Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 139 Entries. Tuesday, January 6 View Page Well I gotta grow something. These are giant carrots, Red Flakee and St. Valery. Getting them to this stage was easy, keeping them going until Spring may prove difficult. Tuesday, January 6 View Page This is an amaranth that popped a few days ago. I have one more but it's not doing so good. The carrots all germed successfully, the amaranth seeds proved very fussy. Tuesday, January 6 View Page This is my cat Binx. He has cabin fever right now, not much outside to hunt right now. I don't have any problems with rodents outside. He's weighs about 20 lbs give or take. Monday, February 9 View Page This beautiful human being just turned six months old. A good way to start my diary I think. Sunday, March 15 View Page Giant carrots chugging right along. You can't kill these things. Sunday, March 15 View Page More carrots in the downstairs bathroom. I transplanted them into larger containers about a month ago. Sunday, March 15 View Page These are Amaranth Australius and are much trickier to germinate. Thses ones came up after I gave up and removed them from a heat mat. Monday, March 23 View Page I can't get over the length of this fruit, and the cross makes it that much more appealing. Monday, March 23 View Page Here is the 1536 Van Kooten, can you imagine the 1142 that grew the 1536 crossed with the 1133 Kline. Tuesday, March 24 View Page I thought winter was over. Tuesday, March 24 View Page Still snowing at 12:42 pm $#@$%$ Friday, March 27 View Page Non pumpkin related, sorry Friday, March 27 View Page Damn you Brett Hester lol, JK Friday, March 27 View Page Last one Saturday, March 28 View Page On the way to work, looked like a nice shot of the Annapolis Basin. Almost makes the 130 km drive to work worth it......maybe not. Saturday, March 28 View Page This is the tired old Digby wharf. Seen better days. Friday, April 3 View Page I know it's early but I couldn't wait. I started my 1st AG, 740 Holland 93, that's right 1993. Soaked it in a GA3 for 5 hours and now it's resting at 80 degrees. I didn't post any pics yet, but if it pops I will. Sunday, April 12 View Page Well the 740 Holland 93 still hasn't sprouted. I shouldn't be surprised. On Friday night I did the same process with an 833 Mombert 1995, except this time I soaked it overnight in 10% peroxide and then treated with GA3. Hope this one pops, the 833 was a real beauty, the cross is 567 Mombert 92 x 800.5 Mombert 94. If either seed sprouts I'll post pics. Monday, April 13 View Page This was the drive to work today. Not bad when I left my place but when I got to Annapolis County this was waiting for me........At least we escaped from most of the snow that was forecast for the weekend, ground is bare back at my place. Tuesday, April 14 View Page This is the biggest of the three Amaranth plants I have going. Just over nine inches tall. It seems leggy but was never more than an inch or two from the lights. Tuesday, April 14 View Page You can see the size difference even though all three were planted at the same time. The bigger one is clearly the most robust. Saturday, April 18 View Page This is one of our hummingbird feeders. A typical feeder with a homemade ant moat above it. It's impossible for ants to get to the feeder. If they climb dowm the wire they get stuck and drown in the water. Saturday, April 18 View Page A close up of the ant moat. Very simple to make out of the bottom of a plastic soda bottle and some heavy gauge wire. I used a coat hanger, heated the end and shoved it up through the bottom. Doing it this way makes it water tight so it won't leak. Saturday, April 18 View Page These are kinda gross but we keep one near each feeder. Wasps are idiots and can't resist going in the jar to get the sweetened water,but then they can't get back out. It does a good job of keeping most away from the hummingbird feeder. Although I bought this one, it can easily be made using a jar with hole poked in the lid. This one is already filled with flying bugs. Saturday, April 18 View Page Here are the orange finalists, thanks Dave, John, and Craig. Wednesday, April 22 View Page Started some seeds