Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 204 Entries. Saturday, January 1 View Page Happy New Year Everyone..........It's 50 out today and I decided to turn compost pile, pumpkin season never ends....   Wednesday, February 9 View Page Due to a separated shoulder, Colder than normal temps and a couple feet of snow the compost pile isn't getting the attention it usually gets.........   Thursday, March 10 View Page While on my morning walk Tuesday I stumbled across a dead woodchuck on the side of the road.. Needless to say I baited and set out 3 traps this morning...............   Thursday, March 17 View Page Nice sunny day here temps in upper 50s..I spread 6 lbs of blood meal on compost pile and turned it by hand.. Only took 3 hours, not bad.   Friday, March 25 View Page Went to local dairy farm for a load of manure for my new mater area today.. Never seen the piles this big, I was like a kid in a candy store................   Wednesday, March 30 View Page After both of my dirt dogs looking at my soil test and telling me basically the same thing that my OM was a bit high at a shade under 16%.. I was advised not to add compost this spring. Now any pumpkin grower with the name of Abbynormal had no choice in what to do in a case like this.. I made my pumpkin area about 1000 sq ft bigger. I needed a place to put some compost.. I will grow one of my own seeds in the new area..   Wednesday, March 30 View Page No tractor here, trust me I wish there was....   Wednesday, March 30 View Page Bring it up one side just to rake it down the other..   Thursday, March 31 View Page Spread a couple more yds of compost on new area along with 40 lbs of lime, almost time to till......   Monday, April 4 View Page Number 1.......... now serving number 1..............   Monday, April 4 View Page Spent about an hour turning the rest of the compost pile today...   Tuesday, April 5 View Page Spread one load of cow manure on compost pile..   Thursday, April 21 View Page Sprayed about a gallon of molasses on garden and turned compost pile today.........   Friday, April 22 View Page Added 50lbs of humic acid and 50 lbs of kelp and ran tiller for 5 hours almost done..........   Saturday, April 23 View Page Moistened seed starting mix and put in peat pots and fired up germ box, should be nice and warm by monday when I start my seeds..........   Sunday, April 24 View Page Set up two cold frames today more tomorrow...........   Monday, April 25 View Page Ladies and Gentlemen it's 4am and I just filed,and now soaking my seeds.. 1610 Leiber, 1059 Vincent McGill, 1046 Bowles, 973 Rondeau, 827, 1131, 1287, and 1441 Gansert.. Let the games begin..   Monday, April 25 View Page As of 9:30 am all seeds were in germ box....I also set up 4 more cold frames today.......   Tuesday, April 26 View Page Finished tilling and set the last two cold frames today.. Pictures soon..   Thursday, April 28 View Page 1059 Vincent McGill up in less than 72 hours   Thursday, April 28 View Page Spread a load of horse manure and all the fixins on the compost pile..   Thursday, April 28 View Page 4:30 pm and 827, 1131. 1287, and 1610 are up...   Friday, April 29 View Page 4:30 am and 973 and 1441 are up just waiting on 1046 Bowles..   Friday, April 29 View Page 6 pm 1046 Bowels up and out of germ box..   Sunday, May 1 View Page Lucy.......... I'm home.........   Tuesday, May 3 View Page Put 7 out of my 8 plants in the ground today..The 8th plant is ready just had a prior commitment tomorrow is another day.. Planted today were the 1610 Leiber, 973 Rondeau, 1059 Vincent McGill, 827, 1131, 1287 and 1441 Gansert..   Tuesday, May 3 View Page I noticed a big change over the last week, people have got serious.. No more stupid useless phone calls.. It has gotten very quiet.. Time to stir up some shit..SPY TOUR coming to a neighborhood near you.. If you live in Mass better cover up good................   Wednesday, May 4 View Page Put the 1046 Bowles in the ground today, and I also turned the compost pile.. The pile was much warmer this time around..   Monday, May 9 View Page Did a 20 gal tea drench this morning..........   Wednesday, May 11 View Page Put four give away plants out in cold frame and started three more in place of the ones that didn't germ.. I also turned the compost pile today, was cooking real well in center..   Friday, May 13 View Page Spent a few hours bonding with my hoe today till one of my patch shoes came unglued... Just have to finish another day...   Monday, May 16 View Page Put a load of cow manure on compost pile today.......   