Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 467 Entries. Sunday, January 1 View Page Happy New Year!!My new year resolution,is to spend more time & effort in the garden,no more half measures.I see some BIG Orange in my green future. If the Lords willing & the creek don,t rise I will be growing & showing in 2012.The 1723 as big as a tree,1421.5ive will be coming alive.1161 will be top gun.260 Clementz will be as solid as cement.The 291 Kent will grow to my heart is content!Just having fun!I'm such a humble son of a gun!LOL   Thursday, January 5 View Page I heard some of these Heavy Hitters are using Chicken Poop in there patch.So I went and bought some.I dont care lipstick on a pig or a pumpkin don't matter whatever it takes to grow a big kin. I'm In.   Tuesday, January 10 View Page Ive never turned leaves in January before,What a gorgeous day Sunny & 45 degrees WOW.Thank you Al Gore.Now can we have some heat in the summer?   Tuesday, January 10 View Page This is the only sun we usually get in January! Winter will fly by this year.We are still waiting for it,Comes in like a lamb,BAM BAM Goes out like a RAM!!!   Wednesday, January 11 View Page Sunny & 49 today! WOW!!   Friday, January 20 View Page Lemon & orange tree doing good! Winters flying buy! Only 2 months till preseason training camp.   Friday, January 20 View Page Heres my new lemons,If I pick everyone of them I may get a glass of lemonade grown in Michigan!!!   Saturday, January 21 View Page The second real snowfall of the season.This was predicted to be the worst winter in 50 years.If true I'm not looking forward to the next 2 months.To bad I dont know a Handy Man with time to build some barn doors.Only lived here 21 years.lol   Saturday, January 21 View Page Having a mild winter,very little snow thus far maybe 6 inchs total.GWG first live auction this weekend.   Friday, January 27 View Page Finally feels like Winter.This is about 100 feet out my window.The deer could hear the window open & it still stands there.Lucky day this is a camera not a gun!There were 8 last winter somebodys shootin!   Monday, January 30 View Page My Compost tea Brewer came today!This is my secret weapon that will put me over the top this year.This will be the 300 pound Slayer.With Great White & Bountea.The 3,550$ Bounty is with in reach.Oh the secrets out!!!!Oh well!!   Sunday, February 5 View Page Mr Bill singing Happy Birthday to the GWG! 1 year today!   Sunday, February 5 View Page Tilled Mikes Patch today he won the 1634 Werner & wants to grow on this virgin spot.Been 9 or 10 years since a garden was here.Sunny beautiful day in the 40s.Never tilled in Feb. before.lol   Sunday, February 5 View Page Karsen at the Wheel.Growers beware were training them young here in Michigan.This is Mikes Nephew,Mike grew a 450 something kin in 2002 or 2003,hasn't grown since.He will be growing Melons & the 1634 Werner this year.Were hoping to need a big trailer to haul mine & his to OVGPG.Fingers crossed its a long ways to October.   Tuesday, February 7 View Page This is my Bubble from Andy Hamilton's raffle I won the 1543 Stevens.Did anybody get the lic plate # on that truck?The seed was unharmed.LOL   Tuesday, February 7 View Page Elvis Singing, I did it my Way! to the GWG board. LOL!!   Thursday, February 9 View Page Will grow melons on a scale this year.some say we cant prove the daily weight gains.Will marine varnish board so it doesn't take in water & place delta sub-floor material on board.This scale goes to 330 pds.I hope this becomes a problem!lol   Friday, February 10 View Page Holy Blossoms Bat Man! Look at the flowers on my orange tree! Wow! I think they like that Great White Mycor!   Saturday, February 11 View Page Here's mine for the day!You might be a redneck if you have to decide to attend your daughters weddin or water your patch on schedule?   Saturday, February 11 View Page 10 degrees this a.m High today 22.I hope this kills the cooties in the soil,with 4 inchs of snow yesterday it might not be enough.Winter is finally here.How long?Weather?You never know how much you will get or how long it will last.This is one of the mildest winters on record.I can remember maybe 2 like this in the past 35 years.   Saturday, February 11 View Page I asked my wife to bring me a foot stool,why does everyone take me so literal.lol   Sunday, February 12 View Page I bought this lottery ticket yesterday.Each # is 1 digit off exactly from the #s drawn last nite.lol I hope this is a sign of things to come.Lets see a 1817 kin, a 299 melon. lol!Or maybe it will go the other way 1819,301 lol   Saturday, February 18 View Page This is my Steak Cooler I found roadside last year.Yes Im coming out of the closet,Im a garbage picker.lol.I placed a heat matt from a wore out seed box.I use the Pampered Chef Meat Probe as a thermometer.I recently got an E-mail on this subject so I thought I would post this for him.I will be starting my kins in this about may 1st.depending on weather.   Saturday, February 18 View Page Just to maintain my Crazy ideas,that I cant stop coming up with.lol I thought I would post this Nice Diners Boothe .I know its a long shot,but if you know anybody living between Vegas & Michigan.I could trade& deliver this & set it up for Gas money to Vegas.Maybe I should send a photo to Chumlee,I could sell it to Pawn Stars!lol I also have fridge in great shape that would go with this   Saturday, February 18 View Page Hers the fridge Hot point.Best I can figure its early 60s,looks older but the dates Im finding on motor & such are from the 60s I think.   Wednesday, February 29 View Page 1495 & 1274 came today.My seed bank is getting so hot I need to have the freon checked.I like this storage method I just read the cap,easy to locate seeds.There in plastic ziplocs,in bottles for a double seal, so defrost cycle does not dry them out.   Tuesday, March 6 View Page Gorgeous day in Michigan,Starting knee walls for Kin Cave.The end 2x4s will be set in holes,so she don't blow away.18 inch wall will give more height for big kin leafs.Will leave this up for several years,& just remove screen in winter months.Getting a huge head start with this great weather.This is 1-12 foot section.Will build 5 per side of cave.   Wednesday, March 7 View Page First section of greehouse 28X12 4 more to go.65 degrees & windy today.Its all good!   Sunday, March 11 View Page The Drama Queen & I went to get get some poo yesterday.Muddy mess will come back another day.These are my Pumpkin/Melon/Mater monster making machines.The lady who owns these fine critters works at County extension,She picked me up 2 soil kits to mail in samples, for 20$ includes postage.5$ more for organic matter.Will test my friend Mikes soil for the 1634 Werner on a new patch.Today high in the 60s/Sunny We never had much winter,Spring has sprung.Feels like mid April/not March.   Sunday, March 11 View Page Footing done on the Kin Cave.60 feet long 28 feet wide,only 1 inch out of square,Shes 66feet 4 inchs diagonally X 66 feet 3 inchs,Im good with that.   Sunday, March 11 View Page Gorgeous day high 60s.Setting house opposite direction from last year.Will be planting 1161 Rodonis exactly where the 260.5 was grown the 1381 Checkon in the middle & 1723 Marshall on the south end of cave.The Melon cave will go on west side of Kin cave.Its only 38 feet long.162 Mackinnon & 81 Wolf will go in small square to the left of swing set along with maters.   Wednesday, March 14 View Page The cats out of the bag!Going to OVGPG seminar Saturday to learn a few tricks from the big guys!Unbelievable weather this week 70s sunny GORGEOUS DAYS!!!!   Sunday, March 18 View Page My brother-in laws father gave me this fiberglass tank supposed to be 300 gallons will mount to a trailer & haul river water to Mikes House to water the 1634 werner,Our water bills here are 150$ a month.thats normal use no outside watering.Plus city water bad for plants.   Friday, March 23 View Page 3 days in the 80s Crazy weather! will drop back in the 50s & 60s next week.Not touching my soil till April.To early.Soil test results came back yesterday,Wow! mailed Monday to Idaho.PH 7.2 perfect   Sunday, March 25 View Page We will see?   Monday, March 26 View Page Temp 34 degrees this am Some normal weather would be nice.I can breathe.   Monday, March 26 View Page There saying the insects will be really bad this year due to mild winter.I will be having the neighborhood dusted by this gentleman.   Monday, March 26 View Page With all these chemicals & pesticides were using.I thought I should pick out a headstone.   Tuesday, March 27 View Page Sarah! Had to be returned to the farm last year because she broke the cable & attacked a dog walking by with her owner.Being Kennel kept she has a problem with other dogs.Turns out she is a German breed shepherd that breeding line is very high pedigree & no longer even obtainable.Well heres the good news.Sarah just had 8 pups this morning on my wife Sherrys birthday.I told my Aunt if anyone of them look like Sarah I want that dog.I can raise the puppy with Dolly & Tootsie & she will be more social then PYSCHO! like mom.Weathers back to normal low 30s at night high 40s by day.   Friday, March 30 View Page I think this called hail size hail.lol What the hail?Thunder boomers just went through.40 degrees out   Sunday, April 1 View Page The Michigan Giant Pumpkin Growers Club gave me these yesterday.I had no idea I was getting these.Thank-You Very Much.These are great with weights on them,so you dont have to figure in out in ten years,whats what?.I hope the GWG does something similar.The Michigan Club sponsors 3 or 4 weigh-off sites so I guess they do this for the entire Club not one site like some other clubs.Its awl Good!Thank-You!   Sunday, April 1 View Page Picked up this great thermometer For the Kin Cave.No more glasses needed.I think this was an oral thermometer for elephants.No more squinting to read the temps.   Monday, April 2 View Page I was told last July that my watermelons were air bubbles,The secrets out,I have been pumping them full of air,The 260.5 had 40lbs of air in it.LOL!I call this Drafting,To Hell with Grafting!LOL Just having fun!!ROFL!!!!!!!!!!   Saturday, April 7 View Page This is what I will be doing today.Still need to till in amendments.Will spread compost all weekend & set footing for Melon Cave.Have tiller coming mid week to Till garden.Roy loaned his tractor to a friend so Mike is having another buddy come till both patchs.If I ever win that OVGPG 5 grand I will trade the Jubilee in on a tractor with a loader & higher gear ratio to turn a tiller.Then next weekend will start placing Hoops & headers in Kin Cave & melon Cave.Lots of time,need MO money.Hoops for Kin cave will be 300$.Will be buying 120- 10 foot 1 1/4 electrical plastic conduit.One of my customers called me Muddy Waters yesterday.She hired me to do a big job on a duplex up the street about 7 house's up the street.She lives 1 hr away.I would call her up & say I hate to cloud the water,But I found some issues you may or may not want to know about.lol Some landlords dont want to know.lolShe know calls me Muddy waters,but shes having the issues fixed.LOL   Tuesday, April 10 View Page You might be a redneck if anyone calls you Paw.This is my granddaughter Brooklyn she calls me paw & my wife Ma.lol.Shes the best kid in the world,I have only heard her cry 3 or 4 times in almost 2 years.Almost time to start them seeds,Just got a great deal on 2x6s 16 footers for 6$ a pc pressure treated.Snow flurry's today cold out.   Friday, April 13 View Page The Melon Sisters were started 1 year ago today!Still waiting on Tiller to show.He might come today.2yds of sand on planting sites for kin cave,& spread compost by hand.Will start the melon sisters tonight generation II along with the 291 Kent.Will start post & headers & hoops for the caves once tractor has gone through.Nice sunny day mid 60s predicted.Been cool but dry past 2 weeks.   Friday, April 13 View Page FRIDAY THE 13th! My lucky day & the weigh-off is on the 13th Wow!This could be Nice!   Friday, April 13 View Page Just started 3-291 Kents,4 -260.5 Clementz,4-228 Clementz,& a couple practice kins to load test the germinator.added Great White Mycorr to seed starter mix(water soluble).Will be putting headers in caves this weekend if not rained out.   Saturday, April 14 View Page Kin cave coming together,will till after headers built,Hoops are removable.   Sunday, April 15 View Page 36 hrs No sign of life yet.Looked a little dry so I sprayed tops with water & dumped water on the floor of box.   Sunday, April 15 View Page Last Photo was very clear,this is a redo.   Monday, April 16 View Page 291 Kent & 228 Clementz first ones out of the hole at 2 1/2 days or 60 hrs.   Monday, April 16 View Page I take them to the lite bench asap.Dont want leggy plants.as you can see pots are dry.To wet is usually the problem with poor germination.Soak seeds 20 minutes,seed starter moist not soaked.I will transfer to bigger pots once there up.have small heater running on bench,as basement tends to be cool around 65 degrees.Heater on low not directly on plants,plus creates a little air flow.   Monday, April 16 View Page 3-260.5s popped up this afternoon.7 out 11 up in less then 36 hrs. 4 to go plus 2 practice kins not up yet.   Tuesday, April 17 View Page Day 4 4-260.5s 100% germed 2-291 Kents 67% germed 1 to go. 1-228 Clementz 25% germed 3 to go.I put 1 228 back in chamber wasn't sure if it was moving.Showing this again so new folks can see how close lites should be.Will get headers done on caves today,Sunny mid 50s predicted.   Tuesday, April 17 View Page The melon Cave is up!Sunny Day mid 50s   Tuesday, April 17 View Page Brooklyn's helping Paw remove shells, will put in bigger pots tomorrow.2-228s up & both practice kins are up 4 days, 11 out 13 are up 2 to go.Threw down amendments,Tiller coming tomorrow.Nice Day out high 50s maybe 60 out.   Thursday, April 19 View Page Finally got my patch tilled with amendments.I love a tilled patch.Have you had your patch tilled lately?It's quite sensual.   Thursday, April 19 View Page Transplanted to bigger pots,never even saw a root,laced potting mix with Great White,& few other secrets,Also acclimating for the melon cave.   Thursday, April 19 View Page Sunny day! some rain Will start so more melons tonite.291s & 260.5s   Friday, April 20 View Page My past few photos didnt show up went back to old card to see if thats the issue.Had patch tilled on wed.should have caves done by 1st of May or there abouts.   Friday, April 20 View Page Just started 3-260.5s & 3-291 Kents backups just in case. lost a 228 today & a 260.5 to damping off.   Tuesday, April 24 View Page Alfred dropped shipped these lab cups from the BatCave,Starting 6- Squash & 6 -260.5s today for my graft attempt.Fingers crossed,will watch a few videos while they germ.   