Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 207 Entries. Saturday, January 17 View Page hi. here's a pic of my new greenhouses constructed in the off season,thought i would go with 2 instead of one big one. they are roughly 16x24 and 24x24 in size, big enough for 2 possibly 3 plants. view thru my wood shop window.   Saturday, January 17 View Page quick look at some of the frame work.tried to make stout enough to handle a snow load, if i ever go with polycarbonate panels..yeah i know i'm dreaming.lol.   Saturday, January 17 View Page a look at the other one   Saturday, January 17 View Page pic of the O.C.C chopper for alaska's 50th, built for unique machine here in anchorage   Saturday, January 17 View Page another angle   Saturday, January 17 View Page pic of my other greenhouse, veg garden... last summer .. man can't wait for spring.lol..thanks.   Thursday, February 19 View Page While waiting for spring to arrive ....... here's a few pics around anchorage   Thursday, February 19 View Page another angle taken from atop Mt Alyeska in Girdwood   Thursday, February 19 View Page and a final shot of our biggest ski resort.These pics are to remind people who say (it's so hot out )..lol..you will never overheat up here.......   Sunday, March 22 View Page A look at the greenhouses, ready for a new season. Still a work in progress,I need to address ventilation issues. hard to get excited about that, at this time of the year.lol.   Sunday, March 22 View Page this is for iceberg lettuce.......   Sunday, March 22 View Page and this one is for snow peas...   Sunday, March 22 View Page Yep conditions are perfect, here in the sub-arctic, latt 61   Sunday, March 22 View Page Got 6 inches of the white stuff last night,the only thing more depressing than late march snow is late April snow ....lol. and you know it's coming..   Sunday, March 22 View Page By 3 or 4 weeks, I need this placed warmed up,I'll throw poly on the floor, put boards around the perimeter put the heater under the poly, then turn on the heat.the poly will rise 3 ft off the ground into a instant tent,keeping the heat low for efficient melting.get the snow melted and turn on the ground cables,ect..turn winter into spring.lol.   Monday, April 6 View Page A new season begins (my 2nd) a look here at my potential starting line -up. We have the 1568 Connolly(east coast) the 1363 Werner (mid west) and the 1349 Sherwood (west coast).Hopefully one will do good in the far north.....   Tuesday, April 7 View Page Into the box they go,after a light filing and a little soaking.I'm kind of nervous as last year didn't go that good .lol..   Tuesday, April 7 View Page Up at last ,again I stumbled out of the gate .Every thing looked fine, seed casings on the 1349 and 1568 half way up ,the 1363 still not thru.Then everything stopped for over 12hrs ,that couldn't be good. So I performed open seed surgery,by removing the seed casings on all of them.Even 1363 that hadn't even broke thru ..lol. and put then under the halide lite, they seemed to be growing.....   Tuesday, April 7 View Page Amazing how resilient these plants are   Tuesday, April 7 View Page My secret weapon for ground thawing ,I got a hold of a gas fired pool heater 55000 btu's, changed a few things around. going to connect it to the radiant tubing in the greenhouse soil .I hope to speed up the melting process,we'll soon find out how good it works,radiant usually works best with a high thermal mass like concrete, so heating loose soil might not work out as good as I hope   Tuesday, April 7 View Page seed starting is under way, veggies ,ect   Sunday, April 12 View Page I have since moved my plants down to to my small shop ,so they can be under the metal halide lite.Its the first time I have ever used this type of lighting ,it really works good. I have it on a timer from 6:30 to 9:30,plus the heat the lite gives off helps keep the shop warm.   Sunday, April 12 View Page Here's a peek inside, with 1349 Sherwood on the left ,the 1568 Connolly in the middle and the 1363 Werner on the right. They seem to be progressing ok,I have a heater set at 80 and a small circulating fan on a timer to keep the air moving.I also have been using the water from my aquarium as as a nitrogen boost, plus the usual amendments.   