today- 1142 Van Kooten 2- 1104 Van Kooten seeds ( 1142 x 1287 Van Kooten ) 1066 Chenier- 1093 Hunt x 1502 Wallace 2- 839 Hunt seeds ( 842 Eaton x 1097 Beachy ) 994.5 Hunt- (842 Eaton x 898 Knauss) Probably start the orange ones this week-end. Any back ups not used will find a good home. Wednesday, April 22 View Page Here is the 1st batch, seven plants in all. I placed the plate glass on top to make better contact with the heat mat. Wednesday, April 22 View Page This batch of long gourds isn't for me, they are for a friend who has a little trouble getting them started. Thanks Treetop for the seeds. Wednesday, April 22 View Page This is one of two setups I have going. I, what is the word, acquired two more grow lights from a dumpster at work. Let's just say they are being used legally now.lol The carrots have had enough and are ready for planting. Wednesday, April 22 View Page Sorry for the blurry pic, this amaranth is now at 12 inches. Sunday, April 26 View Page The 1066 Chenier was 1st to pop followed by the 994 Hunt and suprisingly the 1142 Van Kooten was 3rd to sprout. I take it as a good sign. There are bumps on both 839 Hunts and no activity on either of the 1104 Van Kooten seeds. Three oldies, 800, 833 and 808 Mombert are still cooking after an overnight soak in GA3 and were started with the others. Saturday, May 2 View Page This is the 1066 Chenier ( 1093 Hunt x 1502 Wallace ) The photo doesn't do justice to show how large the cots are. It was 1st to sprout, the only 2008 seed planted. Saturday, May 2 View Page This is the 994.5 Hunt 07 ( 842 Eaton x 898 Knauss ) It's growing at about the same rate as the 1066, nice and healthy. Saturday, May 2 View Page This one is the 1142 Van Kooten. It was 3rd to sprout and gaining quickly. I feel it deserves the prime spot in the patch. Saturday, May 2 View Page This ugly duckling is the 839 Hunt ( 842 Eaton x 1097 Beachy ) I love the cross so it won't be discarded just yet. I started a 3rd 839 two days ago, one of two planted didn't germ. Wednesday, May 6 View Page This is the 1142 Van Kooten, going in tomorrow. Wednesday, May 6 View Page 1066 Chenier- 1093 Hunt x 1502 Wallace, sorry about the picture quality. My daughter is almost 17 and look at her hand against one of the cot leaves of the 1066, some of the biggest I have ever seen. Wednesday, May 6 View Page The 839 Hunt- 842 Eaton x 1097 Beachy, and 988 Van Kooten. Both likely back-ups. Wednesday, May 6 View Page Both 583 Young seeds popped up after three days, a good sign. The best one is definitely going in and the cross is 670 Daigle x 772 Poirier. To be crossed with 869 Bhaskaran- 1290 Poirier x 772 Poirier. I have two 869's downstairs that just broke the surface. Wednesday, May 6 View Page This is the primary patch, most likely for the 1142 Van Kooten. The heat cable is installed and the cover will be put on tomorrow. The pic is deceptive, the area is actually around 800 square feet, although only about 700 square will be used. A smaller area near the trees will be used for other veggies. Wednesday, May 6 View Page I heard good things so I'm gonna try the small bottle first, if the results are good I'll get more. This 36 oz. bottle makes 36 gallons. Thursday, May 7 View Page I checked the 869 Bhaskaran pots today, one was rotten and the other looked like this. Maybe the starter mix was too wet, I don't know but this one is destined for the compost heap. I started another 869 this morning as well as two 817 Young seeds- 1101 Nothrup x 500 Northrup, just in case the 869 doesn't behave. Saturday, May 9 View Page Well this is a proud bunch that are now awaiting a mishap so they can get their turn. I have three plants in the ground, 1142 Van Kooten, grew Jake's 1536, 994 Hunt( 842 Eaton x 898 Knauss ) and 583 Young ( 670 Daigle x 772 Poirier ). Kirk, if you're reading this, sorry my friend. Your 1066 is probably my most healthy and vigorous plant but the 994 just screamed to be planted. Oh, and Carl's e-mail that he grew his 812 off the 994 in 150 square feet pretty much was the clincher. Should anything go wrong, the 1066 is on deck. Sunday, May 10 View Page Here are the back-ups, although I hate calling the 1066 Chenier a back-up. Most