Wednesday, May 18 View Page Turned compost pile today, still cooking good..   Friday, May 20 View Page The sun came out for a couple hours and none of my plants died from shock... It was a good day...........   Sunday, May 22 View Page Spent about 4 hours weeding today.. I probably turned up more weed seeds than I killed but it just had to be done.. A couple hot, dry, sunny days sure would help the cause..   Sunday, May 22 View Page John VanHook do you know where your Hoe was today ??   Friday, May 27 View Page Charlie Sheen ain't got nothing on me, except maybe a bank account.......   Monday, May 30 View Page Took my first cold frame off today this is my 827.. My cold frames are only 4 x 4 so the plant isn't all that big but right on schedule with last year so life is good....   Tuesday, May 31 View Page All plants are on the ground except the 1287 which has doubled for the second time after pinching.. Glad I have a spare cause life expectancy is overnight for this one...   Wednesday, June 1 View Page Pulled my 1287 today and replaced it with a back up 1287 I got from Pete Rondeau. You can see the two sets of everything if you look closely. I pinched off what I thought was a double vine 5 days ago, guess it had more issues than that..   Wednesday, June 1 View Page Back up 1287 in in a 5 gal pot..   Wednesday, June 1 View Page Finished Job.. Time will tell how it works..   Thursday, June 2 View Page Took three plants out of cold frames today, they sure look much larger in cold frame. 1046 Bowles on left, 1610 Leiber on right and my 1441 in the distance...   Saturday, June 4 View Page Took the cold frames off the 973 Rondeau, 1059 Vincent McGill and my 1131 today. I also caught the second woodchuck of the season... Pretty good day I would say.. Wonder if I will get lucky later ??   Monday, June 6 View Page Took cold frame off 1287 and put up wind fence today.. I also worked on my super hi tech watering system.........   Wednesday, June 8 View Page Turned compost pile today.....   Thursday, June 9 View Page Half load of cow manure on compost pile.. Turned about 6 ft from each end into the middle cause I like my neighbors..   Monday, June 13 View Page S O B.......... I think I need a bigger trap!!   Tuesday, June 14 View Page Spread a load of horse manure on compost pile.   Friday, June 17 View Page Turned the compost pile today...   Sunday, June 19 View Page Did a two gal tea drench each on all plants today. I also pollinated my 827 with my 1287, don't really plan on keeping this one just insurance..   Monday, June 20 View Page I selfed my 827 this morning about a foot further down the main than the one yesterday, if this is still shiny in a few days I will cut off the one from yesterday.. Still have a couple more chances in the next week. I really want some 1059 , 1131 or 1046 for this........   Friday, June 24 View Page Pollinated my 827 with 1059 Vincent McGill, third one on main.. Finally got an orange cross I was looking for.. If this is still shiny Sunday I will cut off the one I did on the 20th with my 1287.. I also got a half load of cow manure for the compost pile and turned pile.....   Wednesday, June 29 View Page Pollinated 973 Rondeau with my 827, also pollinated my 827 ( 4th one on main ) with 1046 Bowles.. These were my Dill winners last season.. I can see the mailbox filling up with bubbles already, an Abby-Unka-Normal cross. Just what the world has been waiting for.........   Friday, July 1 View Page Pollinated my 1441 with 973 Rondeau.....   Saturday, July 2 View Page Pollinated my 1287 and 1059 Vincent McGill both with my 1131.........   Sunday, July 3 View Page Pollinated 3 plants this morning. My 1131 x 1059 Vincent McGill, 1046 Bowles x my 827, and the 1610 Leiber x my 1441.. My neighbor caught me having vegatitive sex and wanted to pay to watch, I told her she could watch for free.......   Sunday, July 3 View Page Now serving number 3...........   Monday, July 4 View Page First victim of the season and it was all about location.... I also pollinated the 5th one on 827 main with 1046 Bowles.. The victim was 827 x self......   Tuesday, July 5 View Page Did a 20 gal Tea drench for pumpkins and flowers .. Pollinated 973 Rondeau with my 827 just in case...   Tuesday, July 5 View Page Can you say 4 boys and girls ??   Thursday, July 7 View Page Pollinated the 1610, 1046, 1131 this morning mainly for insurance.. Also pollinated 1441 because of an abort, used all the same crosses as before........   Thursday, July 7 View Page Never ending........ number 5...........   