Caron, in his secret underground lair, shows me some of the results of this year's germination program. 1191.5 Northrup, 1235.5 Daletas, and 1058.8 Papez. With my lack of germination success, I'm thinking..... HMMMM, 1 down each pant leg and 1 under the back of my jacket....HMMM. "HEY George look over there!!" Friday, May 15 View Page Kearns 2009 The plants from George Caron's, made the transition with minimal damage. They sat in the top of my shed for four days til I could erect some shelters for them. Friday, May 15 View Page Mother's Day 5/10/09, 1058.8 Papez (898 Knauss x 805 Pukos) in the top of shed, wanted to lay down . Friday, May 15 View Page 5/10/09 Mother's Day got the 1058.8 Papez in the ground. The 1st time I've used the split pot in a pot transplant method. The mix was so dry it really fell apart more than I'd like. I wet the next 2 prior to putting them in.Thanks again George, I'm at least 5-6 weeks ahead of last year. Friday, May 15 View Page Wern(?) nesting on 3 2x4's leaning against the side of my shed. Friday, May 15 View Page Kearns 5/12/09 After work I carried my cooler and big radio (Talk Radio), down to the patch determined to frame and plastic 2 more HH so I could get the plants George Caron had given me the week before. The HH are 7.5' wide x 8+' long plus end domes. 4' rebars 2ft apart, 8-9 ft 3/4 pcv tubing, ropes knotted to rebars at the bottom of each pvc tube to keep in place, cross bars tie-wrapped at each cross bar. 4ml plastic, Held on with clips. Friday, May 15 View Page Kearns 5/12/09, after work I got the Frames up, 4 ml plastic clipped on, and other 2 plants from George, in the ground just before dark. The 1235.5 Daletas (1370 Rose x 1068 Wallace), in the near left HH SW corner Main P. and the 1191.5 Northrup (904 Northrup x ????) far left HH, in the North West corner, and the 1058.8 Papex in the open HH south East Corner. Friday, May 15 View Page 5/13/09 Westfrod HS Chorus and Orchestra concert. My son Duncan a freshman Sings in the chorus and plays trumpet in the Orchestra. He's 2nd from right back row, this guy in front was singing "The Duke of Earl" you should have heard him transition from the really Low to really High notes. 2 hours in those seats did wonders for my old hip, plus we had 2 more hours the next night, He also plays in the school Band and Jazz Band. Friday, May 15 View Page 5/14/09 Westford HS Jazz Band concert. My son "Duke", is the trumpet in back on right. My older son "Mack", who's been playing, paying gigs since he was a Junior in the HS and was 1st tenor sax in the HS bands for 3 years, has set the bar hi for Duncan. Though Duncan has it all over him in the vocals dept. Friday, May 29 View Page Kearns 5/15/2009, with 3 plants in the earth, Thanks AHAB, I needed at least 2 more to fill my patches. Did everything the same except ONLY WATER on the seed start mix. 3 days and 5 for 5 popped thru. YEAH!!! 100% success rate, (if I disregard the 10 I already killed). 3 Went into the patch 5/22. The 762 Powers (1101 Northrup x 500 Northrup) went in the main patch. The 851 Perham (1142 Van Kooten x 1446 Werner) and 765 Vanderpool (998 Pukos x 1110 Wallace), went in the upper patch, 1 of which will be culled. Friday, May 29 View Page When removing the cots I found the "Reverse"?? tweezers on the right were great. When you squeeze them, they open which was good for prying the seeds open. Of the 5 that did germ for me I'm holding the 1307 est Poirier,(500 Northrup x 772.2 Poirier) and the 804 Vincent Mcgill(670 Daletas x 1180 Daletas) as backups. Friday, May 29 View Page Kearns 5/22/09 #762 Powers, #851 Perham, and #765 Vanderpool went in the ground 5/22. The 804 Vincent Mcgill, and 1307 Poirier on the right are under lights in the "Tea Shed". Friday, May 29 View Page Kearns 09. Memorial Day, Duncan played taps at the 8 sites in town during the parade. He did it last year as an 8th grader in the High School Band Friday, May 29 View Page Westford MA 2009 Memorial Day. The Minute Men firing a salute. You could really feel the percussion. Check the shooter 2nd from left, must have been a bugger hitting your target with your head turned and eyes closed. Tuesday, June 9 View Page Got kind cold 6/5 so I put candles in the 5 hoop houses, View from the top of the Tea House Tuesday, June 9 View Page 6/8/09 Kearns patch, The 1235 Daletas appears to have a Double Main vine??? The main got into the mess at the lighter. There were 2 vine heads just above the lighter and that was it. I snipped 1 off just before the pic. Tuesday, June 9 View Page Kearns 2009 The 1235 Daletas has what I guess was a double Main Vine problem. I had 2 back-ups in pots so I decided to put 1 in next to it as a back-up. The 1307 Poirier (500 Northrup x 772 Poirier) was looking un happy so I gave him some room to move. Tuesday, June 9 View Page View from top of the "T" House, Kearns 2009 First day direct sun. Home all day Sunday so I figured I'd take the tops off of the HHs, let them get some unfiltered sun. Tuesday, June 9 View Page Kearns 09 Upper patch,I got these 2 in dirt on 5/23. 765 Vanderpool (L) (998 Pukos x 1110 Wallace) and 851 Perham (r) (1142 Van Kooten x 1446 Werner). I think I kept the cut worm collars on too long. The Main Vines didn't seem to be putting on any length, when I pulled out the collars there were roots touching them. Note to self. don't bury the collars too deep and remove sooner. I wonder if this may have caused the "Double Vain" on the 1235 Daletas??? Tuesday, June 9 View Page Kearns '09. 1058 Papez in the dirt 5/10. First day of direct sun. out about 5.5 feet I burried my first vine of the year. YEAH!!!GAME ON!!! Thanks again for the plants AHAB Wednesday, June 10 View Page Kearns 2009. OH Man!!! What the heck is growing on my 762 Powers????? I've been sprinkling granulated Garlic around the trunks of my plants. I had removed the inside lid (with shaker holes), to fill the garlic shaker and forgot to put it back on. When I went to shake a little out it just POURED onto the plant. Between all the Garlic and the Fish emulsion I've been applying, my Hoop Houses smell like a dumpster behind a seafood restaurant, where the chef loves garlic. Monday, June 22 View Page Kearns 2009. On left, 765 Vanderpool (998 Pukos x 1110 Wallace) Finally laid down Friday 6/19, I've got 1.5 foot of the main burried and secondary vines starting both sides. I culled the 851 Perham on right. Some of the leaves were taking on some disturbing colorations. Monday, June 22 View Page Kearns 2009 The 762 Powers,(1101 Northrup x 500 Northrup) finally laid down on Fathers Day 6/21. The 804 Vincent McGill is the backup on the other side of it. Monday, June 22 View Page Kearns 09. The 1191 Northrup, the main out 8' on right, I'm going to be pitch forking the tierchiery vines on the 1 secondaries back. Monday, June 22 View Page Kearns '09. The other side of the 1191 Northrup, I was out on DAD's Day burrying vines in the drizzle/ occ. down pour. "SNAP!?!" Monday, June 22 View Page While burrying vines on Father's Day, my attention was suddenly caught by what I can only describe as a barely audible "SNAP", and I looked up from the front of the 1191 Northrup back to the secondary on this side, and SAW it falling to the ground. I've been leaving the terchiery(sp) vines on the 1st 2nd vines for a pitch fork pattern. It broke right at 1 so I've got my new leader for the secondary on this side. Monday, June 22 View Page Kearns '09. 