Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 195 Entries. Monday, May 6 View Page staring line up 1309 cheam 1258.6 lyons 699 balkwill 1088.8 nieuwenhoff squash 1056 hebb 877 hunt 7-9 hundred lb. howard dill leaning toward 1309 cheam and 699 balkwill. really like 1056 hebb,grew this last year and it was very strong ,nice shape and colour.suppose to be a greenie but ended up nice orange. doesn't matter what colour I get have to put this out as a starter Monday, May 6 View Page Started long guords and sunflowers.Back to work tomorrow and should be home by the weekend if everything goes good.Hate being away this time of year but not much I can do here except let the grow inside.Using three heat cables this year and hope to have plants outside by the 15th.Weather is changing here,Finally Friday, May 24 View Page 1056 hebb 8 days in ground Friday, May 24 View Page 1309 cheam out 8 days but not doing so great. put 1088 nieuwenhoff out 4 days ago doing good. Friday, May 24 View Page 877 hunt squash. 7-9 hundred lb. howard dill squash out 4 days Friday, May 31 View Page 1056 hebb. Friday, May 31 View Page 1088 nienwenhoff. Things are finally starting. Had a cold spring here and two days late getting kins in ground,but not really far behind last year. Heat cables make a huge difference. Friday, May 31 View Page transferred 1309 cheam...Don't think it will make it.Could have just culled it but thought I'd give it a chance. Friday, May 31 View Page 102 neenwenhoff long guords are doing good. Friday, May 31 View Page spelling nieuwenhoff wrong. sorry! lol Sunday, June 2 View Page Thought 1309 cheam was done.Nice surprise to take cover off this morning and see it has perked up. Sunday, June 2 View Page 1411 kronk. Started two seeds early but neither one cracked.This one was started about two weeks ago. Sunday, June 2 View Page long guords got nipped abit by frost last night. Looks like they will survive but better cover better tonight because frost tonight for sure Sunday, June 2 View Page 1088 Nienwenhoff is almost on the ground Sunday, June 2 View Page 1056 hebb doing good Sunday, June 2 View Page 877 hunt squash. Squash always seem to be slow starters Sunday, June 2 View Page not really sure what this plant is.Found it in package I got from Ben two years ago. Not sure if it was in pack when I received it or if I added seed later.Gotta keep better track of times! lol Think it's a squash Friday, June 7 View Page 1088 nienwenhoff Friday, June 7 View Page 1056 hebb. Finally getting ready to lay down.Not as far along as nienwenhoff,but thicker Friday, June 7 View Page Got three plants yesterday.1522 sproule,1313 matesa and 1411 kronk. Sproule and matesa went in ground at my sisters place last night,and am putting kronk in my patch today.very good plants. Thanks Don! Saturday, June 8 View Page new automatic fertilizing system Saturday, June 8 View Page 1411 kronk is in the ground Saturday, June 8 View Page 877 hunt squash Saturday, June 8 View Page The newest member to the family.I don't have my hood up because it's cold...just want to save my ears!She can be nasty! Tuesday, June 18 View Page sunflowers.Behind last year .Starting to move now Tuesday, June 18 View Page long gourd Tuesday, June 18 View Page Thought there was a bee in the house but found this guy.Back outside.Got enough birds in this house.lol Tuesday, June 18 View Page 877 hunt squash.Hard time keeping main straight. Growing good Tuesday, June 18 View Page 1411 kronk. 10 days out. starting to lay down.Settling in fine Tuesday, June 18 View Page 1056 Hebb. Abit of an odd ball.About 4 feet out,but has big leaves and thick main Tuesday, June 18 View Page 1088 nienwenhoff. 8 feet. Tuesday, June 18 View Page 877 hunt and 7-9 hundred howard dill squash Tuesday, June 18 View Page new automatic insect control Tuesday, June 18 View Page Darn Ticks! Let me get that for you. Tuesday, June 25 View Page 877 hunt squash. First female. only 5 feet out. Tuesday, June 25 View Page 1411 kronk. 