Saturday, July 9 View Page Made a commitment on my 827 today, went with one pollinated by the 1059 Vincent McGill. It grew 4 inches last night while next one down main only grew 1/4 inch. Made for easy decision. At 15 days it is 49" cc..........   Tuesday, July 12 View Page Then there were six................   Tuesday, July 12 View Page 10 day cc on 1287 is 22",,, 10 day cc on 1059 is 33"   Wednesday, July 13 View Page 10 day cc on my 1131 is 30"   Thursday, July 14 View Page 20 day cc on 827 is 75"   Friday, July 15 View Page I cut this off the 973 today it was 16 days old and 50" in cc, I just couldn't stand it any more............   Saturday, July 16 View Page Caught my seventh woodchuck this morning, this one was a little shy and asked me not to take its picture.....   Sunday, July 17 View Page 10 day cc on 1046 is 19".... 10 day cc on 1441 is 21"   Sunday, July 17 View Page Went on a Team Pumpkin patch tour that even came here today....You guys Rock !!!!!!!   Friday, July 22 View Page 20 day cc on my 1287 is 68"   Friday, July 22 View Page 20 day cc on 1059 Vincent McGill is 86"   Saturday, July 23 View Page 20 day cc on my 1131 is 76"   Sunday, July 24 View Page 30 day numbers on my 827 are cc 112, ss 81, ee 79, ( 272 ott )   Monday, July 25 View Page Did a 20 gal tea drench on pumpkins and flowers today.........   Wednesday, July 27 View Page 20 day cc on 1441 is 70"   Wednesday, July 27 View Page 20 day cc on 1046 is 64"   Saturday, July 30 View Page My cover needed an addition so while Wrinklestilksen was doing a little sewing I figured it was a photo opp.. This is my 827 at 36 days old   Saturday, July 30 View Page I fill one hole and another opens...This is war I tell you.........   Sunday, July 31 View Page 20 day cc on 973 Rondeau is 83"   Sunday, July 31 View Page Number 8   Monday, August 1 View Page 30 day numbers on my 1287 are cc 97, ss 66, ee 63, ( 226 ott ).. Look I got an albino pumpkin, going to need some orange paint here.......   Monday, August 1 View Page 30 day numbers on 1059 Vincent McGill are cc 119, ss 71, ee 74, ( 264 ott )   Tuesday, August 2 View Page 30 day numbers on my 1131 are cc 103, ss 75, ee 73, ( 251 ott )   Wednesday, August 3 View Page 40 day numbers on my 827 are cc 133, ss 94, ee 92, ( 319 ott )   Saturday, August 6 View Page 30 day numbers on 1441 are cc 112, ss 82, ee 82 ( 276 ott )   Saturday, August 6 View Page 30 day numbers on 1046 Bowles are cc 109, ss 72, ee 69 ( 250 ott )   Wednesday, August 10 View Page 30 day numbers on 973 Rondeau are cc 114, ss 73, ee 73, ( 260 ott ). There are no pictures this week due to my partner in crime is camping for the week......   Thursday, August 11 View Page 40 day numbers on my 1287 are cc 113, ss 77, ee 72, ( 262 ott ) .. This one aint going any where fast..   Thursday, August 11 View Page 40 day numbers on 1059 are cc 139, ss 82, ee 82, ( 303 ott )   Friday, August 12 View Page 40 day numbers on my 1131 are cc 118.5, ss 84.5, ee 82, ( 285 ott )   Sunday, August 14 View Page 50 day numbers on my 827 are cc143, ss 101, ee 99, ( 343 ott )   Sunday, August 14 View Page Future President of Sandbaggers of America   Sunday, August 14 View Page Went on this years summer cookout and patch tour kindly hosted by the NH club and the Beauchemin's, I had a great time... Thanks to everyone for making this possible..   Sunday, August 14 View Page I think everyone knows this young man, Bill kindly gave us a your of his patch...   Sunday, August 14 View Page I think I found a terrorist cell   Sunday, August 14 View Page There was a very good turnout   Sunday, August 14 View Page Tell me Steve what do you really have ??   Sunday, August 14 View Page The King and Queen of Orange made the drive from Canada......   Sunday, August 14 View Page BP's fearless leader was there.........   Sunday, August 14 View Page When I was leaving Armand shook my hand and wished all my pumpkins turned green, now thats just not right...   Monday, August 15 View Page Did a 20 gal tea drench today..........   Tuesday, August 16 View Page 40 day numbers on my 1441 are cc 134, ss 95, ee 94, ( 323 ott )   Tuesday, August 16 View Page 40 day numbers on 1046 Bowles are cc 132, ss 88, ee 83, ( 303 ott )   Wednesday, August 17 View Page Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum, sprayed a heavy load of fungicide in the auditorium.......   Saturday, August 20 View Page 40 day numbers on the 973 Rondeau are cc 132, ss 83, ee 82, ( 297 ott )   Saturday, August 20 View Page Gene you shamed me into turning my compost pile today only 57 days since the last time... I will be a good boy form now on I promise........   