Sunday, April 12 View Page A look at the radiant heat boiler,its only temporary for now   Sunday, April 12 View Page The manifold,and a couple of 100 foot loops of 5/8 Wirsbo tubing underground. It seems to be working ok   Sunday, April 12 View Page Well maybe the tubing is working to good ... No just the start of break-up.This is one of the reasons why I,m using 2 ft raised beds.Luckily my lot sits on pure sand and in a few days it will all be gone   Sunday, April 12 View Page A sure sign of spring as some perennials are starting to surface. the fencing are for the moose ,urban moose are smart and the first place they go for, is around the foundations this time of year looking for any new growth after months of browsing on branches.   Monday, April 20 View Page Ah the joys of break-up here in alaska, my new pond hasn't gone away yet.My youngest son Leven and right hand man,is by the greenhouse door   Monday, April 20 View Page here's a look at the 1349 sherwood on the left and the 1363 werner on the right ,at Day 19.They seem to be healthy and growing at a good rate   Monday, April 20 View Page I moved the 1568 Connolly up to my permanent green house . I think it needs a little more natural light and air circulation   Monday, April 20 View Page A closer look at the 1349 leading the pack so far   Monday, April 20 View Page The 1349 all ready to go in the ground ..finally.Every thing should be ready to go ,double set of warming cables thermostatically controlled, 1500 watt heater, mini house to cover the young plant,endomycor..ect . I   Monday, April 20 View Page In the ground at last,even with the pot split in half and taped back together, getting it out without damaging the roots was a pain...The 1349 was the strongest plant so far, so it gets its own house the other 2 will fight it out in the the other one..   Monday, April 20 View Page This is how the 1349 will spend its nites for the next month or so, the mini house is 6x8x2 ft high. I'm hoping the plant out grows it sooner than that...tomorrow the other 2 go into the ground so gentleman start your engines the race begins..lol...   Tuesday, April 21 View Page This is a look at the werner 1363, I'm sure I about lost it during germination,but its really starting to come on.This on day 20 in a 7 gallon pot.This is my sleeper out of the trio   Tuesday, April 21 View Page The 1363 werner in the ground , in the other house.yeah..   Wednesday, April 22 View Page This is the 1568 Connolly, its has a few issues ,but it will be fine .Its going to go in next to the 1363,may the best plant win.   Wednesday, April 22 View Page the 1363 on the left and 1568 on the right,roommates for the season..hope they get along..   Sunday, April 26 View Page since the season is still young ,I thought I take a sec and introduce my supporting cast... here is the official mouser , no living mouse or shrews seen in the 12 years he's been on patrol..   Monday, April 27 View Page this is PITA (pain in the ass),head of security in charge of moose patrol and barking from a safe distance......   Monday, April 27 View Page this is the 1349 sherwood at day 26. the main is down and moving, here it's around the 4 ft mark. this plant has been pretty much problem free so far.I hope it stays that way.....   Monday, April 27 View Page another look at 1349....   Monday, April 27 View Page This is a look at the 1369 Werner on the left and the 1568 Connolly on the right, both at day 26. the 1568 got a liitle sunburned   Monday, April 27 View Page the 1363 werner , the main is down and around the 3 ft mark   Monday, April 27 View Page here's a look at the 1568 Connolly, it has only been in the ground for 4 days,but is starting to turn it on, nice sturdy plant..   Monday, April 27 View Page another look at the 1568.....   Monday, May 4 View Page This is a pic of the Chugach range in anchorage, from down the road. Anchorage borders the Chugach National Forest, one of the biggest in the country.Flattop a local landmark is on the left.   Monday, May 4 View Page A shot of Mt O'malley, and the Hillside   Monday, May 4 View Page The pond is gone and break-up is over, after 5 beautiful days of sun 16 hrs a day   Monday, May 4 View Page This is a look at 1349 ,Day 33 coming at you   Monday, May 4 View Page Another look at 1349 Sherwood ,a most amazing plant. The main is at 8 ft now and several secondaries growing upwards are around 16 inches long..already out grew its space ,look likes it's time to add on   Monday, May 4 View Page look at the 1349 leaves, after not seeing a green leaf for 6 months I just love looking at them   Monday, May 4 View Page this is the other house with the 1363 Werner on the left and the 1568 Connolly on the right   Monday, May 4 View Page the 1363 the main is at the 6 ft mark,and the 1st female was spotted ..   