Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 110 Entries. Friday, March 22 View Page I am having a very difficult time choosing a 2013 line up. I can't seem to make up my mind. Potential crosses I would like to create are 1495 Stelts/1488 Marsh and reverse, 2009 Wallace/1789 Wallace and reverse, 1730.5 Werner/1494 Bordsen and reverse as well as 1725 Sweet/1303 Sweet and reverse. Friday, March 22 View Page I am having a very difficult time choosing a 2013 line up. I can't seem to make up my mind. Potential crosses I would like to create are 1495 Stelts/1488 Marsh and reverse, 2009 Wallace/1789 Wallace and reverse, 1730.5 Werner/1494 Bordsen and reverse as well as 1725 Sweet/1303 Sweet and reverse. Friday, March 22 View Page Other potential crosses I like are, 1789 Wallace/1488 Marsh, 1770.5 Leiber/ 1775 Starr and reverse, 2009 Wallace/1775 Starr and 1725 Sweet/1775 Starr. I need to make up my mind and then stick to it... My dog Sampson is ready for the season to begin. He can't wait gaurd the patch and explore under the canopy of leaves. Friday, March 22 View Page Well, the snow has finally melted and it's time to get a soil sample out. I will be using UMASS as a lab this year for soil and tissue testing. As far as ammendmets go, I have pretty much everything I need to ammend my soil accordingly going off last falls soil test. The rest of the soil ammending goodies I will pick up on April 7th at the SNGP spring meeting. Team pumpkin and Matt Debacco really helped me out this year with certain ammendments. It's all about buying in bulk... Friday, March 22 View Page This year I am also collecting my own syrup to feed the micro organisms in my soil. Good syrup makes me happy, so I can only imagine how my soil will feel. Keeping my soil happy will keep me happy. I have 3 maple trees tapped and am collecting tons of this wonderful syrup. Watch out Jim and Kelsey Bryson!!! Friday, March 22 View Page On another note. The honey bees are begining to wake up and come out of hybernation. They are already making their first flights and I have been feeding them like crazy. Its a good thing because I am getting down to my last couple of jars of honey. Friday, March 22 View Page Other potential crosses I really like are, 1775 Starr/1770 Lieber, 1775 Lieber/1495 Stelts, 2009 Wallace/1495 Stelts, 2009 Wallace/1488 Marsh, and 1807 Stelts/1495 Stelts. Only time will tell. Friday, March 29 View Page Getting the hoops ready. Man, I love this time of year... Tuesday, April 2 View Page One down, 3 to go... Tuesday, April 2 View Page The bare bones. I am trying somethiing new this year. Two of my hoops will be wrapped in greenhouse plastic and the other two will be wrapped in Agribon. Tuesday, April 2 View Page Getting the seeds ready for the big day. Tuesday, April 2 View Page Getting closer and closer. Tuesday, April 2 View Page Getting closer and closer. Wednesday, April 3 View Page People are asking me if thats my line up for this year(Previous Post) and I just laugh and say "you know that I am secretive, dont believe what you see..." Thursday, April 4 View Page My buddies electric work horse. Man ohh man I need one of these... Thursday, April 4 View Page Was feeding and inspecting the bee hives today. They where hungry and not to happy because I had to vacume up half the colonies in order to make thinks easy. Found the queens and they are all healthy and happy... Thursday, April 4 View Page Here are the bees after they where vacumed up. Got to get them back to their homes!!! Thursday, April 4 View Page Also helped my buddy cow proof his patch. I love these two pumpkin eating monsters. As long as they stay out of my patch... Thursday, April 4 View Page Ohhhh, What could have been. The one that got away... Good motivation for this season. 47 days old and 391 OTT. 1295 Huydic. Monday, April 15 View Page Up Up and away... Monday, April 15 View Page And let there be light!!! Monday, April 22 View Page Plants went in the ground on the 20th. Let the gamezzz begin!!! Friday, April 26 View Page Plants are all in the ground and doing well. All plants are at the 3rd leave stage except one of my 1495's that will not throw a second leave, it looks like there is a nub there instead of a leave. :( Friday, April 26 View Page Compost Tea, and Biological Drench... Wednesday, May 8 View Page Heres the 1488 Marsh "Boulder Builder" Wednesday, May 8 View Page Inside 1488 Marsh hoop with back-up 1303 Sweet Wednesday, May 8 View Page Heres the 1495 Stelts Wednesday, May 8 View Page Heres the 1789 Wallace "Freak" Wednesday, May 8 View Page This is going to be an issue for me...1789 and 1495 and they are both neck and neck. Only time will tell, but suggestions are welcome!!! Wednesday, May 8 View Page 1730 Werner went double everything, and 1775 has issues, only time will tell... Saturday, May 18 View Page Well!!! 4 feet of inoculated cover crop and 4 1/2 hours later, my patch is tilled. Saturday, May 18 View Page Plants are all 3 ft and running. 