Sunday, August 21 View Page 50 day numbers on 1059 Vincent McGill are cc 150, ss 89, ee 89, ( 328 ott )   Sunday, August 21 View Page 50 day numbers on my 1287 are cc 125, ss83, ee 78, ( 286 ott )   Monday, August 22 View Page 50 day numbers on my 1131 are cc 127, ss 90, ee 87, ( 304 ott )   Tuesday, August 23 View Page 60 day numbers on my 827 are cc 148, ss 106, ee 103, ( 357 ott )   Friday, August 26 View Page 50 day numbers on my 1441 are cc 145, ss 102, ee 101, ( 347 ott )   Friday, August 26 View Page 50 day numbers on 1046 Bowles are cc 145, ss 97, ee 91, ( 333 ott )   Friday, August 26 View Page I did a 15 gal tea drench today, being a little optimistic with that seeing we have storm coming tomorrow. Think I will spray some T Storm and Warrior also..   Saturday, August 27 View Page Due to a soft stump I preformed my first destumpifacation of the season on my 1441. I cut off the stump, one side, and 4ft of main and sprayed with alcohol.. Remember boys and girls, there is no future in having a soft stump.......   Tuesday, August 30 View Page 50 day numbers on 973 Rondeau are cc 135, ss 84, ee 84, ( 303 ott ). This one has slowed to almost a stop..   Tuesday, August 30 View Page Then there were weeds.....   Wednesday, August 31 View Page 60 day numbers on my 1287 are cc 131, ss 86, ee80, ( 307 ott )   Wednesday, August 31 View Page 60 day numbers on 1059 Vincent McGill are cc 155, ss 95, ee 91, ( 341 ott )   Thursday, September 1 View Page 60 day numbers on my 1131 are cc 133, ss 92, ee 89, ( 314 ott ) still growing very slowly..   Friday, September 2 View Page 70 day numbers on my 827 are cc 151, ss 107, ee 105, ( 363 ott )   Friday, September 2 View Page I put a load of cow manure on compost pile today and turned it.. I feel like a great artist creating a masterpiece..   Sunday, September 4 View Page Turned my second super top secret compost pile today.. Yes Gene I have two, and added 4 gals of diluted molasses mix. I guess it's not a secret anymore..   Monday, September 5 View Page 60 day numbers on my 1441 are cc 150, ss 108, ee 104, ( 362 ott )   Monday, September 5 View Page 60 day numbers on 1046 Bowles are cc 150, ss 99, ee 94, ( 343 ott )   Tuesday, September 6 View Page Put one load of cow manure on compost pile and turned half the pile..   Wednesday, September 7 View Page Lost my 973 Rondeau today to a soft spot next to stem that went into cavity.. I guess I can't sit on my ass on rainy days anymore..   Friday, September 9 View Page Turned compost pile, plenty warm in center and enough worms to start my own bait shop..   Saturday, September 10 View Page 70 day numbers on 1059 Vincent McGill are cc 161, ss 95, ee 92, ( 348 ott )   Saturday, September 10 View Page 70 day numbers on my 1287 are cc 131, ss 87, ee 81, ( 299 ott )   Sunday, September 11 View Page 70 day numbers on my 1131 are cc 135, ss 95, ee 91, ( 321 ott )   Monday, September 12 View Page 80 day numbers on my 827 are cc 153, ss 109, ee 106, ( 368 ott )   Wednesday, September 14 View Page Did my last spray of the season today. Borrowed a Stihl Mister, what a difference from a pump job.. Think I going to pimp myself out over the winter so I can get me one..   Thursday, September 15 View Page 70 day numbers on 1441 are cc 151, ss 108, ee 107, ( 366 ott )   Thursday, September 15 View Page 70 day numbers on 1046 Bowles are cc 153, ss 101, ee 95, ( 349 ott )   Sunday, September 18 View Page Pumpkins in the weeds.............   Monday, September 19 View Page My neighbors are the best you can get.............   Monday, September 19 View Page Bart ,,,get your rule book ready.........   Thursday, September 22 View Page Went to the Durham Fair last night where I came in 5th with a 969lb pumpkin.. Always a great time at Durham, and Joanne always brings the Best Apple Pie there is in the civilized world..Joanne you rock......   Thursday, September 22 View Page Nice looking pumpkin Mr. Williams..   Thursday, September 22 View Page Who is that old guy with the pretty young lady ??   Thursday, September 22 View Page New Ct State Champ.. Way to go Mr. Ken.......   Thursday, September 22 View Page Nice job Pete...   Thursday, September 22 View Page Way to go Paul..   Thursday, September 22 View Page Great job Pap..   Thursday, September 22 View Page Nice job Matt..   Thursday, September 22 View Page Good job Chris..   Thursday, September 22 View Page I'm so confused..   Thursday, September 22 View Page Can I keep her ? Can I, can I ??   