Monday, May 4 View Page the 1568 Connolly , the main is around the 4ft mark and starting to come on   Monday, May 4 View Page some of my other plants..getting started   Monday, May 4 View Page starting the harden off process .the table was made out of a cedar shipping crate( free tablewood )   Sunday, May 10 View Page this is a look at my greenhouse evolution, the small frame in the middle is what i thought I needed,the one on the left is what I hope I needed and the one on the right is what I really needed. I hope, why do I see them connected some how....lol.   Sunday, May 10 View Page This is a look at the 1349, Day 40 or so. The main is at the 12 ft mark . about to slow down I think since it ,has out grown my ground heat.The soil temp is around 54 degrees out side of the cables.   Sunday, May 10 View Page This is a pic of my new friend she lives at the 11ft mark of the 1349 sherwood   Monday, May 11 View Page the 1363 Werner on the left and the 1568 Connolly on the right .The 1363 main is around the 10 ft mark , and the 1568 is around 7 ft mark   Monday, May 11 View Page The 1st female on the 1363 around the 9 ft mark.....Probably still to close to keep, but we will pollinate her anyway just in case..   Monday, May 11 View Page A look at temperatures inside the greenhouse at ground level and high point level, during the day when outside temps are in the 50's   Monday, May 11 View Page spring tulips in anchorage   Monday, May 18 View Page Another beautiful day here in Alas-zona, the tops are rolled down and the plants are getting some much needed sunshine. I mean this weather has been incredible...   Monday, May 18 View Page this is the 1349 around 15 ft mark, secondaries around the 7 ft mark   Monday, May 18 View Page This is the lady in waiting on the 1349 , 4 males opened today and are ready for action....It's the only female on the main showing ,but I've 5 on the secondaries that are pretty much useless...   Monday, May 18 View Page This is shot of the 1363 and the 1568.The 1363 is around the 12 mark and the 1568 is around the 10 ft mark   Monday, May 18 View Page The 1 st female on the 1568 main , should be ready a little past the 11ft mark.2 on the secondaries are showing   Monday, May 18 View Page Starting the trans planting of the tomatoes,cukes peppers etc..   Monday, May 25 View Page This is the 1st female on the 1349 ,opened last monday .I pollinated it with 4 males ,hopefully it will set.Nice 5 lobe in a good position on the vine....   Monday, May 25 View Page 5 days after pollination, I think it might of set. Heating pad is there to convince it, that it really is warm at night ...   Monday, May 25 View Page another angle of the 1349 hope to be....   Monday, May 25 View Page The 1349 starting to run out of space .The main is around 18 ft now ,growing slow but steady as the secondaries fill in behind. Time for an addition or more pruning ...   Monday, May 25 View Page This is the 2nd female at 15 mark or so,it's kinda different since it's actually a secondary.I pinched off the secondary and tendril at the fruit ,so now it just has a long stem...lol. we'll pollinate it anyway.See how it goes   Monday, May 25 View Page This is the 3rd female around 17 ft mark this is the one I would like to keep for the long run. Any thing other then these 3, then were on a secondary and into Plan B....   Monday, May 25 View Page This is the 1363 Werner on the left and the 1568 Connolly on the right two nice plants fighting for space.The 1568 is winning the battle at this point.I really like this plant .   