1058 Papez (898 Knauss x 805 Pukos) with the Main out 10' on left heading south. 3 secondary on this side are burried. The 1st one will be sending 3rd vines about 6-7' backward in a pitch fork pattern. Monday, June 22 View Page Kearns '09. The 1058 Papez (898 Knauss x 805 Pukos) from the front. Fathers Day 6/21 Main out 10', 3 secondaries burried on both sides. This plant and the 1191 Northrup are growing great and about 4 weeks ahead of where I was last year. Thanks again George Caron for pushing me early. The 1235 Daletas on the other hand looks like it'll be a case study for me. Monday, June 22 View Page Kearns '09 The 1235 Daletas (1370 Rose x 1068 Wallace), in the ground 5/12. Started off as a double vine. I clipped 1 of the leaders, the head on the leader is as big as a fist. Even the secondaries coming out have huge heads on them that seem to be holding them back. They don't seem to be vining out and the main is looking like a flat vine that wants to grow straight up. I've got the 1307 Poirier (500 Northrup x 772 Poirier) growing next to it for a back-up. Friday, June 26 View Page NHGPGA Twilight Tour June 23,09 Derry NH. John Girgus walking the planks between his 983 Girgus and 1288 Connolly. I got 2 differing e-mails on which is which so I'll leave it to your imagination. Friday, June 26 View Page NHGPGA 6/23/09 Twilight Tour Derry NH Girgus patch. Jim Kuhn holding court under the relative dryness of an umbrella. Left to right Jim, Mr & Mrs. Watson, Joe Post (front) and Angela Squires. Friday, June 26 View Page NHGPGA 6/23/09 John Girgus Patch Tour. When I left my house in Westford MA, the sky was just starting to break and it looked like the sun was trying to make a rare appearance. As I headed North to Derry I drove thru some major downpours and thought maybe I should have brought an umbrella, but the rains held off and the tour was informative. L to R, Bruce Hooker, Garrad(?)(and he told me 3-4 times,sorry), Hiram Watson, Barry LeBlanc, Robert Demers, Joe Post, John Girgus, and Jim Beauchemin. Friday, June 26 View Page NHGPGA 6/23/09 John Girgus patch tour, Derry NH. "Hey LOOK!?!" "Joe's got a tendril growing out of his head." John Grigus performs surgery on Joe Post, with Robert Demers(l) and Norm Cote (r). The 983 Girgus and 1288 Connolly, in the back. Friday, June 26 View Page NHGPGA 6/23/09 Girgus Patch Tour. L-R Derek Cote, Norm Cote (orange hat), John Girgus, Dennis Mounce Jr. (black hat) Friday, June 26 View Page NHGPGA 6/23/09 Girgus Tour, Alliese(sp)(1st year) and Dylan (seasoned pro) relaxing at the tour. Alliese was mentioning how she's been keeping up with the weeding and her plant is looking good, "NOT that she's competing with Dylan." ..."but he hasn't been doing any weeding...." "I'm easing into it, and I don't want to desturb the roots..."Dylan Friday, June 26 View Page NHGPGA 6/23/09 Girgus Patch Tour. It got dark early with the heavy cloud cover. Where else but a Giant Pumpkin growers gathering would there be major discussion of worm farming over a table of great food. Bruce Hooker (R) conducted the seminar, Dennis Mounce Jr. getting some tips. I didn't get the full story but sounds like Dennis is getting started. It also sounded like a lot of work, I can't spare the time for unless I give up the little sleep I do get. Robert Demers (C) listens on. Friday, June 26 View Page NHGPGA 6/23/09 Girgus Patch Tour Derry NH. John's larger plant. You could walk along the fence, behind the 2' of great looking soil, to get to the trunks. Despite lack of sun John's plants were really vining out. I tried to pocket some soil, but John checked everyone on the way out, BAGGED. Tuesday, June 30 View Page The main on the 1235 Daletas. This plant is a mess. My finger is pointing to the flat main, and less then 1' to right is the leader. It started double vining again, so I trimmed off the head and surrounding growth trying to clean it up I've got 2 secondary on the ground, hopefully if I can get some roots in it'll straighten out. To the left of My hand at about 7' out the main looked like it took a bullet I mounded a mess of dirt and am trying to get my new main back on the ground. Tuesday, June 30 View Page Kearns 09. The 1235.5 Daletas, my problem plant. It hasn't really vined out for me. The leaves and vine leaders are just all clumped together. I'm trying to do some drastic thinning. (1307 Piorier still next to it. Tuesday, June 30 View Page Kearns '09. 1235.5 Daletas. I've got a female at 12-13' on the main. looks like it may open in the next day or 2. No males ready to open yet looks like I may have some by Friday. Last year I was trimming the males off early and had to get males from a few other growers. This year I haven't trimmed any males but I just don't have many and they don't seem to be maturing fast. Could be all the clouds and rain we've gotten??? Tuesday, June 30 View Page Kearns '09. OOPS! Mis-labeled previous entry. That's the 1158.8 Papez, with a female 12-13' out. Took this snap at 5:30AM, 6/30, after I sprayed 3 Gal. compost Tea and Fish emulsion. Looks like it may open Wed. or Thurs. and I have no males looking excited about. I may have to beg for males again. Tuesday, June 30 View Page Kearns '09 (The night before the last entry.)First fem. on the 1058 Papez 12'out, before I cut the leaf growing on top of it. I think I nicked it when I cut the leaf. Tuesday, June 30 View Page Kearns '09. The 1058 Papez, this plant has been a super grower, so far. On the 1 secondaries I'm sending the Tierchieries back in fork pattern. I've already termed 2 on left side. The vines on the left of this pic. will term at the walking board, the 1st I sent back the 3,4, & 5, I'm sending forward. On the right of the pic I still have 10-11' for the secondaries to grow before I reach the fence. This plant has been laying down vines in a nice even pattern filling in well. Thanks again to AHAB. Thursday, July 9 View Page First female 11.5' out on the 1058 Papez. I again didn't have any males ready to dance. Thursday, July 9 View Page Found 1 that looked like it could be coaxed, so I gave it some time in the dryer,(permanent press). Thursday, July 9 View Page The male did open so on 7/1/09 I had 1 shot at pollenating my 1st female 11.5' out on the main of 1058.8 Papez. It seems to be growing slowly, despite the weather. Here's Crackey checking out my latest