Friday, September 23 View Page Going to Maine in the morning   Friday, September 23 View Page We have liftoff   Friday, September 23 View Page Eddie said I could pimp him out for the right price   Friday, September 23 View Page Now for the ride around the block   Saturday, September 24 View Page Went to Sanford Maine today where I came in 6th with a 1000.5 lb pumpkin off my 827 seed.. Had a great time they put on a great show with plenty of entertainment and great hospitality.. Life is good...............   Sunday, September 25 View Page 6:30 am in Boston on our way to Sanford Maine   Sunday, September 25 View Page We made it   Sunday, September 25 View Page There goes the neighborhood.   Sunday, September 25 View Page Had a little something for everyone.   Sunday, September 25 View Page The ultimate sling shot, here kitty kitty kitty..   Sunday, September 25 View Page We also had the coast guard..   Sunday, September 25 View Page Pete at the scale..   Sunday, September 25 View Page They let anyone in Maine..   Sunday, September 25 View Page This was going to be my Topsfield pumpkin, picked it a week early so I could tend to a stem issue. When I came home from Maine it was puking its guts out on the driveway..Guess this one is compost early..   Sunday, September 25 View Page Went out to check today and found a few soft spots on my 1059 guess the seeds come out of this one tomorrow..   Wednesday, September 28 View Page Picked my 1131 today   Wednesday, September 28 View Page Loaded for Topsfield   Wednesday, September 28 View Page Also picked 1287 for RI.. Imagine that I have a white pumpkin.. I will be punished..   Saturday, October 1 View Page Went to Topsfield Fair last night and came in 23rd with a pumpkin weighing 859 lbs off my 1131.. Had a great time at a super run event.. Thanks everyone..   Monday, October 3 View Page Halloween came early to Topsfield this year..   Monday, October 3 View Page Bruce Hooker, Joe Jutras and Bill Rodonis   Monday, October 3 View Page The Mayor of Prudence Island Ed Giarrusso   Monday, October 3 View Page Mr and Mrs Whittier and Jim Ford   Monday, October 3 View Page Straight from comedy central me and Green Gene   Monday, October 3 View Page Joe and the Breznick's   Monday, October 3 View Page Steve Sperry   Monday, October 3 View Page Keven Kearns, better known as Klancy on BP   Monday, October 3 View Page Bruce Hooker   Monday, October 3 View Page The scarecrow's favorite John Doucet   Monday, October 3 View Page 6th place at Topsfield. My new hero, Mikey The Filter Parente. Way to go Mike...   Monday, October 3 View Page Great job Mr. Duffy   Monday, October 3 View Page The Breznick's, another great job..   Monday, October 3 View Page The Whittier's   Monday, October 3 View Page Joe Jutras   Monday, October 3 View Page Peter DeNigris   Monday, October 3 View Page This speaks for itself   Monday, October 3 View Page Gene ,,I heard a rumor that you slept all the way home holding your man purse, say it ain't so..   Friday, October 14 View Page Yesterday I spread a load of cow manure on the compost pile today I turned it.. Pile was plenty warm in the middle.. Al my hand skid steer does a great job, you should get one.....   Thursday, October 20 View Page I spread a load of cow manure on pile and turned it today....Al real men turn compost by hand....   Thursday, October 20 View Page It's a beautiful thing, a true orange producer....   Wednesday, October 26 View Page It's that time again   Wednesday, October 26 View Page 4 hours later   Wednesday, October 26 View Page Best jack o lantern on my street   Wednesday, October 26 View Page KY Mafia........................   Sunday, November 13 View Page Compost is steaming and I got out the door before my Honey was......Going to be a good day.........   Saturday, November 19 View Page Spread 175 lbs of 0-0-50 and tilled garden.. Fall prep is finished..........   Tuesday, November 22 View Page Turkey should be done in time for lunch Thursday..........   Wednesday, November 30 View Page I moved about 25 yds of compost about 4 ft today...   Monday, December 5 View Page Moved my small compost pile about 4 ft today   Saturday, December 10 View Page Moved the large compost pile about 6 ft in the opposite direction that I moved it 10 days ago..   Wednesday, December 28 View Page Turned small compost pile today..   Friday, December 30 View Page I received a present from Santa in North Pole WI today.. A digital meat thermometer so I figured I would put it to the test.. Temp on my small compost pile was 118... Thank you Santa Al...   Friday, December 30 View Page Temp on the large pile was 53.. This pile is finished for all practical purposes..Thanks again Santa..