Tuesday, April 24 View Page Seeds on the right started 11 days ago,growing slow in cool basement ran fan a few times to toughen the stems up.Too windy & cold out 50s with high winds last 3 days ,will acclimate as asap.Not worried about slow growth at this point,just keeping them healthy.seeds on left started 5 days ago.Will get screen houses finished this weekend weather permitting.   Friday, April 27 View Page Started kins today,1634 is for my good friend Mike.The other 3 going in the Pumpkin Palace!Soaked 1 hr.Laced seed starter with Great White water soluble powder.Also used Actinovate.Started at noon.   Sunday, April 29 View Page Cover on the Kin Cave, Let the games Begin!   Sunday, April 29 View Page Kin cave dwarfs the melon Cave about 1 foot taller to keep cooler day temps.   Sunday, April 29 View Page Only 2nd time melons have been acclimated Spent the day in the shade under the deck,getting some sun now at 6 o'clock.11 out of 12 germed for grafting surgery will do mid week if Anesthesiologist shows up!LOL Hoping the Kins Germ been 54 hrs no sign yet.   Monday, April 30 View Page 1381 first to crack soil after 30 hrs,sprayed tops to prevent drying out & dumped a little on floor of seed chamber.If 1161 dont germ will start the 1421.5 Stelts. will wait 2 more days.   Monday, April 30 View Page Sorry thats 67 hrs not 30 .Today at noon will be 3 days!   Monday, April 30 View Page This is the view from the Kitchen Winder!Will start building turret on roof above house this week.Have trip wires ordered & german shepherd on the way.With all the wacky tabacky growers in Michigan they will think I'm growing Mary Jane.LOL!May change BP name to HandyBO!LOL May have to throw a few pot heads in the compost pile!LOL!   Monday, April 30 View Page The 1161 is up Woot Woot! 1634 is also,1723 is cracking soil,should be up in the morning.Looking Good!   Tuesday, May 1 View Page Here they are starting line up!Upstairs in a warmer place then basement.   Wednesday, May 2 View Page Grafting canidates 8 days old I think my basement runs on the cool side,waiting for melons to show 1st true leaf,should be good tomorrow,Maybe this is why Nathan said don't grow them in cups.Moved them to office should speed them up.   Thursday, May 3 View Page Moved plants to Kin Cave this am for a group meeting.I explained to them this is a Rainbow Coalition!We must all get along for the summer.LOL!Keeping my eye on the 260.5 it maybe the one to stir the pot.So I played this song to them.lol!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-07_2DWfEmQ   Thursday, May 3 View Page My first attempt at grated plants I hope one takes!   Thursday, May 3 View Page Took the grandkids over to see Sarahs Pups there weaned 1 is gone only 7 left   Thursday, May 3 View Page Planted the 1161 & 1381 today Storms tonite so I covered then so they dont get soaked with too much rain.The Roots were perfect just touching the bottom of 5 inch pots,1st true leaf a little bigger then a grain of rice.   Friday, May 4 View Page 2 inchs of rain last nite.The boomers passed through all nite long,like rednecks in pajamas passing thru Walmart!lol The wheelbarrow was empty last nite.The plants are just as happy as if I had a brain.lol I would of held off if I had knew we were getting that much rain.Oh Well! Its AWL GOOD! There happy!   Saturday, May 5 View Page Day 2 there reaching for the sky!Young Melon Carolina Assc.LOL I may go buy a taller dome this there touching the lid on this 6 incher.No wilting on either at 36 hrs.Been running about 81-82 degrees,This am reading 77,heating pad not used at all.just heat from lite.She looks a little humid on the walls but soil is not wet just moist so not concerned.Hoping for 1 great plant out of the 5,most aggressive wins a summer vacation with the Melon sisters.   Saturday, May 5 View Page Gave the grandkids a tour of the kin cave,Planted 2 1723 Marshalls from Alaska.I love Alaska & green house's so I had to plant this one.Ones behind us,one in front of us, will cull the weaker one,in a few weeks.Melon sisters get planted tomorrow.Walked out of the lumber yard yesterday these 2X12sPTS were on sale 5$ a pc.What timing.They had splits so no good for stringers,perfect for walkway!What a deal.Tall so vines will grow under.   Sunday, May 6 View Page Day 3 Time to remove towel,Looking good!Bought a new dome for the addarootome sisters,Nice having a grow store 1 mile from house,been checking there there shelves for products to spoon feed the plants this year.Really haven't tried the full spectrum yet.The wacky tabacky growers know a lot about growing,I get a education everytime I go there.Its fun to grow at Handys YMCA!   Sunday, May 6 View Page Check out these roots shooting of the Squash root stock stem.   Sunday, May 6 View Page Melon Cave ready to rock,decided not to plant today,rain expected all nite into monday could get 2 inchs more like last week.Lost 1381 Checkon to damping off.Ran to the freezer & started another 1381,along with 2-1067 Kents & 2 1306 Mohrs.Something told me to start the 1306s.I knew it was a great cross,when I looked its the exact opposite of the 1381 Checkon 1288 wallaceX 1161 Rodonis.lol!So if the 1381 dont germ,I will be planting the 1306 Mohr or 1067 Kent,Mike will need a backup for the 1634,& a friend Paul will plant two whatevers left over in a few weeks.   Monday, May 7 View Page Brought plants back in from Kin Cave will wait for warmer nite temps.Dont want to loose them to Cool wet conditions.Starting early is a wasted effort they will catch up when the weather is good.   Tuesday, May 8 View Page Set the Addarootame sisters on the North side of the house to acclimate in the shade.It looks like all 5 lived.They never looked to terrible to me.Now when do I transplant to bigger containers?   Tuesday, May 8 View Page Here a better closeup for the Bat Cave!   Wednesday, May 9 View Page The one with the stick in the pot,is the one I thought I did the best surgery on.Thanks TD for the root stock seeds,your a good man.Thanks Nathan for talking me through the grating process.It was like landing a 747 but we did,I'm just glad I put a depends on first.LOL!   Wednesday, May 9 View Page People ask me why I spend so much time in the patch.I live with 6 females & 3 of them are Bitches.LOL!This is Dolly the Golden Retriever Tootsie & leashka the ankle bitten yapping little varmints.   Friday, May 11 View Page Well I darned near killed the addarootame sisters.I thought I slowly acclimated them to outside conditions.Well now that I look back.I'm glad that I did, now I know which is the strongest.The two on back right look like turds in a punch bowl.The one on the left aint looking to sweet either.This front ones screaming I won! I won! A summer with the Melon sisters & the WR 291 Kent!!WOOT WOOT!!I'm not just grafted I'm drafted!To the Melon Cave Alfred!LOL!   Friday, May 11 View Page Planted the 291 Kent & 228 Clementz back to back basicly   Friday, May 11 View Page 260.5 grafted winner of summer vacation,will cover in the heat of the day with a stool till acclimated.this is 9 days old.   Friday, May 11 View Page 260.5 Clementz ready for the title!Let the fun begin!   Saturday, May 12 View Page 64 degrees in the Kin Cave this am took buckets off the melon sisters & tub off the 1161 Rodonis.I guess it wasnt needed with these great temps.Correction 260.5 addarootame 8 days old since grafted, 16 days now sine seeds started.Looks like I killed the other 4 acclimating them to fast,Thats a good thing.I have the strongest one for sure in the ground,them sissys!lolWill grow 2- 1723 Marshals instead of culling one.will make a U turn & send one the other way to replace the 1381s that didnt make it.I have the 1306 Mohrs & 1067 Kents for back ups or they will be grow by some serious local growers,I slowly give them better plants(each year)as they learn the simple mistakes each year.They will be grown with mycorr & merit so they should do something.SVBs around these parts are horrendous.   Saturday, May 12 View Page Rainy & cloudy all day great weather to acclimate the sisters to the Melon Cave.72 degrees out,weather looks good all week.   Sunday, May 13 View Page Planted the 1634 werner At Mikes House & the 291 Kent & 260.5 Clementz,Loaned Mike the Mini Kin Cave & Melon Cave for hail protection this is screen not plastic on these.   Monday, May 14 View Page The 260.5 Clementz grafted melon.Looks perfect!Starting to grow.This will be exciting to see what happens.I have a feeling this catch up to the melon sisters real fast.Sunny day 70s out 49 tonite forecasted.   Monday, May 14 View Page This will be one of my garden models this summer.Brooklyn the beauty.Reminds me of what Forest said the first time he saw Forest Jr."Thats the most beautiful thing I have ever seen"   Wednesday, May 16 View Page Couldn't be happier with my grafted 260.5 Starting a new leaf,while the sisters are sitting still   Thursday, May 17 View Page Jackson was born last night 7 lbs 12oz Hes a Keeper!My 5th grandchild.First from my children.Brooklyns going to have to share the modeling job,sitting on the kins & melons.   Friday, May 18 View Page 260.5 been in the ground 1 week,thought she could use some groceries to green her up hasn't really grown much in 1 week.Should take off now.Used some 7-4-10 liquid ferts.1/2 strength.The others all look the same real healthy,No hurry they all take off when its time.   Saturday, May 19 View Page Home Depot had a sale today 1$ a bag marked down from 5.97.Had to buy a few bags, filled in some low spots in the Caves this evening   Saturday, May 19 View Page Started maters tonight 7.33,718,6.5,6.25,5.51.4.3 shym.& my 3.89 from the 4.3 from the 7.18 Harp.I think timing is everything on Maters,starting 10 days earlier then last year.This I hope adds a 1 or 2 lbs to my end result along with the Great White.   Monday, May 21 View Page MISTER Wizzzaarrddd!!!!!!! The turtles are early this year laying there egss in the patch!   Wednesday, May 23 View Page Here's the View from the river side.Had a outbreak of little houseflys in the Kin Cave.Hundreds of little flys trapped in cave.I think they hatched out of soil??.Sprayed them with Bug-B gone.They were huddled on screen on each gable end,so spraying was easy.I also learned recently how these wacky tabacky boys pass these drug test's at work,where they take a hair of your head & have it tested.They wash there hair everyday in Weed B Gone! LOL!   Thursday, May 24 View Page Planted the 1067 Kent & 1306 Mohr At Paul's house today he lives on a river also,great for watering.   Thursday, May 24 View Page 1067Kent on north side 1306 Mohr on south side of patch,Paul also planted some 52 pd Robbie Burns lopes he said were in is GWG pack.Will plant melons this weekend .My back ups.   Friday, May 25 View Page Its Alive??   Friday, May 25 View Page My best plant thus far the 228C.Doesnt mean a whole lot.Last year my best plant early on, was the 157 bright,produced the 219.The slowest plant won the race.I think I will start giving the slow plants more attention,or wait?Maybe I should leave them alone??   Monday, May 28 View Page This is one of the Twins 1723.I got a feeling these Alaskan plants will be Husky!LOL!   Monday, May 28 View Page 1161 reaching for the sky,typical greenhouse effect,We will bring it down when its time.   Monday, May 28 View Page Another view of the 1161,having problems with the melons lost 5 plants total.3 in pots & 2 in ground.A nice Feller in Ohio Is hooking me up with a 291 Kent will leave in mourning to pick up 4 hrs 1 way.Will take my Mom along for a nice day in Ohio.Moms amazing she just flew back from Denmark yesterday,and wants to do a road trip already.Thats why we call her Wonderwoman.LOL   Tuesday, May 29 View Page Went for Cruze today 542 miles round trip 21.50 toll fee 60.00 in gas 60.00 lunch & dinner.Took Mom along for the ride.She can talk the bark off a tree!lol The nut dont fall far from the tree either.LOL   Tuesday, May 29 View Page Mom had a hard time giving up the front seat to the 291 Kent.I told her Sorry Mom the 291 is riding shotgun.LOL!She said only if you name the Melon after me.LOL! We had a blast!I had Mom laughing her head off.She said she needed it.Life is Short Laugh till you snort!LOL   Wednesday, May 30 View Page Landing field for the 1723 Marshall in place! You might be a redneck if you make your Mom ride in the backseat so your Melon plant is comfortable.LOL!   Wednesday, May 30 View Page My Rodonis! Will place a landing deck here this morning.1161 doing it's impersonation of a praying mantis.Plants looking good like I was hoping they would.2012 will Rock PW!   Wednesday, May 30 View Page 69 out today partly sunny,mostly cloudy LOL! 82 in the Kin Cave.   Wednesday, May 30 View Page The Graft,starting to look like the rest.   Wednesday, May 30 View Page Compared pictures to last years diary,plants are about the same size.Go figure!Last year Cold muddy mess.This year much better weather same results.I dont think an early start means Dang Ditily!The ground has to warm up to get good growth.We have had a lot of cool nights.Time will tell.   Thursday, May 31 View Page 44 degrees out at 7 am 50 degrees in Kin Cave with no heat source.tends to be 5 degrees warmer at nite.cold snap& rain predicted for a couple days.   Friday, June 1 View Page 50 degrees this am still raining 5/8s of a inch last nite much needed.Its been 10 days or so since a good rain came through.I talked to an OVGPG grower & he said he uses arrows to support m.v..I havent seen Cupid in 25 years so I use my electric fence post.lol Great idea.The 1161 is headed the wrong way,will turn around a little each day.No big deal,may turn out to be a blessing as I have given each plant 20 feet then vine must turn anyhoo.I wanted my walk plank parallel with all the main vines,so I didnt grow the other way which would of gave them about 25 feet then stop or turn vine.The Husky twins are in the background growing there intended way.WE WILL HAVE ORDER IN THE KIN CAVE!LOL!   Sunday, June 3 View Page Planted the 291 Kent today.Thx Jason.   Sunday, June 3 View Page Maters ready for patch 7.18 Harp is barely there will replant another directly in soil,for back up.   Sunday, June 3 View Page My secret planting Mater spot under last years compost pile should be loaded with nutrients & organic matter.Dont tell it's a secret!LOL! planted the 7.33,7.18,4.3 Shymanski.3.89Clementz & Marvs 6.25 & 6.5 the 5.51 didnt germ.Oh well 6 plants is plenty for me.Going for a 6 lber this year!   Thursday, June 7 View Page 1161 making a U turn,cold nights,slow growth,looking healthy.The next week will be warm to hot,Cut 2 leaves off & a vine growing straight up off the stump,about 1 foot long,figured is was going to snap,so I got rid of it.Will let the plant put its energy into moving this M.V.to the intended runway.   