invention to prevent soil compaction, and vine damage. The chair rides on the tubing, which is right above the main. I was looking for a chair with a cup holder , but you take what you get. There's another female 3' past this 1 that looks like it may opne this weekend. Thursday, July 9 View Page I pollinated this torpedo 7/3/09. It's 9.5' out on the main of the 1191.5 Northrup, (1191 x 1058.8 Papez) Thursday, July 9 View Page This is the 1191 Northrup from the middle of the patch. The vines near are terchiery and terminated. The chair is at 10' w/a torpedo under it. Vines to left have about 7' to go beyond the wind fence. Thursday, July 9 View Page Despite all of the rain we've been getting, I decided I'd better set-up a watering system. So I connected a bunch of faucets splitting 1 into 2 outlets and attached hoses to different parts of the patch. Thursday, July 9 View Page When I was designing my watering manifold, the SUN was so blinding I didn't realize I positioned it in the MIDDLE of the main patch. It was 1 of the few warm/sunny/summer like days, so when I turned on the water I didn't mind getting sprayed. Thursday, July 9 View Page The main on the 1235.5 Daletas seems to have gotten over a nasty start. Double main /that flattened out/ then Exploded, which I covered with a pile of dirt. I've gotten some of the side vines to lay down, and put the main in a sling to see if I could keep it from snapping. Thursday, July 9 View Page the 1235 Daletas still a mess of leaves with a few of the vines moving away from the cluster. I've been thinning out the leaves that seem to be too close together and sometimes on both sides of the vines at the same spot. I'm hoping the genetics on this plant will give me a BIG suprise, for all it's trouble. (1370 Rose x 1068 Wallace) Thursday, July 9 View Page 762 Powers,(1101 Northrup x 500 Northrup) chugging along. Thursday, July 9 View Page The 765 Vanderpool (998 Pukos x 1110 Wallace) in the upper patch crawling along. looks like I will have a female on the Main and on the 2nd secondary 1 side. Thursday, July 9 View Page Got most of the vines tacked and burried and the downpours hit. walls of water out of the sky for about 2 hours, on the day of the 2nd NHGPGA tour. I was getting my rain gear and umbrella ready when.... Thursday, July 9 View Page ...and then the skies magically cleared. The temps jumped to the mid 70's with heavy humidity. So getting ready for the 2nd NHGPGA patch tour, I decided it was so warm I'd wear shorts, sandles, and t-shirt. On the way to Merrimack NH. I passed from sun light to down pours, Thunder storms, and Hail (I heard about Later). By the time I got there it was COLD and dark with the threat of rain constant. Thursday, July 9 View Page NHGPGA Tour 7/7/09, Barry Leblanc's patch. Jim Beauchemin and Barry on the boards checking out his 1502 Wallace. Near us is the 1566 Rodonis running to the right, and back to back with the 1161 Rodonis. (sorry if I got it wrong) Thursday, July 9 View Page NHGPGA Patch Tour 7/7/09 Barry Leblanc's Merrimack NH. Group shot. Summer in NH.??? Notice the coats and sweatshirts. I was freezing!!! Thursday, July 9 View Page NHGPGA Patch Tour, 7/7/09, Barry Leblanc's Merrimack. View from the porch. Koi pond in front with 1161 main leader under the blue tent on the right. Back to back with the 1566 on left. Koi pond was cool some of the fish were good sized and the trickling water almost put me to sleep, (if I wasn't so cold). Thursday, July 9 View Page NHGPGA Tour 7/7/09, Barry Leblanc's patch. His 2 lovely daughters greeted us at the gate. Thursday, July 9 View Page NHGPGA tour 7/7 Barry Leblanc SVB trap Thursday, July 9 View Page NHGPGA tour 7/7/09. Merrimack NH Barry Leblanc's patch. Bill Rodonis, Barry, Jim Beauchemin, and Dennis Mounce Jr. Wednesday, July 22 View Page 7/4/09 Boston Tea Party. I went in to Boston on the 4th for the Tax Protest. Saw these street performers when I was heading back to ride the "T". Must be hotter an Hell in a REAL Summer. Wednesday, July 22 View Page North Beach Hampton Beach N.H. Visited my folks 7/12/09. Wednesday, July 22 View Page Kearns 7/17/09. the main on the 762 Powers snapped just behind a secondary which took right over. I pollinated this fruit and another on the secondary just 2 back from it on the 19th. Crossed with the 1191 Northrup. Wednesday, July 22 View Page 15 feet out on the 1058 Papez pollinated on the 7/13, selfed. There's 1 a few feet back on the main that I pollinated on 7/1/09. Wednesday, July 22 View Page 1058 Papez selfed on 7/1/09. 7/20---OTT 84" I've got it under the first HH for fruit. Monday, July 27 View Page Duncan swam in the the All Star Meet on 7/22/09. dropping 2 seconds in both events he swam. Monday, July 27 View Page Duke swam the 50 yard Breast Stroke in 32.4 Sec.(2 second pr) and 100 yd. Freestyle in 56.4 (2 sec PR). He came in 3rd in the Breast as a 15 yearold in the under 17 age group. Monday, July 27 View Page Kearns 2009, fruit on the 1058 Papez (Pollinated 7/1) self OTT 141" 69#. culled 6 off this plant Sunday still have 5 others on this plant. Monday, August 3 View Page Culled this appx.50# off of the 1058 Papez. It was stem down and taking shape like a wheel. It was to right in this pic. in the middle of the plant. I've still got the 1 on the main. and a few out on the ends of some secondaries. Monday, August 3 View Page This is on the Main of the 1058 Papez (7/1). The vines are pretty taunt. hopefully I can keep them up to the fruit. Monday, August 3 View Page A couple of selfed out on the ends of secondaries on the 1058 Papez. I I've moved the fence back a couple feet for better access. Monday, August 3 View Page 1058 Papez x 762 Powers (7/21) on the end of a secondary, near the last 2 though further out, on the 1058. It has been cleaned & covered. Monday, August 3 View Page About 11' out on the main of the 762 Powers. It's almost Beachball size and was getting close to the sides of this wood tent. Sunday I built it a HH, and put the tent on 1 fruit further back on a secondary. Monday, August 3 View Page I know, I know, They're covered. I don't think they'll be making it, so I've disguised them. They are on secondaries just off of the main on the 1191Northrup. The tarp on the right has 1 on the main with some size to it. Both of these are angled to their vines and starting to go stem down. Monday, August 3 View Page Duncan Home swim meet. Took 1st 17-under Breast. 3rd 100 freestyle. Tuesday, August 11 View Page #1058.8 Papez (poll.7/1) taping over #300 on Friday. Stem Split Tuesday, August 11 View Page Stem Split on the 1858 Papez. I found the split on Friday. I had the day off and spent 10 hrs erecting tents, and cleaning fruit. On the split I split it toward the vine and sprayed bleach and powdered with Captan. Fingers crossed it seems to be working. I split it a little more last night. I've also been powdering with Bonide Garden dust. Tuesday, August 11 View Page #1058 Papez. Beer can view. Tuesday, August 11 View Page Fruit about 13' out on the main of the #1191 Northrup. The white cloth behind it is on a secondary on the same plant. It made the cut though the 1 next to it came out. Tuesday, August 11 View Page Fruit on the #1191 Northrup on a secondary a little back from the 1 on the main. I culled the appx.