Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 322 Entries. Monday, January 30 View Page The Halloween Storm   Monday, January 30 View Page The Problem   Monday, January 30 View Page The Showdown begins, as I stare down my opponent "THE PATCH" Im ready to draw, my guns are loaded, batteries charged,...   Monday, January 30 View Page We Draw!!!! the gathering gasps!!!! to be continued!!!!   Monday, January 30 View Page indoor worm composter, bottom bin solid with some cans to keep 1st layer off the bottom and out of any liquid.   Monday, January 30 View Page worms, bedding of shreaded paper, and veggie waste, coffee grounds, etc. with 1st layer set into bottom   Monday, January 30 View Page extra 2nd layer to be put in when needed. hoping they go up through the holes in the bottom to search out food, and not around the ouside space from the difference in taper on totes. might have to seal off somehow.   Monday, March 26 View Page Back yard Sugaring. We ended up with about 15gallon for the season, it was a short one.   Monday, March 26 View Page Going Deep!! Subsoiled all patches   Monday, March 26 View Page Main patch subsoiled, exterior wall finally torn down. going to do some improving while its out.   Monday, March 26 View Page Dug a little trench today, 270ft actually. Running power to patch for outlets for heating cables and lamps. No more 100ft cords. Also going past the patch to the spring fed well to power that up also and automate the irrigation system. No more gas powered pump. Timers and valves!! Running water line back to shed for spicket also.   Monday, March 26 View Page further out   Monday, March 26 View Page another view   Friday, April 6 View Page We got 5 cables in and 4 houses today. Installed a second water line to patch from well house. I kinda screwed up with the first one since it goes to some other spickets on farm and I wouldnt be able to pump fert/tea through it without having it go past the patch, and would sit in lines elseware. Oh well. another 100ft of pipe. Now we will be set to go with direct line to valve manifold and Dan micro systems.   Sunday, April 8 View Page Post are set for pump house,   Sunday, April 8 View Page Rear wall partially back together. water lines and power run and trench backfilled and cleaned up, some of roof system revamped.   Sunday, April 8 View Page Power and water station inside patch will have controller, and valve manifold, and outlets for heating cables and lights.   Friday, April 20 View Page Started new structure for well pump house.   Friday, April 20 View Page Didnt realize I had already posted the previous picture, heres a little more completed, final side is on now, Shallow well jet pump, pressure tank, filter, etc. Trying to get it done here and there. Tea brewer, tank, and fert injector to be added.   Friday, April 20 View Page mellons are up, 291 Kent, (2) 282.2 Dawson, (2) 251 Dawson. 2 of my 3.55 Sweet Maters are going also. Pumpkin and Squash line up are in the germination chamber. 1807 Stelts, 1789 Wallace, 1725 Harp, 1676 Checkon, 1476 Hopkins, Squash, 1486.6 Jarvis, 1236 V/M and 2011 Jutras EST.   Friday, April 20 View Page OH and I forgot my 1107(1677.5 Hunt*1634 Werner), 849,(1725 Harp * 1605 Sweet) and My Daughter is growing her 653, (1605 Sweet * 1634 Werner).   Sunday, April 22 View Page watermellon transplant going into 2 gallon. Have been watering with soilblast/microblast samples, mix since seeds popped. however I think at double strength. It didnt kill them, but I need to dilute more, (1) 7oz packet of each to 5 gallons of water, not 2 gallons.   Saturday, April 28 View Page Pump house is coming along, will have pump wired up in the next few days, a little more plumbing to connect storage tank into patch line for tea/drenching input. I will probably hook up gas powered to bottom of tank. Tea brewer will set on top of tank, so I can brew and open valve to add to holding tank. Will have something like this white one or different one with better valve and input/ouput fittings. WE will see.   Saturday, April 28 View Page some of the line up.   Saturday, April 28 View Page Front row, L/R 1789 and 1807. Back Pair is my Berkshire Bullet 1107, and right pair is my daughter's 653. other is my 849. The Freak is stuck in its seed coat below the soil I noticed today. One cot has come out more, I played with it a little 2day. I may try and get in there with some detal type picks and pry it open, we will see what it looks like tomorro, May be I wont have to.   Monday, April 30 View Page Planted 7 houses today. One left for the "Freak" if it makes it. If not the Backup 1486 Jarvis came up and will see that spot. Of course after I prepped and planted the 1725 Harp, I discovered that the heating cable in that house was tripping GFI. So had to dig it up and move it to another house. Hopefully the nice weather continues and the house will keep the soil warm enough. Electrician hooked up the Well 2nite. We will see if all my plumbing holds 2moro!!   Wednesday, May 2 View Page everything up and running, except one house and the Freak, 1 good cot 1 bad cot, 1st leaf is a coming. Heating cable is bad in that house anyway, gonna have to check with TOM. TOM??? It was a new one, keeps tripping breaker. Guess we can get in the house and dig her up and replace it.   Wednesday, May 2 View Page Grumpy Gardener ( My Plumber) came over today to see if we could get the well pump straightened out. Was not shutting up correctly, Kept pulsating, I would call it. Turns out we had left a check valve in place on pressure tank, and since pressure shut off switch is on pump, it could not sense the pressure at tank because of no back flow. yanked the guts out of it so we didnt have to make any new pieces and its works fine!! YAHOO!!! we have normal turn on the spicket and the water works!!! Hot DAMM!! Im excited, this will cut out a ton of time screwing around with gas powered pump and hoses.   Monday, May 7 View Page taking something out of the "Debacco" playbook. Waisted a lot of time weeding last year. hopefully we will just peel it back as we go. Plan on putting the Starr watering system right on top. Should help hold it in place. might be tricky pulling it back. we will find out. I know it is going to be all over the place with storms tonight, since I ran out of time get it propperly anchored.   Tuesday, May 15 View Page Well computer crahsed, so I'm on a hijacked one. All data was able to be recovered by computer expert, Thank God!! I think I will start doing back ups from now on. I think my last one was a year ago. Pretty sad for the 2 seconds it takes. A years worth of Quickbooks transactions, and business records would be impossible to figure out. New Dell One Touch is on the way. In the patch everything looking pretty good. Field Pumpkin patchs in process, plowed, need to disc and till, may be and acre total. Need to build irrigation manifold for 6 zones next, I might wait to set up controller next year. I want to see how many zones can run at once with new system before investing in more expensive valves and such.   