Thursday, June 7 View Page The 1723 laid down is headed the right way,cut a back vine off that had snapped anyway!She,s on the ground now.   Thursday, June 7 View Page Heres the other Husky twin,laying down like a good pup!   Friday, June 8 View Page Compost Tea really greened them up, applied last Sunday.Will put down drip tape this weekend.Should already be down,dont matter they weed killed the Mill pond again on thursday,so cant use river water till like tuesday the 12th anyway.You might be a redneck if you ever asked somebody at the dinner table to hand you the thongs.lol I did this once at a graduation open house party.We laughed for days on that one,lol   Saturday, June 9 View Page My 150 Razo,162 Mackinon & 81 Wolf have broken soil will go in patch this weekend.   Tuesday, June 12 View Page The Husky Twins(1723) in the front.Happy with the kins,there's a little kin on the closet plant,will cull later.Found out my nitrogen is low so been spoon feeding the plants.The hardest thing is getting the bib around those big leafs.lol 1161 in the back   Tuesday, June 12 View Page Heres the photo   Tuesday, June 12 View Page Here's the 260 graft been in the ground 1 month with only 2 good rain falls,got 1 inch last night,much needed.My nitrogen's been low corrected problem,looks like I'm about 4 days behind last years plants.This rain & amendments should see some good growth when this MV hits the soil.Photo does not do the plant justice,Huge green leafs very healthy looking plant.   Tuesday, June 12 View Page Did it again!LOL 260 graft!   Tuesday, June 12 View Page Here's my best plant the 228 clementz,4 feet long.I'm posting this so I know where I'm at each year.Checking last years I'm 4 days behind on plant size.been concerned.After checking diary ,not so much,4 days?weigh-off bumped 1 week,might play out well with a warm sept.Soil corrections made was low on nitrogen,leafs not producing yet,must be sucking it up to break down the leafs,there 1 1/2 years old,must not be long enough time frame.Will add more manure to leafs this year along with grass clippings from my lawn.This should make the perfect compost.Coffee grounds & eggshells added weekly also,with some veggie scrapsfrom my kitchen.   Tuesday, June 12 View Page The 1306 Mohr backup plant went to Paul's patch along with a 1067 Kent,Paul borrowed Mikes Bayer tree & shrub yesterday as we saw a SVB land on Mikes 1634 Werner.The other 1306 went to Pauls friend & the 1067 Kent went to Mikes friend,I will try to keep track of there progress & keep Chris & Pete informed on the offspring.Thanks for the seeds,they did see dirt.   Wednesday, June 13 View Page OMG!260.5 Graft,This vine reminds me of what Adam said to Eve on the day they first met."Stand Back! I dont know how big this thing will get.lol.In 2 days its flying now.seems to like 45 degree nights.   Thursday, June 14 View Page Finally got drip tape in Kin cave.BUSY BUSY BUSY!Satarted at 6:30 am & had water on at 8 am .Let run 1 hr 15 minutes about 3/4 of an inch of.Threw a Biotamax tablet in the reservoir about 300 gallons of water used.Nights in 40s days in 70s should hit 80 today.calling for 90 this weekend.   Sunday, June 17 View Page 228 Clementz about 8 feet of vine,291 Kent bottom left,198 Clementz bottom right will most likely be culled later.   Sunday, June 17 View Page 260.5 Grafted looking good like Chris & Nathan said that it would!   Sunday, June 17 View Page How I weed the Kin Cave!These pups are getting better care then royalty.   Sunday, June 17 View Page 1161 Rodonis been picking the little kins off plants, why waste energy.   Sunday, June 17 View Page Field kins will plant today on Fathers Day,81 Wolf,162 Mackinnon & 150 Razo.will plant in a triangle on a mound about 2 feet apart.May the best kin win!   Sunday, June 17 View Page My Fathers Day card   Sunday, June 17 View Page LOL!   Sunday, June 17 View Page Finally got those Field pumpkins in the ground,front plant 162 Mack,back left 81 Wolf.Milk crate 150 Razo.There tucked in for the night,Deer ate all my peas,not taking any chances.caught 8 SVBS in trap now.plus 1 I chased down in the melon cave & splatted by hand.Playing stereo at night plus I set a bucket of bleach at edge of wetlands,seems to be keeping them away for now.   Sunday, June 17 View Page Got 1/4 of rain today almost filled a 50 gallon rain barrel.1st half of June been real dry   Monday, June 18 View Page Storm came thru this am only a 1/4 of rain again.Could be worse.I dumped another 300 to 400 gallons on the patch just prior to storm about 3/8s of an inch on everthing.Still have some drip tape to run on outer root zones for Kin cave & melon cave.Will start another compost tea batch this week.   Wednesday, June 20 View Page Kin cave looking Sweet!Fingers crossed,low 90s yesterday,had a few scorched leaves on the 1723 on the left.Why would 1 plant get scroched but not the others is this a temperature thing or a water nutrient thing?? I had fans blowing thru the middle of plant to keep good airflow going .The 1161 & the other Husky sister showed no signs of scorch.Any help would be great.Clementz.mark@yahoo.com Calling for 97 today,may add a 3rd fan this morning.There is a kin 12 feet on MV on the scorched 1723,possible candidate?   Wednesday, June 20 View Page Grafted 260.5 The plants are moving now!92 yesterday.Plants are small,but I think I will make it just under the wire.The next 5 nights will be over high 50s to low 70s.Should get them big enough for late June early July pollinations.I feel if I get them pollinated by July 10th.I have a shot a top five in GWG!Aint over till its over & the tail gates drop!But wait I drive a Cargo Van!LOL!   Thursday, June 21 View Page I may have to wear this to the weigh-off if these plants dont start growing.LOL!RAIN PLEASE RAIN!   Thursday, June 21 View Page Graft In 24hrs grew over 6 inchs on each vine,WOW!   Saturday, June 23 View Page Somebody told me to grow a pair.Well here they are my first limes from my tree my friend picked up for me in Fla.last winter.Both trees are covered in new blossoms so I figured they must be ripe.   Saturday, June 23 View Page Time to break out the flying monkeys.I think there here to save the scarecrow.   Tuesday, June 26 View Page First pollination of the year! 1723 Marshall X 1161 Rodonis used 2 males.Did one at 67 degrees & came back in 10 minutes & did the other at 73 degrees.7:30 am.Left both flowers in blossum,no reason to close flower ,no bees in Kin Cave. This is the plant with the most leaf scorch damage.I have some product coming from a good friend to spray leafs for scorch.I think I will name this one Jackson after my new grandson.   Tuesday, June 26 View Page I think Jackson stole grandpas shirt.LOL!There's always progress that comes out of conflict.It's AWL GOOD!   Tuesday, June 26 View Page Will be setting melons soon,plants a little small yet.with the next 5 days going into the high 80s & 90s the melons will fly,for that I'm happy.As for the Kin Cave will set up a cooling system this evening,lucky me I'm working 6 or 7 house's up the street for the next 2 weeks.Will run drip tape at 1:30 to 2:30 each day & watch for scorch on leafs.I will set up some new fan locations to get maximum flo where needed without parting the red sea.Will be setting the other 1723 & 1161 in this heat the next few days.   Wednesday, June 27 View Page Let the heat Wave begin! predicted high 80s today,90s for 3 days following & 85 on Monday & Tuesday.This should form some big fruit at it's infancy.   Wednesday, June 27 View Page Pollinated the the other 1723 Marshall.Not sure about this one.Has a big blossum end.Good? or Bad? used 2 males from the 1161 Rodonis.   Thursday, June 28 View Page Kin Cave starting to Fill with vines,I sleep in the Chair!LOL   Thursday, June 28 View Page The nice lady I'm working for asked me if I had a use for this bread rack.The wheels starting turning and I came up with this one day before the heat wave.Ma Ma always said I was sharp as a marble!I took the casters off and laid it sideways.   Thursday, June 28 View Page I cut this off one of the Husky sisters(1723s),My first reaction was to keep it but when I saw the seeds on the outside I culled it.looks like a Freak maybe I should of kept it.Oh Well Its done now.   Thursday, June 28 View Page My best friend in the pumpkin world sent me this just in time I applied it yesterday.We should hit close to 99 today! Seems to be working at 3:43 pm its 105 degrees in kin cave.   Thursday, June 28 View Page My first grafted melon on the 260.5 Should be ready to pollinate by the 4th of July.It's 7 feet on the M.V   Thursday, June 28 View Page 228 Clementz remake of the 291 cross.About 80 feet of vine .Theres a little melon out on a finger vine.Hoping to pollinate in a few days.   Thursday, June 28 View Page 98 in the shade today.Kin cave 105 in the shade.The melons are doing hand springs in the melon cave.WOOT WOOT!Getting some scorch on the kin leafs,but nit as bad as I thought it would be.   Friday, June 29 View Page 67 degrees when I walked in the kin cave this 6:30 am.Flower closed.came back @ 7:15 heres the 1161 Rodonis about 12 feet out MV.Starting to open   Friday, June 29 View Page 7:20 am   Friday, June 29 View Page 5 lobes!!   Friday, June 29 View Page 7:35 am fully open 74.7 degrees   Friday, June 29 View Page after 98 degrees yesterday and 94 predicted for today.I was advised to ice this baby down,Dang these kins are high maintenance.Kinda like some people I have known.Get me a chair,I'm hot I need some ice.My stigma feels parched,could you get me some chilled pollen?LOL!Dang I'm exhausted,if these kins aint 500 lbs by August 1st I may walk away and let the weeds have it.LOL!   Friday, June 29 View Page Oh I forgot to mention I pollinated the 1161 X 1723 Marshall.Three husky males showed up singing East coast girls are hip I really dig the leafs they wear.LOL!   Friday, June 29 View Page 228 & 291 both growing a foot a day in this heat.I hope to have males open on the 291 in time to use for crosses   Friday, June 29 View Page The 260 graft all the vines are huge the finger vines are bigger then the MV on the other plants.Its like having 5 or 6 main vines.The fruit is much longer then the 228 clementz WOW!   Friday, June 29 View Page 260.5 regular melon,has a small melon on it to close to stump.Nice plant!   Saturday, June 30 View Page I had 2 females open on the 1723 on the same day.This was the first plant I pollinated a few days ago,the one with the most scroched leafs.X 1161.They will all get pollen from the 1161 or the vice versa,I pollinated the 228 Clementz X 260.5 regular melon plant 2 males were used.No 291s males ready yet.That will be my main pollinator when available.291 about 4 feet & growing a foot a day right now.   Sunday, July 1 View Page I broke out the drop cloths,time for a makeover in the Kin Cave.LOL!I thought this might stop the heat from the soil & the weed barrier above will shade the new leafs.I will roll the drops up at night to let the soil breathe.My grafted melon didnt open goody goody, will be bigger on Monday to pollinate.   Sunday, July 1 View Page The 291 Kent has a male flower Open! Woot Woot!   Monday, July 2 View Page Doubled up on the shade cloth 6 feet wide is better.92 today will be 96 on Tuesday pollinated the 1723 X 1161about 15 feet on M.V. This is a great looking plant with very little leaf scorch Have a gallon of ice next to all the tree kins.I replace them every 3 hrs from 10 am to 4 pm.The Kin Cave is on fire Hitting 100 degrees daily OUCH!!!   Tuesday, July 3 View Page I awoke(5:45) to thunder & some lite rain,Praise Jehovah Much needed rain The month of June might of been 1/2 inch at best.I ran to the Kin Cave & cut plastic covers to put over stumps cut 1/2 dozen leafs off the 1161 to make room.The wind is a little scary.I hope this puts a inch or two on the ground.   Tuesday, July 3 View Page Grafted Melon 260.5 this is a first for me a male & female at the same place.Wow!I pinched the male off hoping it would encourage the female to open & pour its energy into the fruit.   Thursday, July 5 View Page Twisted sister! Storm went through at 4:30 am much need rain,timing perfect was going to water today decided not to yesterday as we hit 100 degrees in Flint.There was still good moisture in ground don't want to over water.The high winds were pretty strong as it rolled some vines in the Melon Cave.Thats a first,broken branchs in garden & a few sunflowers are broken.looks like 1/2 inch rain after a super dry June.Looks like I may get a day off as I worked the 4th on a deck in Brighton & spraying a house up the street.Only able to work till noon then its to hot to be in the heat.Then I worked the evening staining a deck on the east side of a home while the homeowner is in Alaska.mid to high 90s all week.Melon growers dream!Painters nightmare!LOL!   Thursday, July 5 View Page Kin cave after 75 mph winds went thru last night.I think it's hurricane proof 0 damage.   Thursday, July 5 View Page Melon Cave after high winds (75 mph)there were a couple rolled vines I fixed.The graft was untouched.No vines are staked they root in fast enough so no need for staking.The melon Cave is to the west of the kin cave so it took the brunt of the storm,shielding the Kin Cave.   Thursday, July 5 View Page Heres my Field kins 81 Wolf in front,162 Mack right side,150 Razo in back.They survived the storm untouched.   Thursday, July 5 View Page Forgot the picture! What a Ma roon!   Thursday, July 5 View Page Pollinated the 260.5 about 10-12 feet on mv X 291 Kent.Also pollinated the 228 X 260.5 Clementz on a finger vine 8-9 feet out   Friday, July 6 View Page 95.7 in the shade with a gallon of ice 6 inchs from thermometer.   Friday, July 6 View Page 95.7 This temp is at 12:30 they say it could hit 100 today,staying home to cool the patch at 2:00 by running drip tape & spraying down weed barrier surrounding the greenhouse's.hoping all my sets make it through this heat wave thats peaking today should drop to 84 by sunday.   Friday, July 6 View Page 95.7 This temp is at 12:30 they say it could hit 100 today,staying home to cool the patch at 2:00 by running drip tape & spraying down weed barrier surrounding the greenhouse's.hoping all my sets make it through this heat wave thats peaking today should drop to 84 by sunday.   Friday, July 6 View Page set another melon today MV on 228 about 15 feet out X 291 Kent.   Friday, July 6 View Page 98 in the shade in Kin Cave 108 in the melon cave,It looks like the 1161 is aborting to early to tell if 2nd one is or not others 1723s looking ok.one is the size of a bowling ball the other a softball   Saturday, July 7 View Page 1st on MV 1161 aborted,she asked to be cremated   Saturday, July 7 View Page This is all I could afford,spent all my money on Kin cave,SHES ON FIRE!!!   