#50 fruit in the bottom of this pic. As I was carrying it out of the patch I stepped on the main of the 762 Powers. Fortunately it was way out 2' behind the lead tip. Thursday, August 13 View Page My Wheel on the 675 Vanderpool. It's out about 11' on the main. Cleaned it up a bit and moved the vine Wed. Thursday, August 13 View Page Fruit on the main of the 765 Vanderpool, 88" cc 8/12/09. Bit of a birdbath on the snout end. I've been letting this plant kinda go not a lot of vines burried. Finally did a bunch of pruning and cleaning. Thursday, August 13 View Page Kearns patch 2 fruit under tents on the 1191 Northrup. Fruit on the right is on the main Thursday, August 13 View Page Trying to keep the snout out of the dirt, with a piece of medium density foam. I made major positioning adjustment on this fruit Wed. 8/12. I hope the stem is still in 1 piece when I get home today. On the main of the 762 Powers. Thursday, August 13 View Page Another fruit on a secondary closer to the trunk on the 762 Powers. Thursday, August 13 View Page 8/7/09 Malcolm was home, from Boston, for a couple days. His band was playing in Lowell Friday night. Then they were going to New York to do some recording, I didn't get any details, but I did get him to pose for a picture with the 1058# x Selfed. Thursday, August 13 View Page Kearns '09. Duncan swam the Final Heats of the 50 yard breast stroke and 100 yard Freestyle in the U-17 div. in the Championships in Bedford MA. (3rd in Breast/4th Free) His times weren't the best, you can see his head turned in this the Breast stroke. It was worse in the free. The 3 middle lanes were older faster guys, Duke was in the far lane and the 2 guys that were his speed were on the other side of the pool. In the last 2 lengths he was practally jumping out of the water to see them. He'd loose a little lead every time. But he hung on. Monday, August 17 View Page Kearns '09 The Selfed 1058 Papez (pol.7/1) Haven't had a chance to measure lately. Spent 8-9 hrs (each) Friday(off work), Saturday & Sunday. The temps were in the 90s with sun, yes Summer is here. Spent most of the time expanding a lot of the HH as the fruit are starting to grow. The 1058 x selfed was almost touching the sides, so I had to expand it's HH. Now I can fit a cot in there. Good thing too, I think me & my sleeping bag were starting to compact the soil. Monday, August 17 View Page Kearns '09. Stem split on the 1058 Papez selfed. I powder it each day. I split it a bit more toward the vine on Sunday. Seems to be holding up. Knock wood!!! Monday, August 17 View Page Kearns '09. The 2 on right are on the 1058 Papez. The 1 on the left is the #1235 Daletas. Wednesday, August 19 View Page Kearns '09. Got home from work, and made the rounds before turning on the sprinklers. The fruit on the main of the 765 Vanderpool, dropped me for a loss. I'd been checking the stem & snout everyday, and it looked like a nice solid pump. Then I see theshadow of a split on the bottom where I'd wedged some foam to boost it up. OH MAN!!! Wednesday, August 19 View Page Capt.Nemo checks out a snake skin found in the patch. Hope it didn't slither into the #765. Wednesday, August 19 View Page After spotting the split on the bottom of the fruit on the #765, I moped around thinking There goes 1 of my best so far, I'll have to cut it up to get it out of there,Will the backup hold up? After about 1/2 hour and a couple of beers I finally decided to face the music. Can't believe how down I felt til I saw that it had scabbed over by itself, and was still in the game. Wednesday, August 19 View Page Kearns '09 Fruit on the #765 Vanderpool(8/18/09) 102"x 69"x 77"= 248" ott (#329) Wheel/birdbath. Wednesday, August 19 View Page Kearns '09 Still have these 2 out on the #1191 Northrup. No recent #s. Hopefully I'll get in there to measure,lift vines and clean today. Thursday, August 20 View Page Kearns 09' 2 fruit on the #1191 Northrup. Iknow 1 per plant. NEXT year. At the top of the pic you can see the top of the #1058 Papez x selfed. 8/19 114"x 77"x 83"=264ott. #394 Thursday, August 20 View Page Fruit on the main of the #1191 Northrup. 8/19 112"x 71"x 64"=247 ott. #325 est. Thursday, August 20 View Page Fruit on a secondary on the #1191 Northrup. 8/19 100"x 64"x 60"=224" ott. #246 est. Monday, August 24 View Page Kearns 09' Fruit on the main of the 765 Vanderpool. #765 x #1191 Northrup,(pol.7/19) bit of a birdbath with the stem going down. (8/23) 117"x 74"x 85"=276 ott. #448. Monday, August 24 View Page Kearns 09' (left)#1235 Daletas (8/22) 103"x 68" x71"=242 ott. #307. (right) secondary #1158 Papez (8/22) 95"x 62"x 66"=223ott. #243 Monday, August 24 View Page Third fruit on the 1058 Papez x 1191 Northrup. I know, I know, next year. Just couldn't cull this 1 isn't she just SOO cute(eye of the beholder). (Pol.7/18), 80"x 51"x 55"=186"ott. Monday, August 24 View Page Kearns 09' @ fruit on the 1191 Northrup the 1 on the right is on the main. No recent #s. You can see the top of the 1058# Papez (top center of pic. (8/22) 121"x 77"x 85"=283 ott. #482 est. Monday, August 31 View Page My Wheel on the 765 Vanderpool. Weeds have really taken over this plant. Sat 8/30 measures 126+76+90=292 ott. #528 Hoping the blossom end doesn't sink in too much more. Monday, August 31 View Page Fruit on the main of the #762 Powers. The blossom end of the "Mole" is trying to tunnel. Measured Sun. 8/30. 115+67+72=254 ott. ##353 Monday, August 31 View Page Left to right the "mole" on the 762 Powers, A fruit on a secondary on the 1191 Northrup and a fruit on the Main of the #1191. Measured Sun 8/30, 126+77_70=273 ott. #434. Monday, August 31 View Page Side view of the fruit on the secondary on the #1191 Northrup. Sun.8/30 measured 114+73+69=256 ott. #361 I know Just 1 fruit per plant, but I had so many aborts last year I couldn't cut em. NEXT YEAR!!! Monday, August 31 View Page The fruit on the left is on the 1235 Daletas. I'm not sure if it's on the main or not. It was heading this way, but this plant was such a mess I can't be sure, it measured Sun.8/30, 120+74+76=270 ott. #421. The 2 on the right are on the #1056 Papez. The center 1 is on a secondary, Sun.8/30 measured 106+68+73=247 ott. #325. Monday, August 31 View Page Stem view of the fruit on the main of the #1058 Papez, I can fit my hand in the stem split, but it seems to be holding together. I keep powdering it with Bonide Garden Dust and Captan. Noticed Sunday that the top of the split still had a visual gap so I'm trying to pack the powder UP into it. Seemed to work Sun. though I may have to turn to a paste to get it to stick up there. Monday, August 31 View Page The blossom end of the fruit on the 1058Papez Pollinated 7/1 selfed. Sunday 8/30 measured. 