Saturday, May 26 View Page Busy Day in the patch. Removed all the houses, power cords,lights etc. Put up silt fences. Installed the hail cover over the main patch. Everything is looking pretty good, with the exception of my 1676 Hopkins. Main stem split from ground up to cots, about 3inches long. I think about 1/2 way through. I replanted a 1596 Werner beside it today that I had planted last weekend in another field. 1-2gallon size. I will get everyones opinion this Friday at our twilight meeting. Next up is setting up the Start systems so I can get them under the mains where needed and start burying some vines. Need to plant the Long Gourds 2moro possibly, they are in 1gallons and about ready to start climbing. Then its setting 6 telephone poles for the new hail cover on the lower patch, and we should be all caught up so I can do some mowing on the tree farm.   Saturday, May 26 View Page Typo, Starr watering system, Not Start.   Sunday, May 27 View Page Lower patch with Starr system mostly installed today. I need a few more unions and make some minor adjustments, then we can test it.   Sunday, May 27 View Page Long Gourds went in today, 123.5 Jutras, 124.38 Boyce,120.75 Boyce and 107.5 Lariviere   Sunday, May 27 View Page My 1107 Sweet "Berkshire Bullet"   Sunday, May 27 View Page 1130 Jutras Squash   Sunday, May 27 View Page Danielle's 653   Sunday, May 27 View Page Mellons are in with drip tape underneath fabric. 291 Kent, (2) 251 Dawson and (2) 282.5 Dawson.   Sunday, May 27 View Page Manifold for irrigation. We will see how it works, and how many zones I can run at once. Then we can switch to electronic valves and controller possibly next year.   Sunday, May 27 View Page Interior Patch, 1807 Stelts, 1789 Wallace and 1725 Harp. Will have to put the puzzle pieces of Starr system together from last year, shouldnt be too difficult. I think I had it labeled somewhat when I put it away. Only pain will be since nobody had enough unions, different suppliers had different types with different threads.   Friday, June 1 View Page Some of the Team Pumpkin guys made the trip up to our Berkshire County monthly twilight meeting and for some pizza. Thanks guys for making the trip, checking out my patch and giving input on some decisions that need to be made.   Thursday, June 7 View Page Patch visit last week, Discussing which to save, the 1486 Jarvis with ribbon vine and double head or the later start 800 Neily. I cut one of the heads on the Jarvis. But since then the cold spell, so not much different. They are both still there.   Saturday, June 9 View Page Danielle's 653 best shape award so far. female at 10ft another coming at 12.   Saturday, June 9 View Page first female at 10ft on her plant   Saturday, June 9 View Page Berkshire Bullet kicking in, getting tired of moving silt fences. another week and I think I will pull them and just used perimiter one.   Saturday, June 9 View Page 291 Kent. When I pulled my houses off of pumpkins, I put 2 of them over watermellons and have left the tops open. Both of them are at 5-6ft, where is the other 3 plants are about 3ft.   Saturday, June 9 View Page Early mellon on 252 Dawson, too bad its pretty good size, but plant is only at 3ft.   Saturday, June 9 View Page Long Gourds taking hold. 2 Boyce on this side, Jutras and Lariviere on the back side.   Saturday, June 9 View Page Jutras 1130 Est Squash. Hefty vines!!   Saturday, June 9 View Page Lower hail structure, sagging a little, but gives some shading, and should help if we get more hail.   Saturday, June 9 View Page Planted 250-275 Field pumpkins yesterday, another 150 to go tomorro, including some wintersquash, winged gourds, and mixed gourds. hit all the biguns with TKO,CO2,Fish, and Blossum Booster today with the Stihl.   Thursday, June 14 View Page 1725 Harp, about 12ft   Thursday, June 14 View Page 1789 Wallace 12ft or so   Friday, June 15 View Page Cuke Beetles in numbers today, But the early application of Bayer Tree n Shrub seems to be working. I had done a drench early in May.   Saturday, June 16 View Page Four days of 90s coming next week. I'm gonna use my easy up frames with a 90inch burlap on them for some shade on the ends. And should have a bunch of pollinations ready at that time to. hope to cool them down some. I may have to put the regular top on for polination and block all the direct rays.   Saturday, June 16 View Page can we use Tomato terms on this one! Megabloom! 1676 Checkon, first female, fed her... or bred her with 1807 Stelts.   Saturday, June 16 View Page I took old Walley to the patch a couple weeks ago. I siad hey there's a bad storm a comin! I need you to watch the plants. Just stay under the hail cover and you should be ok. He listened as well as my daughter does!! Flatend him pretty good. Guy at that pumpkin store says , we use Recovery Rx on the plants, works pretty good. Well I gave him some and a shot of worm leachate from my Worm Factory 360. He been bedside for two weeks, I better check on him soon.   Saturday, June 16 View Page UPDATE!!! Holy *&8%#!!! I peeled back the blankets low and behold!!! He's back!!! That stuff really works!! :-)   Tuesday, June 19 View Page So Much for my 6 lober first pollination, and tomorro's, and next weeks. THis 10 inch split on the main. Cut off 6 ft and turned a secondary South. Maybee the Split stump early on was a telltale sign of week vines. We will see what happens, At least it will have a good set of terminated vines by the time we get the next female, I would imagine, still plenty of time.   Tuesday, June 19 View Page Ready for the next two days of 95 degree heat. I might put the canopys on instead of the burlap, if more pollinations are made. Should be a bunch this week. My Daughter has one tomorro, and another 2 on the vine.. thats 4 females on her main. Other this week , my 1107, 1725 Harp, 1807 Stelts, 1789 Wallace, 800 Neily, 1130 Jutras, And we have to have a Heat Wave!!! Great!   Friday, June 22 View Page My 1107 and Danielle's 653 in the lower patch. Both about 20ft   Friday, June 22 View Page Looking down the main at the 1st set on the 1107. one more coming about 20ft in a few days.   Friday, June 22 View Page 3 Sets on Danielle's 653. there are 2 or 3 more to go!!   Friday, June 22 View Page The Freak got pollinated with 1807.5 Stelts today.   Friday, June 22 View Page Long Gourds, Jutras hitting 10ft, male flowers. weeds!! etc.   Friday, June 22 View Page Mellons, might be 25-30ft of vines. plucking mellons until we get 50ft per plant. A lot more females than last year. I think the fabric heating things up made a big difference. Also the drip underneath.   