Saturday, July 7 View Page 228 Day 2 it was over 100 degrees in melon cave on day 1, I hope she took   Saturday, July 7 View Page 260.5 day 2 cold high 92 today,should be low to mid 80s all week starting tomorrow.Glad to see the cool down I hate the heat.   Saturday, July 7 View Page Heat wave is over 10 days in a row over 90 & 2 days hit 98 degrees,calling for low to mid 80s all week.Woot Woot!Still no rain worth talking about & none in the forecast either.   Tuesday, July 10 View Page Grafted Melon crossed X 291 Kent.This is the first melon on plant to open in a timely manner.Stump has a brown discoloring forming on the stump,starting to think these grafts dont like the heat,Squash like kins are more sensitive then melons to the hot days.If this does not look good by weekend I will pull plant & give the space to EGgBeRt JR. & Captain Marvel the II.There on fire with several melons going now!polinated the 1161 Rodonis X the husky sister yesterday about 20ft.on the MV.So I have 2 going on the 1161 hoping they take before the next heat wave comes threw mid 80s all week.Nice working weather.Buried vines yesterday on the 1723 Marshall have a nice kin going about bowling ball size.Still have hopes of hitting 1500 pds by Oct 13th.I think its to late to get bigger then that.   Tuesday, July 10 View Page Oh Yeah! It's dryer then a popcorn fart,Havent had good rain since May.pumping 1/2inch water a day on plants seems like it.s not enough.Seems gone the next day, its dried up & gone.If it keeps on burning the levy,s going to bake.Led Zeppelin tune   Tuesday, July 10 View Page Look at the stem on this baby 4-5 inchs long 3/8s O.D. Wow! 228 Clementz 239F X 157 Big hopes for this baby.Pear shaped just like the 260.5   Wednesday, July 11 View Page Yanked grafted melon out last night,flowers on females did not open on the first 3 fruit.then stump starting turning brown,to risky to be in the Melon Cave(plus yellow fleck in leafs) with the sisters.Filled a large trash can with plant(13X13) & hauled to the neighbors down the street to go with comm. compost.Poliinated the 291 Kent X 260.5 this am about 50 feet of vine on plant melon set 7-8 feet on mv.Did an Actinovate soil drench on entire grafted melon area.Will let the sisters have more space.94 days till weigh-off,lots of time .hoping for a hot(warm) September.   Wednesday, July 11 View Page Field pumpkins looking good.Put up 7X100 feet of deer fence to protect them.Found some mites or aphids eating on leafs broke out the safer soap & sprayed the bottoms of leafs.Good news will stay in the 80s this week,earlier prediction of 95 for Friday has changed.1723 Marshall growing a finger width at night looking good.1161 seems to be a slow mover on the fruit & plant,5 more feet to fill growing area,1723 has only about 2 feet to fill.Fingers crossed no more aborts.   Thursday, July 12 View Page Dang! Put up 100 feet of deer fence yesterday to protect FP.I was spraying field kins with Cal Carb noticed some missing leaves on the 162 Mack & then 150 Razo mv tip was toast along with 3 or 4 leaves.Then I saw the rabbit sitting there looking at me.LOL!I thought you ate enough plant the Merit should kill ya LOL!I ran him into the fence I was going to wack him with a shovel then I realized my daughter might be looking out the window,so I let him go.What the hell spend 67$ on Deer fence & a frigin rabbit gets me.LOL!I quickly staked down & buried the bottom of fence will be watching this closely as my wife saw a wood chuck in this area today.WE WILL HAVE ORDER!LOL!81 Wolf was unharmed.   Thursday, July 12 View Page Heat is back 88 today saying 92 tomorrow.I hate this crap!Quit work at 1 oclock came home & took a snooze!went back to work from 5 to 7:30 in the shade.The only good thing is the melons are cranking.My 2nd fruit on the 228 is pear/banana shape with a 1/2 inch stem,Wow!thats width not length.If the size of stem indicates the size of the melon.Im looking good.   Friday, July 13 View Page Day 12- 1723 Marshal X 1161 Rodonis ,Getting ready to put a more permanent base under her.48 inch cir.92 predicted today   Friday, July 13 View Page Heres the 1723 48 cir.   Friday, July 13 View Page Field Kins 81 Wolf 162 Mack & 150 Razo!   Friday, July 13 View Page 260.5 Day 9 mv   Friday, July 13 View Page 228 Clementz day 9, finger vine.   Friday, July 13 View Page 228 MV Back up for the first one Big stem base.   Saturday, July 14 View Page Day 13 1723 was looking home sick so I thought this might cheer it up.If it survives the heat the next 4 days low 90s to 94 predicted still no rain I will name it Yukon Cornealius.Placed cement board under delta material,& ran garden hose under the fruit(in place of drip tape) so I dont have 1800 pds sitting in mud.Call me optimistic!The power of positive thinking is amazing!   Saturday, July 14 View Page 1161 3 set on MV farthest one out on the right was pollinated at 85 degrees yesterday will see if it takes.Hoping the biggest on left keeps trucking.   Saturday, July 14 View Page 1161X 1723 about 7-8 days old 2nd one on the MV lost the first.   Sunday, July 15 View Page Kin Cave almost full,Used house water today to cool plants at 3 pm.Millpond was weed killed again on Friday will wait till Wednesday to use river water.dang rabbit is digging under deer fence & eating my Field kins.Silly rabbit gun is loaded his days are numbered.Will cull melons at the end of heat wave on tue or wed.Still trying to decide whos growing the fastest.There about 2 liter to almost 1 gallon size.   Monday, July 16 View Page Taped 1723 at 1:30 pm 64 inch circum.thats 16 gain in 3 days!Wow!Placed sand under to make sure delta plastic dosent form to shell didnt appear to be whatsoever,but will play it safe per advice from a good friend & great grower.Culled a 228 this am down to one fruit on the 228 clementz   Monday, July 16 View Page Todays Culls the 228 great shape both were on finger vines so I went with the one 3 inchs bigger.This is the kin off the back vine on the 1723 Marshall,I really like this shape but I gotta go with the MV fruit, growing over 5 inchs a day in cir. I hope I can keep her healthy.Using house water today thought it might be good to use some clean water for a change might help keep it healthy.Water is 25.00$ per thousand gallons.We call it gold plated water.LOL!   Monday, July 16 View Page Turns out the rabbit was a Wood chuck.Silly wood chuck ate some lead today.He ate about 1/4 of the leafs of all three FPs before I got him.I hide by the Kin cave & capped him at 40 feet,then I walked to the house singing Daniel Boone was a man was a big man!LOL!   Tuesday, July 17 View Page 97 degrees in kin cave today,gave 360 gallons of water to kins on 2000 sg feet of ground thats Thats 120 gallons per plant,with evaporation(fans) I figure thats about 90 gals.per plant.melon cave will get about 200 gallons for 3 plants.about 100 gals to maters & sun flowers.Still watering FPs with a 5 gallon bucket,they got 20 gallons last nite .Will run drip tape when the temps drop to normal this weekend.The cost of water one day about 17.50.I hope it rains soon.LOL!   Tuesday, July 17 View Page To HoTTTT! to play outside,so we decided to have Halloween In July!!   Tuesday, July 17 View Page Capped another wood chuck this morning,placed melons on cement board,will place delta material under soon.I couldnt figure which 260.5 to cull there both bad shapes.So I decided to grow both on same plant ones short & fat the other is a torpedo.should be interesting to see what happens.The 228 is perfect shape & plant is huge taking over Melon Cave.The 291 Kent is soup can size.My melons are 6-7 days behind last years.It's all relative to the season.OTT on 228 is 91.5 inchs 260.5 mv is 93.75 finger vine #2 on 260.5 is 72.25. circum on 291 is 16.75 It's awl good!   Wednesday, July 18 View Page Finally some rain this am coming down pretty good right now.Some thunder & lighting.Melons grew in 11 hrs 228- 1.75 in cir.inches 260.5mv grew 1 inch in cir. 260.5 torpedo on finger vine grew 2.25 inches in circum.capped another wood chuck this am there multiplying like rabbits.lol!Heres to the rainhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDbAtWpoA6k   Thursday, July 19 View Page Two melons growing on the 260.5.Lets see how big 2 can get.   Thursday, July 19 View Page 1723 Marshal DAP 18 days OTT 191=163 lbs.   Thursday, July 19 View Page 1161 Rodonis Looks like I might of got one to take day 10 or 11.   Thursday, July 19 View Page 81/162/150 Fps severely abused by a family of wood chucks Killed 3,?? to go.Will sleep with 1 eye open till there extinct in Michigan.LOL!   Saturday, July 21 View Page Yukon Cornealius (1723 Marshal)DAP 20 C=86 ss=65 ee=62.5 =OTT 213.5= 224 pounds growing 30 pds a day.Seems like a lot for a little fella.I hope she dont blow!!!Buried some vines tonight with Great White mixed in soil compost after I screened the woody stuff out.Compost from last years pile.90 degrees today felt cooler,humidity must be low.Watered this am with 1+1/2cups calcium,2 scoops Great White,1 +1/2 cups Super thrive,2 cups 0-10-10 liquid ferts.Just a small shot to keep her going,with about 250 to_300 gallons of water over 1600 sq ft.Shes a husky fella!LOL!   Sunday, July 22 View Page Dang Burn Woodchucks! They aint gettin my babys!   Monday, July 23 View Page 96 in the Kin cave today,rainfall past 2 months terrible maybe 1 inch total,keeps going north & south of us by 20 miles or so   Monday, July 23 View Page DAP 22 cir 93 inches slowed down to 3.5 a day.Shes a beauty!I just hope she's one in a million girls!A girl named Yukon Cornelius LOL!   Monday, July 23 View Page I think I have pumpkin fever haven't spent much time in the Kin Cave due to the heat.I have been taking care of Yukon & the 1161 Rodonis.I found this cull tonight decided to weed & trim some vines in the melon cave, this was abut 5 feet from the stump on a finger vine growing into the wall.How & the hell did I miss this??LOL!! I decided to cut it off as soon as I found out the other was a little bigger & this one has a flat butt from growing into the wall.This is 18 days old same size the 260 was on day 18 OTT=118 49.5 lbs This was on the 228 Clementz.So I guess I had 2 growing on both plants.Know we can see if the other gains on the 2 on the 260 LOL!   Tuesday, July 24 View Page Teaching my grandson Blake the art of hunting woodchucks.   Tuesday, July 24 View Page DAP 20 on the 1161 Rodonis I will name this one Jackson Reed after my new grandson.cir=72 ee=50.5 ss=52 OTT=174.5 =125pds.Nice shape she started slow not shes cranking I barely could lift it to slide board under.Yukon(1723) was repositioned a couple days ago OTT today is 237 about 304 pds.growing nicely about 30 pds a day.I know a plant can crash any day.so I'm enjoying every moment I can.   Wednesday, July 25 View Page Dap 21 on Jackson Reed (1161) cir 77 inches growing 5 inchs a day in circumference just like Yukon(1723) did,Yukon hit 99 inches tonite on circum.Something must be right,still no rain,forecast ed but not here yet!What the french toast is going on?   Thursday, July 26 View Page Heres the 49.5 melon I culled the other day.What a maroon!Solid as a rock.I had to pick her with 2 on the plant.I wanted Marv Mitchell to see this as he does a study on when the air develops in a melon.This one is 18 days old,no air.I watered 1/4 to 1/2 inch a day .once a day during the heat of the day to cool the soil & bring down temps in melon cave.Dang! I just shared another secret!LOL!I hope all do well growing this year I would love to see 3-300 pders,now that would create a buZZZZZ!!We finally got some rain 1 1/8 inch started at 2 am & still just stopped at 7:30 am lots of lighting & thunder, NICE!!!,If she rains more then 1/2 today I will cover Kin Cave & Melon Cave in 6 mil plastic.I have a 100 foot X 40 roll & I'm not afraid to use it.LOL!   Friday, July 27 View Page Decided to cover Kin cave with plastic to keep rain off stump areas & then some.I figured 1 1/2 is plenty,plus I was watering pretty heavy to boot.Did a Agri Fos soil drench along the MV of all 3 plants after plastic was up & ran fans all day even though it was mostly cloudy.This is the 1161 Rodonis doing 5 inches a day in cir.   Friday, July 27 View Page This my beautiful daughter Liz with my new grandson Jackson Reed.Keep in mind Liz is almost 5 10.Smoke & mirriors!LOL Yukon (1723) over 400pds Now doing 33pds a day on day 26.   Friday, July 27 View Page 1723 Marshall is awesome thus far(knock on Wood).101 pds in 3 days Wow! C=106.5 SS=80 EE=75 OTT 261.5= 405 pds YUKON ROCKS!1161 Rodonis aint to shabby either 87 pds in 3 days OTT210.5 C=87.5 SS=62.5 EE=60.5.growing 5 inches a day circumference now for 3 straight days.   Saturday, July 28 View Page Made the right call got 3/4 inch rain last night & 1/4 yesterday the middle 3/4s of Kin Cave was spared the extra rain fall.Pulled plastic off this am.calling for low to mid 80s for several days .No rain forecasted till August 2nd.   Monday, July 30 View Page Went to Ohio Valley patch tour.Wow! Quinns got some nice Kins going.A very nice job fed us breakfast & told us all his secrets.LOL!I thought I spent a lot of time in the patch.WOW!   Monday, July 30 View Page Heres Daves 1807.5 Stelts.I threw rocks at my kins when I got home.LOL!Nice Set up!   Monday, July 30 View Page Heres Jerry Snyder's Long gourds What a great patch he has.He won the nicest patch award,voted by attendees.   Monday, July 30 View Page What a great weekend in Ohio Valley & Pennsylvania.What a great club!Very well done as always.Even won some great seeds.Albert G Feller gave me some RAT training before I came home.Rodent assault tactics.LOL! Headed home to get back on woodchuck patrol.Learned a lot I hope I can keep them kins healthy,thats no easy task.   Tuesday, July 31 View Page Yukon Cornelius Dap 30 or 29 for some pollinated July 2nd.OTT 285.75=522lbs.OVGPG spring seminar said to spoon feed potassium to the kins to help release the calcium from the soil.I couldnt find a big enough spoon so I used this fork.I'm fork feeding them kins!LOL!   Tuesday, July 31 View Page Wow!1161 Rodonis is ALIVE!Grew 4.75 cir ss 3 ee 3.5 in 24 hrs)OTT 248.25 11.25 gain in 24hrs.thats 43 pds!WOOWW!!!I will check again tomorrow at 7 pm(same time)& see if its accurate.Its moving fast.these plants are only 500 sq feet,So I hope they can carry this long term.The 1723 slowed down a couple days from 33pds a day to about 28 pds,I noticed it was right after the heavy rains.Now the main vaine is growing much faster,grew about 2 feet in 3 days, it was crawling at about 2 inches a day.Now the kin is back at 32 pds a day lets see what the mv does now?Will hit plants in morn with some 0-0-22 liguid ferts.1 qt makes about 190 gallons of liguid feed.   Wednesday, August 1 View Page I'm just as happy as if I had a brain.LOL!Jackson Reed(1161) grew 2 inches in cir. in 12 hrs is now pushing 107 inches.Seems to leaning forward a bit vine kinking a little.May try to lift up front & place some sand under it.or not??Risky??.If it keeps up this pace it will catch up to Yukon in a couple weeks.Watering am now instead of in heat of the day temps running mid 80s to upper.   