Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 209 Entries. Friday, March 4 View Page Started cabbages and chile pepper seeds today. Will be nice to see fresh green leaves soon.   Saturday, March 5 View Page Started 4 Giant Swede (rutabagas)   Monday, March 7 View Page 2 cabbages are up   Friday, April 1 View Page here's the patch yesterday. Today its covered with 3 inches of snow.   Wednesday, April 6 View Page started my competition maters today   Monday, April 11 View Page I decided to take this year off and plant mustard instead. I was thoroughly amazed at how fast it grew and how it made my yard look much bigger.   Wednesday, April 13 View Page I decided maybe i should grow, so i harvested my mustard.   Wednesday, April 13 View Page Good thing i harvested my mustard, after all the rain over night I looked out over the patch in the morning and was surprised to find this!   Wednesday, April 20 View Page My first attempt at a graft, 168.7 Barber 10 melon grafted onto a 633 Langley 10 pumpkin.   Wednesday, April 20 View Page This is for you Sue, had to use a pink clip since it was one of your seeds.   Saturday, April 23 View Page Starter: 1351 Privitera (991 Urena x 1161 Rodonis) Backup: 1401.5 Privitera (893 Privitera x 898 Knauss)   Saturday, April 23 View Page Starter: 1210.3 Van Hook (991 Urena x 1450 Wallace) Backup: 1145.5 Van Hook (1161 Rodonis x 1450 Wallace)   Saturday, April 23 View Page Starter: 1520 Sperry (1385 Jutras x 1725 Harp) Backup: 1520 Sperry (1385 Jutras x 1725 Harp)   Saturday, April 23 View Page Starter: 521* Andrews ( 834* Gadberry x self) Backup: 1029* Hester ( 800* Neily x 750* Hester)   Saturday, April 23 View Page Starter: 797* Young ( 1177* Haist x 605* Huff) Backup: 885* Hester ( 750* Hester x 800* Neily)   Saturday, April 23 View Page Dr.'s log: All Pumpkin and squash specimens have been filed and placed in damp starting mix. each pot covered with 1 gallon ziploc bag held tight around pot by an elastic, creating mini environment for each pot. Placed in Germination chamber set at 85 degrees farenheit. Time stamp is ~ 12:00 pm April 23, 2011.   Monday, April 25 View Page 168.7 Barber grafted to 633 Langley, removed pumpkin cots yesterday.few more days and union should be fully healed and melon root can be cut free.   Monday, April 25 View Page 175 Van Hook grafted to 633 Langley, removed pumpkin cots yesterday.few more days and union should be fully healed and melon root can be cut free.   Monday, April 25 View Page Another 168.7 Barber grafted to 633 Langley, removed pumpkin cots 2 days ago,few more days and union should be fully healed and melon root can be cut free.   Monday, April 25 View Page 45.2 Webb cantalope grafted to 633 Langley, removed pumpkin cots yesterday.few more days and union should be fully healed and melon root can be cut free.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page Lost both 168 barber grafts, they were both wilted over at lunch, checked graft and they were not connected well. 175 Van Hook is holding nicely though. Gonna start more seeds, some for additional graft test and some for growing.   Friday, April 29 View Page 1351 and 1210 are dead. however 1401, 1145.5, both 1520's, 797*, have all opened but beleive they are comprimised by crappy starter mix. NOTE TO SELF: don't buy starter mix from Home Cheapo! Yesterday i started my 633 and 847 est for just in case scenario. This morning I started 893 privitera and 753 Van Hook as my main plants. Will monitor the current starts, they will be primary back ups. hopefully they will hold on. 1145.5 is doing the best with 1401 right behind it, lets see how this season pans out now, what a great start.   Sunday, May 1 View Page here is my patch as of yesterday evening. put last 2 hoops out today. plant 3 giant cabbage and threw down some turnip seed. some plants will see dirt early this week, first true leaves are showing their faces.   Monday, May 2 View Page 1401.5 Privitera and 1145.5 Van Hook hit the patch today. The race is on for this spot.   Monday, May 2 View Page 1520 Sperry and 1520 Sperry. the better one will stay the slacker gets culled.   Tuesday, May 3 View Page 521.5* Andrews and 797* Young went in today. Also planted my 2 giant swede (rutabagas)   Thursday, May 5 View Page my last 168.7 Barber has sprouted. hold on lil guy!   Thursday, May 5 View Page much thanks to jack (pumpkin prince) he shared seeds with Kirk, who inturn shared with me, from his melon known only as the 325.   Thursday, May 5 View Page my second 521* andrews. this will see the patch by saturday   Thursday, May 5 View Page my second 797* young, this will see the patch saturday too   Thursday, May 5 View Page 753 Van Hook, it lost a cot when seed coat came off. still growing in stride with others.   