of these are hardened off, I'm training them to follow the light, lol and lay down on their own. Sunday, May 10 View Page The plants are leaning toward the light, a bonus in the event that I need to replace one of my starters, I won't need to train the vine to lay down. Above are the long gourds that were started today after a 24 hour soak. Sunday, May 10 View Page These are the LG seeds started today. The black number on the seed pak represents the number of seeds I planted from each pak. Sunday, May 10 View Page 994 Hunt, not doing much yet, sending out roots no doubt before stretching out. Sunday, May 10 View Page 1142 Van Koten, this is a zoomed in shot, can't make out very much. The hoop house is 16 feet long and this is a front shot. Sunday, May 10 View Page This is a shot looking at the back of the 1142 Van Kooten. The plant seems to be doing fine so far. Sunday, May 10 View Page This one is the 583 Young 08, 670 Daigle x 772 Poirier. This one and/or the 869 Bhaskaran ( 1290 Poirier x 772 Poirier ) will hopefully be worthy of an entry in Windsor for the new category. I don't usually transplant seedlings at this early stage but this patch is a raised bed and the soil is very light and loamy so it should be OK. I've got spares ready should anything go wrong. Sunday, May 10 View Page This is the likely logo for our club. Monday, May 11 View Page Last night after driving my daughter back to Windsor, my wife tells me the temps are going down to freezing. The 1142 and 994 have their own heaters but the 583 Young got nothin and around here stores are closed on Sunday night, so... Monday, May 11 View Page I had some hand warmers left over so I placed one between two ceramic tiles. The package says they will get as hot as 135 degrees, I doubt that but maybe enough to keep the tiles warm overnight. Monday, May 11 View Page The hand warmer is between the two tiles. Monday, May 11 View Page Covered up with a plastic tub for the night. Checked it the next morning and the plant is fine, even grew a little. Today I'm getting another heater lol. Monday, May 11 View Page This is Molly, my faithful companion. She's part terrier and part coonhound and a great dog. Monday, May 11 View Page Tonight I parked a 2008 Chenier next to an 07 Hunt, 994 model. I couldn't bear to watch the 1066 continue to grow in a pot any longer. The two can drag race and the first to 5 feet wins. Friday, May 15 View Page I started 9 LG seeds on May 10 and all 4 122 Eaton seeds sprouted at the same time. The 104 and 124 haven't popped yet but it's early. Also, one of the 869 Bhaskaran seeds popped today, that's one out of four. I probably had it to hot, anyway that's good, I'm looking to crossing it with the 583 Young plant that's outside already. Monday, May 25 View Page This is the 1066 Chenier, a very healthy plant. I have to go slow with the plants this year, better safe than sorry, lost two last week due to heat and wind. Monday, May 25 View Page This one is the 994 Hunt standing at attention. Looks like it doesn't want to vine just yet, not too worried, very nice easy growing plant. Monday, May 25 View Page I have three remaining back-up plants. The one on the right is 839 Hunt- 842 Eaton x 1097 Beachy. I had high hopes for this one but it wasn't to be. This is #4 plant and very healthy, just started too late. The good news is that I'm almost certain I have a home for it. The one on the left is 1022 Lyons- 1219 Colbert x 1370 Rose. Just too little too late, great cross and nice plant. I also have a 817 Young going- 1101 Northrup x 500 Northrup, already laying down and very trouble free. To be crossed with 583 Young- 670 daigle x 772 Poirier. Monday, May 25 View Page This is my best Amaranth, although there is another outside almost as big. Talk about a challenge, this one seems to have kicked into gear and when it gets a little warmer it will remain outside for good. Monday, May 25 View Page This is my third ACT batch. The first two were used undiluted for a soil conditioner. This one will be diluted 50-50 or 1-3 and everything will be watered. This pump I picked up for $20 is for an aquarium of 20-30 gallons and more than adequate. There are three impellers weighted