Monday, May 25 View Page The 1363 side,hard to believe I might have to pull this plant. The main and 2 secondaries before it are gone ,nothing just a leaf at the axil,plus the only female to open was immature and really under developed.No other females are showing ,plus I don't know which one is the new main . I'll give it 1 more week to declare,or it gets cut way back and pollinator status only   Monday, May 25 View Page What should have been the 1363 main   Monday, May 25 View Page The secondary just behind the main, same deal.The only common denominator is the sun.I don't think I sunburned them ,I tied to protect the main and did nothing for the other tips which are fine   Monday, May 25 View Page The 1568 side, main ie over 12 ft and plant filling out nicely   Monday, May 25 View Page Potential female on the 1568 at the 12 ft mark   Sunday, May 31 View Page This is the 1349 Sherwood ,quickly running out of room,plant is at the 20 ft mark.I think the west wall(left one) will bump out. Allowing for a little expansion for secondary growth.East wall secondaries will be pinched 1/2 way up the wall ,so to grow vertically for a few feet.Trying to get maximum growth out of a limited space   Monday, June 1 View Page a view from the stump end   Monday, June 1 View Page The 1st set on the 1349 at day 11, not growing slowly, but with our cool weather lately I don,t blame it.   Monday, June 1 View Page The no 2 female on the 1349 ,this is the one that actually was on a secondary 3 inches from the main   Monday, June 1 View Page The no 3 female at the 18 ft mark, on the wrong side of the main in this case, but I'll pollinate anyway.No 4 showing at around 20 ft mark I don't if I'll use that one yet   Monday, June 1 View Page The 1568 is king of the castle now, after the 1363 came down with pruning shear virus, its lethal   Monday, June 1 View Page This is the 1363 after being hit by the virus ,showing the usual signs. Cut up and thrown in a pile.I don't think this plant was ready for Alaska temps. Great leaves,vines but real slow on the fruit end . I decided to cut it way back and let the 1568 go to town..I hope it plays out   Monday, June 1 View Page Another look at the 1568 Connolly on its own   Monday, June 1 View Page This is the 1st pollinated female on the 1568 at the 12 ft mark, a 4 lober but not in the best position on the vine. No 2 is showing at around the 16 ft mark hopefully it'll be ready soon   Monday, June 1 View Page Another shot at the 1568 contender. Hopefully this one will set   Monday, June 1 View Page Myself and my right hand man, soaking up a little sun and planning our next wrong move...lol...the season is still young were good for least a couple...   Monday, June 8 View Page This is the 1349 sherwood , out of room. The main angles out to the left into the bump out ,the rest get pruned -off at the door. Plant growth phase is ending ,fruit growth stage is starting. I,m getting tired of looking at leaves....lol   Monday, June 8 View Page a look from inside the bump-out   Monday, June 8 View Page End view   Monday, June 8 View Page My 1st abort on the 1349, it was the 1st fruit set at the 12' mark ,low night time temps did it in I think   Monday, June 8 View Page The 2nd pollinated fruit on a secondary , my insurance policy (1349 x self)   Monday, June 8 View Page The 2nd female on the main,pollinated on 6/01 (1349 x self)   Monday, June 8 View Page The 3rd female on the 1349 ,also pollinated on 06/01, (1349 x 1568).If this is the one .it will be my 1st cross ever.   Monday, June 8 View Page The 1568 Connolly ,filling the void left by the 1363.The main is also being turned to the left as it has reached the doors   Monday, June 8 View Page pollinated female on a secondary ,again insurance   Monday, June 8 View Page 1st pollinated female on the 1568 ,not in the best position on the vine and nice split on the secondary,Not expecting to much out of this one,the next in line is more promising should be ready any day .Right now I'm pollinated everything and anything ,time is starting to be an issue   Sunday, June 14 View Page The 1349 Sherwood now over 400sq ft,main at or over the 30 ft mark.The main gets pruned off tomorrow and all other secondaries also. Just getting a plant to this size ,was a milestone for me ,now just to get a fruit past last years PB of 328lbs and to the weigh-off would be great...   Monday, June 15 View Page this is the one of the contenders ,2nd female on the 1349   Monday, June 15 View Page This is the 3rd female (1349x 1568)another contender   Monday, June 15 View Page The 4th on the main also a potential   Monday, June 15 View Page A look at the top 2,both pollinated on 6/01,hopefully one of these starts taking off soon and makes my decision a lot easier.Buy next week one will be compost.......lol.   