Thursday, May 5 View Page 893 Privitera, should be in patch saturday also   Thursday, May 5 View Page my 633 Langley (just incase plant)   Thursday, May 5 View Page My 847 est. Langley ( just just incase plant)   Thursday, May 5 View Page first 521 Andrews, been in the patch for 2 days   Thursday, May 5 View Page 797* young, been in the patch for 2 days   Thursday, May 5 View Page 1145.5 Van Hook, 3 days in patch   Thursday, May 5 View Page 1401.5 Privitera, first leaf seems to have gotten sun dammage, odd it had same harden off time as others.   Thursday, May 5 View Page 1520 Sperry #1, 3 days in patch   Thursday, May 5 View Page 1520 Sperry #2, 3 days in patch   Thursday, May 5 View Page Strawberries are starting to bloom   Sunday, May 8 View Page put 797* young #2, 521* Andrews #2, 893 Privitera and 633 Langley in the patch.   Sunday, May 8 View Page what do ya do when you have over 60 maters that are getting a bit leggy?   Sunday, May 8 View Page coming up with 60 pots is kinda hard so i improvised, keg cups with holes cut in bottom work great on leggy maters since they are deep.   Sunday, May 8 View Page here is the finished product, now repeat 60 times.   Tuesday, May 10 View Page wind blew hoop off 521* andrews and 797* Young, 521 was untouched but 797 had first leaf broken, second leaf tore up and cots damaged.   Tuesday, May 10 View Page 1520's doing good.   Tuesday, May 10 View Page 1401 on the left and 1145.5 on the right. 1401 had a sunburned first leaf but that aint slowing it down, it has caught up to 1145.5 and doing well now.   Tuesday, May 10 View Page Sue you need to cage your pets!   Thursday, May 19 View Page 521.5* Andrews on left 797* Young on right. 2 more days of rain, might be game over here. pump is working over time but cant keep up.   Thursday, May 19 View Page 1401.5 Privitera in back and 1145.5 Van hook in front, another spot that wetlands have taken back.   Thursday, May 19 View Page 1520 sperry's, only spot that is dry   Monday, June 6 View Page 521.5* Andrews squash. Doesn't look it here but it has laid down.   Monday, June 6 View Page 1520 Sperry off and running.   Monday, June 6 View Page this is what cold saturated soil will make plants look like. 1401.5 privitera on left, 1145.5 Van Hookon right.   Monday, June 6 View Page 521.5* Andrews on left 797* Young on right. these are in the same saturated area as the last plants. Wetlands + lots of rain + water holding power of Zeopro = bad situation.   Monday, June 6 View Page #325 from jack in taiwan   Monday, June 6 View Page Densuke Black Watermelon   Monday, June 6 View Page Take a look Paul, Texas turnips like new england.   Monday, June 6 View Page My 2 Giant Swedes ( rutabagas )   Monday, June 6 View Page Tims 3.94 Pennington   Monday, June 6 View Page 3lb 3oz Carter mater.   Monday, June 6 View Page 40# Van Hook Field pkns, (137 orr x 88.5 Leland)   Sunday, June 12 View Page two days of t-storms and steady rain can really raise the water table. these plants had suffered before from this same issue, hope this is not a repeat. dug these holes to let the surrounding water drain in. they filled up very quickly. hurray for the 2011 season!!!!   Wednesday, June 15 View Page Since my pkns are not doing well i can show you what is. Here are my giant swede ( rutabaga )   Wednesday, June 15 View Page here are my tomato plants, both eaters and giants   Friday, June 17 View Page These are my marianna's peace tomatoes, largest tomato leaves i have ever seen. I grew these last year too and they were no where like this. I must have done something good to the soil.   Friday, June 17 View Page another plant with same large leaves   Wednesday, June 22 View Page Giant Swede (rutabaga) starting to push up out of the ground. hopefully this is a good thing.   Wednesday, June 22 View Page 797* young just coming out of the saturated soil funk. might still get a fruit on it this year.   Wednesday, June 22 View Page 1401 Privitera   Wednesday, June 22 View Page 521* andrews   Wednesday, June 22 View Page 1520 Sperry   Wednesday, June 22 View Page megabloom on a delicious   Wednesday, June 22 View Page another delicious megabloom   Wednesday, June 22 View Page another Delicious megabloom   Wednesday, June 22 View Page 3.94 Pennington Megabloom   Wednesday, June 29 View Page I am so mad at plants i had to take out my anger on one. It put up a good fight but in the end Chevy won.   Wednesday, June 29 View Page my season has been kinda crappy, but this put a big smile on my face.