Friday, June 22 View Page 1130 Jutras Squash, 1st set * 800 Neily, I'm not sure, it looked a little pale today, might be aborting. Pollinated 2nd set today (Self). 3rd coming up. I yanked the 1486 Jarvis 2day, Just a mutant. I still have Dads 1236 V/M that we could use for pollen also. That is starting to take off, now that it is getting warmer. ( no cables or house to start it)   Friday, June 22 View Page 1725 Harp. Either Early sunburn or Brief Cold spell could have caused the stunted secondaries across from each other at an early stage. I let a tert come off 1st one to fill in slot on one side. I think the other one might grow out.   Wednesday, June 27 View Page Last plant to go in the ground, replacement "Freak" A one gallon extra from Ron. Mine was semi deformed and I didnt want to chance it. Drove to Rhode Island to get this one. It went in the ground a week or two later than the rest. Now this is biggest in the upper patch.   Wednesday, June 27 View Page First set on the Freak * 1807.5 Stelts. Not crazy about the twist in the stem. I will start to tweak it a little if possible.   Wednesday, June 27 View Page Looks like I have a set on my 1130 Jutras Squash, this one is selfed, 1st one * 800 Neily aborted. I will try the 800 again on the next set. Hoping to put the 1130 back into the Neily 2mor or next day also.   Wednesday, June 27 View Page Of course the commercial says "if it last more than 4 hours call a physician" !!! This sucker is going on 5 days!! At least its getting bigger!!   Wednesday, June 27 View Page Danielle's 1st set June 14th (DAP 13) * 1676 Checkon. 5 sets on her plant and 1 more showing. I had that early set on the 1676 (6 lober) that when the main split, I hacked it. Oh well. Should be pollinating one in the next 2 days on the new main. Set one 2day on 1st secondary.   Wednesday, June 27 View Page 1807.5 Stelts 1st set. Nice shape semi oblong.   Wednesday, June 27 View Page 1725 Harp, 1st set. I like this one. nice long stem, nice oblong fruit. 2nd set has same shape and was a perfect 5 lober. 3rd is showing the same and will be ready in a few days. I think I put the 1807.5 into the first two.   Friday, June 29 View Page Well... My daughter is leading the way with her 653 June 14th pollination. Biggest of all the local growers so far. Maybee I can convince her to take a later set!! LOL. Grumpy Gardener is next in line with a basketball sizer. We are all about softball size. She's gonna show us all up!!   Sunday, July 1 View Page Knarly megabloom hiding in there.   Sunday, July 1 View Page closer view. This is on my 3.55 Sweet 2011. Growing in half wiskey barrel by my deck. Early start   Sunday, July 1 View Page Took 2 tissue samples today 1 from lower patch (1107 Sweet) and 1 from upper patch (1789 Wallace). Pollinated some mellons this weekend, all 2 -2.5 CM. 1st of LG's is up and over the top of 13ft. Danielle's pumpkin is screaming!! Wednesday is day 20, we will see what the numbers are. Her 653, day 20 was July 28th last year.. WOW.. She is 24 days ahead of last year with this set. Mt 3rd Pollination on the 1807.5 Stelts will be tomorro. Waiting on the 1476 Hopkins, 2nd plant late start, It has 2 for later this week, Dads 1236 V/M should have its 1st by end of week, That will do it, I think. Ive got almost 20 sets on sand and small mill fabric, lots of sides terminated. I can start thinking about the keepers, work on the mellons, and see where the field pumpkins are at. (they are running, about 4-5ft now. Time for some Lobster and steamers , I'M BEAT!!   Wednesday, July 4 View Page Danielle's 653 Day 20 151 OTT 83 lbs   Wednesday, July 4 View Page Walley's back, with the 653   Wednesday, July 4 View Page 2 on the Freak   Wednesday, July 4 View Page 2 on the 1725 Harp   Wednesday, July 4 View Page 3 on the 1807.5 Stelts   Wednesday, July 4 View Page My 1107, 1st set   Wednesday, July 4 View Page Got Green!! 1130 Jutras.. Looking wagon wheelish? 1st of 3 sets.   Wednesday, July 4 View Page 1st set on the Freak. I like the second one better, but have two main vine splits in between the two sets. They are ziptied and healing. We will see how well they close up in the next week or so, before somebody gets the knife.   Friday, July 6 View Page 653 2 days later. Going to RI 2moro to consult with some of the experts on vine patterns. Then she can cut at the Kin and start pitchfork. A lot of plant after Kin, but will give her room to run some secondaries and terts that are behind it.   Friday, July 6 View Page Freak 1   Friday, July 6 View Page Freak 2, was a perfect 4 lobe   Friday, July 6 View Page Main vine split between Freak 1 and Freak 2. I dont know what to do?? I gain 4 more secondaries with 2 and it has a better stem position.. 5 days between polinations. Day 20's are the 12th and 17th. #1 is wedged agaisnt the Main already. It will have to be cut, and pitchforked. Stem is shorter and curved and doesnt want to move much.   Friday, July 6 View Page My 1107 Not looking like the Berkshire Bullet. It looks more like the ones I culled last year. This should be the keeper, I dont like the shape of the second one. I think the 3rd went open, I have lost track and missed a couple in the last few days, I have enough, and have been trying to get some mellons set. Little buggers are hard to find.   Friday, July 6 View Page Squash plant chugging along.   Saturday, July 7 View Page I had a nice trip to CT/RI today to drop my daughter off at New England Girls Hoop Mountain Camp. Picked up Green Gene, and visited Abbynormal and Joe Jutras.. patches all look good, Mums the word!! thanks for the tour guys and the pizza Norm.   Saturday, July 7 View Page Oh Yeah!!!   Sunday, July 8 View Page Mellon Alley! Sets on all but one plant so far.   Sunday, July 8 View Page 2 on the 291 Kent, Both pollinated with 282.2 Dawson   Sunday, July 8 View Page 282.2 Dawson x 291 Kent   Monday, July 9 View Page "WELL" ... I see trouble ahead, with the well litereally.. I looked in the old well yesterday before I started. My whole set up is on and old 30inch concrete spring fed well about 11-12ft deep. Water level was about 4ft down. Put the cover back on, put the tea brewer back on top. (its where I set it so i can get 5 gallon pail under spicket to drain). pu 30 gallons in that to brew, ran soaker hoses on 200 blueberries 1/2 hr. Ran sprinker on LG's 20 minutes, Mellons drip for 1/2 hr, almost made it through all six zones of pumpkins for 1/2 hr each, 2 at a time. HMM??? its awful quiet?? no micros going. Low pressure shut off works!!! Ran it dry! Couldn't look it with tea on top. It recharged enough to fill 50 gallon pressure tank a 1/2 hour later. Hoping if I space things out I should be ok. Otherwise, its big tank on the truck to the gravel pit pond and importing water into the gas powered pump drenching tank. I dread that. But at least its plumbed up and will work. With no rain in sight I may be doing it some this summer. Sprayed 10 gallons of Foliar Mix last night. 