Wednesday, August 1 View Page 1161 Rodonis put on 10 more inches today(42 lbs.)OTT 258 about day 25 was pollinated on the 7th or 8th of July not sure.This was the 2nd 1 down the vine & I did pollinate the 3rd one on 7-9.Growing nicely.Sprayed all three plants with Actinovate 3 gallons in Kin Cave.Yukon keeping 32 lb pace going.So were at 552 lbs & 389 on August 1st.This has to be a PB for me.   Thursday, August 2 View Page The lawns are turning green after a month of brown straw for grass.If this continues a green August could make some big fruit.Hope the night temps stay up above 60.We had a family meeting to discuss whos giving up there bed sheets for the kins as there out growing there present ones.I guess I was voted to give up mine,as I found all my personal belongings on the front porch with a army cot & note saying,Enjoy your summer in the Kin Cave.LOL!   Friday, August 3 View Page (1161) Jackson reed pushing 450 pds today.This is the plant after the fruit letting the MV grow.Trying to enjoy watching him grow as I know the party could be over any day.Looks like she could use a little nitrogen but growing 42 lbs a day,I dont dare give it to him.   Friday, August 3 View Page 1723 Yukon Keeping a close eye on the vine stem area.As the Kin grows forward its pushing the vine down,keeping blocks under to keep it from kinking.You really have to think of everything on these babys.Yukons pushing 600 pds today,should go over to 610.I was sitting in Dave Stelts's patch last Sunday thinking.I need to go home my babys need me.LOL!   Saturday, August 4 View Page Sunflowers doing nice for a 2 month drought,that last 2.5 inches set them on fire!96 today in Kin cave in the shade,96 outside.No difference,just less bugs inside,& less wind & hail,Storms coming thru tonight.Still looking forward to load testing the Kin cave to 60 mph winds.I'm going to bungee cord myself to the 4x4s in the Kin Cave & do a Lt.Dan "YOU CALL THIS A STORM" LOL!   Sunday, August 5 View Page Yukon around 650 lbs this am,Superman is 30 inchs tall.taking measurements more often then weekly so I can gauge what & how much to (trickle feed) & water them.   Sunday, August 5 View Page Trying to keep this one healthy.Have had a couple fishy looking spots on stump & mv for 2 weeks now.Doesnt appear to be getting worse.Great Shape Round yet blocky.   Sunday, August 5 View Page I should of set her more upright(1161).To late now.Have dug soil out a couple inches to prevent vine kinking.Hoping kin will rise a little to stop the digging.I should know better my 848 in 2002 was dug down 4 -6 inches deep.If she continues I will free up a couple mv tap roots & use a cord or bungee to pull back vine.I hope it doesnt come to this,but oh well I dont think its bad enough to stop kin.Jackson is aprox 550lbs. this am.only 5 inches behind Yukon on cir.   Sunday, August 5 View Page DANG BURN IT!Rain missed us last night.I went out to water this Sunday morning,instead of cooking breakfast for the girls.As soon as I uncovered the fruit & turned on the water,it started raining.LOL!When I stepped in the house it stopped raining.LOL So here I set watching out the winder.Will go back out & try again.Noticed PM setting in in Kin Cave.Living with 6 women I can deal with PM ,not a problem.   Sunday, August 5 View Page The Kin cave in front 1723 Yukon on left end,1161 Jackson Reed on far right.There is 200lber(1723)on a secondary, to the right of stereo.Yes thats a wooden console 8 tack,vinyl record,AM/Fm Stereo.I found this puppy roadside said free.I play my * tracks to the Kins & melons,this is one of my secrets.They love old Rock & Roll tunes.The Field kins are front left behind the scarecrow.Pollinated the 150 Razo this morn.X 81 Wolf.Melon cave to the rear.Melons doing same pace as last year on same day 4 lbs a day.   Monday, August 6 View Page 52 degrees this am,55 in Kin cave.Lets see what the August cool down will do to these kins it's 4 days earlier then last year.I was hoping it would hold off a couple more weeks.Well who knows maybe it will lighten the disease presure.I will reduce water a little 1/2inch a day not needed in 80s,will do a 1/4 inch instead maybe 3/8s.Will soil drench MVS & stump areas with Biota Max this am.Gotta keep em healthy.   Monday, August 6 View Page Weekly gains Yukon Cornelius(1723) OTT 313.5 =684 lbs 194 lb gain 27.7 lbs a day Jackson Reed (1161)OTT 300.25=603 lbs.gain 299 lbs 42.7lbs a day for 1 week ,still doing 3.5 a day in circumference.If Jackson keeps trucking will catch Yukon soon.There both great kins.This is Patrick My daughter in laws brother.He was amazed, I told him to come back next Monday & help me tape them again.   Thursday, August 9 View Page OH NO SHES GETTING BIGGER! Anybody remember that commercial about the cracked windshields?getting a slow steady rain this am,no need to water.Both kins have 132 circums(aprox.750 lbs).Went last evening to Oreos place & got a load of Alpaca will fold into pile & age 2 years before placing in patch.   Thursday, August 9 View Page 1 inch of rain fell today,Covered Kin cave with plastic,there saying 2 more inches on Friday.Thats to much.1723 has a 133.5 cir. & 1161 has a 136.5 circum..The 132s were from yesterday.Will uncover Sat when rain is gone.   Friday, August 10 View Page Have plastic on the bulk of the Kin cave.Didnt cover the whole thing in case the sun comes out while I'm gone.Another 3/4s rain last nite,I can hear the patter of rain at 7:30 this am.Will run fans on low under plastic to help with good air flow & high humidity levels today.Humidity 100% LOL!Ordered some Eagle today some PM spots showing up.I think thats pretty good for a greenhouse setting.I would have expected it sooner then this.I always see PM by now(outside of houses)) in this high humidity State of Michigan.   Friday, August 10 View Page Total rain nearly 3 inches in 2 days,Sprayed Otrho Max on kin plants this evening.Will wait for eagle to arrive by Wednesday.Stumps looking good small fans running under plastic near stumps.   Saturday, August 11 View Page another 1/4 inch last night,expected to rain most of the day,I may uncover Kin Cave & let the last 1/2 inch do my watering today.Starting to build a 30 X 60 pontoon will float the Kin cave to the scales come October.LOL! Total rain over 3 inches now.   Saturday, August 11 View Page Here's the 260.5 twins,somewhere over 100 pds.   Saturday, August 11 View Page The 228 Clementz I think this one could be a contender if we don't have a cold September.   Sunday, August 12 View Page This is Jackson Reed! Pumping iron in anticipation of helping Grandpa load the kins this fall.   Sunday, August 12 View Page This is Jackson Reed also in anticipation of being lifted by a small army.Knocking on the door of 800 lbs,maybe a pinch more will do weekly gains on Monday.   Sunday, August 12 View Page This is what happens when your vine position is not perfect,you would think I would have this figured out by now.What a Dork Slap!Removed some soil & freed up some vine nodes.She was starting to kink.This is Jackson Reed(1161).Yukon(1723) is about the same size maybe 10lbs bigger.Will see how there growing after 3 days of Clouds & 3.5 inches of rain .Sun is back out today.   Sunday, August 12 View Page What causes this kind of splitting??Anybody Know?This was my other 1723 Marshall,this was growing on a side runner the MV kins aborted long ago in the heat wave.Removed plant from Kin Cave today.Jackson(1161) & Yukon(1723) both taped 332.5 today about 810 pds.Hopefully I can keep them going for 3 more weeks at a good pace then they can fizzle out thru Sept.Had to water this evening in Kin Cave was starting to look dry,hard to believe after 3.5 inches of rain fell.I would think it would stay moist longer from wicking thru the soil.Melons look solid no splitting in the melon cave which got all the rain.   Wednesday, August 15 View Page Sunflowers 9 feet tall(guesstimate),Green August cool temps all week.Good news & Bad news.Yukon is petering out.Jackson Reed(1161)is growing like a weed & doesnt know it got cool!,still putting on over 30 pds a day.OTT this am 343. 887pds gain 77pds in 2 days 12 hrs.only checked Yukons cir. about 141 Jacksons is 147.Been fretting the cool weather,I feel better now.Will do a check again this weekend on both for a weekly gain.   Wednesday, August 15 View Page Jackson Reed sitting on his Kin!1161 Shes like Mom.LOL!   Wednesday, August 15 View Page My daughter trying to do the Anne Geddes pose on Yukon.LOL!Yukon slowing down but I think he can land between 1000 & 1200pds.Would be a personal best,which is presently 848 lbs officially.   Thursday, August 16 View Page Yukon 1723 Marshall Split today,I suspected this was coming & she was slowing down.I patched her up with some bathtub caulk & inscect screen mesh.I would like to have it for the Grand Kids.   Thursday, August 16 View Page Patch Job! I doubt it will hold but might as well try for the kids.   Thursday, August 16 View Page OTT on Yukon 341.5 about 875 lbs.Dang Burn It!Now Only 1 left.Fingers crossed biting my finger nails!   Thursday, August 16 View Page This is a tribute to Elvis & Yukon they both left us on August 16th.They both split there bottoms in Michigan.Elvis in his White jump suit at the Pontiac Silverdome,My mom was there.LOL!Yukon was for sure a Hunka Hunka Burning Love!You both will be sadly missed.   Saturday, August 18 View Page Batman stopped by the kin cave today to ck out the 1161 Rodonis creeping up on a 1000pds this weekend.   Saturday, August 18 View Page Theres always some disease lurking in the back ground.But good will win over evil given time.   Sunday, August 19 View Page DAP 43 I think Linus needs a bigger blanket to cover this one OTT 1008 pds at 7pm C=154.75 ee-98.75 ss=105.This is a square block.I will be buying one of these to support a club this fall.Wow! Great thrill growing the 1161 Rodonis.I hope she holds 5-7 more weeks.Weekly gain 198 lbs or 28 lbs a day.Plant is only 500 sg feet.   Sunday, August 19 View Page Heres a front shot of Jackson Reed!(1161).Thats the main vine creeping along the back right behind kin.Shes a beauty!Hard to believe 23 pd daily average thus far.I need to go buy some nerve pills.LOL!   Sunday, August 19 View Page I was digging threw the attic today.I found this picture of my family tree.7 generations of Clementz's here.LOL!   Tuesday, August 21 View Page once or twice a week I go to the wacky tabacky store.I buy the the kins(KIN) a special breakfast.I like to mix it up a little this is this weeks special.I figure I would be spending 12$ a day on cigs if I hadn't quit so this is my stopped smoking for almost 8 years now gift to myself.Nothings to good for Jackson Reed both child & kin.This bottle does 1 feeding about 180 gallons.Now 1 kin is getting the water of 3 in the kin cave.I figure the roots are all together,so the whole 1600 feet gets watered.I better wear goggles in case she blows.lol   Tuesday, August 21 View Page 48 degrees this am in kin cave 62 in melon cave.Infa red turbo heater working great!Weatherman saying temps warming up, temps will go into 80s the next few days & nights back in the 60s by mid week.Will pull plastic off melon cave till next cold snap returns.To early to cover kin cave(disease),will start in mid Sept if needed.   Wednesday, August 22 View Page Stopped by this place last Saturday to see if there was anything in the store I had missed that would help my plants.This is a great store & Dale is a expert on soil test interpretation.This is in Troy Mi.near Rochester.South blvd & Livernois.Great prices Great guy.This is where Ken Sweet& Don VanHouttte buy there goodies. 54 degrees in Kin Cave this am.Heat wave came through.LOL!Watering Jackson as I type.Stilling using the 3 inchs of rain water that fell a couple of weeks ago.Reservoir appears to have several thousands of gallons left.   Thursday, August 23 View Page Pumpkin Fever getting worse.My wife says if I dont stop staring at this beauty I will go blind.I told her I will quit when I need glasses.lol.Should be hitting 1100 today.thinking I may have a shot at a Howard Dill award if nothing else.With a melon & FP or mater,maybe a grand exhibitor award.Getting low on Xanax will call for refill.   Saturday, August 25 View Page I think I will go buy a steak & do some grilling tonight.If I don't show up at the weigh off you know they were poisonous.LOL!   Sunday, August 26 View Page Starting to think my 1161(Jackson Reed) might make it to the end of season,difficult to type with fingers crossed.Not superstitious really.This is the main vine see hole on lower right.I came back from OVGPG patch tour and I thought I might have a foamer as a lttle sap had been oozing off the top of stump.Having been wiped out prior 2 seasons.I wrestled with it for a couple days then decided to cut hole in main vine instead of stump to relieve any pressure.There was none.lol!So who knows she was growing well into the 40s then.This might have been a blessing in disguise.   Sunday, August 26 View Page Stump on 1161 top scarred from washing first with hydrogen peroxide for 2 weeks,then alcohol a couple times & it hasn't returned since.It did keep showing up every 5 to 7 days for about 3 weeks.I think the high temps combined with water brought it on.went away when temps dropped to normal   Sunday, August 26 View Page 18 feet out on MV I measured for the first time today.   Sunday, August 26 View Page these are the old leafs on 1161   Sunday, August 26 View Page Sorry that was a loose cannon LOL! Hers the old leaf shot.   Sunday, August 26 View Page Hers the young leafs for September survival.I will post OTT this evening at 7 pm when I check the weekly gain.   Sunday, August 26 View Page OTT 377.75 or 1170 lbs.c=164 ss=109.75 ee104 Doing great! 23lbs a day 162 lbs for the week.   Sunday, August 26 View Page Dap 50 on the 1161 Rodonis.Is this the way to tape circumference??Anyone who knows there stuff please let me know if I'm measuring circum wrong.I was told largest circum parallel to the ground.Not necessarily exactly at the stem blossom line   Monday, August 27 View Page Sunflowers looking great! Set up my motion lites connnected to a sound & alarm system.If a stink bug farts I will know it.LOL!5/8s of inch of rain last nite.hadn,t rained since the 3 inches awhile back.perfect can skip the watering today.   Tuesday, August 28 View Page Ok! I got a little feedback from a exp grower who knows his stuff.He said I might be a little aggressive on my taping of the 1161.So I retaped today.If I measure in the bottom of the rib(ultra conservative) at the stem blossom line.I get an OTT of 376.5 it would be about 1161 JUST LIKE MOM!