3' Wednesday, June 26 View Page first female on other squash.Not sure what this plant is,but think it's a 7-9 hundred lb. dill seed. Main is 7',should be about 10 by the time this one lands. Still along ways away,just nice to see females. Wednesday, June 26 View Page female on 1088 nieuwenhoff. Main is 10' ... waiting game Wednesday, June 26 View Page 1088 nieuwenhoff Wednesday, June 26 View Page 1056 hebb. 7' Thursday, June 27 View Page got 2 inches of rain in less than an hour. High winds,and pea size hail. Saturday, June 29 View Page abit of hail damage but not too bad. Saturday, June 29 View Page 1056 hebb got the worst of it. Recovering well. Not as bad as some of the posts that I've seen from people in mn. wi. and oh. so I concider myself lucky. Saturday, June 29 View Page My back to back squash plants.Started both in same hoop house and decided to keep both. Saturday, June 29 View Page 1411 kronk Saturday, June 29 View Page 1088 nieuwenhoff.First female about 12' out. Sunday, June 30 View Page pollenated 877 hunt squash. Monday, July 1 View Page Hail damage 877 hunt squash Monday, July 1 View Page Second female on 1411 kronk. Probably about seven feet by time it lays down. Monday, July 1 View Page 1411 kronk.6 feet. Monday, July 1 View Page Two days.877 hunt.Only 5 feet out though. Next female is on main ,looking 10' out. just not ready to cull this one yet.lol Monday, July 1 View Page long gourd Monday, July 1 View Page spit plaNT Monday, July 1 View Page Other spit plant Monday, July 1 View Page Howden ,Lumina,Cindrella,fiesta. Monday, July 1 View Page These guys came home in a shoe box in april.If your homing pigeon then go home!No....Don't say it! Monday, July 1 View Page 1088 nieuwenhoff. Monday, July 1 View Page 1056 Hebb Monday, July 1 View Page 1411 kronks little brother Wednesday, July 3 View Page 877 hunt squash. 5' out. Wednesday, July 3 View Page second female on 877 hunt squash.Just over 10' out.Waiting for this one Wednesday, July 3 View Page First female on 1088 nieuwenhoff.12 feet out Wednesday, July 3 View Page 1088 nieuwenhoff.Lots of vine burying in last few days Wednesday, July 3 View Page 1411 kronk. Over 7 ' out Wednesday, July 3 View Page Have no idea what this plant is...Thought it was a squash.Doing good!10' Wednesday, July 3 View Page 1056 Hebb Saturday, July 6 View Page Bad thunder storm. Heavy rain. Had tarps ready.but no hail. A couple of vains got knocked over,but no damage.Get nervous after seeing what happened in Alberta. Saturday, July 6 View Page 1088 nieuwenhoff.Still afew more days to open.12' Saturday, July 6 View Page 1056 Hebb squash. Looking the same as last year. Lime green with dark green stripes. Last year crossed with 1005 kline pumpkin and turned a bright orange. This year will cross with 877 hunt squash.Life is like a box of chocolates! Saturday, July 6 View Page 877 hunt squash 10' out. Still have one growing 5' out.Guess I should cull that one. Saturday, July 6 View Page 877 hunt. 5' Saturday, July 6 View Page 1141 cronk 7'. will start this one. There's another on the main that will be out over 10'. This year seems to be taking forever! Tuesday, July 9 View Page 1088 nieuwenhoff should be ready in the morning.Finally! About 14'.Suppose to rain tonight so keeping everything dry.Taking every precaution.Ground temp. is 70 so might be a good thing it's overcast.Have cover ready.Will keep a close watch on it.Time to get something started Tuesday, July 9 View Page Got called out for a job last week about 1 and a half hours out of town building bridges.Turn it down.Don't want to sleep in hotels this summer.Had interview at resolute forest product today and got the job.Start on Monday.4 days on and 4 off.Only 10minutes from home.Funny how the choices we make can totally change your whole life. This is the 1411 kronk I'll use to pollinate the nieuwenhoff Tuesday, July 9 View Page Not sure what this plant is but I'm calling it the benj cause I'm sure it's a seed I got from him but not sure which