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page Pollinated 5 lobe on 1520 Sperry x self at 10 feet.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page here's the poll on the 1520 Sperry, isn't she purty!!!!   Tuesday, July 5 View Page I stumbled across the patch of a Grumpy old grower, just stepping onto his land I was taking my life into my hands, so I hid behind the compost pile to snap a couple pics.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page He had some really nice plants.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page I snapped this last pic as I heard the screen door open, i barely made it out alive.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page I lost alot of blooms on my maters to stress from too much water I think. they have just been dropping before opening. This one on a delicious has held on and looks very nice. I hand pollinated it with a single bloom from the same plant so it is a Delicious x self.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page Ever wonder what a SVB egg looks like? well here is one.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page They lay them on the leaf stems, like on this marrow. I eat culled marrows so I dont spray them with any chemicals. Not a single egg was found on my Atlantic Giant plants.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page They lay them on the underside of the leaf.   Tuesday, July 5 View Page They even lay them on the top side of the leaf. so when you search be very thorough. remember it can only take on SVB larva to ruin an entire season. And one SVB moth can lay hundreds of eggs. I pulled off tons of eggs on my field pumpkins yesterday and 17 eggs off my one marrow plant today.   Wednesday, July 6 View Page Here's one of my giant swedes (rutabaga)don't know if it is doing good or not, but I am very pleased.   Wednesday, July 6 View Page this is the peduncle on my best delicious fruit.   Wednesday, July 6 View Page and here is the mater, just in one day there is a very noticeable size difference   Thursday, July 7 View Page day 3 of monster mater tracking. some definate expansion going on! just wait till I hit it with some "special stuff", never seen a mater explode. YET!!!!   Thursday, July 7 View Page Here is another on a delicious, this is a triple bloom.   Thursday, July 7 View Page here is the 3rd contender, think this is a double.   Saturday, July 9 View Page Pollinated 521* andrews x 797* young on first secondary at 11 feet down secondary 5 lobes   Sunday, July 10 View Page Pollinated 1520 x self at 13 feet 4 lobes   Tuesday, July 12 View Page 1520 sperry has 2 polls on it, one today x self and one 2 days ago x self   Tuesday, July 12 View Page 521* andrews squash, Has 2 polls on it, one yesterday x self and one a few days ago x 797* young ( side vine)   Tuesday, July 12 View Page 1401 Privitera finally getting moving, the wet soil has really held this one back.   Tuesday, July 12 View Page 7097* Young this one too is finally recovering from the wet soil.   Tuesday, July 12 View Page 40 van hook field kins   Tuesday, July 12 View Page here are my 3 best maters all are delicious variety   Tuesday, July 12 View Page 45.2 webb plants.   Tuesday, July 12 View Page densuke watermelon   Tuesday, July 12 View Page 325 from jack in taiwan   Tuesday, July 12 View Page mater patch   Thursday, July 14 View Page pollinated 4 lobe on 797* young x 521.5* Andrews   Thursday, July 14 View Page First baby lope on 45.2 Webb   Monday, July 18 View Page 1520 x 1401 at about 20 feet. 40 Van hook field pkn x sibb, and 521.5* andrews x self on secondary. looks like and open on the main of 521 might have set, just my luck!   Wednesday, July 20 View Page pollinated 521.5* andrews x 797* Young on main   Wednesday, July 20 View Page open poll on 45.2 webb roughly 4 days old   Wednesday, July 20 View Page open poll on 40 van hook field kin   Thursday, July 21 View Page 521* Andrews x 797* young on main 4 lobes   Thursday, July 21 View Page should be 797* young x 521* andrews. I even confuse myself sometimes.   Sunday, July 24 View Page 1401 x 1520 4 lobes   Tuesday, July 26 View Page 797* young x self on main 4 lobes   Wednesday, July 27 View Page 521* x 797* on main 5 lobe   Wednesday, July 27 View Page 325 from Jack in Taiwan was open yesterday so today is tecnically day 1 #325 x open on main   Monday, August 1 View Page season so far has been less than extraordinary. I do have fruit going on all plants but very late starts and they are performing poorly.   Monday, August 1 View Page this is a Stump O the world mater, this was a suprise to see so big.   