9 hrs in the patch total yesterday, terminating mains, re routing sides, culling to final choices, and prepping bases. Didnt even bury 1 vine. another whole day and I should be caught up and have a final kins set to go.   Tuesday, July 10 View Page Well I culled the Big Freak today, Made me sick.83lb est. I hope the vine split holds and the smaller one thrives. I cant stand to see. Off to Burlingame State Park and Misquamicut Beach for a day or two.. I'll call dad and have him put the final slice through the stem if I dont get back 2moro! This way the little one will definately look bigger when I get back.. Its all a mind game!!!   Thursday, July 12 View Page NO NO NO, cut the little one!! Coordinating Culling from the beach. DOnt do it!!! Acutally I dint have to, only stayed one night, got back early evening and did the final deal.   Thursday, July 12 View Page Some culls, 1807.5 set #1 800 Neily side vine, and the Freak #1.   Thursday, July 12 View Page Half of the family living nesting under my 859 extra that I threw down in field pumpkin field #2   Thursday, July 12 View Page 5 Field Kins,(2) 81 wolf (2)150.5 Razo and (1) 162B MacKinnon   Thursday, July 12 View Page OPen Pollination on 81 wolf backside. Bunch of open sets here and there. I probably will start setting some soon and culling all those now that mains are getting out 12-15ft.   Thursday, July 12 View Page aye yeh yeh! what a mess, Ive got females everywhere. Need a serious pruning. next project. I think I started to early also. Almost ready to terminate first main.   Thursday, July 12 View Page Danielle's day 27 179 pounds 13+ per day last week.   Friday, July 13 View Page One of my 150.5 Razzo's produced nicely today. Found an 1894 Quarter, O mint mark while burying some vines. Worth $5.00 - $33.00 from the condition it is in. I'm gonna canvas the whole area with metal detector and see if anything else turns up. Sombody could have lost a pocketfull, who knows?   Saturday, July 14 View Page Freak # 2 coming along now.   Saturday, July 14 View Page Latest set in the patch, 7/3. Dual 1810 genetics in this one. 1476 Hopkins x 1789 Wallace   Saturday, July 14 View Page After cutting the main and 3 females off, a nice recovery on the 1676 Checkon. Pollinated 6/28 with 1725 Harp.   Saturday, July 14 View Page 2nd set was the keeper on the 1807.5 Stelts x 1789 Wallace. 6/26 Pol.   Saturday, July 14 View Page My 1107 Day 22   Saturday, July 14 View Page 1725 Harp Day 23 crossed with 1807.5 Stelts   Saturday, July 14 View Page 1130 Jutras Day 22   Saturday, July 14 View Page Last but not least 800 Neily crossed with 1130 Jutras. Day 15   Saturday, July 14 View Page Danielle's 653 is taping 212 pounds. Dads 1236 V/M is set, little smaller than a volleyball. Woodchuck has gotten some of its side vines, Thanks for the prunning Chucky!!   Tuesday, July 17 View Page A couple of culls from the 282.2 Dawson and 291 Kent   Tuesday, July 17 View Page Field Kin patch for farm stand coming along. Good thing it is in a wet semi low wet area.   Wednesday, July 18 View Page 1725 Harp... 29.7 lbs/ day over the last week. Added my manganese and zinc, that I was deficient per tissue tests. and had sitting here since spring when I thought I needed it, by playing with ratios on BRY'S Program... Good program Brian!!!   Thursday, July 19 View Page Looks like we have us a race in the patch developing!! The My 1107 (Berkshire Bullet Offspring) wants to take on the 1725. 34.7 pounds per day over the last week. I checked back with the 1725.. 42 lb gain in about 32hrs. 1107 is 1 day younger sitting at 383 lbs at day 27 and 1725 is at 385 lbs day 28.   Saturday, July 21 View Page Ok I gotta stop checking. Day 29; 118 80 75 OTT 273 458 lbs. 38.5 / day over the last two days. Surpassed the 1725.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Long Gourd Jungle.   Sunday, July 22 View Page This Dude is everywhere. LG on the right is Controlled Polination. Others are open.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Mellon Alley, now a jungle also.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Largest so far, 282.2 Dawson x 291 Kent. 51 lbs, Day 21. 3 lbs since yesterday. We cant compete with those Southern Boys on this one. Even with all this heat, I just dont see it happening. 87 pounds was my best last year, I do see that number being beatable. I have much better and bigger plants this year. We will see what happens. I have some nice shaped smaller ones coming along.   Sunday, July 22 View Page These Greenies are just MEAN looking!! pretty cool. And something big way in the back too!   Sunday, July 22 View Page My 1107, she's a crankin!! Pushed out the silt fence and rototilled some more space to accomidate future tert growth out front. Main was terminated at Pumpkin and 4 or so secondaries on each side swooped around in pitchfork pattern, then terminated. Last Tert on each is now growing out. (Special thanks to Joe Jutras for showing and explaining how to) All of my plants are growing this way this year. Figures this one is in smaller patch short on space, I'll let them grow into trees if I have to.   Monday, July 23 View Page Major Field Pumpkin pollinations going on this week. Females all over the place. Front 2 plants are both 81 Wolf. Sets on main on both yesterday. Second two are 150.5 Razo and the last is 162B.   Monday, July 23 View Page Extra AG in Field Pumpkin patch. Open Pol. Might still get a nice one here.   Tuesday, July 24 View Page Well things are getting a little crunched up, time to make an adjustment. Of course this one never got plywood under it because it was to big when I decided to try that method. It makes moving them so much easier.   Tuesday, July 24 View Page This makes me nervouse!! I thought abput using my lifting ring, but without a few hands to steady it from swinging, if its not being picked straight up,, It could easily rip the stem right off. This worked fine last year. Little bit at a time.   Tuesday, July 24 View Page 5 or 6 inches or less, straighted it out for now. I had to do it twice last year.   Thursday, July 26 View Page 1725 Day 35, somewhere around 600#.   Thursday, July 26 View Page She's a wide one, 132cc @ day 34. 1107 is also at 132cc. 34.5 lbs/day for 2 weeks straight. Put some extra padding on both of them, and two others that dont have hail cover. Supposed to be nasty storms tonight.   Thursday, July 26 View Page My early patio mater. My 3.55 Sweet from last year.   Thursday, July 26 View Page I was hoping it wouldnt start to ripen so soon, Looks like another week or so.   Tuesday, July 31 View Page First Mater Entry. 2.20 Sweet 2012. Grown from my 3.55 in half wiskey barrel.   