124+89_90=303 #588. Tuesday, September 8 View Page Stopped in to tour George "AHAB" Caron's patch in Wilmington MA. on Friday. George with his 1689 Jutras, I forgot the weights but I think this 1 was around #300. He had another, larger one, on the plant that rotted from a small soft spot and had to be clipped. Tuesday, September 8 View Page George Caron's Patch 9/4/09 Fruit on the #772 Poirier, Closing in on #300. AHAB says he's weeks behind, but unlike alot he didn't get into laying blame. Tuesday, September 8 View Page George "AHAB" Caron's patch 9/4/09. Fruit on the #1159 Richards, I think it was closing in on #400. Abutting AHAB's patch is a marshy area, Hard to see but he's got secondaries reaching out into it. Additional water source?? Tuesday, September 8 View Page George Caron's patch From the #1689 Jutras, #1159 Richards in the distance, the #772 Poirier (not pic'd) is off to the left. Tuesday, September 8 View Page George's Gourds??? AHAB's got a long gourd plant (r) and a Bird Gourd plant (l). The Long Gourd didn't fruit, if it did he'd probably never reach it. The Vine left his trellis and climbed the tree, I could see vine leaves about 35' up the tree. He said there was a Birdhouse Gourd somewhere up there??? Great seeing another patch, I've been locked in mine and haven't seen another since Barry Leblanc's NHGPGA tour 7/7/09. Thanks too, to George for loaning me His Lifting ring and straps and the pully. I've built my tripod and will be using it Thursday for the Hillsboro Fair Friday. Hopefully my truck will fit under the tripod. Tuesday, September 8 View Page Overview of the Kearns patch 2009. Upper Patch (near us)#765 Vanderpool, featuring the "Wheel", use my head shadow for scale. Tuesday, September 8 View Page Kearns 2009, Main Patch. The 4 trunks are under the 4 hoop houses with the white plastic covering them. Front Left is the #1235 Daletas, Front Right #1058 Papez, Left Far is the #1191 Northrup, Right rear is the #762 Powers. Tuesday, September 8 View Page Upper Kearns Patch '09. #765 Vanderpool, Side view of the "Wheel". The Smaller fruit on the left, I cut the secondary off of the main vine,Saturday,(finally). It's still got 4-5' of burried 2nd vine and some Tierchery vines, to keep it til harvest late Sept. when weather gets colder. Wednesday, September 9 View Page Stopped in to check out Glenn "The BORER" Peter's patch. in Billerica Mass. He's got 2 great looking plants, nice green foliage and ONE large fruit EACH!!!! (Next Year I'm 1 per). Here's his son Cam giving scale to his 1207 Young x 1568 Connolly. Currently taping #978. Thumps like a block of cement. Wednesday, September 9 View Page Glenn Peters nasty trunk on the 1207 Young Wednesday, September 9 View Page The Borer's patch in billerica MA. This fruit on the 1568 Connolly went donw with a soft spot. Was taping over #800 when it was growing. Wednesday, September 9 View Page "The Borer" long gourd in Billerica MA. Not the 35' plant AHAB has , but Glenn's has fruit. Wednesday, September 9 View Page Malcolm, Duncan, and Anne. Mack's first day back at school. We moved him into this house on campus. They don't call them "Frat" houses anymore, and I think they're all coed. Don't get in any trouble Mack. Duncan and I enjoyed the scenery. Wednesday, September 9 View Page Kearns '09, fruit on the 1058 papez 127+81+92=300" #573, I'm hoping I taped this wrong or else it's shrinking Wednesday, September 9 View Page Kearns '09 fruit on left is the last 1 on the #1235 Daletas, 126+78+79=283 ott. #482. Fruit in center was cut from the main of the #1058 Papez on Sat. still has couple feet of burried secondary til weather cools some more. Wednesday, September 9 View Page Thw "Wheel" on the #765 Vanderpool, 135+86+94=315 ott. #659 Stem's getting a little stressed. Wednesday, September 9 View Page Frutit in the front & on the right are on the #1191 Northrup. One in front is going to Hillsboro Fair Friday. 131+81+73=285 ott. #492. On right is cut off main living on few feet of secondary, to be moved Fri. as well. 121+75+71=267"ott. #407. Fruit in back on the main of the #762 Powers. 122+70+73=265" ott.#398 Monday, September 14 View Page Hillsboro Agricultural Fair, New Boston NH. 7/11/2009 Hosting the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off, Left -right, Obama, Bruce Whittier, Jim Beauchemin, and Barry Leblanc working the lift Monday, September 14 View Page Hillsboroo 2009. Me and the Big "O". Nice hat "Barry" Monday, September 14 View Page Hillsboro 2009 New Hampshire Dennis Mounce Jr. of Manchester #616 Mounce '09 Monday, September 14 View Page Jimma Kuhn at the 2009 Hillsboro Agri. Fair in New Boston NH #709 Kuhn '09 ( Not sure of the # but I don't see a "1" in the ten's column Monday, September 14 View Page #902 Leblanc 09 dmg. Hillsboro Agri. Fair N.H. The fruit from his patch tour didn't make it but this 1 almost did. 6 days before the Hillsboro weigh-off she got a blossom end split. Barry form Merrimac plugged her and brought her in. Except for the split she "Thumped" solid. Monday, September 14 View Page #912 Carter '09 Peter Carter brought this fruit to Hillsboro Agri. Fair in N.H. Monday, September 14 View Page Hillsboro Agri.Fair 2009 Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off Winner Bruce Whittier from Henniker NH with the Host Jim Beauchemin and the #998 Whittier '09. Sorry for all the dark photos, I had more but they weren't even partially useable. It was drizzling and raining all day so they had the weigh-off in a display barn, kinda dark. Monday, September 14 View Page #535 Kearns '09 at the Hillsboro Agri. Fair in New Boston N.H. Grown on the #1191 Northrup. Monday, September 14 View Page #535 Kearns '09 and Kevin Kearns,Westford MA. (previous pic was Barry Leblanc of #902 fame, Not me). at Hillsboro Agri.Fair in New Boston NH. Fruit from thr #1191 Northrup. Thanks again to George "AHAB" Caron for the seedling. Monday, September 14 View Page Hillsboro Agri. Fair, 2009, New Boston N.H. The guy we all owe a big thanks to Robert Demers, owner of Demer's Garden Center on Rte 28A in Manchester N.H. where next month(?) you'll see a bunch of AG's lined up for display. Been there for a few NHGPGA events, great/huge garden center. Could hide a #1000 pounder there and take all day to find it. Robert worked the Bobcat, deftly up & down the narrow aisle between display tables, kids running around out of control, and adults standing as in the way as possible, with there backs turned to the machine, oblivious to the danger heavy equipment can do. Amazing Robert!!! Thanks Again! Thursday, September 17 View Page My lifting crew, l-r, Darren (neighbor), Duncan (son), Ken (buddy), Dave (coworker), Lifting