Monday, June 15 View Page Pumpkin compost pile ,ready for final vine burying   Monday, June 15 View Page 1568 Connolly spreading out,main is in the front left.In about 6 ft it gets cut off.No bump out on this one,when the vines reach the sides thats it.   Monday, June 15 View Page 2nd pollinated female ( 1568 x self)   Monday, June 15 View Page 3rd female on the 1568 ,pollinated today on the 14th   Monday, June 15 View Page Biggest pumpkin on the 1568 on a close secondary ,this one stays for another week or until another one steps up.   Monday, June 15 View Page Tomatoes ,cucumbers and squash in the other greenhouse..   Monday, June 22 View Page This is the 2nd pumpkin on the 1349 Sherwood ,finally starting to get going and my new favorite beverage ....   Monday, June 22 View Page A overhead look..   Monday, June 22 View Page The no 2 in its new place,finally dawned on me I can't wait for summer to come,I have to bring it to her.....typical   Monday, June 22 View Page Closed up for a 49 degree night.......   Monday, June 22 View Page The 3rd pumpkin on the 1349 , it didn't do as good....weighs just under 20 lbs   Monday, June 22 View Page No 4 pumpkin on the 1349, nice long shape this is my only back-up if something goes wrong with no 2.The main has been terminated and today I pollinated no 5 ..just in case   Monday, June 22 View Page The biggest pumpkin on the 1568 just under 50 lbs on a secondary, probably should have culled this one awhile go.Every day it gets harder to do ..lol.   Monday, June 22 View Page The 2nd pumpkin off the main on the 1568 , this one starts getting special treatment this week   Monday, June 22 View Page The 1363 lives.....it was such a nice plant I couldn't get rid of it..   Monday, June 22 View Page The 1363 's one and only shot ..hopefully I'll get a pumpkin out of it. That's the nice thing about knowing your not going to break the world record ,or probably even the state record,no pressure just have fun and see how it plays out in the end....   Sunday, June 28 View Page This is the no 2 pumpkin on the 1349 sherwood ,currently at 176 inches ott or around 126 lbs with a 75 inch circ ,27 th DAP or so. With a gain of 14 lbs from yesterday   Monday, June 29 View Page AN overhead view on the 1349 pumpkin kinda of a pear shape or so   Monday, June 29 View Page My main concern with this one A small kink in the vine feeding the fruit . this pumpkin is on a 9 inch secondary off the main, but with a nice gain yesterday ,hopefully it won't be a problem   Monday, June 29 View Page The no 4 on the 1349 beautiful shape ,terrible location.If this is the one it means more remodeling work for me.....man   Monday, June 29 View Page The no 2 pumpkin off the main on the 1568 Connolly.It has a OTT of 129 and weighs around 55 lbs with a 51 " circ and gained 11 lbs from yesterday   Monday, June 29 View Page AN overhead view of the same..   Monday, June 29 View Page One off the 1568 on a secondary at 154 OTT and around 83 lbs with a 60" circ   Monday, June 29 View Page The 1568 with a bad case of sunburn. The problem seems to come up after along period of cool cloudy weather, then hot and sunny weather and I roll the top down just one of the issues when growing in a greenhouse   Monday, June 29 View Page The only fruit set on the 1363 Werner.   Monday, July 6 View Page This is the main pumpkin on the 1349 Sherwood .It's at 210 OTT with a 91 inch circ ,for a weight around 205 lbs It still has a few problems....   Monday, July 6 View Page this one is manageable.......   Monday, July 6 View Page this one I don,t know what to do with..so   Monday, July 6 View Page that's why this one is still around,the no 4 at 153 ott and around 86 lbs.If I cull this one, the vine on the no 2 will probably be a problem ,If I leave this one then the no 2 will be fine,and I'll have 2 smaller pumpkins rather then 1 big one.Which won't win many weigh-offs,but at least I'll have a pumpkin...lol   Monday, July 6 View Page The 1349 boys.....   Monday, July 6 View Page The no 2 pumpkin on the 1568 Connolly ,it's at 170 ott and around 114 lbs   Monday, July 6 View Page another look at the same...   Monday, July 6 View Page The 1st pumpkin on the 1568 on a secondary , this one is around 126 lbs,growth is way down so it can't be robbing to much,so it stays as insurance for now...   