one.Nice long kin about 12' out.Not sure if will open tonight but 11th for sure Tuesday, July 9 View Page 1411 kronk at 7'. A few more days for this one. Have another one that will land out past 10'.Abit behind but this plant is really picking it up. Wednesday, July 10 View Page 5 lobe on 1088 nieuwenhoff. Crossed with 1411 kronk. Wednesday, July 10 View Page 2 secondaries were broken this morning om nieuwenhoff. Something must have been in the patch,because wind wasn't that strong. Wednesday, July 10 View Page Did a patch job on broken vines.Don't know if this will work.Both are out over 10' so almost time to end anyway.Just hate when things like this happen Thursday, July 11 View Page 4 lober on benj pollinated with 1088 nieuwenhoff Thursday, July 11 View Page 3 lober on 1411 kronk pollinated with benj Friday, July 12 View Page Guess I don't know how to spell...Sorry Don.Thought 3 years of Slate River school would have been enough.lol I'll just call it the 1411 conky. Calling 1088 the huff...Alot easier Friday, July 12 View Page Sunflower 4'. Friday, July 12 View Page Just under 4'. Not bad,7 days ago everything was flat on the ground after high winds Friday, July 12 View Page Long gourd is 5'. growing about 5 inches a day.Starting to blossom.I don't really know if i should cull these plants like a kin ,or just let it do it's thing Friday, July 12 View Page 1088 huff. 2 days.Still not sure Friday, July 12 View Page 877 hunt squash should be ready tomorrow Monday, July 15 View Page second pollination on 877 hunt sqwuash. 12' Monday, July 15 View Page First female on 1056 hebb not doing anything. 10' Monday, July 15 View Page benj. 10' Waiting for it to lay down. Nice long shape. Next female about 14' Monday, July 15 View Page 1088 nieuwenhoff. 14' Monday, July 15 View Page Day 5 1088 nieuwenhoff. Noticing the difference as the day goes by.Hopefully touchdown tomorrow. Monday, July 15 View Page benj. DaY 4. Never moved much today but dry and looking healthy. Monday, July 15 View Page Culled the Cronk at 7'. Hate doing this but have one out past 11' that will open soon.Running out of time Monday, July 15 View Page 877 hunt squash pollinated this morning is going to pass everyone in the patch if it keeps going like this. 4 lobe. Wednesday, July 17 View Page Thought something was breaking my secondaries but it looks like they are cracking on their own.Never seen this before.It's time anyways,15' long Wednesday, July 17 View Page First on main of benj. Not doing much. Have another further out Wednesday, July 17 View Page 13' out on 1411 Cronk. Maybe tomorrow Wednesday, July 17 View Page 1056 Hebb.Slow,but this plant has been getting the least attention.My fault Wednesday, July 17 View Page 877 hunt squash. 2dap Looking good! Wednesday, July 17 View Page 1088 nieuwenhoff. 6 dap Wednesday, July 17 View Page Too much going on back here. 1411 Cronk in the middle nedds the room. Wednesday, July 17 View Page Lots of room now. Wednesday, July 17 View Page 611 Balkwill. My better half saved this plant and wants to cross it with a fiesta. Don't know if this will work or not Wednesday, July 17 View Page howden,cindrella ,lumina,fiesta Wednesday, July 17 View Page long gourd about 8' Thursday, July 18 View Page Second on benj.5 lobe. 16' Thursday, July 18 View Page 1411 Cronk. 5 lobe. 13' Friday, July 19 View Page second pollination 16' out on 1088 neiuwenhoff. Friday, July 19 View Page pollinated 1088 nieuwenhoff with the benj. This is first on benj still not moving Friday, July 19 View Page 9 dap 1088 nieuwenhoff Friday, July 19 View Page Come on Conky! It was only 5 inches of rain!Grow on! Friday, July 19 View Page 877 hunt squash. 3 dap Sunday, July 21 View Page 877 hunt . Almost looks like a split. Maybe from all the rain we had Thursday. It's not soft or oozing and no crack.See what happens in next few days Sunday, July 21 View Page 1411 Cronk. Looking good Sunday, July 21 View Page First on Benj. Looks like it's done Sunday, July 21 View Page Second on Benj.Looking good. Sunday, July 21 View Page 1088 nieuwenhoff. 