Saturday, August 4 View Page 1676 Checkon, Auguat 1st   Saturday, August 4 View Page 1725 Harp August 1st   Saturday, August 4 View Page 1725 front Aug 1st   Saturday, August 4 View Page 1107 Aug 1st, day 40, avg 34.1 lbs. per day for last 3 weeks straight. Looks good today, I just got home from a 3 day trip.   Saturday, August 4 View Page 282.2 Dawson July 31st at 83 lbs.   Saturday, August 4 View Page Had a great trip down to the OVGPG Tour and picnic. Amazing patches. I feel pretty good about where I'm for 3rd year, after seeing the #1 and #2 growers in the world and what they have. One day back in the patch for major weeding then I was back on the road to Cornell MapleCamp for the last 3 days. Got home tonight, Lost the stump on my 1130 Jutras Squash, Its last taping was dismal and had a few dieing leaves on one vine. Well that vine is down and it obviously was coming from stump which was rotten on that side. I again probably cut to much off. We will see how far the nasties have reached. It had dropped from gains in the 20s to 6 per day before I left. Vacations even little ones can be killers. 1807 had a major stem end split when I got back from Ohio last week, It wasnt all the way through, so we will see how that is doing in the morning also.   Sunday, August 5 View Page 1107   Tuesday, August 7 View Page Some of todays culls on the field kins. trying to get down to 2 or 3 per plant, then maybe 1 or 2.   Tuesday, August 7 View Page Early open pollination on 1 of the 150.5 Razo's   Tuesday, August 7 View Page 81 Wolf * 150.5 Razo   Wednesday, August 8 View Page First batch of LG's about day 23 or so.. 104" 98" 95" and one hidden at 107"   Wednesday, August 8 View Page Mellon Alley, 2 Controlled pollinations and 3 along the edge neatly line up, I think are all open. One might be controlled, Its tagged if it is. They all had good shape and were easy to get to.   Wednesday, August 8 View Page 282.5 Dawson, over 100 lbs.   Wednesday, August 8 View Page 1130 Jutras, lost the stump and first 4 secondairies. was at 6 lbs per day last taping.   Wednesday, August 8 View Page 800 Neily catching up   Wednesday, August 8 View Page tomorro is day 48, official taping day!!   Wednesday, August 8 View Page 1725 Harp. Day 48 162, 100, 94, Ott 356 987 lbs, Damm, Close enough! Sloweed a bit to 25.7 lbs per day. Has a foaming stump. Couple of holes bored in it and captan and fan on it, daily peroxide. Same plant last year that had a foamer. Last year had 1200 sqft of plant this one is 650-700 sqft. So no difference there.   Wednesday, August 8 View Page Heres the Picture   Wednesday, August 8 View Page One of my smaller ones, 1676 Checkon x 1725 Harp.. Day 41   Wednesday, August 8 View Page Lat pollination on smallest sqft. 1476 Hopkins x Freak Day 36   Wednesday, August 8 View Page almost forgot 1807.5 Stelts... Stem end split, clear through stem from top to bottom, but not into cavity.. Yet.. Day 43 .. well it was 656 lbs on day 41. and averaging 26.9 per day over the last week.   Wednesday, August 8 View Page And that leaves the Freak.. Day 41 OTT 312.. 674 lbs. 25.8 lbs per day. you cant even see the blossum end, unless to stand on your head or use a mirror. I forgot to take a picture.   Thursday, August 9 View Page Heres the Freak. need to dig a hole to find blossum! Well cant do that with the plywood.   Sunday, August 12 View Page Thank God it aint about beauty!!! 1725 Day 52 Just shy of 1100 lbs.   Sunday, August 12 View Page Really need an extra set of hands to get a good picture of the field kins. 81 wolf x 150.5 Razo. I culled about a dozen today, They are everywhere. I just think of all the dollars being thrown away come farm stand time, but the sacrifice for a big one. I have that whole acre of regular ones I guess.   Monday, August 13 View Page Take out the flag and the 1 flie on the right and this would be a beautiful shot for a book cover. 1107 towering above the leaf canopy.   Monday, August 13 View Page Same angle with no zoom.   Monday, August 13 View Page looking down the runway.   Monday, August 13 View Page Taping 100 pounds better than Mothers final weight. and 400 lbs ahead of Mother at this point last year. Mother never reached gains higher than 24 lbs per day. This one has done 34 per day for 3 weeks straight, dropped to 26.9 for a week (when I was away) has picked back up over the weekend to 34.3 lbs per day. Mother was down to 17 lbs/day at this stage. We will see if its holds on its official measuring day, Thursday, D55. Put the hammer down!! lets go go go!!!   Tuesday, August 14 View Page So when you see mice running around your patch, what do you do? ignore them, right? well heres what happens. vines on two mellons completely severed at the fruit. both near 100 lbs   Tuesday, August 14 View Page 200 sqft of plant to chew on and they eat 1 ft from mellon. 3 out of 5 left. traps are going out now. And all around the pumpkins too.   Tuesday, August 14 View Page I still cant comprehend what the heck I was thinking a week ago when working on pumpkin stump and main and found where they were nesting around it. And I just left them alone.. HELLO!!! And I know they are living under the mellon alley fabric... Well I have 15 traps out and 4 boxes of decon also. Cost me 1 282.2 Dawson at 80 lbs and 4 lbs per day. and a 251 Dawson at 88 lbs and 3.6 lbs per day. That leaves me with 3, my 291 Kent @ 109 lbs and another 251 @ 81 lbs and a 282.2 @ 125 lbs. Heavily Guarded!! Ive culled everything else, so we will see if something new pops up on those 2 plants for the hell of it.   Wednesday, August 15 View Page Casualties   Wednesday, August 15 View Page A view from above. I didnt have time to take the sheets off. :-) next time. Some big ones, some small ones, some round ones, some flat ones.   Thursday, August 16 View Page 1807.5 Stelts.. FINAL DAY!! Really healthy plant. Blossom end split. Charging up the inline scale, it will get weighed tomorro.   Thursday, August 16 View Page side view   Thursday, August 16 View Page took a peek to see if mice were underneath, because I saw the droppings. HELLO!!   Thursday, August 16 View Page Two long gourds one from each of Dan Boyce's 2011's. First one should be real close to its parent.   Thursday, August 16 View Page half the sheets were blown off anyways, so heres the whole patch unveiled.   Thursday, August 16 View Page from front to back, 1676 checkon, 1476 Hopkins, 1107 PSweet and Danielle's 653.   Friday, August 17 View Page Plywood makes it easy to pluck them out too. Final taping 925 lbs, actual weight 990 lbs. 7% heavy. Damm I should have patched it up and let it go the weekend. it has averaged 18 lbs per day over the last 4. Would have been my second over 1000. Any how.. 990 PSweet 2012 DMG. 1807.5 Stelts x 1789 Wallace. Lets see where the reverse cross ends up, it was over 800 this week.   