(tear running down my cheek)lol!The good news she's still growing 23 pds a day.My more aggressive tapping reads 382.5=1216 pds,grew 2.5 inches in circum in 2 days.Hoping to continue this rate 10 more days.The little kin that could!!!!!So Jackson Reed should weigh anywhere from 1100 to 1300 it's a ballpark figure,nothing I can take to the bank.Thx for the feedback It's awl good!   Wednesday, August 29 View Page Were almost to this point in the game.lol! This is the back burner baby kicking back at the beach.Shes 2 years old.All my grandkids get that nickname once the next ones born.Jackson Reed took her spot.lol!I hope to make this move in a few weeks.I just came up with a way I think will keep the 1161 Jackson Reed growing longer at this good pace.If it works I will share this Secret later.lol Wish me luck!The wheels never stop turning in this melon head.lol!   Thursday, August 30 View Page Jackson Reed is amazing!Keeping this for my records(not bragging)I cant go more then 1 day without checking circum on this awesome looking kin.cicum 169 still growing 2.5 inches every 2 days.Weather is getting hot again last night 52 for a low.tonights low 65 in the city will get about 60 here in the sticks.I'm in a low spot I can feel the cold rolling off the wetlands some nights.I did get an e-mail from a HH that my taping the largest circum is the right way.I'm in total AWE of this 1161,it's the best looking kin I have ever grown & right now its shattering my PB by over 400 pds.WOW!When temps cool back down the in fared turbo heater will go in the Kin cave for sure.Sorry Melon sisters.Your'e my back burner babys now.LOL!If this thing keeps going I will never stop talking about it.they will bury me with my lips moving.lol!Sleeping 1 eye open 1 foot on the ground.LOL!This is a side of Jackson Reed I havent taken before.   Thursday, August 30 View Page Heres my Field Pumpkins.Haven't seen a woodchuck in weeks,baited traps with cabbage.I caught 3 opossums & capped them to.I have some nice ones going.I hope to take to the scales.I'm letting them go wild I did cull a couple & position them on the vines though.   Friday, August 31 View Page Took OTT tonight for a August final weight 389.75 estimated 1283 pds thats 113 pd gain in 5 days.Jacksons slowing down to 22.6 pds a day.   Sunday, September 2 View Page This is Jackson Reed With Jackson Reed!DAP 57 OTT 394.25 1326 lbs weekly gain of 156 pds.Hes slowing down about 1 pd a day.Cantalouping pretty good now.These Jars are both empty plus 1 more 4 oz Jar I used on melons.My thought was to keep them healthy in our high disease area I have to keep throwing good stuff at the bad stuff & not let up.First year I have not had serious problems in a long time.   Monday, September 3 View Page Happy Labor Day! I was worried last week cause there was nothing to worry about.Problem solved this Dill ring has slowly came to the surface in the past week.I thought I saw a line there a few weeks ago but wasnt sure if it was a Dill ring.Let the nail biting begin the next 200 pds is going to cost me a lot in nerve pills.I just ordered a 5 gallon pail of Xanax.lol.Checked the melon sisters today the 260.5 twins are about 170lbs. & my 228 is taping 193 pds & doing 2.75 a day.I didnt get those 5-7 lb gains like last year.Oh Well.It's awl good! Any HH please shoot me e-mail & tell me if I should start planning the funeral for Jackson Reed .Either way I'm growing this next year..Really what do you think?   Monday, September 3 View Page It's nice having a day off look who I found eating my sunflowers.I just hope when the seeds are gone he doesnt decide he likes pumpkin or melons.   Monday, September 3 View Page Had grilled squirrel tonight smothered in my homemade honey dipped sunflower seed sauce.TASTY VITTLES!Sprayed insecticide malathion in Kin cave this evening.was pulling a few weeds where Yukon is still sitting, plant is still growing there.I found some clusters of aphids on a few older leaves.I sprayed all leafs tops & bottoms for the first time this season.I had only dusted with sevin twice this year prior to this.I'm glad I found these in time there were about 10 leafs on the 1161 with a few clusters all older leafs nothing on the newer ones.Getting dry again NEED RAIN!Aphids annihilated will check soon to make sure.   Tuesday, September 4 View Page I made a deal with the local Hardware.I told them if they gave me these 2 bottles of ferts they could display Yukon Cornelius.He seems to be holding up quite well.A good friend is coming over to load test the carrying ring on Yukon.The hardware has a fork lift to unload it.These ferts are normally 45$ a bottle.This will be a better send off then explosives.lol.1 5/8s rain this am,long overdue.Jackson Reed still doing 2.5 inches in circum every 2 days.Now 175 circum.Tall kin up to my belly button.The little kin that could.   Wednesday, September 5 View Page DAP 60 on the 1161 Jackson Reed.Will pull the sheets off slowly this am.(RAIN)Should hit 1393 today I wont tape till Friday.I would like to know when Jackson makes any big drops in gains so I may tape every 3 days now.Looks like Cool snap coming this weekend.Having long Johns made for Jackson.Went to a tent & awning store to have made,same place my fat sister shops for clothes.lol!Should I keep posting Diary on Jackson??or let it be a mystery at the scales?Taking a survey here.Please post your vote Markclementz@comcaast.net or send from my diary.   Wednesday, September 5 View Page Everybody who votes will be tossed in a hat to get a free seed out of Jackson & a set of melon sisters from last year.I will pull 2 names this weekend out of the hat.Thats assuming there seeds in him.either way you get a set of big melons.LOL!   Wednesday, September 5 View Page Reduced the Kin Cave to 26 X 28 they were calling for possible heavy rain tonight.This weekends temps will drop to 72 high & 50-45 at night.So I dont want heavy rains or cool temps.I think I can keep the good growth rates going with the kin cave.Poor Yukon is on his own now.I trapped & capped 2 wood chucks so I think he will be ok,they sure love that cabbage.The voting is mostly saying keep the posts going, though some are saying dont tape it on the posts.So I think I will keep the diary going but leave the weight a secret.I will however say if shes still going.Thanks for voting,I was amazed at how many voted.I want to thank all 3 of you.lol!Just kidding!Keep voting I will pick 2 winners this weekend.Heres the final OTT I will post the next one when its weighed or crash & burns.C=176.25 ee110 ss113=399.25 or 1375 lbs.I will keep posting pics.Thanks for all the great encouraging words.Even if Jackson dont make it.This was a BLAST!!!   Wednesday, September 5 View Page MY 162 Mackinnon World Champ!   Wednesday, September 5 View Page This is a 81 Wolf or maybe a 162 Mack will sort vines out later,SVBs have hurt these I treated with Bayer but it dont last forever.   Wednesday, September 5 View Page This shots for me!When I'm 80 I can look at this & say Damn! I had a lot of energy!LOL!   Thursday, September 6 View Page Pulled the plastic off kin cave this am.The storm broke up & went north of us.Oh well!Jackson Reed is ready for fall.I will be mostly covering & uncovering everyday once the cold nights start this weekend anyway.I found a caterpillar munching on Jackson this am.I'm glad I found it I would of guessed a mouse was doing this if I hadn't seen it myself.Quite the optimist.lol!theres grasshoppers & caterpillars everywhere.My daughter told me to take my shoes off when I came in the house a few minutes ago.I told her its only caterpillar guts it wont hurt a thang!   Thursday, September 6 View Page The drama queen sportin my Cherry maters.A 2.5 lber & 2 lber.This maybe as good as it gets.Thx to the dreaded blight.   Friday, September 7 View Page Here's the melon cave.I should have a bag over my head. 228 is still growing 3 lbs a day in the weeds!LOL!To weed or not to weed that is the question?Gain 12lbs since Monday.   Saturday, September 8 View Page Here's Jackson Reed getting his first look at Big pumpkins .com.lol.I was telling Chris Kent last winter what growing Giants meant to me.It.s like Christmas to an 8 year old.not knowing what you will get,the suspense magic of it all.I don't want to grow up.I'm a Kins R US Kid.It returns me to my youth,the magic of it all.WOW!Worth all the Walmarts & China.I saw a Twlight Zone episode that reminded me of this,called Kick the can.These old folks return to there youth with this childhood game.Thats what Kins & melons means to me.Like Eddie Mahoney.I want to go back & do it all over.Yes I can go back I know!Have fun!!It's a BLAST!!!   Saturday, September 8 View Page 1 inch of rain last night low 55.Cold snap for next few days then a cloudy mild warm up predicted.Will start using heat at night on kin cave,not melons.   Saturday, September 8 View Page Letting Jackson get some extra sun today!Svbs are gone for the season.I hope???lol.He's getting BIGGER!   Saturday, September 8 View Page The grandkids are ticked.I took there Barbie comforter.lol   Saturday, September 8 View Page Rolling up the kin cave(Ludvig Svensson) screen & storing for the season,will use 6 mil plastic from here on out.This will save a months wear & tear on screen,which over 5 years will add 1 more season to the life of the screen.Now the real work begins,pulling plastic every night & morning for 4- 5 weeks.I decided to give all voters a set of seeds for sending me a response to my diary post a few days ago.Thanks for all the great encoragement & support.Everyone will get 2-260.5s,2-228s+2-219s melons & 1 seed from Jackson Reed.No matter how big he gets 1161 Rodonis X 1723Marshal.Only one condition it must have seeds in it.lol.If it has a low count you maybe the only ones to get a seed other then clubs.Thx again.There were about 15 of you.please send your mailing address to me if you havent already if I forget please remind me in late November to send them.   Saturday, September 8 View Page Jackson Reed tucked in for the night,listening to some AC/DC after dinner music..Temp low tonight 51 which means about 47 in my low spot here.Heater set at 65 degrees.   Sunday, September 9 View Page The elephant thermometer reading 44 degrees this am.WoW! 7 degrees lower then weatherman said.Dont be fooled by city temps.We will be in the high 30s tonight.(there saying mid 40s)Will need extra heat in kin cave as heater only kept it 48 last night.Glad I tried it out early.Will place 2nd heater in tonight will run cord to neighbors house.lol Just kidding.   Sunday, September 9 View Page Weekly gain slowed down a bit,but still in the triple digits.Covered with 6 mil with 2 heaters going tonight.   Monday, September 10 View Page Gave Jackson Reed his breakfast this am.The medicinal boys use this to grow big buds.I'm hoping Jackson go's all the way & becomes my BIG BUD!.40.5 degrees in patch this am 2nd heater helped a lot.Should have warmer nights the rest of the week with days in the high 70s & 80s nights in the high 50s.I hope there right this time.I know what some of you are thinking if he pops a hole it will be in the low right side in the bottom of the rib.Fingers crossed.Ive seen worse at the scales.   Tuesday, September 11 View Page Dang! weatherman said low last night 54.I just read 45 on my gauge.Cool nights soil temp drops.It's all over but the crying!   Tuesday, September 11 View Page Weighed Yukon today tapped around 875 weighed 980 pds Wow!Went real heavy like 10% or so.This might bera good cross the 1161 as the male.Anybody want to grow it let me know I will go down to the hardware store & get the seeds out in a few weeks.Caulk Job holding up well.No STINKY at all!   Wednesday, September 12 View Page I got this Mater I think I might push it into a 3 lber at best.Gave it a shot of Orca liquid mycorrhizae & some Kushie Kush this am.The plant is looking rough but still has a lot of green leafs at the top & middle.   Wednesday, September 12 View Page Everything is big in Muddy Waters!You should see the guy who swings this hammer.Yukon Cornelius got a job greeting people at the local hardware.There going to have a guess the greeters weight contest.I hope he enjoys his retirement.It was fun growing the 1723 Marshal plus it went 10% heavy.I will harvest the seeds in a few weeks .1723 MarshallX1161 Rodonis   Thursday, September 13 View Page He's getting bigger!Oh NO! It's amazing what I learn each year from these giants & BP.I learned this year how to keep disease pressure way down,without chemicals.I learned to roll with the punches & never loose that shit eating grin.Ive even learned more the past 2 nights as the night temps returned to nearly 60 degrees.I'm seeing better growth,even with heat I cant make the plant feel it everywhere.(I think half the root system is outside the greenhouse.Soil temps drop growth rate drops.Massive ground cables next year??maybe??I told my wife that my Handyman service is starting to interfere with my passion.She might have to get a second job & get these drama queens working to support my addiction.LOL!Another cold snap in a couple days So it is what it is.No World records here folks.I wasn't really expecting one.I having my dream season.Will be tickled pink to be in the top 20 this year.   Thursday, September 13 View Page On second thought make that Top 40!lol   Thursday, September 13 View Page I'm a Idiot!! My friend gave me this pool cover to cover my compost pile,I thougT it would work better as a kin cave cover for heating at night.I never dreamed I would fall on Jackson Reed & end my season.Dang burn it!   Thursday, September 13 View Page Just Kidding!LOL Meet my little friend Jackson Reed,he started from a little seed.He grew faster then any weed,yes indeed meet Jackson Reed!   Friday, September 14 View Page The pool cover & I stole the melon sisters plastic seems to really be helping.So 1 layer 6 mil, pool cover then a nother layer of 6 mil.55 out cold rain.Jackson will play inside today the mid 60s in cave.I've got some cold wet melons this am,the sisters are ticked.lol!Jackson seems to be growing upward more the outward,Scary with the Dill ring & all.Now about 3 inchs above my belly button.I'm 5 10.Looks cool the next week.   Friday, September 14 View Page Still 55 degrees out at 9 am 3/4 inch of rain last night.No sun expected till Noon.70 for a high today   Saturday, September 15 View Page Jackson Reed! OTT estimate 36 inches =12.0 lbs .Took him to the doctor for his checkup weighed 14 lbs 12oz. About 20% over the charts.I hope his half brother in the patch does the same.LOL! The doctor said to keep pooring the pottassium & calcium to Jackson,he might be a Biggin someday!   Saturday, September 15 View Page Just trying the lifting ring that was made 10 years ago with the maximum kin in mind for that time.I think it will work if Jackson doesn't put on more then 200 pds.lol!I remember paying 100$ for this.Good Deal!   