to the bottom. Monday, May 25 View Page I had to add this pic of my little buddy. He's now 8 months old and working on some chompers. Tuesday, May 26 View Page This is my 3rd batch of compost tea. The water in the large can was filled yesterday and is @70 degrees. I don't know if this will make any difference, but I submerged the whole bucket into the larger container and let it brew for another hour or so before applying. Maybe more microbes will survive doing it this way, I don't know, can't hurt. Tuesday, May 26 View Page This is a remote themometer I picked up to keep an eye on the temps inside the hoop houses. Today it was about 16 degrees outside but mid thirties inside the 994 Hunt house. Got to it in plenty of time to cool things down. Wednesday, June 10 View Page These two Amaranth are at four feet. They are hardened off but I still bring them inside when it gets cold outside. Wednesday, June 10 View Page These are my best long gourds, all 122 Eaton. I planted one outside about ten days ago but these ones have surpassed it in size. Too cool and wet, hopefully they will go outside this week-end. Wednesday, June 10 View Page The giant carrots are fine but not liking this cool wet weather. I thought they may not make it when they were transplanted about two weeks ago but one by one they popped sprang back to life. Wednesday, June 10 View Page This remaining back-up is the 1022 Lyons- 1219 Colbert x 1370 Rose. A fine plant, I may use it for a pollinator for the 1066 Chenier. I had a 993 Rose 06 growing (1354 Checkon x 1068 Wallace) that was to be the pollinator for the 1066 but a new AVGVG member had an unfortunate turn of events so it was given to him. Wednesday, June 10 View Page No pumpkin pics today. The temperature outside at 3:09pm was 12 degrees C. The temperature in the hoophouse with the 1066 Chenier is a comfortable 25 degrees and inside the house it is 20 degrees. Friday, June 12 View Page This is my first set back. After over-protecting the 1066 Chenier I decided to take the cover off the hoop house and expose it to some rain. Well it rained alright, about half an inch in about 10 minutes. After the downpour I found this kink, in a difficult spot. I uncovered the main and raised it a bit but it didn't do any good. Hope the growth will continue just the same. Friday, June 12 View Page Another view of the kink. @#$#@%$ Friday, June 12 View Page Now that's a trellis. It was built by Tom Corkum, a member of our club. Tom's plants are doing very well. It doesn't hurt that he owns an irrigation company. Wednesday, June 24 View Page Mario's place Sunday, July 12 View Page This is the 1st and so far successfull pollination on the 1066 Chenier ( 1093 Hunt x 1502 Wallace ) The pollen came from two 985 Werner flowers compliments of Jeff Reid. It was pollinated Monday July 6 and only showed signs of growth two days ago. The placement is good at 14.5 feet out. Sunday, July 12 View Page Another shot 1066 Chenier x 985 Werner. Sunday, July 12 View Page Here is a shot of the 1066 plant. Filling in very nicely especially after the cool wet weather we have had lately. The forecast for the next week is warm and seasonal which should help out. Sunday, July 12 View Page This sad creature is an amaranth approaching eight feet. The cuke beetles prefer it's leaves to AG's and the damage is taking it's toll. I sprayed with sevin a few days ago with little effect. It's still growing though, so we'll keep pushing her. Sunday, July 19 View Page Our club had a BBQ Saturday night and we had the pleasure of having Al Eaton as our special guest. Here are pictured from left to right are Wayne Knox, Tom Corkum, Jeff Reid, Al Eaton, your's truly, Club Pres. Brian Kenneally and Phil Dance. Sunday, July 19 View Page If you like burnt hot dogs then Brian is your man. Sunday, July 19 View Page The ladies never left the deck. Jeff suggested " even the women can get in the photo". He always had a way with the chicks........ Sunday, July 19 View Page Here Al is giving Tom some pointers. Sunday, July 19 View Page More pointers, in the back is Brad Murphy, Tom's son in law. Brad's 1st year he grew a 800 + lb squash in 2008. Sunday, July 19 View Page Tom's long gourds have really taken off. All five plants are 90 Knox 2006. Sunday, July 19 View Page This fully powered shack on Tom's property serves as a place to play in the summer for his grandkids and in the winter folks from the ski-doo club can stop in any time for a hot cup of coffee or to just get warm. Sunday, July 19 View Page Jeff, Al and Tom having a look at Tom's 57 Belair. Sunday, July 19 View Page We had a good night. Wednesday, July 22 View Page This is the 1066 Chenier plant. The pic was taken in the rain so the leaves look droopy. You can see little Kirk in the lower right. This pic was taken after some heavy duty pruning. Wednesday, July 22 View Page The rain guage was at 0 last night and at 10:50am today this is what we got. Friday, July 24 View Page This is the 994 Hunt pollinated with a 985 Werner. The plant is hating all the cool wet weather we've had but the cross is interesting- (842 Eaton x 898 Knauss) x ( 1370 Rose x 898 Knauss) Friday, July 24 View Page Amaranth #1, recovering sort of. A shot of sevin slowed down whatever is eating it but the plant isn't 100%. Friday, July 24 View Page Amaranth # 2, this one is much healthier. This one is at 8 feet, the other just over 9 feet. This plant will overtake the taller one by next week. Friday, July 24 View Page 583 Young plant. This one has been a very slow grower but after over 3 inches of rain in the past three days it's making a charge. This plant has been very stingy with female flowers. Friday, July 24 View Page Long gourds growing quickly now. I took Al Eaton's advice and pruned a lot of the lower growth. Friday, July 24 View Page Low tech trellis. Easily constructed and will be easy to disassemble. My original design was a little over the top. Thursday, August 13 View Page 1066 Chenier, starting to pick up pace. The bare area to the roght used to be a 15 foot vine with three secondaries. I was forced to cut it off due to poor positioning on my part and it will cost me lots of pounds. I like the look of this one, hope it goes orange. Thursday, August 13 View Page Side view, kind of barrel shaped. Thursday, August 13 View Page Amaranth at 13 feet even. The growth has slowed a little but the plant is much healthier. I hope to get at least 15 feet. Monday, August 24 View Page Long gourds, final cuts being made. Monday, August 24 View Page It was a hard choice but this one didn't make the cut- 39 inches at day 15. It's sister on the same plant is about six inches longer and the same age. The big one on the previous pic is at 64 inches, day 16. Monday, August 24 View Page The 1066 made it through the storm but damage to the plant is worse than I thought. It will be trying keeping it going for another month, so I'll push harder. Monday, August 24 View Page 1066 at another angle. I'm pleased with the shape, hope it turns orange. Sunday, August 30 View Page Over three inches of rain yesterday and she didn't blow. More damage to the plant though and the soil is very saturated. Sunday, August 30 View Page A shot from the deck. The plant used to be bigger but Bill and Danny left their mark. Sunday, August 30 View Page A closer shot, you can see the plant got beat up a little. Hopefully with a few sunny days she'll bounce back. Sunday, August 30 View Page Yseterday there was standing water in the patch, you can see how the soil has become waterlogged. Sunday, August 30 View Page Amaranth loving all the rain as are the LG's. Sunday, August 30 View Page The butterball turkey in the middle is my grandson Caiden. Good thing he's active! Just threw this one in for fun. Monday, August 31 View Page This is one the bigger disappointments of the year. The 583 Young plant only produced four females on the main and only the 4th took. It seemed that every time a female was ready it either rained or was very windy or both. This is about a week old and should make for a nice Hallow'een pumpkin. That wasn't in the script! The plant is/was very easy to handle, nature had other plans. Tuesday, September 8 View Page 1066 orang-ing up pretty good. It won't become one of those smooth and shiny pumpkins but the color is nice. Tuesday, September 8 View Page Other side of the 1066. Wish it was still