Monday, August 20 View Page Checked my camera, It was a bigfoot!! Came running through the Wallace's Patch, hit the pumpkin shack, grabbed a draft beer and ran back into the woods. WOW!   Thursday, August 23 View Page Hey Scott! here's a sibling of what you saw in RI.. look simular? pretty close, this one is done and going to Woodstock, if it makes it.   Thursday, August 23 View Page Field Kins   Thursday, August 23 View Page I certainly did not have a problem with pollinations.. THe damm things are everywhere!! Easy to find them with the mist blower going. I bet I will have culled 50 on five plants.   Thursday, August 23 View Page 81 Wolf, I think about 4 this size and shape on the 2 plants   Thursday, August 23 View Page 150.5 Razo, open pollination,,, Just one day.. Hey whats that? Nice big fat thing!   Thursday, August 23 View Page Porch Pumpkin Patch, this is my 849 PSweet 2011 Open Pol. Actually 4 pumpkins on this plant. I have done nothing but bury initial 10-12ft of main on these plants.   Thursday, August 23 View Page Another extra that was kinda screwed up as a little plant. Again very little care, might be a 450-500 lber on there. I'm going to lift them up next week on the vine with the inline scale and see what they weigh.   Thursday, August 23 View Page Taping Day for the 1107.. 174, 115, 103 ,, OTT 392   Thursday, August 23 View Page wa lah!   Thursday, August 23 View Page another week or two and i will pull the sheets and let it color up a little more.   Thursday, August 23 View Page right side   Friday, August 24 View Page GRRR!!! this was my biggest on 282.2 Dawson, still a thread left there. Will let it ride out the season.   Friday, August 24 View Page picture   Friday, August 24 View Page It last taped 143 lbs. Was at 2 lbs or so per day. Not sure if that was after or before vine damage. We will see what it tapes next week.   Friday, August 24 View Page 291 Kent, was taping 125, no visible chewing damage   Friday, August 24 View Page Nieces and nephew should get a kick out of these, when we send them out into field at harvest time.   Friday, August 24 View Page Great White Ghost 1476 Hopkins   Friday, August 24 View Page 1676 Checkon   Tuesday, August 28 View Page Stemless wonder ready for Woodstock, cant leave it on the vine till Thursday if there aint one!!   Tuesday, August 28 View Page I dont know how large, large sunflowers have to be? I think I will take this to Bethelehem Fair and find out. Mellon the rodents severed couple of weeks ago, going to Woodstock also.   Tuesday, August 28 View Page Couple of Long Gourds, shorter one is.... Shorter!!! HA! I dont know how long, longer one will last. It lost at least an inch shriveling up and is soft were rot shows. My longest is taped to a board and still on the vine. A couple of second batchers are growing too.   Friday, August 31 View Page Calibrating the scale at the Woodstock Fair for Team Pumpkin. Walley didnt brake any records though. We should have put him on the Tomato scale.   Friday, August 31 View Page New Massachusetts State Record! Surpassing my 73 pounder of last year. 125.5 PSweet 2012. 150.5 Razo x Open   Friday, August 31 View Page Another new Mass State Record, (Temporary) :-) Sorry Bry, got ya by 2.4 pounds I think. This was the open Pol, on the 282.2 Dawson that the rodents severed 3 weeks ago. This had the shape to go big!! Puts me on the board in case the last 3 go down.   Friday, August 31 View Page Well it held long enough to get official weight, I just need to get one pumpkin to GPC scale to have 6 out of 6 in the Master Growers race. Then hopefully if things hold, I can increase all my numbers.   Friday, August 31 View Page Grumpy Gardener with his first ever Pumpkin to scale, Grown of the Club seed Pollinated with my 1725 Harp. Way to go Don.   Sunday, September 2 View Page Loading the Ghost for Goshen, weighed 712.   Sunday, September 2 View Page Best Tomato prospect I think. 6.5 Delicious   Sunday, September 2 View Page 81 Wolf x 150.5 Razo around day 40. KABOOM!!! 117 lbs   Sunday, September 2 View Page I think there is 1 more on the same plant with the same cross, simular size. My other 81 Wolf has about 4 or 5. I know there is 1 sibbed, 1 by 162 B, a couple of opens that I just found, that may have to get culled. The sibbed is looking the biggest.   Sunday, September 2 View Page Planted some neck pumpkins this year, we will see whats in there when the leaves die off. going to be early this year, lot of field kins ready to pick. PM is doing a number on some of the plants also.   Sunday, September 2 View Page 800 Neily   Sunday, September 2 View Page There's a Freak hiding in there!   Sunday, September 2 View Page Front view of 1789 Wallace x 1807.5 Stelts   Sunday, September 2 View Page 1725 Harp   Sunday, September 2 View Page 1107 400+ OTT   Monday, September 3 View Page Try again, 81 wolf x 150.5 Razo, BES 117 lbs. One more with same cross on same plant.   Monday, September 3 View Page 2nd place at Goshen Fair, 712 lbs. Part of Danielles 3rd place in background, 552 lbs.   Monday, September 3 View Page Those of you that know me, know Im a pretty good sized dude!!   Monday, September 3 View Page So is the 1107   Monday, September 3 View Page 282.2 Dawson, Might have made 200 without the chewing of vine. Not going anywhere now, will take to next GPC event I attend.   Monday, September 3 View Page 291 Kent, still gaining, 2nd available GPC. Third Mellon on 251 Dawson still at 2 lbs per day and 120 lbs.   Monday, September 3 View Page Some cool carvings at the Fair   Wednesday, September 5 View Page Ok, I have heard the question to many times. My hybrid Milk Injection system!! SHHHH!!!   Wednesday, September 5 View Page We will post this at the next fair. "Mith Busters"   Wednesday, September 5 View Page MoJo, the guard dog with 3 off the 162. Not really big, letting a couple others grow out now. these were July 22-24 pollinations.   Wednesday, September 5 View Page Danielle with her 552 from Goshen. 3rd place. And my 712 2nd place.   Friday, September 7 View Page Another 81 Wolf x 150.5 Razo bites the dust to BES, this was 92 pounds. Took one to Bethlehem Fair, weighed 91.. That was 81 wolf x 162B.   Friday, September 7 View Page So maybe this is why I cant get any good size out of my 162. all of them on one plant. 40 of them, and I'm sure there are more hiding. I think I have 2 left on the plant now.   Friday, September 7 View Page Took a picture to the Local Newspaper. They put me on the front page!! Wasn't expecting that. http://www.berkshirerecord.net/subscribe.html Chamber of Commerse posted something on facebook also, I heard.   Sunday, September 9 View Page Got Harp?   Sunday, September 9 View Page This side   Sunday, September 9 View Page That side   Sunday, September 9 View Page Front   Sunday, September 9 View Page Foaming Tree stump under control since late July.   