11dap. Going to the sand pile today to build a base for it.Everything here seems slow. Added cal. and mag. to two plants yesterday. Starting with fert. again Monday, July 22 View Page Had to leave for work at 430 and missed pollinating 6 lobe on hunt squash. Monday, July 22 View Page 1411 Cronk on the ground Wednesday, July 24 View Page not sure about this .877 Hunt. Not rotting but going to slow down growth Wednesday, July 24 View Page Open pollination next out on 877 hunt. 6 lober Wednesday, July 24 View Page 1411 CRONK Wednesday, July 24 View Page Benj. Should be on ground tomorrow Wednesday, July 24 View Page Benj Wednesday, July 24 View Page 1088 Nieuwenhoff. 26 inmches Friday, July 26 View Page 877 Hunt. Starting to ooze. Don't think it's going to make it. Friday, July 26 View Page Next one out on 877 hunt. Guess I should cull first one Friday, July 26 View Page 1411 Cronk is bigger than a softball now. Friday, July 26 View Page Benj is on the ground.Got to get busy on this plant burying vines Friday, July 26 View Page Second out on 1088 Nieuwenhoff.Growing good but will cull in next few days Friday, July 26 View Page 1988 Nieuwenhoff.30 inches. Ending secondaries at 16'. Want to get out there today and work in patch but it's cold and lots of rain.Feels like October. Monday, July 29 View Page 877 hunt. Still growing. Monday, July 29 View Page Next out on 877hunt. Got 2 starting on secondaries. Falling behind with squash this year Monday, July 29 View Page Might have one on 1056 Hebb. Plant is looking better Monday, July 29 View Page 1411 Cronk is starting to move 16 inches Monday, July 29 View Page 1088 Nieuwenhoff. I was very careful today and positioned before it gets too big.Alot better than last year...No goof ups.lol Nice long stem and lots of slack in main. 36 inches on day 18. Hoping for better weather Tuesday, July 30 View Page Did something I never thought I'd do. I pulled the 1056 Hebb.Been waiting for a female to open on this plant but it's getting late. This will give the 1088Nieuwenhoff more room. Next year only one plant in this area. Tuesday, July 30 View Page !056 Hebb.Stump was rotting. Hope to get another one of these seeds for next year Tuesday, July 30 View Page Benj. Still got some work to do on this plant. Behind but looking good. Tuesday, July 30 View Page 1088 Nieuwenhoff. 20 dap. 37 inches. Where's summer? Tuesday, July 30 View Page Wow! Just checked out last years diary and I'm about 40 lbs. behind .Still think I'll get my pb. Tuesday, July 30 View Page Found this on leaf.Looked like someone spit on it.There was a green bug inside. Any ideas what this is? Tuesday, July 30 View Page Muscovy duck eggs are starting to crack.You can hear them peeping inside.Good thing we are putting addition on the coop! Wednesday, July 31 View Page Get cracken! Thursday, August 1 View Page Don't know what caused this. Not good Thursday, August 1 View Page Next best squash. Last year already had one at 50lbs. Finished up at 387lbs. Don't think I'll get that this year Thursday, August 1 View Page Benj is starting to move. Been doing alot of work to this plant Thursday, August 1 View Page 1411 Cronk was late addition and in the wettest part of garden.It's doing good Thursday, August 1 View Page 1088 Nieuwenhoff. 42 inches this morning. Abit worried about split in stem.It's not into the pumpkin and hope it stays that way. Has split on top too.Atleast it,s length ways. Don't know what caused this...Probably me. New rule...Don't touch til September! Thursday, August 1 View Page Split on top of 1088 Nieuwenhoff stem Thursday, August 1 View Page 1088 Nieuwenhoff Thursday, August 1 View Page Oh,By the way. Counted 5 new additions last night. Never checked yet today,going to leave her be. She's sitting on 13 eggs Thursday, August 1 View Page Lucky 13!!! Everyone looks ok. Thursday, August 1 View Page On the move. Monday, August 5 View Page 1088 nieuwenhoff. 