Monday, July 6 View Page The 1363 werner pumpkin ,there in the back right around 45lbs   Monday, July 6 View Page Patch headquarters all set up and ready to go....2nd place paid out 3 dollars last year. So I want to be ready ....   Monday, July 6 View Page My lo-tech watering system,Its a 35 gallon garbage can with a Liberty 331 transfer pump mounted on top. A 50 ft hose and 6 ft piece of pvc pipe with a wand head, on quick dis-connects. Actually works pretty good   Monday, July 13 View Page This is the 1349 Sherwood, about day 42 just over 300lbs so far so good..   Monday, July 13 View Page This is the other pumpkin on the 1349, still around. It tapes out at 195 ott and 167 lbs .This decision is tough,if I want a big pumpkin then this one has to go, its gaining almost 12 lbs a day since the last week ,taking all that energy away from my no 1   Monday, July 13 View Page This is the reason the no 4 pumpkin is still around,this is the vine to the #1,it is still gaining decent weight, and doesn't seem to be much stem stress.So maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing,but it just doesn't look right,so for now the other one stays...   Monday, July 13 View Page The 1349 and the top 2 pumpkins   Monday, July 13 View Page The 1568 pumpkin at 157 lbs   Monday, July 13 View Page Blossom end view of the 1568   Monday, July 13 View Page The 1363 Werner right at 100lbs...of course it wants to grow thru the side of the greenhouse...   Monday, July 13 View Page Himalayan blue poppies....   Monday, July 13 View Page A little side project ..hopefully something will come out of it   Sunday, July 19 View Page This is my top contender so far, the no 2 on the 1349 sherwood ,est weight of 360 lbs.Growth is slowing down some and with cool and wet in the forecast for awhile ,I don't expect it to pick up much..   Sunday, July 19 View Page This is the no 4 on the 1349 ,est weight 243lbs ,the main reason growth on the no 1 is down...I can only wonder what my top one would weigh without this parasite..This mistake won't happen again... All my pumpkins are now going be called "Highlander" because in the end there can only be one...   Sunday, July 19 View Page The top 2 contenders on the 1349   Sunday, July 19 View Page this the1568 connolly pumpkin,est weight 200 lbs I've been slowly trying to get this one in a better position,so the stem isn't under the fruit.   Sunday, July 19 View Page another angle of same...   Sunday, July 19 View Page THis is the 1363 Werner pumpkin,est weight 165lbs,another pumpkin that had to grow thru the greenhouse wall...next year fruit positioning is getting top priority, something I need to do bettor at,It just amazes me with over 500 sq ft to play with I let it come to this ...lol.   Sunday, July 26 View Page This my top contender off the 1349 sherwood, sitting right at 416 lbs (est).Only averaging 8 to 9 lbs a day,but with cool and cloudy weather and another fruit on the vine its slow going....   Sunday, July 26 View Page the other pumpkin on the 1349 ,est at 303 lbs.Why this one is still around is hard to say,since I already blew my shot at a big one,I might keep this one around to remind me to make better decisions next time or maybe cull it tomorrow....   Monday, July 27 View Page The 1349 sherwood duet   Monday, July 27 View Page The 1568 Connolly at an est 226 lbs,.. glaciers grow faster..   Monday, July 27 View Page The1363 werner at 202 lbs , my best shaped pumpkin on my smallest plant, should be a good Halloween pumpkin...   Monday, July 27 View Page Tomatoes in the green house....yes ,Mark I'll bring you some...lol..   Sunday, August 9 View Page These are my top two contenders for the Midnight Sun weigh off, in about 24 days. They are both on the 1349 Sherwood which for me was a great plant to grow.The stump looks good,a real aggressive plant ,with really no issues at all.   Monday, August 10 View Page This the top dog for now ,with a 126 circ..82 ss..and 78ee..for a ott of 286 and a weight of 497 lbs,also starting to turn a nice orange color   Monday, August 10 View Page A glance from above of the same   Monday, August 10 View Page Aside view of same pumpkin.I'm really starting to like this pumpkin ,it has character.At first I thought symmetry was what you had to have , but know I'm thinking lumpy is ok...   