Monday, August 1 View Page 3.94 pennington   Monday, August 1 View Page 3.94 pennington   Monday, August 1 View Page Aunt Ruby's German Green   Monday, August 1 View Page Delicious   Tuesday, August 2 View Page 521.5* andrews squash day 15 43 cc, 34 ss, 33 fb. 110 OTT   Thursday, August 4 View Page 1520 Sperry day 25, 189 OTT, 153 #'s   Thursday, August 4 View Page 521.5* andrews day 17   Thursday, August 4 View Page 1401 Privitera day 10, 71 ott   Thursday, August 4 View Page 40 Van Hook x sibb, 112 ott day 17   Thursday, August 4 View Page 40 Van Hook x open ~day 18-19, 102 OTT   Monday, August 8 View Page 521.5* Andrews day 21   Monday, August 8 View Page 797* Young day 12   Monday, August 8 View Page 40 Van Hook Field Pkn day 21. Day 19 OTT was 120 Day 20 OTT was 123 so still growing but can I break 100# at this rate?   Monday, August 8 View Page 325 from Jack (pumpkin Prince) in taiwan. Day 7   Monday, August 8 View Page here is a surprise, an aunt ruby's german green mega mater, and yes thats a slug in the picture, i didn't see him and now i'm worried he may have damaged the mater.   Monday, August 8 View Page Nice 4 blossum mega on 2.77 Lovelace, Plant has been completely terminated, so all it can do is push this fruit.   Monday, August 8 View Page Stump o the World giant mater. There are tons of tomatoes on this plant, imagine if I limited the fruit number, to bad this is an eater plant, maybe next year try it for size.   Monday, August 8 View Page Densuke watermelon, Bart you may have me beat in color now but its getting darker daily and bigger.   Monday, August 8 View Page single bloom on 3.94 Pennington i found hiding in lower canopy. It has a circumference of 17"   Monday, August 8 View Page 3# 3oz carter   Monday, August 8 View Page another 3# 3oz carter   Monday, August 8 View Page double bloom on 3.94 pennington   Monday, August 15 View Page came home yesterday to find 1520 split into cavity at stem. cc=118, ss=78, ee=74 OTT=270, 421# it was 35 days old and with these measurements had a 5 day avg of 34# a day for the past 5 days. which really bums me out knowing this. but i guess thats why it split, grew too fast too quickly. Oh well always next year.   Tuesday, August 16 View Page 1520 Sperry RIP   Tuesday, August 16 View Page and it doesn't end 521.5* Andrews rib slit on shoulder. down to one plant. 797* Young, lets hope she holds   Tuesday, August 16 View Page and it gets better. 45.2 Webb lopes have found favor with the local rodents   Tuesday, August 16 View Page 40 VanHook field pumpkin   Tuesday, August 16 View Page 74 carter marrow   Tuesday, August 23 View Page 74 carter marrow, this thing is screaming!   Tuesday, August 23 View Page this is my cheech and chong entry   Thursday, August 25 View Page 797* Young day 30-----215 OTT---- est 219#   Thursday, August 25 View Page 3#3oz carter has a diameter of 20"   Thursday, August 25 View Page 3#3oz carter should say circumference of 20". I failed geometry test i guess   Thursday, August 25 View Page open poll on 40 van hook, gotta love the long field pkns, hopefully it has enough time to grow. Have another about 2 feet down the vine just like it also.   Thursday, August 25 View Page back up on 74 carter marrow   Thursday, August 25 View Page this is the reason i cant get a cantaloupe to the scale.   Thursday, August 25 View Page marrow gained another inch last night puts estimate at 58# roughly 15 days old.   Monday, September 5 View Page 797* Young   Monday, September 5 View Page 74 Carter marrow est 69#   Monday, September 5 View Page second one on 74 Carter marrow Est 42.5#   Monday, September 5 View Page 42.5 Webb lope. it has gotten beat up but wont quit.   Monday, September 5 View Page 2.77 lovelace   Monday, September 5 View Page 40 van hook field kin   Monday, September 5 View Page another on the 40 Van Hook   Tuesday, September 13 View Page 2.77 lovelace just about ready to harvest   Tuesday, September 13 View Page Last chance at a decent lope   Tuesday, September 13 View Page open on the 112 barber, this was a direct sow seed never expected to get anything on it, because it was started so late. If I get an Eater it's a sucess   Tuesday, September 13 View Page Densuke Black watermelon, last one was still white inside but flesh was still sweet. it was 45 days old when harvested, wont harvest this one till 62 days.   Tuesday, September 13 View Page larger of my 2 marrows   Tuesday, September 13 View Page smaller of the 2 marrows   Tuesday, September 13 View Page I found this field kin grown from a KY seed hiding in the weeds. Literally tripped over it, I named it "Clyde" to honor the great KY Hunter of pumpkins.   