July. Bill and Dan kicked the crap out of the plant but it's coming around again. These plants are something else. Thursday, September 10 View Page The temperature difference between night and day is now near 20 degrees. Working on the theory that a constantly warm fruit is capable of late season growth, albeit very slow, I open this up each morning to let air in. At around 7:00pm, I close it up with a small 750 watt heater inside which keeps it between 20 and 25 degrees. Maybe I can squeeze a few more pounds into her. Thursday, September 10 View Page Longs gourds doing OK. The longest is in the low eighties. An earlier start is a must. Although all were pollinated between August 7 and 12, that's not enough warm summer days. The longest was doing 4-6 inches a day right up to the 1st cool day of the year, then 1-2 inches per day. Thursday, September 10 View Page A better shot. Friday, September 25 View Page The 1st annual AVGVG weigh-off, a warm up to Windsor. Here AVGVG member Don Helphard and his wife greeting folks and spreading the word. Friday, September 25 View Page Getting the scale ready. A special thanks to the Dill family for the use of their scale. We were honored to have Diana attend our event. Friday, September 25 View Page Some of the entries. Most AVGVG members are saving their larger fruit for the Windsor weigh-off. Friday, September 25 View Page This lady is serving up hot pumpkin soup. Friday, September 25 View Page Grand Pre Winery had a wine display with free samples of wine and cider. Friday, September 25 View Page This was the overall winner in the pumpkin category, 619 lbs. by Jeff Reid. Not Jeff's biggest but a good cross- 1566 Rodonis x 1156 Hunt. Friday, September 25 View Page This one was grown by Wayne Knox on my seed! Never had that happen before. Friday, September 25 View Page Here is Wayne at the BBQ- too much food on hand lol. Friday, September 25 View Page Here is Brian Burke holding up one of his raddishes. This one measured 52 inches long. Friday, September 25 View Page Brian's raddishes. Friday, September 25 View Page This is one of two displays by Brian Burke. Friday, September 25 View Page Our club tries to promote all vegetable categories so Brian's efforts are very much appreciated. Friday, September 25 View Page Diana heading back to Windsor. Thanks again for the use of your scale, see ya next week. Monday, October 5 View Page This beauty was grown by Brian Kenneally and won "Most Perfect Pumpkin" at the Windsor Weigh off. ( 975 Kline x 985 Werner) Monday, October 5 View Page Another view of Brian's beauty. Monday, October 5 View Page This is the 1432 Northrup fruit- 998 Pukos x 1385 Jutras. Monday, October 5 View Page Another view of the 1432 Northrup. Monday, October 5 View Page This was my entry grown off 1066 Chenier. Won 3rd for "most perfect", based on overall color shape and size, received 100 bucks! Friday, October 23 View Page This is Brian Kenneally's entry that won "most perfect pumpkin". The cross is 975 Kline x 985 Werner. Wednesday, October 28 View Page This little angel is my new granddaughter Claira Lynn. She was born on the 19th but had to go immediately to the IWK Children's hospital in Halifax. She was first diagnosed with having spina bifeda but it turned out to be a large tumor on her tailbone called a teratoma. It was removed after 4 hours of surgery but now she has an infection and will be there for a few more days at least. She's a cute little bugger with a great appetite. Friday, October 30 View Page These are the top three at the Windsor weigh off. From left to right- Jeff Reid, Bill Northrup and Ben Hebb. Friday, October 30 View Page Bill and Dawn Northrup pose next to their 1432 lb beauty. Friday, October 30 View Page I hate this picture. These are some of the entries for the "most perfect pumpkin" category. Mine is in the middle and this pic does not do it justice. Granted it has some canteloping on the stem end, it is actually better looking than it looks here. The next pic is much better. Friday, October 30 View Page This my grandson sitting on the pumpkin sometime late August or early September. Came 3rd for most perfect pumpkin. The cross is 1066 Chenier x 985 Werner.