1488 Marsh is the biggest plant I have ever seen for its age. It is a beast with a massive crown and elephant ears already... Yeahhh Buddy1!! Saturday, May 18 View Page Will add most of my final ammendments tomorrow, May 19th... Wednesday, June 5 View Page 1488 Marsh at 9ft. This plant is a beast. The plant is throwing double and even triple tap roots at every node, top and bottom. Wednesday, June 5 View Page 1495 Stelts. This plant is really moving. The plant is 11ft and I have already pruned off two females. The plants has pencil thin vines. I have heard of 1161 prod's having this trait. Wednesday, June 5 View Page zzzzzomething is brewing. Connelly style... Wednesday, June 5 View Page New watering tank. Now if I can just figger out the pump situation I will be all set. Any suggestions on pumps? Wednesday, June 5 View Page I will be setting up my Thadd Starr/Mombert under the canopy sprinklers this weekend. They are pain to setup, but once they are up and running it makes fertilizing and watering alot easier. Thursday, June 6 View Page Houres of networking and reasearch later I now understand one of and the most crucial and vital technigues these so called heavy hitters have kept to themselves for so long. It has been right there for the taking. Let the games begin. Matt D and Ron Wallace I want to thank you for the knowledge and suttle hints, it was right infront of me the entire time...... Here we grozzz Monday, June 10 View Page 6 inches of rain last week, and 2 plus falling and on the way. Rain Rain Go Away!!! Tuesday, June 11 View Page Just got the word from the RI zoo. 1171 Only had about 60 viable seeds. Great potential in this one, Pollinator went 15% heavy, and reverse cross's pollinator went 10% heavy Tuesday, June 11 View Page Just purchase a Stihl Sr200. Bye bye hand pump backpack stihl and hello 2 cycle gas powered beauty.. Thursday, June 13 View Page New water pump. I will be setting up my dose a tron fertilizer injector and irrigattion system this weekend. I already built my by-pass set up, all I need to do is build a manifold for numerous zones and I will be complete. Ohhh Yeahhhhhhh!!! Sunday, June 16 View Page Decided to not use my Thadd Starr/ Mombert sprinkler system this season. I will be using 3 Whizz Head Sprinklers per plant, may entertain the idea of dri[p tape. Hey "Plumber Guy", what type of drip tape do you use??? Where can I purchase the mainline and valves I see in your diary??? Sunday, June 16 View Page 1488 Marsh, 15ft and has pumpkins that are yet to be pollenated at 12 and 15ft. Lord willing the one at 15ft will be the keeper, and that one should be ready to open in 10 days or so. Sunday, June 16 View Page 1488 Marsh, "The Boulder Builder". Keeper at 15ft :-) Tuesday, June 18 View Page 1488, getting vine positioned for the big day. Tuesday, June 18 View Page 1488 baby kin. Tuesday, June 18 View Page 1495, also getting ready for the big day. Tuesday, June 18 View Page 1495 baby kin. Tuesday, June 18 View Page Females: 1488 Marsh is at 15 feet. 1495 Stelts is at 16 feet. I am getting antsy over here waiting, I can't wait to watch these babies take off. Both plants should be pollenated before the 26th, which was my goal for the season. Thursday, June 20 View Page 8 Males later... 1495 Stelts/1488 Marsh. Beautiful 5 lober at 15'1/2". I love the cross, super %'s heavy crossed with super %'s heavy. Lets just hope and pray she takes... Thursday, June 20 View Page 1495 Stelts Thursday, June 20 View Page The Nursery Thursday, June 20 View Page The Nursery Thursday, June 20 View Page The Nursery Thursday, June 20 View Page The Nursery Thursday, June 20 View Page I love it!!! Thursday, June 20 View Page Yeahhhh Buddyyyyyyy!!! Saturday, June 22 View Page 1488 Marsh/1495 Stelts. 5 lobes, 9 Males Saturday, June 29 View Page When im not tending to my Pumpkin Patch, I am working on me and my friends Organic Garden. I am pretty proud of what we have done. Saturday, June 29 View Page 1 Saturday, June 29 View Page 2 Saturday, June 29 View Page Hubbard squash Saturday, June 29 View Page Corn from the Wiz and the Biz, Zucc's and pickling cukes. Thanks!!! Saturday, June 29 View Page Tall Sun Flowers are from Marvin Mitchell, GHOST PEPPERS are from Mark Lambardie, Purple Tomatoes are from Whyatt, and there are 7 different types of Heirloom Tomatoes. Ohh and there is also a few Steve Jepsen Sun Flowers in there I got from Bart. Thanks all y�ll!!! Monday, July 1 View Page Marvin Mitchell Sunflowers in background. Monday, July 1 View Page ;-) Monday, July 1 View Page 1495 Monday, July 1 View