Monday, August 10 View Page The 2nd pumpkin on the 1349...126 circ 72 ss..and 71 ee for a ott of 269 inches and a weight of 416 lbs. This one is the faster grower and might eventually pass my no 1   Monday, August 10 View Page A top view of same...   Monday, August 10 View Page The 1363 Werner at 98 circ..62 ss..65 ee..for 225 inches ott for a weight of 249 lbs. Which is cool since this plant doesn't have any secondaries ,just amain around 20 ft or so   Monday, August 10 View Page The no 2 pumpkin on the 1568 Connolly at 88 circ..71 ss..71 ee..for 230 ott inches and a weight of 265 lbs. I don't have a clue what is keeping it upright ,must be that lead based fertilizer.......ummm   Monday, August 10 View Page Another look at the same...note to self check for lens fogging   Saturday, August 29 View Page This is a pic of the 1568 at the early weigh-off, came in at 329 lbs we were pleasantly surprised, since this plant didn't get the attention it should of have..   Saturday, August 29 View Page the final weight...   Saturday, August 29 View Page the final weight...   Saturday, August 29 View Page This is a look at myself, with the 1363 Werner,A plant I cut way back to nothing only to let it grow again. This is my best looking pumpkin out of the bunch. I would consider growing this again ,after I lost faith in it it rebounded nicely   Saturday, August 29 View Page the final weight of the 1363 ..it taped out at 280 ..so it was 10% heavy .. nice..   Saturday, August 29 View Page I had the good fortune of having my boss help me load up last years pumpkin .. a lot of work ..so this year he decided we had to have this .........lol   Saturday, August 29 View Page the details   Saturday, August 29 View Page A pic of frank a all around great guy and boss...of course before I let him down ,we had a pay raise conversation...   Saturday, August 29 View Page loading up the 1363 Werner..all in all a good practice run for weds gpc weigh -off with the 1349 Sherwood boys 8 ft apart and both taping over 500 lbs...   Thursday, September 3 View Page this is the cobra crane..1500lbs rated capacity ..makes my Day much easier....   Thursday, September 3 View Page getting into position   Thursday, September 3 View Page getting the 572 all rigged up for lifting....   Thursday, September 3 View Page the #4 pumpkin off the 1349 coming up and out...   Thursday, September 3 View Page coming in for a landing.. with my daughter Kayla telling her boy friend Rob (good guy) just how to do it ..you know the drill..   Thursday, September 3 View Page rigging up the # 2 pumpkin off the 1349 sherwood..a really good plant   Thursday, September 3 View Page coming up and over   Thursday, September 3 View Page landing..   Thursday, September 3 View Page myself and Rob ..mission accomplished..   Thursday, September 3 View Page myself and Kayla   Thursday, September 3 View Page in the truck   Thursday, September 3 View Page myself and J.D ..a really nice guy and excellent mentor .. it goes without saying.I probably wouldn't have ever started growing without his excellent diary..   Thursday, September 3 View Page This is Leven who has downs syndrome.. and my right hand man a great helper showing off his 1 st place winner... 329 lbs.. off the 1568 COnnolly ..   Thursday, September 3 View Page my pumpkins the 2 in front and the 2 in the truck in the background ..   Thursday, September 3 View Page a look at JD's nicely shaped 314...I'll be sending my bubble early .....lol.   Thursday, September 3 View Page loading up the # 4..   Thursday, September 3 View Page 572 lbs 9% heavy..cool   Thursday, September 3 View Page JD ,,the energizer bunny in action on the #2 off the 1349   Thursday, September 3 View Page 594 lbs yeah.. State champion for this year at least ..cool A lot of hard work and dedication paid off (and JD's genetic issues didn't hurt either)..but I'll take it .........lol.   Thursday, September 3 View Page this is the part I like 'the least....thanks for looking and have a great year ..grow'en big   Wednesday, October 14 View Page end of the season plant stompers in action..no leaf survived   Wednesday, October 14 View Page cutting up the 594 (1349 Sherwood x self) solid all the way around..   Wednesday, October 14 View Page another view ..hopefully full of seeds..   Wednesday, October 14 View Page the stem end ,the gouge marks are from a catspaw used to pull the plug out.This pumpkin was solid thru out. now I wish I pushed it harder..hindsite is 20/20