53 inches Friday, August 9 View Page Stem split on 1088 neiuwenhoff. Still oozing. Drying with fan and applied sulphur. Hope to get this stopped. Putting on 3 inches a day circ. Friday, August 9 View Page Deep ribs and dill ring not good. 153 ott Friday, August 9 View Page I guess tomorrow will be day 30. Not even 100 lbs. Friday, August 9 View Page 1411 Kronk. Friday, August 9 View Page benj Tuesday, August 13 View Page 1088 nieuwenhoff. Stem rot ,cracking. Put all my eggs in one basket with this plant. Tuesday, August 13 View Page 877 hunt is also split through to cavity Tuesday, August 13 View Page benj 55 inches Tuesday, August 13 View Page 1411 Cronk 55 inches Thursday, August 15 View Page Bear was in patch last night. Thursday, August 15 View Page No damage as this on was already culled. He did move this 100lb. kin about five feet and stood it on its end. Not hungry i guess but he will be back. Moving everything out of patch today Thursday, August 15 View Page Can see daylight through to cavity on 877 hunt. It was culled this morning Saturday, August 17 View Page Benj. 30 dap. Gained 7 inches ott since last night . 85 lbs Saturday, August 17 View Page 1411 Cronk. 75 lbs. Saturday, August 17 View Page sunflower over 11 ft. now Saturday, August 17 View Page 877 hunt Tuesday, August 20 View Page Benj...doing about 15 lbs. a day. 180 ott Tuesday, August 20 View Page 1411 Cronk... 165 ott Tuesday, August 20 View Page 877 hunt Tuesday, August 20 View Page 11 feet off the ground Monday, September 2 View Page Benj Monday, September 2 View Page 1411 cronk. Thursday, September 12 View Page Well got a 1088 Nieuwenhoff about 150 lbs. Yahoo! A little late. Thursday, September 12 View Page Benj. Nice solid kin. Good shape and making good gains everyday. Pushing everything at it. Close to frost tonight,tarps are on, 9 more days to go. Wednesday, September 18 View Page Found these ladies in the ditch about half mile down the road. Terrible how some people treat animals Wednesday, September 18 View Page Benj is starting to rib abit.Canteloping. Growing good still.Solid. Been a bad year but think I'll get my pb. We learn by our mistakes. Thursday, September 19 View Page kitten number one Thursday, September 19 View Page Number two Sunday, September 22 View Page 296 ott. as of saturday. Hope to get over 600 lbs. by next weekend Sunday, September 22 View Page Another view Monday, September 30 View Page I volunteered to operate the tractor at the Murillo pumpkin fest this past weekend.I ran alot of machines over the years but this was one of my most nervous days.Started off by almost dropping Benjs 1367 kin. The biggest one at the event.Everything went well after that.Alot of fun Monday, September 30 View Page A couple of newly weds were driving by and wanted to get their picture with the giants. We stopped the event for this.Congradulation! Monday, September 30 View Page My second best. 1411 Kronk. The peanut. 366 lbs. Weights were down abit this year and fewer kins because of terrible growing season. Monday, September 30 View Page 877 hunt. 147 lbs. squash just kept spliting on me this year. Monday, September 30 View Page After losing 1088 nieuwenhoff started pushing this kin that I named benj. measuring 303 ott. I knew I wouldn't get the thousand pounder this year but still wanted to get pb of 590. moment of truth. Going to be close Monday, September 30 View Page 615! Happy with that. 7th place! Monday, September 30 View Page 1088 nieuwenhoff still growing. 213 0tt. Starting to split under blossom. Monday, September 30 View Page 7-9 hundred howard dill squash. 100 lbs. think this might be judged as a pumpkin with all the yellow Monday, September 30 View Page This is my 147 grown from 877 hunt. This is the colour I've been looking for. The last few years all my squash have been light.You can only take your chances buying squash seeds because you never know what you get until females set.Will start this one next year. Time to get back to the true greenies