Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 21 Entries. Wednesday, February 11 View Page Looks like gopher season is back. This guy made the mistake of sticking his head out while my dog was walking by. Layla got extra treats last night. Saturday, April 4 View Page Thought I'd do a potting soil test with 5 different organic potting soils and one Miracle-Gro. I started 15 seeds and accidentally let them soak for 24 hours before putting them in moist paper towels in zip lock bags. All fifteen seeds germinated in less than 36 hours with no seed filing or sanding. This might be my new seed starting technique. Now to see if there is any difference in potting soils. Thursday, April 16 View Page Our county fair is in August, too early to grow a big one up here but I thought I'd take one of my potting soil test pumpkins and stick it in the ground and try to keep it alive. Apparently I failed miserably. I had it covered with plastic but no heater and it went down to 25 the night before last. Going to try a backup today. Saturday, June 20 View Page This picture is from last year but he was back two nights ago; so big I thought it was an elk at first. I put out a motion sensor sprinkler and I think it's working. So far it's got me twice and my son once. Also had a large bear outside the fence last night but my dog chased it away. Maybe I shouldn't be using coco mulch on the buried side vines. Thursday, June 25 View Page Pollinated a five lobe on the 758 House (810 Westcott X 1059 Vince McGill) but as usual when I pollinate, there is extremely hot weather coming in today. I might try cooling with ice this year. This could have some serious Howard Dill potential. Meanwhile, my 1784 Glasier is my biggest and fastest growing plant and should have a female ready in a couple of days. Saturday, July 11 View Page Forgot to put out the motion sensor sprinkler last night and this is the result on the main vine of the 758 House. The pumpkin should be all right and has a day 16 OTT of 100. And it's only seven feet out. Friday, August 7 View Page My 758 House is up to 400 pounds now and turning a beautiful orange. It's only 6 feet out on the main vine but growth has been slow and steady. I'm growing some side vines extra long and even some tertiary vines behind it in hopes of adding some more pounds. Friday, August 7 View Page Meanwhile my 1784 Glasier got a late pollination and a slow start but is now picking up speed. And it's also turning a nice orange. Saturday, August 15 View Page The 758 House is over 500 pounds now and a beautiful orange with perfect shape. Possible HD potential. Only 43 degrees this morning so growth could start slowing down. Wednesday, August 19 View Page Yesterday it was 47 degrees in the AM and 97 in the afternoon for a 50 degree difference. And we had a 52 degree differential two days ago. Not really good for the pumpkins but this 1784 Glasier is actually picking up speed after a slow start. It's now at 450 pounds on day 47. On the other hand, the 758 House is slowing down and I might try giving it some extra kelp the next few days. Wednesday, August 26 View Page Typical temps the last week. Pumpkins have slowed down to under 15 pounds per day. Wednesday, August 26 View Page The 758 House is the orangest pumpkin I've ever seen. Deep ribs and kind of knobby. Up to 630 pounds now. Thursday, September 3 View Page 758 House continues to grow more orange. Thursday, September 3 View Page Meanwhile, the 1784 Glasier has come down with a serious leaf disease (possibly fusarium?) Also a major aphid infestation that is overwhelming the ladybugs. Thursday, September 3 View Page Tried growing giant sunflowers this year but could only get to fourteen feet high. Saturday, September 5 View Page Nooooooo, a stem split in the 1784 Glasier. My fault, should have done a better job of taking the stress off it by raising the main vine more on both sides of the pumpkin. It still doesn't seem to go all the way into the middle so I'm going to try to save it but it doesn't look real promising. Monday, September 14 View Page Going to need a much taller fence. Picture taken with a flashlight and cheap camera. Tuesday, September 15 View Page I guess I waited too long to try to fix the stem split. I tried slicing the stem but didn't go deep enough and was probably a day or two too late. This morning I stuck a piece of straw about a foot into the hole and then this guy came out to see what was going on. Monday, September 28 View Page Less than five days until Elk Grove and the 758 House is still holding together nicely. Estimated at 730 pounds and gaining about an ounce per day now so it won't make 800 unless it come in very heavy. Monday, October 5 View Page Scott Henkin getting my 758 House ready for the Elk Grove Regatta in which he took second place. Even the flesh of this pumpkin was really orange. Wednesday, October 21 View Page Last year I planted a clover cover crop and the deer lined up to jump over my fence to get to it. This year I went with mustard to deal with some soil problems and really thought the deer would ignore it. Wrong again.