Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 31 Entries. Friday, January 1 View Page For my Xmas present, Anne built a compost tea brewer (makes 25 gallons, using a 32 gallon container). BEST PRESENT EVER! She even drilled the holes on the PVC and bought the heavy-duty air pump. Friday, January 1 View Page xmas present Friday, January 1 View Page xmas present Friday, January 1 View Page xmas present Friday, January 1 View Page FYI: She downloaded Mark Rutter's plans & specifications for the 25-gal compost tea brewer via Oregon State University's Extension Service. Saturday, January 16 View Page Today I purchased supplies to build a fence to keep the dogs out of the patch. A tree needs to be cut down and then I can begin building putting the fence up! I love hauling stuff in my new pickup truck! Saturday, February 20 View Page My new TARHEEL custom-made trailer for hauling a pumpkin should it be bigger than my truck can hold. If you'd like a similar trailer of your own, made-to-order, just call the awesome handyman, Chris Zimmerman at (919)650-0484. Saturday, February 20 View Page My new TARHEEL custom-made trailer for hauling a pumpkin should it be bigger than my truck can hold. If you'd like a similar trailer of your own, made-to-order, just call the awesome handyman, Chris Zimmerman at (919)650-0484. Saturday, February 20 View Page My new TARHEEL custom-made trailer for hauling a pumpkin should it be bigger than my truck can hold. If you'd like a similar trailer of your own, made-to-order, just call the awesome handyman, Chris Zimmerman at (919)650-0484. Sunday, February 21 View Page Finally putting up the fence around the patch so my mom's dogs won't roll around in my plant like they did last year. Sunday, February 21 View Page more fence Monday, April 26 View Page Soaking my seeds tonight:-) 1636 Liggett, 1363 Werner, 1194 Holland and 1160 Rose. Saturday, May 1 View Page The 1636 Liggett is the first to germinate and sprout! This was taken at 10:00am. Sunday, May 2 View Page 8:00PM. Still, the only seed to sprout is 1636 Liggett, so I'm soaking a few more seeds as back-ups. Sunday, June 6 View Page Drip irrigation complete! View from the roof. Sunday, June 13 View Page 610 Holder Sunday, June 13 View Page 610 Holder Sunday, June 13 View Page 610 Holder Sunday, June 13 View Page 610 Holder...the plant looks great, but the stump split early on and has healed nicely. Obviously, it is not ideal, but this plant is doing much better than the other! Sunday, June 13 View Page 1636 Liggett developed a ribbon vine :-( Sunday, June 13 View Page 1636 Liggett, a good look at the ribbon vine and huge hole...I'm letting it grow for a few more days just to learn from it, but then its out. Sunday, June 13 View Page Here is the tip of the 1636 Liggett ribbon vine...all the action is taking place in one spot and it is a freak of nature! Saturday, June 19 View Page looking very healthy :-) Saturday, June 26 View Page This is a closer view at the ribbon vine (HUGE!) I finally pulled the plant out of the patch to leave room for the healthy one. Sunday, July 11 View Page side view Sunday, July 11 View Page shoe comparison Sunday, July 11 View Page Mom kissing her new grandbaby "Wilma" Sunday, July 11 View Page Why "Wilma"? This is why... One of the top 3 things I wanted to do before I die was to have a conversation with Wilma Mankiller. She helped people to believe in themselves....and STILL does. http://www.wilmamankiller.com/ I can never thank her enough. Sunday, July 11 View Page patch overview...lots of flagging, but that's what you get in 90+ temps in the humid South...I keep telling her to hang in there! Sunday, July 11 View Page proud mama! Tuesday, July 27 View Page So after all kinds of random mishaps this year with life beyond the pumpkin patch, I haven't been able to take care of the plant like I wanted to. All 3 pumpkin babies shriveled up, so now I'm just going to let the plant grow multiple pumpkins. Maybe we'll have a few for baking and one or two for Halloween carving. My dog almost died twice (I will be paying for vet bills for a long time), then I had a medical procedure and on top of that I'm working for 3 different jobs. Sadly, the pumpkin was last in priority. However, I have accepted the facts and am still very positive. I learned a lot from last year. There's always 2011:-) Good luck to everybody in the giant world...and I'll see my friends in Elkin come September!