Sunday, September 9 View Page Should be my biggest tomato for this year. Ready to pick very soon.   Sunday, September 9 View Page 3rd and final mellon hopefully for last weigh off of the season. 251 Dawson, open Pol.   Monday, September 10 View Page 3.5 mater   Saturday, September 15 View Page Went to load the Freak yesterday for Roba's, it had stopped growing a week ago , it was a little soft on bottom of nose. Wonder why!! YUMMY!!   Saturday, September 15 View Page On a better note, Danielle defended her Title at the Big E last night beating her last year mark of 653 by 2 pounds. 655. Second pumpkin on back tertiary off 1st secondairy (behind the stump) on same plant(653). first one on main was the 552 weighed at Goshen. culled another 200 lber out front when we ripped plant out. You can only get them to concetrate on these plants for so long at age 12. After that it was a jungle!! I'm not taking care of it!! I spray the chemicals when I do mine, thats it! Same with the field pumpkin, it came out of the for sale patch that she and her cousins planted. Dad's not giving her a big one just to win..   Saturday, September 15 View Page 58 pound field pumpkin, (Rockstar) hybrid 1st place by 6 pounds. runner up on the grower interview plaque. My father and I also took 1st and 3rd with our Spruce xmas trees, and 2nd and 5th with our Pine xmas trees. I have a squash for next weeks adult weighoff. GOOD Year at the BIG E!!   Thursday, September 20 View Page Starting clean up, here is what's left of Melon Alley. 251 Dawson and 291 Kent still on the vines.   Saturday, September 22 View Page Ready to go 1107   Saturday, September 22 View Page Backing her out   Saturday, September 22 View Page Grumpy Gardener and I with the pose   Saturday, September 22 View Page Truck loaded for Cooperstown   Saturday, September 22 View Page on the way to the scale, last to be weighed   Saturday, September 22 View Page 1st place Cooperstown Pumpkinfest 2012!! 1509.5 PSweet 2012. 1st place melon, 154 lbs. 1st place Long Gourd 100inches. 2nd place Field Pumpkin 83 lbs. A SWEET DAY!!   Sunday, September 23 View Page A couple left in the patch still. 1676 Checkon   Sunday, September 23 View Page 800 Neily   Sunday, September 23 View Page 800 again   Sunday, September 23 View Page the hollow foamer that I ahd all summer on my 1725   Thursday, September 27 View Page I heard someone say, here comes another "Dumptruck Pumpkin" Matt unloading the 1725 Harp at Durham.   Thursday, September 27 View Page 2nd place, with the 1404.5 PSweet 2012   Thursday, September 27 View Page Cleaning up the extra patch   Thursday, September 27 View Page They do bounce!! dropped this one out of the sling.   Thursday, September 27 View Page Someone in morning chat, suggested I could lightly pluck one out with the excavator. This 849 psweet 2011 didnt fair so well.   Thursday, September 27 View Page She was rotten on the bottom, about a 600 pounder   Thursday, September 27 View Page ended up with 4 to sell, I was going to load the 500 pounder for topsfield, but.....   Thursday, September 27 View Page .... theres not a whole lotta room left on the truck with this brute.. I told you I didnt have any more big ones!!!   Thursday, September 27 View Page This was whole as far as I know when I picked it and rolled it into tractor bucket, I drove 50 yards and went to roll it out of bucket onto pallet on truck, and reached around to grab it and my hand went right inside. Pretty sure it split between patch and truck. unbelievable, Had to pick another one.   Thursday, September 27 View Page The Brute is Joe Goetze's not mine, see I wanst sandbagging!! No kin for 2moro for me. But the Red dump truck is full again!!   Saturday, September 29 View Page Took first place at Topsfield with both field Pumpkin 97 pounds, and my 3rd increased my Mass State Record Melon to 161.5   Saturday, September 29 View Page My quest for Master Grower Continues! 2nd place with 125.75 with Long gourd, congrats to John Young for 1st.   Saturday, September 29 View Page Joe Goetze with his 8th place new personal best.   Saturday, September 29 View Page Ronnie was a bucket of nerves, from the strange feelings and noises of hauling a rented trailer to the anticipation... The place went crazy!!! Awesome to be there, tears were everywhere!!! Well deserved!!!   Saturday, September 29 View Page The Family   Saturday, September 29 View Page Its all a mind game until they hit the scales.. Gotta keep them looking big, so ya go to a smaller truck!!   Saturday, September 29 View Page All loaded for the Beach tomoro, I told Pap I'd share some Pulled Pork and Potato Salad, fastest email responce I have ever gotten!! LOL.. he likes to eat as much as I do!! I dont know if either one of us can keep up with that Debacco guy though, He must be hollow!! I didnt see him once at Topsfield without a mouthful, sandwiches, chowda, woopie pies,,, god know what else!!   Sunday, September 30 View Page 4 Penfield Beach Champions!! Ron won the Pumpkin with 1579 grown off the 1381 Checkon, I won the Squash with 645, grown off the 800 Neily, Dick crushed us both in the Pulled Pork Eating Contest, (thank god I had some rolaids) LOL. And... Sorry Boys... THe Pats beat the Bills.. 52- 28.. Probably a good thing you were stuck in the truck on the way home! See you next weekend.   Sunday, September 30 View Page My winning Squash at Penfield Ct. 645 pounds. Went a little light. I forgot to take a picture at weighoff, unloading at local garden center on the way home, where it will be on display.   Sunday, September 30 View Page Ron Wallace and his 1579 grown off 1381 Checkon   Monday, October 1 View Page Some big HH is calling me "The Rash" cause I can show up anywhere and I dont go way easy! Just having a great year, I kind a like it! LOL.   Monday, October 1 View Page Most of the sellables at the farm stand   Monday, October 1 View Page I was going to throw the squash on for RI, but it has decided to turn into a squaumkin, since it has been picked. to much yellow.   Monday, October 1 View Page Last 162B for Sat.   Monday, October 1 View Page Last 150.5 Razo for Sat.   Monday, October 1 View Page A couple more 81 Wolf's showed up, they will make it to the farm stand.   Wednesday, October 3 View Page There's my Baby!! on display.. It even has a new name "The Moose"   Thursday, October 4 View Page Ive been Put in charge of Security for the "Pleasuredome" SWEEEEETTT!!!! got some of the toys ready!!   Thursday, October 4 View Page Then I remembered "The Freak" has a familar ring to it????? couldnt rember where though.. digging out that wooden Louisville Slugger reminded me. I bought this about 4 years ago for softball, Everyone wanted to use the Freak.   Thursday, October 4 View Page This is going to be a fun Saturday at Frerich's. i'll take care of them pesky reporters you bet. Dont cross the security tape!!   