Saturday, September 15 View Page Looks like it's time to get the Bubba teeth out again.Dang Burn Woodchucks!This was my 7.18 Harp.I had a really hard time germing them so ended up with a late small plant.Next year I'm planting them where the FPs are now.   Sunday, September 16 View Page 46 degrees last night 56 in kin cave.Hoping this 10 degrees keeps Jackson from shutting down early.Weather man says its 56 out.lol!Kin slowing but still in double digits for daily gains.Weatherman saying 77 today.Will call Dionne Warwicks Physic Hot Line for a more accurate forecast.DAP 71 or 72?   Sunday, September 16 View Page 1723 Marshall refuses to give up.Yukons replacement could be 980 by Thanksgiving.Plant still growing several pumpkins   Sunday, September 16 View Page This is a old organic insecticide called Stomphard.I'm finding the male flowers with 3-6 cucumber beetles in them.This is keeping them off my 1161 plant,there diverted to the 1723 Marshal.Well bugs gone.No chemicals used.LOL!Very economical.   Monday, September 17 View Page I know what your thinking.Is this guy 13 years old??lol I try to be.lol I told Sherry yesterday.I got to get out here.I packed new sand around Jackson.I measured my melons,there growing nicely The 260 twins are OTTs 189 & 187 one fat, one skinny.The 228 grew only 1 on plant definitely blew them away.So I'm convinced grow 1 on a plant.So the drama queen & I go have breakfast with my mother & do some shopping at Target.I hate Walmart.I struck Gold! BUBBA BURGER!!LOL Very tasty!!Will buy it again.What will they think of next.I picked up the best sweet corn in the area & we had a great dinner on the grill.   Tuesday, September 18 View Page Jackson's excited with the weigh-offs coming up!Last nite had a warm one high 50s for a low 60 in the city.Keeping a close eye on temps.Will only be high mid 60s & low tonight 37.I bet we get frost for sure here.Will see at weeks end what affect it has on a young kin like Jackson under cover & all.Will spray Agri-fos this evening leaving plant covered this am raining out high 50s   Tuesday, September 18 View Page After a walk to the patch I found it 53 degrees for a low.60 in the kin cave.Only had 1 heater going last night with the higher temp forecast,I only had 1 going..I dont want it to warm in there,might find a mushy kin if temps are to high.   Wednesday, September 19 View Page Jackson's first day at day care.I said NO! your'e not taking him to strangers are you?Turns out I went to high school with the ladies watching Jackson.Well I guess till he learns to swing a hammer he can't go with me.I just hope he likes to work like Gramps.I come from a long line of hard workers.Seems to be a dwindling thing around here.I will have to buy a 4x8 sheet of plywood to take my other Jackson's footprint.Then find a big wall to hang it on.Things to do.Bizzy Bizzy BizzY!!!lol   Wednesday, September 19 View Page That nasty F word! FROST!! 33 degrees last night 1st one of the season.   Wednesday, September 19 View Page 4 heaters last night,ran a 100 foot 10 gauge cord to kin cave for a 2nd circut.Couldnt sleep for the noise of the electric metering spinning outside.lol.The temps was cooler then this reading there was a heater 3 feet below this thermometer.about 60 in cave.   Wednesday, September 19 View Page I lift the sheet every morning to check blossom end first.Jacksons getting uglier by the day.Hoping that means thicker.   Wednesday, September 19 View Page Still growing! I was going to wait & tape on Friday for a 5 day average.Someone had to call today & get my curiosity going.lol!~Got to blame someone.So I just did a circum only on Jackson,he grew 1.5 inches in 3 days.moving .5 a day I think thats good considering it was 33 degrees last night & we were in the high 60s today.Sprayed Malathion on plant.I have some special feedings planned for the next 2 weeks. today.   Wednesday, September 19 View Page Let the grand kids pick out there pumpkin today.There turning orange & we got a light frost last night.I dont want the deer to get them.They will return when they please.I was looking at my hopefully 3 lb mater & there was a deer 25 feet from me in the wetlands,big doe.I will harvest them & put them in the shade for the fall festivities.   Thursday, September 20 View Page Happy 22nd B-Day to Jacksons Mom!Elizabeth. This was 1997 our 156 melon took 2nd place at Pt.Elgin.Windy,Cold ,Cloudy raining reports of hail in the area.Plastic cover will stay on kin cave till noon today when sun comes out.   Thursday, September 20 View Page Look at this mega mater I found today!Day late & a dollar short.lol!4.3 Shymnski.Seems to be my best plant each year.I have a possible 3 lber still waiting for it to change color.I also have a 2.5 lber in the fridge for back up.May win some gas money to the scales.   Thursday, September 20 View Page Heres's the backside of my dream mater.   Friday, September 21 View Page 42 in patch 60 at leaf canopy top in kin cave.Just keeping records for myself.Need to know what turns the kin on & off.Will try to perfect the growing environment for next year.with visions of 2000 lbers dancing in my head.Still moving measurable growth over a 3 day period.Daily measuring would drive you crazy.No records here just a PB if he goes all the way.I may double my PB at very best.PB 848.lbs   Friday, September 21 View Page Found a better way to make that tape stick to the kin.Ma ma always said I was gifted.lol!Still moving just a pinch under a 1/2 inch a day in circum.That Dill ring has still got me wondering.Almost tempted to shut her down & just be happy with an awesome personal best.On second thought,crank up the heat & break out the foliars.Cool mid 60s today,calling for rain tonight.   Saturday, September 22 View Page Looks like cold crappy rain all day.highs 60s Sunday 59 lows 39 & 37 could get frost at 37 on Sunday night.Looks like no sun this weekend.Sun will return Monday & hit some low 70s this week,I hope I can keep Jackson going.May not even open gable ends this weekend.I hate not too as the humidity levels under plastic are crazy.(disease).It will be wet & colder then a republican welfare bill out.This is my oldest daughter Elizabeth.Jackson's mom.Just turn 22.Oh to be 22 again.If I were 22 again & knew what I know now.I would be a kazillionare!   Saturday, September 22 View Page Plant really starting to age   Saturday, September 22 View Page unburied vines   Saturday, September 22 View Page The young leafs starting to age also,hope they hold out 3 more weeks.   Saturday, September 22 View Page LOL!   Sunday, September 23 View Page 36 degrees last night in patch.Light frost All most went ass over applecart walking back up the hill,grass coated in ice.Sun is out high predicted 59 today.   Sunday, September 23 View Page I suppose you field kins are wondering why I ask you all here today??In a few we will line up single file & yall get to meet the King.King Jackson!lol!The King of this patch.   Sunday, September 23 View Page Weekly gain??If your one that voted to not know the exact weight?I's time for you to leave the post.lol!Just kidding.66 lbs or 6 inches OTT gain for the week.I'm hoping to get 100 more pds before weigh -off.I feed Jackson a 50 gallon barrel 40 gallons rain water,10 gallons hot water.bubbled for 1 hr to warm water up,Added 1/3 of a bottle Kushie Kush 1-7-17 plus some soluble seaweed extract 1-1-17 plus 1/2 pack Actinovate.Drop a sump pump in barrel & ran to kin cave like Forest would.lol!Watered under canopy & overhead as a foliar.was cold today 55 cloudy a little sun maybe 2 hrs total.low 60s to 70 in cave most of the day.Should get some sun this week.DAP 77 or something close to that.   Monday, September 24 View Page Frost again last night.Should be the last for a while slight warm up this week.35 in patch.55 in cave!Lack of sun yesterday made for lower temps in cave.Talked to a great grower ,he said the heavy cantoloping on Kins usually go heavy.I hope he is right.Also got my mind thinking my leafs look like a little more nitrogen wouldn't hurt.Will pick up some today.(Foliars)   Monday, September 24 View Page Potential 3 lb mater.haven't taped it yet,Just guessing the weight.I have covered the plant to keep it from frost,plus it's eating the same groceries as the 1161 for the past 10 days,maybe will get a qtr pd more before it turns red.   Monday, September 24 View Page Cantalouping!   Tuesday, September 25 View Page 45 degrees in patch.59(windy) in kin cave this am.Weatherman saying 53 this morning.(not here).Will water today with drip tape only watering every other day at best now.May dump my water heater 40 gallons into reservoir to warm water prior to watering.Will get some sun today high low 70s predicted.   Tuesday, September 25 View Page The view of the Hump   Wednesday, September 26 View Page Heres a shot of Yukons bottom.Now how doe this work?1723 Marshal weighed lite.Mother of the Marshal 1634 werner weighed lite.Yukon was at least 10% percent heavy with a green bottom.I dont recall ever seeing a orange kin with a green bottom.I'm hoping this rubbed off on Jackson Reed.If anyone can explain this to me please E-Mail me.Fingers crossed.   Wednesday, September 26 View Page Here's my 4.3 Shymanski,will be my best again this year.Not a PB but close.Started to look like it was changing colors so I picked it.Not bad for all my plants got some blight,I think it came in on my early girls we planted for canning.Should of left it on 1 more night.was 59 degrees in patch this am.Wont last long though calling for 38 tonight.   Wednesday, September 26 View Page Another shot of my 4.3 Shymanski.my 2nd best was off the 7.33 Hunt it weighed 2.5 lbs   Wednesday, September 26 View Page Got Jackson is first Bubba teeth today!A tear ran down my cheek.lol!   Thursday, September 27 View Page ADRIAN!!!!I dont know what this 228 is growing on still gaining 3/4 of a lb has a stem issue but has not got any worse in a week or so will keep watering the weeds OTT 200 now.weekly gain 5 lbs.If she stops will take to Dundee next week.   Friday, September 28 View Page Sorry guys can't make to any weigh-offs this year.I have to pay my electric bill.lol!This came today.Seems there's a higher rate on the bill once you go over a normal use amount.It's like .79 for normal 1.29 for the overage.lol!Those heaters say just pennies a day to operate X 4 = 38,700 pennies.Gotta go here comes sherry.lol   Friday, September 28 View Page The next time you see me I may have a black eye or two & be walking with a limp!Rolling on the floor get my butt kicked.or for you texters ROFGBK!lol!   Friday, September 28 View Page those rates are like 7 cents a kwh & 13 cents after 600 hrs it gets jacked I used 2445 kwh last month that explains the ATF helicopter hovering over my patch.They never saw an orange bud that big lol!   Saturday, September 29 View Page I stole these from the grandkids to fatten Jackson up for the scales another 500 lbs & the 2009s in trouble.LOL!   Saturday, September 29 View Page day highs mid 60s all week nights low 40s Jackson still growing 1/4 inch a day in circum.guessing about 6lbs day maybe.Stem in great shape.Speaking of the scales.I lost 10 lbs this summer working in the patch.Cant wait for Thanksgiving & Christmasso I can put it back on again.   Sunday, September 30 View Page I know were going for weight not beauty.I must say the 1161 Rodonis can grow an lite orange beauty or two.Still crawling 12 or 13 days to go.weekly gain in the 40s.Down to my last nail to chew on & it's on my big toe.Do I hear a big EWWWWWWWWWW!   Monday, October 1 View Page 37 degrees this morning a 8 am lite frost on roofs & grass.The electric bill is so big I will use for fuel to heat Kin cave!   Monday, October 1 View Page DAP 86 Was thinking this plant is looking rough.Then I thought it's October.lol!   Tuesday, October 2 View Page Jackson Reed liked the marshmallows so much I Thought he might like some of this.low tonight 50s.Looks like a few more decent days then the last week will be crap.High low 50s & lows in the high 20s.BUURRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!   Wednesday, October 3 View Page The back burner baby! Remember Brooklyn she was my watermelon model last year.I had to have a picture with her this year on my diary.She is sitting on the 260.5 on WorldClassGardening.com when she was 1.She is now 2.   Thursday, October 4 View Page Can you take too many pictures of these magnificent creations?If so I'm sure I'm there already.This will be our last day in the high 70s for a while tonight will be a bit cooler down to high 40s.Then its cooler for the next week.This is the west side of the 1161.She may weigh lite I have been told.Either way it's been I hell of a ride on the Rodonis express!TOOT TOOT!!   Thursday, October 4 View Page Shes really cantlouping nicely I like the dark green vein on the split on the left side of kin.I hope it's screaming SQUASH!   Friday, October 5 View Page Check out my bent pickle 228 Clementz weighed her today,Its heavier then mom if it can hold the weight for 8 days?Trying a new method of storing wrapped melon in insulation barrier then Saran wrapped the entire fruit will be 50s & 30s all week.Will see what she weighs at OVGPG!   Saturday, October 6 View Page Went to Harnica's weigh-off in Dundee today.I took 3rd with a 209 off the 260.5 The other twin weighed 190.Bill Edwards took 1st with a 229,Darrel Berry placed 2nd with a 213.Eric Proctor had a 202 I believe.Great time Nice people.Joe Platte had 1574 kin that won,Ken Sweet took 2nd with a 1449.It's the final countdown to the Weigh-off Oct 13th.Good Luck to All!   Sunday, October 7 View Page I went to Harnica,s Weigh-off yesterday.Quite a few people came up & told me they were following my diary.Some even said If I had a pumpkin like that I wouldn't take my eye off it.Then this nice lady was passing out eyeballs & spider rings & such.So I said this is some kind of Omen!!Wow!LOL!   Sunday, October 7 View Page Weekly gain 33 lbs.I slowed down on the water like 14 days ago about 1/4 every other day less the suns out a lot then maybe every day.I think we have had more clouds then sun the past week for sure.I will heat up a 50 gallon barrel of rain water,will strap a water bed heater to barrel for 3-4 hrs,to heat it up.Jackson dont like ice cold water.THE SHRINKAGE FACTOR!LOL!It was 32.5 last night in patch 48 in kin cave.Letting it cool down a bit,dont want to own the electic company,plus I think the cool down,might speed majurity & bulk the kin up internally.I need every pound as this kin could go lite.If its an air bubble it's still the biggest Dang burn air bubble I ever grew.Even 1400 smokes 848.   Sunday, October 7 View Page Warming up Jackson's lunch.Silica potassium soup!Water at 52 degrees will wait for 60 to serve, 65 would be better I will see at noon.Thats 3.5 hrs.Will build box for truck bed while waiting.   