Thursday, September 15 View Page 797* Young at day 50 estimates 381#,still doing around 6# a day   Thursday, September 15 View Page Norm are ya proud of me?   Monday, October 3 View Page Went to topsfield on friday and took 3rd place in squash with 797* young x self Now the 477* langley ( 17% heavy)   Monday, October 3 View Page next few entries will be 4 sided pics of some of the entries at topsfield. I couldn't get them all as i was helping harness the pumpkins.   Monday, October 3 View Page 244.5 Post* --------Unsure of cross   Monday, October 3 View Page 477 Langley* ---797 Young* x self   Monday, October 3 View Page 488 Magdycz* ------1033 Magdycz* x unknown   Monday, October 3 View Page 600.5 Dacey* ---- 1033 Magdycz* x self   Monday, October 3 View Page 1212.5 Hoomis ---- from 1662.5 stelts   Monday, October 3 View Page 1268 Goetze ----- dont know cross   Monday, October 3 View Page 1346 Michaud ------ from 1674.5 Connolly   Monday, October 3 View Page 1465.5 Debacco DMG ----- 1725 harp x 1303 sweet   Monday, October 3 View Page 1466 Jutras ---- 1520 Sperry x 1725 Sweet   Monday, October 3 View Page 1498 Breznick ------ dont know cross   Monday, October 3 View Page 1513 Duffy ----- 1662.5 Stelts x ?   Monday, October 3 View Page 1592 Whittier ------ 1520 sperry x ?   Monday, October 3 View Page 1668.5 DeNigris/Moore ----- 1544 rose x 1193 jutras   Tuesday, October 4 View Page cut open the squash last night here are some internal pics.   Tuesday, October 4 View Page other half   Tuesday, October 4 View Page Stem side   Tuesday, October 4 View Page blossom side   Tuesday, October 4 View Page Bottom   Sunday, October 9 View Page For all you budget growers here is a great tool you can build yourself for around $40 "The Budget Broadfork"!!!!!!!!!   Sunday, October 9 View Page Step 1: cut a 4x4 or landscape timber to 36" in length   Sunday, October 9 View Page the Form pins ( aka construction stakes )i got were 3/4" diameter, So i used a 11/16 spade drill bit to make a slighty smaller hole for them to be driven into.   Sunday, October 9 View Page Mark the center of the beam which should be 18", then mark 2" on either side, then mark 4" from each of those do this till there is 6 marks 4" apart from each other   Sunday, October 9 View Page use the 11/16 spade bit to drill the holes out   Sunday, October 9 View Page Use 18" form pins ( aka construction stakes ), These can be found at Lowes or Home Depot.   Sunday, October 9 View Page The pins are hard to drive in. Use a suitable sledge hammer to accomplish this.   Sunday, October 9 View Page the end of the pins will peen over, this is a wanted effect. this will help keep the pins from sliding out over time.   Sunday, October 9 View Page Now measure 5 inches in from each and and mark. Drill 1 1/4 holes all the way through using a 1 1/4 spade bit.   Sunday, October 9 View Page i got 2 46" ash handles, these can be found at Lowes or Home Depot. Drive them into the holes with a hammer until they are flush with the bottom of the beam. use a small drill bit to drill pilot holes for the screws that will secure the handle. Because of the strain put on the tool I put 4 screws in each handle. 2 on each side of the beam.   Sunday, October 9 View Page now you need the top support, this serves 2 purposes. It keeps the pins from pushing up and gives a nice platform to stand on. My first model used a 2x4 as the top beam but my newest model uses a pressure treated deck board. it gives a much better platform to stand on. cut it to fit between the handles, then screw to the beam. I put 2 screws in between every pin hole. I really wanted the board to be secure.   Sunday, October 9 View Page here is the benefit of a broad fork. This model will go down to 14.5 inch deep. where my patch is was filled with sand 30 years ago. I have never been able to get it all mixed in very well. with the broadfork I got the soil flipped and tilled it to incorporate the sand the was there. It was so packed from years of just sitting. now I can't step in the spot that I have forked without sinking extremely deep.   Wednesday, October 12 View Page made a few improvements to the design. I broke the standard ash handle so i upgraded to 60" wheel barrow handles and added 4 hose clamps to help keep timber from splitting.   Wednesday, October 12 View Page The hose clamps were not enough, the pressure on the tines was so great the timber did start to split, so i drilled some holes and put 5/16-18 x 4.5" long bolts with 1.5" fender washers. this has been a incredble improvement.   Wednesday, December 7 View Page interesting chart of how nutrients work with and against each other