Sunday, October 7 View Page My final day for this season, 11th place with the 1021.5 Grown off the 1676 Checkon crossed with 1725 Harp. 6% heavy. Also took 2nd in LG 118.69, 1st in Field Kin 109.5, and 1st in Watermelon 153 lbs. A tiring season, but very successful.   Sunday, October 7 View Page Final Leader Board   Sunday, October 7 View Page Well here is the summary of 2012 in my quest for Master Grower, Over 30 ribbons and plaques on the wall of fame (A couple are my daughters) Need an outbuilding like the Wallace's. I came up short of the 4000 pound club by 63.5 pounds with my back up at Frerichs. I had it until my freak went down at over 1100 pounds, in early Sept. A great season to boot!! Goshen Fair 2nd place 712 lbs Woodstock Fair 1st place Squash 565.5 1st field pumpkin 125.5 New England Record 1st long gourd 119.75 4th watermelon 92 lbs Mass Record Bethlehem Fair 1st squash., 1st melon, 1st field kin 91, 1st lG 99.5, 1st Giant Sunflower head 15 inches Cooperstown 1st place 1509.5 personal best 1st Melon 154 pounds new Mass Record 1st Long Gourd 100 inches 2nd Field Pumpkin 83.5 Durham Fair 2nd place 1404.5 1st Field Pumpkin 79 Big E 4th place Squash Topsfield 1st place Watermelon 161.5 Mass State Record 1st Field Pumpkin 97 lbs 2nd Long Gourd 125.75 2nd biggest in Mass ever Fairfield Ct 1st place squash 645 pounds 3rd place Long Gourd 93 inches Frerichs 11th place 1021.5 2nd place LG 118.68 1st Watermelon 153 lbs 1st Field Pumpkin 109.5   Sunday, October 7 View Page Well Matt, I thought the patches were empty. Guess not, enough is enough!!! the deer can have the rest. only about 3 more in the competition patch. 1 162b (at 107.5) and a couple on the 81 wolf (smaller). I will grow them out for UOW.   Sunday, October 7 View Page Smaller self serve stand in town. Brother sells eggs and veggies there too in season along with my gladiolas.   Thursday, October 11 View Page Getum! MOJO!!   Thursday, October 11 View Page Still not sure!   Thursday, October 11 View Page Then Danielle came out and ruined the fun!!   Thursday, October 11 View Page Getting things tilled up,   Thursday, October 11 View Page previous home of the 1021.5 PSweet 2012   Thursday, October 11 View Page The interior went 1 out of 3 with the 1404.5 Psweet 2012 The 1807 BES UOW 990 lbs. and the Freak stopped and rotted at 1123 est.   Thursday, October 11 View Page Tillers didnt get much of a work out. I am going to seed in everything and light till in again.   Saturday, October 13 View Page Last Field Kin after the 25 degrees last night. 104.5 UOW. biggest I was able to get from the 162b. They were all big but very light.,sound hollow, havnt opened one up yet.   Monday, October 22 View Page Dads helper today while mowing Christmas Trees. She would not leave and ate mouse after mouse. he was mowing in the same field as my patch, might save me some trouble next year.   Wednesday, October 24 View Page Well, this might be my next patch in 2 years.   Wednesday, October 24 View Page Norm and I are goning to compare notes on hillside growing.   Wednesday, October 24 View Page Or I could sacrifice my little flat piece of circle for 2 plants, Dig it all out, run electric and water, backfill with soil from current patch. There is nothing but blast rock and junk in there now.   Wednesday, October 24 View Page Would make a nice focal point for the entry.. a couple of years to think about it.It Would be so nice to have the patch at home though.   Tuesday, October 30 View Page Picked up the 645 Squash and the 1404.5 from local garden center today, pretty close to flat bottom on the squash.   Tuesday, October 30 View Page Decent thickness   Tuesday, October 30 View Page There were a few splits inside that were pretty close to outside, but we made it.   Tuesday, October 30 View Page I have a side by side Polaris Ranger. Now we have a side by side boat.   Tuesday, October 30 View Page Stroke, Stroke, Stroke!!! I think they need sunglasses. paddles and water would help too. I should have taken it up to friends gravel pit lake and gave it a try. then he could have just removed it with the big excavator. not enough time.   Wednesday, October 31 View Page I received my seeds and banner from the 1509.5 today. cool.. cant wait to build a pumpkin shack / man cave.   Wednesday, October 31 View Page The Frontstep ready for the trick or treaters, we had quite a few.   Wednesday, October 31 View Page 104.5 UOW (160b x Open) and a Rockstar hybrid maybe,   Wednesday, October 31 View Page 91 PSweet 2012 (81 Wolf x 160b Mackinnon)   Thursday, November 1 View Page I thought there was on eof those boot scrubbing things in my brothers yard as I rounded the corner, I went back over (he lives next door) to clean up my little satelight pumpkin selling stand. I looked around the fence,, HELLO!!! boot scrubby thing is moving!! went in to take picture, it saw me and made a slow B line to the swing set. I sent Bro and his wife text, to be careful letting dog out. She replied , oh its our new PET!! has been living there for 2 weeks!! dog has sniffed it, it roams around with the chicken and ducks. Now thats playing with fire !! tried relocating it down the road somehow. it came back.   Sunday, November 4 View Page Seeds drying B4 rack   Sunday, November 4 View Page new rack   Thursday, November 8 View Page HMM?? This abandoned Hydroponic Cucumber Structure,built in the late 70s I think, sits right across the road from my house. Never thought much about it. till now!!! may be I talk to the neighbor.. SWEETNESS DOME 2015 ?   Thursday, November 8 View Page Thats like a 12 by 12 door on the front to give some idea of size.   Thursday, November 8 View Page Those fans down the end are like 4 by 4 or bigger. I think we could fit 15 - 20 plants in this thing. It may fall over though, I dont know how structurally sound it is. saw some good rot here and there. Oh well just a thought. when its time to relocate, may be I leave the hillsides to Norm, and go indoors and rub shoulders with Donkin, Handy and some of the other greenhouse guys.   Friday, November 16 View Page Here is the 3 x 5 Master Gardener Photo Label on # 6 envelope that will hold all six seed packs.   Sunday, November 18 View Page The MG production line ready to go. Took all day just to get these ready   Sunday, November 18 View Page Finished product, 20 down. to many to go!!   Thursday, November 22 View Page 8am this morning Dad calls, "Happy Thanksgiving Jr. you got that turkey thawed and ready to go in the oven?" almost dad, almost!!   Thursday, December 6 View Page Politics   Thursday, December 6 View Page i forgot the caption..people on top looking down see only @#$%heads. people on bottom looking up see only @#$holes!!   Sunday, December 9 View Page Tree Farm got a nice write up in local magazine. http://www.berkshiremag.com/Berkshire-Magazine/Holiday-2012/The-Family-Tree/