Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 26 Entries. Thursday, January 12 View Page Happy New Year, I wish all growers a successful year 2023! The year starts immediately with our GGVG auction on saturday 14 January. Check out our auction line up: http://bigpumpkins.com/Attachments/GGVG%20Auction%202023.pdf   Monday, February 20 View Page the first attempt to graft a watermelon was successful, thanks to the videos of Nick   Monday, February 20 View Page https://www.youtube.com/@nickmccaslin9495   Thursday, March 23 View Page The big show in Danvers was a great experience, I met a lot of growers and had a lot of fun.   Friday, March 24 View Page soil test 2023   Friday, April 7 View Page here we go again   Monday, April 10 View Page I will try a watermelon for the first time this year, we have started a challenge among the GGVG growers with this seed this year   Sunday, April 23 View Page All amendments are tilled in   Wednesday, April 26 View Page not all grafted melons have survived   Sunday, April 30 View Page I got the plants into the hoop houses today   Friday, May 5 View Page This weekend the cold frames were destroyed by a storm, some plants have to be replaced by backups.   Monday, May 8 View Page Had to replace the 2046 with a 1977 Rea back up   Saturday, May 13 View Page another two 153 Gräter melon, the first batch were destroyed by hail   Saturday, May 20 View Page This year the beginning of the season turns out to be very difficult, first the plants went through a storm and then came the heat, the plants have lost some leaves. The 769* Ressel is finally on the ground and running, I removed the backup plant.   Thursday, June 1 View Page the pumpkins are outgrowing their hoop houses, almost time to remove them   Friday, June 9 View Page 1977 Rea is catching up   Sunday, June 18 View Page None of the grafted melons survived, now I have a regular 153 Gräter plant in my patch.   Saturday, June 24 View Page 769* Ressel x sibb   Friday, July 7 View Page 1977 Rea x 392 Ressel   Sunday, July 9 View Page 769* Ressel: DAP 15   Monday, July 31 View Page Growth is not great and powdery mildew is already developing rapidly   Monday, August 7 View Page I lost the 769* Ressel today due to a soft spot   Tuesday, August 8 View Page The melon and the 1977 Rea are still growing   Saturday, August 19 View Page After the rain I also lost the 769* BackUp, I removed the plant now, no SQ this year.   Tuesday, August 29 View Page 1977 Rea x 392 Ressel: last fruit in the patch, around 400 ibs   Sunday, September 24 View Page despite the challenging year, I still managed to get a beautiful orange pumpkin to a weigh off: 421.5 Ressel 23 (1977 Rea x 392 Ressel)