ring & straps borrowed from AHAB. That's me getting underneath it incase it falls. We lifted this 1 est. #421. to work the bugs out of the just completed setup. The chain drop would go up 10" then drop 6". You can see that the strap around the bottom was working it's way up. Thursday, September 17 View Page We finally said heck with it. Got a lifting tarp under and tossed it in the back of the truck. We moved it onto a pallet in the front of the house. Then we went for the fruit for the Hillsboro Fair. Thursday, September 17 View Page We rigged up the #536 Kearns '09. thought we'd try 1 more time. It was in the air 6-8" when it dropped 6" and the hook unclipped and the fruit landed with a thump. Thursday, September 17 View Page All lifting was halted. I borrowed a cahin fron Glenn Peters and George Caron and I loaded it no prob. WHEW!! Thursday, September 17 View Page #536 Kearns '09 Finally loaded after a couple inch drop. thanks again to George Caron for the Ring/strap setup and Glenn Peters for the Chain Drop. Wednesday, September 23 View Page The "Wheel" on the #765 Vanderpool(998 Pukos x 1110 Wallace) x 1191 northrup (7/19) Measured 9/19/09, 144+88+98= 330 ott. #756 I question if my measuring is right or not. The weather has been warm, and this fruit is still growing according to it's tent. Wednesday, September 23 View Page "Snooty" on the #762 Powers measured on 9/19. 129+73+77=279" ott. #463. The blossom is about 1 foot tucked under the fruit. I used a mirror and flashlight to spot & treat a Blossom End Split, it appears to have hardened after I powdered it a few times. The fruit is my back-up for a weighoff slot, and is still inching along. Wednesday, September 23 View Page Here's the other back-up for weighoffs. It's the last 1 left on the #1191 Northrup. It still has a lot of emerald green plant left and is in a good spot. With the warm weather it's still putting on inches. I may have to open the tent again. (9/19) measured 118+73+74=265" ott. #398. (1191 Northrup x #765 Vanderpool) Wednesday, September 23 View Page We had a little frost on Sunday morning, I washed it off of the leaves before the sun came up, and didn't notice any additional damage. It was pretty cool in the AM, when the sun hit the black silt fence I have all around the patch,the dew on it turned to steam and rose up like a wall of smoke surrounding the plants. It dissipated by the time I got my camera. On the right is the #1058.8 Papez x self (7/1)poll. measured 9/19, 136+84+95=315" ott. #656. hopefully loading for Topsfield next Wednesday Night. The 1 on the left is on #1235.5 Daletas x self (7/22), measured (9/19) 136+80+82=298" ott. #560 hopefully going to Goffstown 10/17. In the center is a give away, #1058 Papez x self measured (9/19) 111+69+75=255" ott. #375, it's still on about 5' of secondary vine. Wednesday, September 23 View Page A giveaway left on about 8' of secondary vine on the #1058.8 Papez x #1191 Northrup poll.(7/18) measured 97+61+66=224" ott.#246 Wednesday, September 23 View Page A giveaway on the #762 Powers x self. measured (9/19) 98+62+66=226" ott. #252. Not bad color. I washed all the fruit down last night with a water/bleach mix. Today's warm and humid. I watered this AM and plan to spray and drench with some Tea tonight. Wednesday, October 7 View Page Winners at Topsfield '09 L-R Ron Wallace #1395.2, Bill Rodonis #1471.6 and Bruce Whittier #1409. Lost my camera for a few days, will post the pics that aren't too dark. Wednesday, October 7 View Page Topsfield winners Bill and Linda Rodonis, and the #1471.6 Rodonis '09. I had been thru 3 sets of batteries, and had to shut the camera off & on to squeek out the last few pics. So I couldn't just keep snapping when people/heads got in my line of fire. Wednesday, October 7 View Page Topsfield '09. Glenn Peters & the Peters' Clan celebrate a new PB. #1258.8 Peters '09 (1207 Young x 1568 Connelly) +18% Great job Glenn!! Wednesday, October 7 View Page Topsfield '09 Wilber Horton form VT. #1237.2 Horton '09 Wednesday, October 7 View Page Topsfield '09. Bob & (w/o)Christine Duffy with the #1120 Duffy '09. (1556 Rodonis x 1502 Wallace) Woody Lancaster looking on. Wednesday, October 7 View Page Topsfield '09. Steve Geddes of NH, 8th place. #1219.8 Geddes '09 (17% hvy) (#883 Carter x #1088 Carter) George Hoomis(L) and Woody (r) in the background Wednesday, October 7 View Page Topsfield '09. Joe Jutras with #1187 Jutras '09,(+13%)(1306 Jutras x 1385.5 Jutras) George H.(l) and Jim Kuhn (r) in back. Wednesday, October 7 View Page Topsfield '09 Woody Lancaster takes time out from his organizing duties. #1020.8 Jancaster '09, (+7%)(998 Pukos x 1450 Wallace) Wednesday, October 7 View Page Topsfield '09. Robb Stidwell of NH. (cnadoc) ##832 Stidwell '09 (+5)(1161 Rodonis x 1385.5 Jutras) Wednesday, October 7 View Page Topsfield '09. Marcia Dwelly of MA, with her #1096.6 MDwelly '09,(+12%)(996 MDwelly '08 x 1464 Dwelly '08) Wednesday, October 7 View Page Topsfield '09 (L-R) backs to us Marcia & Wes Dwelly, and other side of wall Bruce Whittier holding little pink pumper.(No Official Weight or OTT. measurements. Wednesday, October 7 View Page Topsfield '09. Norm Gansert of RI, with his #958.4 Gansert '09 (+8%)(914 Gansert x 1689 Jutras) Background (R) Gene Larivere weighed a #452.2 Larivere '09, earlier (pic too dark) Wednesday, October 7 View Page TOPSFIELD '09. MaryAnne Hoomis gives Wilbur Horton 2nd place ribbon for his "Devil" Squash. #666.8 Horton '09. Lets round it up to get rid of that 3rd "6". Wednesday, October 7 View Page Topsfield '09. (L-R)Marcia & Wes Dwelly, Joe Jutras, and (Senior) Jutras, checking out the "Cantalope". I don't know the name or weight, but this fruit looked exactly like a cantalope. Not just sections of it but the whole fruit. Wednesday, October 7 View Page Topsfield '09. Found the name on another pic. The "Cantalope" was the winner of the Squash contest. #895.22 DeGrazia '09. Brought in by Rosario DeGrazia of CT. Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09. Jim Kuhn (l) checking out some splits. Joe Post and Glenn Peters both of Billerica MA. near the Long Gourd display, checking out the #1258.8 Peters.(The big orange shoulders to the left of Joe. HEY! Isn't that the #768 Kearns front & center water bottle on skid?? Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09. (L-R) Bruce Hooker, Steve Geddes, & Peter Carter, watch the unloading of the #1219.8 Geddes '09. ((883 Carter x 1088 Carter)(+17%) Bruce and Peter didn't bring any fruit to the fair. Sandbaggin for Milford NH or Goffstown NH??? Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09 Jim Kuhn trimming some weight off a greenie. Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09. Bruce Hooker, Bruce Whittier, & Peter Carter, checking out the #1409 Whittier '09, (1161 Rodonis x 985 Werner)(+3%) Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09, Steve Geddes, Peter Carter,Bruce Hooker, & Bruce Whittier checking out the #1219 Geddes '09 Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09. Dick "Pap" Wallace watching Ron's fruit being unloaded. Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09 (L-R) Glenn Peters & Ron Wallace closing tailgate, Jim Kuhn & Pap Wallace chatting and Bruce Whittier and Joe Jutras. Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09 "Hey Joe! What you got in the "Magic Van""? Bruce Whittier and Joe Jutras. Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09. Unloading the Jutras Magic Van. Woody Lancaster supervising. Joe with his long gourd, looks like a pole vaulter. 121.25" Jutras '09 (106 Jutras x 89 Jutras)good for 3rd. Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield "09 Bill Rodonis and Armand Michaud of Ipswitch MA Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09 The man in the Orange Suit. I was told back a few years that he also had a large plastic pumpkin head. Thursday, October 8 View Page Emcee Jim Beauchemin announces the weight of Joe Post's entry. #506 Post '09, (965.2 Post x self) Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09. Jim Beauchemin & Armand Michaud posing with the long gourds. 96.75" Beauchemin '09 and 58.25 Michaud '09. Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09. Glenn and Cameron Peters hammin for the camera. Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09. Long Gourd Champs.(L-R) Elroy Morgan Bradford ME 127.38" (111 Lovelace x 106 Lovelace) Wes Dwelly of Oakham MA 129.38" (106 Jutras x self) Joe Jutras of N.Situate RI, 121.25"(106 Jutras x 89 Jutras) Thursday, October 8 View Page Topsfield '09. Elroy Morgan and ------- viewing the long gourds Thursday, October 8 View Page Loading for Topsfield. Stopped in on Friday, to help George "AHAB" Caron load for Topsfield. Here's George seated on trailor and his lifting crew. If you haven't read in on the Message board George is having some heart problems and may be having surgery this weekend. I'm sure Prayers and thoughts would be appreciated. Thursday, October 8 View Page George "AHAB" Caron's pumpkins loaded for Topsfield. We got them loaded Friday, sadly for him and us he experienced some heart problems and nixed the trip Saturday morning. We Wish him Good luck with his surgery and speedy recovery. Thursday, October 8 View Page George's Gourd. Helped George "AHAB" Caron load Friday before Topsfield. His Birdhouse Gourd vine climbed abour 35-40' up a tree in his yard. He's got 3 gourds that we could spot. I told him I'd try to get them with a ladder and telescoping lopper. I figure if I clean it thoroughly he can keep it by his bed after surgery, and impress the nurses by showing them, George's Georgeous Gourd. Wednesday, October 21 View Page Duncan helping me load for the Milford NH weighoff Wednesday, October 21 View Page The hardware shot from Milford NH (R-L) Robert Demers, Barry LeBlanc(behind) Grower from New Jersey, Kevin Kearns (orange ball cap)Peter Carter, Jim Beauchemin, Geoff Pierce, (Other) Grower from New Jersey, talking to Jim Kuhn Wednesday, October 21 View Page Milford NH 10/10/09 Winner Geoff Pierce Wednesday, October 21 View Page Milford NH 2009. Barry Leblanc's fruit (L) and Jim Beauchemin's blonde on the right, My wheel far right Wednesday, October 21 View Page Milford NH 2009. You think you your pumpkin in the back of your pick-up might draw attention? Robert Demers (Demer's Garden Center fame)is definitely a distraction on the Highway with 3 giant pumpers in tow. Wednesday, October 21 View Page Milford NH 2009. I didn't get the names or #s, but these 2 guys drove all the way up from New Jersey to get 2 fruit weighed Wednesday, October 21 View Page Milford NH 2009 The 2nd fruit from the guys from New Jersey. These guys and 2 of their friends drove 2 pumpers, all the way from NJ after their weigh-off got canceled. Despite the 6hr.(1 way)drive and having to stay overnight, They looked like they still had a good time, when I saw them at the pick-up on Sunday. Wednesday, October 21 View Page Milford NH 2009. The #921 Kearns '09, Barry Leblanc & I taped it a bit over #700. Imagine my suprise!!! Of course how do you tape a wheel?? That's my lovely in the shadows attending her first weigh-off. it was grown off the #765 Vanderpool(998 Pukos x 1110 Wallace) pollinated with the 1191 Northrup(904 Northrup x 500 Northrup) Wednesday, October 21 View Page Milford NH 2009 (L-R) Yellow coat?, Jimmy Kuhn, Barry LeBlanc Wednesday, October 21 View Page Milford NH 2009 (L-R) Robert Demers working the straps on 1 of the Jersey pumpkins while Barry LeBlanc Mike McMurray, check out Jim Kuhn reading the scale. Monday, November 2 View Page Loaded for Goffstown on Friday 10/16 started getting some of the white stuff Monday, November 2 View Page Friday 10/16 tripod still up after loading for Goffstown NH Just enough snow to be nasty. I/E not enough to ski on. Monday, November 2 View Page Lined up to off-load at the NHGPGA Goffstown NH weigh-off. Wilbur Horton from VT in front of me. Guess I won't repeat as Biggest Out of State this year. Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH 10/17/09. (far left) Geoff Pierce and Peter Carter. (Near L) Bill Rodonis, Jim Kuhn and Mrs.Kuhn(I think) and I think that's Jim's #1033 in front. Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH Weigh-off. Bill Rodonis, His Topsfield winner on right and Bruce Whittier's EXH. fruit left Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH Weighoff. Jim Kuhn doin the "Squash Two Step" as the lifting crew moves his fruit to the scale. Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH 10/17/09 Some of the big guns. Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH Jim Beauchemin on the mic and Jim Kuhn, Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH Mike McMurray hits the scale Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH 10/17/09 #665 Kearns '09 Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH '09 Wilber Horotn of VT. 2nd place in Out of State Div. Sorry no weights I thought I'd take them off of the pics so I didn't write any down. Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH '09 Steve Connolly Weighing the 1st place Out of State entry. Head rigger for the liftign Jeff Brooks looks on. Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH '09 Jeff Brooks at the scales Monday, November 2 View Page Sorry NHGPGA Goffstown NH Jeff Brooks at the scale Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH '09 Now I'm really confused. I'm guessing this IS Jeff's fruit on the scale. Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH 10/17/09 Jim Beauchemin on the mic takes time out for a smile as his fruit hits the scales. I didn't get any #s on the day as I was hoping to get them from the pics. We've got a partial on this one, #98-.8 I'm guessing the missing # is a 9, so #989.8, let's call it #990. Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH (L-R) Geoff Pierce, Peter Carter, and Woody Lancaster Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH ;09 Geoff Pierce and son with a fruit on the scale. Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH '09 Jim Kuhn with a previously weighed 5th from Topsfield. Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH '09 (L-R) Jim Kuhn, Linda Rodonis and Bill Rodonis, wait for the final reweighing of his winner from Topsfield. Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH '09 Bill and Linda Rodonis taking 1st place in the Previoulsy Weighed Catagory. Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH '09 Sparks fly at the scales. Bill & Linda Rodonis Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH '09 Demer's Garden Center sponsored the event. Robert Demers handing Jim Beauchemin the hardware for his fruit. Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH '09 Robert Demers awarding Norm Cote some hardware Monday, November 2 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH '09 The winners of the hardware. Sorry I didn't have the weights. Thanks to Demers Garden Center and the NHGPGA for another great event. The days before and after were really nasty, but the Saturday for the weigh-off was a perfect fall day. Thanks Again. Tuesday, November 3 View Page NHGPGA Goffstown NH. Robert Demers awarding Bruce Hooker some hardware, for his squash. Sorry to Bruce for calling him Jeff Brooks in previous clips Tuesday, November 3 View Page Unloading the #921 Kearns '09 after the Milford NH weighoff. Tuesday, November 3 View Page 2009 Dropped off this little darling at my service station. The owner on the right Kareem was a bit indifferent due the Not a Pretty Pumpkin factor.It was at the station for about 2 weeks looking like a large pink blob, like all 3 fruit off of the 1058 Papez. After I finally carved it he seemed a little happier. est.#318, moved & wall thickness i'd say more like #350. On the left is Sidar(sp), last year, I gave him a handfull of seed packets to ship home. I told him next year he's got to do the carving. Monday, November 9 View Page Unloading the #921 Kearns '09 after Milford NH weigh-off. That's the #768 Kearns (Topsfield) in front of truck Monday, November 9 View Page Right after Milford I tried to get pumped for 1 more fair. Goffstown. "Crackey" found this 1 looked like it was still growin So I decided to try to get 1 more week of late season growth. Monday, November 9 View Page In a last ditch effort to add a few #s to my last Fair Fruit, when I got home from the Milford NH fair I went to work. I took all the silt fence I'd put away and surrounded the 1235 Daletas. Then I fully covered the pumper and added 2 heavy blankets and a drop light for heat. It was late Sat. when I finished. I figured I'd put a few extended hoops and some clear plastic on Sunday. Monday, November 9 View Page Except fot Saturday Night it looked like the rest of the week was going to be warmer than normal. If I could make it thru Sunday, and add some clear plastic over some extended hoops I might get a few extra #s for my last weigh-off in Goffstown NH next weekend. I was up early it was 26 degrees down in the patch. I went down before sun up with my headlamp on figuring I'd turn on the sprinklers and wash off the frost. They were frozen!!! Monday, November 9 View Page Fighting the last frost. I finally unfroze the watering system as the sun started to illuminate the carnage. It turns out all the water I was washing the frost off with was turning to ICE!!! I was DONE. Monday, November 9 View Page By the end of Sunday 10/11, it was over. All the water I'd sprayed on that turned to ice, finished off all the leaves. I just hung on for Goffstown and cleaned up as much as I could. This was the last fruit to come out of the patch. Monday, November 9 View Page Last Fruit out. Grown on the 1191 Northrup. Beautiful color and shape. I gave it the Kearns "Howard Dill" Award for 2009. Monday, November 9 View Page Weighoffs done I delivered my #1 backup to a family I've been teaching the kids skiing for years. The Twins Ariel and Ethan Celebrated their Bnia Mitzfah, (spell?). This is the front of their house in Lexington MA. Surrounded on 3 sides by conservation land, in a Very Nice neighborhood. Monday, November 9 View Page Dropping off a gift at Issacson's Seth, Ethan, and (friends) Ludo and ----. I've skied with Seth, Ethan, and Ludo. Monday, November 9 View Page Issaccson's gift fruit cutting in. Nice thick walls taping 270"ott est #420. Felt heavier when we were trying to move it. The whole day rained so they couldn't tell how much I was sweating. I cut the top off and cleaned it for them. They were pretty excited to look inside something so big. Monday, November 9 View Page Pumper left at Issaccson's. #420 est. Kearns '09 (1191 Northrup x #765 Vanderpool).When I offered them the pumpkin mom Shelley sounded like she didn't want it, "What would we do with it? Where would we put it?" etc... When I saw how pristine their house and yard were I had a feeling why they may not want a big, getting ready to rot, fruit on their cobblestone driveway. You can bet I cleaned every bit of pumpkin gut up after I cleaned it. They didn't carve it for Halloween, but she seemed pretty happy with it, I know the kids were. She said I could pick it up after Thanksgiving, if it holds up. I'm sure it will being so fresh off the vine and so solid. They're, (I'm), lucky she stalled on letting me drop off a pumpkin. The fruit I had loaded for them was rotten inside. i found that out shortly after I off loaded at my house. Monday, November 9 View Page This was the fruit From the #762 Powers, I had loaded for the Isaacson's 2 days after I offloaded I saw a soft white spot. I cut in and found this. It would have made a real mess of that cobble stone. Monday, November 9 View Page Front Yard precarved,(L-R)#350 est(Papez), #665 Kearns '09 (Daletas #1235), #921 Kearns'09, and #300 est Kearns (rotton)(#763 Powers Monday, November 9 View Page Halloween 2009 #768 Kearns '09. Taking the cap off the fruit from the #1058 Papez (898 Knauss x 805 Pukos). the walls were 11-12" thick at the top. Monday, November 9 View Page Opening the #921 Kearns '09 12" thick at the top. needed 2' saw blade to make final cuts to get in. Monday, November 9 View Page Got home from work Sat. Halloween Day. Duncan and a couple friends hard at work carving fruit. I had already taken 3 pics before the mom also taking pics said, "Eat Me?" I hadn't even noticed it. I guess it could have been worse. Monday, November 9 View Page Halloween 2009 Neighbor Cassandra and the #921 Kearns lit up. Her mom made her outfit really nice Monday, November 9 View Page Halloween 2009 FRONT(L) #536 Kearns (Duke Carved) (R) #665 Kearns Monday, November 9 View Page Halloween 2009 #921 Kearns '09