Page 1495 day 10. Monday, July 1 View Page 1495 Day 10 Monday, July 1 View Page I forgot, The cross is 1495 Stelts/1488 Marsh Monday, July 1 View Page 1488 Marsh plant with 7 Day old pumpkin. Cross is 1488 Marsh/1495 Stelts Wednesday, July 3 View Page "Bella" 1488 Marsh/1495 Stelts Day 10 Wednesday, July 3 View Page "Bella" Found a small soft spot on blossom end this morning, scraped, treated and now contained... Wednesday, July 3 View Page For my records, Soil and tissue samples sent out 7/02 Wednesday, July 3 View Page Check out my new Dose A Tron Fertilizer injector setup. Loving it.... Started fungicidal drench program, also hopefully corrected my Magnesium issue. Wednesday, July 3 View Page SVB's out in numbers Thursday, July 4 View Page Cut blossom end off 1488 and said a prayer, it was getting soft. Happy 4th everyone!!! Monday, July 8 View Page Fungicidal Drench and Micro Nutrients. Thursday, July 11 View Page 20 DAP on "Rapunzel" 1495 Stelts/1488 Marsh OTT 87-57-58= 202" Sunday, July 14 View Page Day 20 for "Bella". 20 DAY OTT 94-59-60= 213 Sunday, July 14 View Page Got a foamer on the massive stump of the 1488. I knew it was to good to be true. Bored it out, bleached and cleansed with hydrogen perox. Tuesday, July 16 View Page Performed surgery on the 1488 Marsh Main. I have never seen a foaming main. Thursday, July 18 View Page Sprayed to raise CU and P levels. There are some very nice new products out there. Will send out another tissue test in one week. Saturday, July 20 View Page My buddy who goes on these Brew tours around the world just got back with gift. These are literally the best beers, and come from the best brewers in the entire world as of now. I mm sure at least one or two of you Vermont growers know about "Larson" and "The Barn" IF NOT YOU ARE MSSING OUT!!!!!! Sunday, July 21 View Page Day 30 for "Rapunzel" OTT: 119+76+77=272 1495/1488 This last weeks 7day heat wave really slowed down the pumpkins growth. Back to normal temps, bring it on. Friday, July 26 View Page "Bella" 1488 Marsh/1495 Stelts. 30 DAY OTT: cc:130, EE: 77, SS: 76= 283OTT Friday, July 26 View Page "Bella" 1488/1495, 30 DAY OTT:283 Friday, July 26 View Page "Bella's" stem end. This plant has so many issues. I am doing everything I can to keep this kin growing. I am not sure how much more I can do before she decides to stop growing. Say a prayer for her!!! :-) Friday, July 26 View Page 1488 Marsh stump, "Bella". Foaming from crown basil and a foaming main about a foot and a half from crown that will just not stop. I think she need a shot of penicillin :-) lol Friday, July 26 View Page "Rapunzel" 1495/1488 at day 33. Friday, July 26 View Page Stem end of 1495/1488 Sunday, August 11 View Page Foam, Foam and more foam. 1495 is now foaming like crazy. Drilled, treated and there is a fan running 24/7. ;-( Monday, August 19 View Page Pumpkins have reached the 1k mark. 1488 has really slowed down. The 1495 plant is healthy as an ox, but growth is slower than I have ever experienced. I hope like many 1161's and their prod's, that I will be a steady consistent grower all the way until the end. This has been a bizarre growing season. Monday, August 19 View Page 1488 Marsh 1k and slow growing. Here you go Roger!!! Monday, August 19 View Page 1495 Stelts 1k and slow growing. Here you go again Roger, you like!!! Monday, September 30 View Page Ridgefield Giant Pumpkin Weigh off was a blast. Really enjoyed seeing everyone, and had a great time with Eddie G. Plus 1495/1844 took first place. After this year I am pumped. 1290.5 Huydic Monday, September 30 View Page Another great pic. Monday, September 30 View Page Here's the 1488 Marsh, Second place at the Big-E. Now the 1171 Huydic Tuesday, October 1 View Page 1495 Tuesday, October 1 View Page 1488 Marsh/1495= 1171 Tuesday, October 1 View Page 1171 Tuesday, October 1 View Page Both pumpkins are solid as a rock. :-) Heavy Genetics Friday, October 11 View Page 5 yards cow manure added to patch, poultry to come. Saturday, October 12 View Page 98 Wheel barrow loads later. Saturday, October 12 View Page Like this pic, that's not my dog by the way.. Saturday, October 12 View Page Some more supplies down, time to order more. Saturday, October 12 View Page Chick poultry tomorrow. Ohh boy, What we do for these kins. Sunday, October 20 View Page Brought in heavy machinery to sub soil the entire patch. Added 10 yards of aged cow manure from a dairy farm up north, as well as 2 yards of poultry manure and tilled it all in. I also planted a cover crop of winter rye that doesn't really want to grow. Ohhh well!!! I also sent out a soil sample this week (Jan 3rd), while the soil is in a state of limbo (before it wakes up) just for comparison. 2014 growing season will be known as the "Summer of Wallace"