Monday, October 8 View Page Had to find something to do Sunday.Not in the mood to clean up the patch yet.Will clean when I get back from OVGPG weigh=off.Will take a month to winterize this patch.Took a drive, to buy a sheet of foam to go on kin pallet.Stopped by a consignment shop I found these new in box NIBS for 4$.I knew Sherry would love them.Always thinking of others ,thats me.lol!I sold Jackson for enough to pay my electric bill for the fall season.Will remove seeds the day I get home & deliver to a pumpkin broker.Hard frost last night I bet we hit the high 20s.should be high 40s in kin cave.   Monday, October 8 View Page 27 degrees on the elephant thermometer BURRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!   Monday, October 8 View Page Everything is maturing nicely this year.(except me)lol.The orange & lime were brought in due to the cold temps.This is my effort to grow the worlds smallest orange.   Monday, October 8 View Page This is my lime.I crossed it with the 1495 stelts,can you see the resemblance?lol   Monday, October 8 View Page Forgot the pic!lol   Monday, October 8 View Page Case closed for me.Fatty on the right 10lbs over the chart at 209 lbs.Torpedo on the left 6lbs. under chart grown on same plant.The torepedo was a couple days younger.the OTTS only 1 inch difference with a 19 lb difference in weight.Wanted to keep this for my own records.   Monday, October 8 View Page Gotta keep one of Brooklyn!   Tuesday, October 9 View Page Heres the hole I cut just after the OVGPG picnic your to drain the foamer I thought I had.I learned a lot this year,Next year if I get a little sap forming on stump I will back off on the water a pinch,was doing 1/2 inch a day at that time.Been told thats a little on the heavy side.It healed nicely.Just like my lobotomy scar.lol! I want lots of pics I may never make it here again.   Tuesday, October 9 View Page Had a visit from the Godfather.He Said look at the plant health this late in the game.Head tilted like( Marlan Brando)He said Handy Keep him going for the family.Ya have to to do it for the family.lol   Tuesday, October 9 View Page I'm thinking of entering this in the cantaloupe catorgory.Then I could shatter the WR.   Tuesday, October 9 View Page Cold all week,sitting here at 8:30 waiting for it to get in the 50s so I can open house up.Will be 34 degrees mid week at night.Jackson wants to be a ghost for Halloween.I think he's there.The ghost of a Sherman tank.   Tuesday, October 9 View Page What a great plant.I thought i stopped all growth a couple weeks back.She aint giving up.   Tuesday, October 9 View Page Everybody that comes by wants me to kill this fine specimen.Spiders are our friends.This is true organic insect control.Send $19.95 to Handyhomegrowns Fine spun friends.and you to can practice organic bug control.Hurry while supplys last.   Thursday, October 11 View Page CCCOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLDDDDDDDDDD! Like 30 degrees this am.Should get some sun today high 57 predicted low again tonight like 30 degrees.Maybe Jackson get put on another 3 lbs today.There will be some tough competition in Ohio I bet.I'm more nervous the Octomom waiting on the delivery bill.Down to just the small toe nail to chew on.lol!This is my uncle Jud in 1978.He is the one to blame for my kin addiction.in 1995 he showed me Ray Watermans newsletter offering 50,000 dollars for the first 1000 lber.He is 83 now will be coming to weigh-off with me & my wife this Saturday.He told me last spring this will be your year.   Thursday, October 11 View Page Look at what Jackson's wearing this am.I hope this is a sign.I figure till my diary posts exceed Jackson's OTT,I havent posted to many.So expect quite a few more.Just a warning!LOL   Thursday, October 11 View Page My daughter said Dad I know it's only 2 days to your weigh-off,but can we talk about something else.I replied NO! The next next few days is all about me.lol.This is the best I can do for ya.Take it or leave it.lol   Thursday, October 11 View Page Some friends stop by to get a peak at Jackson his last night in the Kin cave.Let there son pick out a FP.Good God Miss Gurdy what a gourd!   Friday, October 12 View Page Flat bottom girls you make the rocking world go round!   Saturday, October 13 View Page Had my best year ever! Jackson went real lite 1478.5 but still my new personal best by 630 lbs.Took 8th place.Mater took 2nd place at 3.63 pds.my melon took 2nd place at 221.5 pds.Field kin was 64.5 lbs.Best of all I won Grand Exhibitor award nice plaque.Great time!looking forward to next year.Thanks OVGPG committee You guys rock!   Sunday, October 14 View Page Here's the top 3.With a newbie in the bunch 1,643.00 Fulk, Paul & Cheryl Halifax Pennsylvania United States Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers Weigh-off 1381 Checkon 850 est Fulk 425.0 1,648.00.Themighty Quinn winns it all 1730 lb & a WR kin to boot.Watch out GWG he might start growing melons!LOL Tim Parks with a new PB at 1670 lbs.Congrats to AWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "I'LL BE BACK! LOL!   Sunday, October 14 View Page Looks like a twister came through & carried Jackson Reed away.Thats a 5 foot wide sheet of cement board.Been raining like the dickens since we were gone.One more weigh-off today,will harvest seeds this afternoon from Jackson Reed.Then the emotional hangover begins.LOL!It's been a blast riding on the BP express!   Monday, October 15 View Page FPS Look at the leaf condition compared to inside the kin cave.I think the insect screen plays a bigger role then I know.I used bayer for svbs,they still won over.PM wow!It started & spread quickly.The eagle could not stop in time.It was too late when it arrived.This is only 30 feet from the 1161 plant.My grandkids have about 15 big kins for the fall festivities.I will let each one hand pick there own after I keep the biggest for the weigh -off.42 degrees this am outside 52 in kin cave,2 heaters tripped a breaker at some point in the night.Still 10 degrees is huge.I will go borrow some heavy duty cords & get on a different circuit for sure.George Llyod told me "you sure are babying that pumpkin does Sherry get that kind of care"lol.I replied My kids dont get that good of care.LOL!Its awl FUN!!!   Monday, October 15 View Page I drove back to Michigan ears boxed tail between my legs.LOL!I thought I should end the season on a winning note.So I went to a small local contest.Must of been 300 hundred people there mostly kids.Ken Sweet took 2nd place with a 1436.So ending my season with a total take of 1775$ won in Ohio.340$ at Lions club & sold Jackson seedless for 500$.I'm in it for the money.lol!Spent 4500$ Winnings & Sale of kin 2615$.deficit 1885$$$.LOL!!!Love this plaque will take to trophy shop & have picture holder put over kin & will have JACKSON REED 1478.5 lbs. engraved on it.   Monday, October 15 View Page Sherry says she aint cooking for a month with all this food around.I should be quite regular soon.lol!   Tuesday, October 16 View Page The second to last stop for the 221.5 melon.seeds drying in the basement.Great cross 228 Clementz X 260.5 I will grow one next year.   Saturday, October 20 View Page The pumpkin season Isn't over it has just begun.Jackson Reed lives on.My daughter Liz wore this 22 years ago,now her son is wearing it.   Saturday, October 20 View Page Thought I should post some pics of loading the 1478.5 My new PB!   Saturday, October 20 View Page The Prize money for 8th place!& some for my mater ,melon & THE GRAND EXHIBTOR AWARD!Well worth the drive.What a great season Thx OVGPG!   Saturday, October 20 View Page Cant forget Uncle Jud & our first official 1000 lber the 1478.5 OTT 424 cir=188 ss117 ee119.went 10% lite but still a delight once the air bubble shock wore off!lol!Date started & pollinated is all in this diary .You just have to go back and find it.Anyone that on seeds in my contest if you still want to grow my Jackson Reed ,send a SESBubble to Mark Clementz 103 W. Sherman st Holly Mi 48442   Saturday, October 20 View Page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUteEurBtqU This is a tribute to Yukon who is still down at the local hardware solid as a rock.He is headed to a community center in the next town for tricker treaters to see on Halloween.I will try to get seeds if there still good.1723 marshall lives on.   Saturday, October 20 View Page Melons at OVGPG 2012   Saturday, October 20 View Page Once last shot with the tow truck   Saturday, October 20 View Page Doing what I do best Hamming it up for the news!   Sunday, October 21 View Page Had to bribe the little pukes into helping me,Cost me a Dairy Queen lunch & 5 bucks a hr each.We filled like 25 big bags with vines & weeds.Then a guy came buy whos been begging me to sell him a watermelon.Says he is from down south has family in town.So I sold him half the 209 split in down the middle.Was ok flavor not great.40$ for half a melon.He drove a way happy.   Sunday, October 21 View Page Mowed Kin cave with bagger on mower.Dropped a line level.the wet end (Low)grew a pumpkin 10% heavy.the high end (drier) grew a 10% lite kin.???the low end is about 10 inchs lower then high side.Will add some soil maybe 4 to 5 inches to low side.I will run drip line from center of kin cave next year,instead of from one end.this will solve the issue & help to localize the plants at seasons end.Live & learn!   Sunday, October 21 View Page Real happy with how easy it was to plow the kin cave.Plowed about 10 inches deep.Already had one end open to harvest Jackson Reed,so it was a breeze.Will send in soil sample soon   Sunday, October 21 View Page Heres the 209 Melon went 5% heavy The 190 had a huge air gap.& was 3% lite.I'm happy with this they grew 4 feet apart.water? I doubt it.Genectics on a fatty?? maybe?   Tuesday, October 23 View Page If you look real close you can see 2 deer.There real comfortable laying under the tree at 9 pm.We turned the lite on they dont get up they just sit there.   Tuesday, October 23 View Page Heres the yard Jackson Reed is being displayed at will post more pics after they carve him.Were having our Indian Summer this week will be 70s the next 2 days with warm nites.   Wednesday, October 24 View Page A few pics I want to save for my own enjoyment.This is Brooklyn the back burner baby!   Wednesday, October 24 View Page pulling the seeds out of Jackson Reed!   Wednesday, October 24 View Page My favorite of Brooklyn.   Thursday, October 25 View Page Look at the size of this Praying Mantis! I was painting my neighbors shed today.She came & told me there was a monster looking creature on the back side of shed.LOL!My friend Paul was over so we took some pics,this is the largest one I have ever seen in the north.Got me thinking a couple dozen of these in the Kin cave would work for the whole summer.   Thursday, October 25 View Page We let her go on a box elder tree.77 degrees today maybe the end of Indian Summer saying high s 50 starting tomorrow,crappy weekend ahead.weather wise,It's AWL good!   Thursday, October 25 View Page Here ya GO It's not easy being green!to The Pumpkinguru   Saturday, October 27 View Page Bagged up the vines & weeds in Melon Cave today 15 big bags to haul away.Sunny day cool high in low 50s.Prepping for a Giant Squash next year.   Sunday, October 28 View Page Check out Yukon Corneilus almost 12 inches thick the bottom was over 7 inches thick stem are 14 inches thick.I crossed the 1478.5 with this 1723 Marshall.I will be growing Jackson Reed in 2013.I pulled about 40 seeds out of Yukon if anybody would like to grow the 980 Clementz Uow taped 880.went way heavy.I may grow this myself if I can find the space & time..   Sunday, October 28 View Page Yukon the hulkster Marshall Nice!!!   Tuesday, October 30 View Page Our first snow on Devils night day!figures.Ok now the inscests are toast for the season!lol Even Rambo the cucumber beetle wont survive this.Sandy the hurricane has flooded New York,what a mess!picking up seed labels today,will send soil sample in this week,& add amendments next week.   Tuesday, October 30 View Page Put my seed label gals to work today!   Friday, November 2 View Page The lawns are turning green after a month of brown straw for grass.If this continues a green August could make some big fruit.Hope the night temps stay up above 60.We had a family meeting to discuss whos giving up there bed sheets for the kins as there out growing there present ones.I guess I was voted to give up mine,as I found all my personal belongings on the front porch with a army cot & note saying,Enjoy your summer in the Kin Cave.LOL!   Sunday, November 4 View Page Ok All the locals are asking what did you feed that big pumpkin Jackson Reed!Well here it is folks Squash baby food & bananas for desert.Wow!Potassium again!lol!   Sunday, November 4 View Page My oldest son Steve loves Halloween hes 33 now.He showed up & went trick treating with our grandkids.   Sunday, November 4 View Page Allie was a nerd.   Sunday, November 4 View Page Heres the whole gang.Blakes not happy,Brooklyn stole Jacksons Bubba teeth.lol   Sunday, November 4 View Page Jackson was a spider.   Sunday, November 4 View Page Jackson Reed sat on some straw,Jackson Reed had a big fall.It's all over baby.tear running down cheek,a happy tear what a great season.What a great hobby.We now have squash club.Hope to send some sponsors there way.Have plans to raise the height of the melon cave 18 inches this spring.Will toss old footing & replace with knee wall like kin cave.Will grow 1495 stelts in Melon house with either the 1002 Jarvis or the 1486 Jarvis.1495 will be male pollinator for all my kins,1478.5,1067 Kent.Only I think I will cross the 1478.5 back into the 1495 stelts.The tough decision here is .Do I grow the 1161 Rodonis again or plant the 1592 Platte instead.I have a good feeling the 1592 is an awesome seed.I'm thinking saving the 1161 for 2014.Any thoughts let me now I like a second opinion.The 1592 did grow my first unofficial 1000 pder I lost the plant, not the kin due to neglect on my part.Big wide tall kin 10% heavy.   Sunday, November 4 View Page I will grow melons outside.Will be interesting to see how big I can get them with all I have learned in the past 2 seasons.Look what Bill & Bucky grew outside!   Monday, November 5 View Page Getting the last loads of leafs of the year.These loads are better with less trash & mostly leafs.another reason to let them breakdown 2 years.You never know whats in here.weed killer & such.Grass clippings are best not to use if unkown.I mix my own grass clippings with leaves.   Thursday, November 8 View Page He is down! But he's not out!I heard that Handy can go 30 to 40 rounds!LOLOL!   Thursday, November 8 View Page Sherry says I leave the Halloween stuff out to long.I thought it was supposed to be scary!lol Cleaning the patch today.will be 65 on sunday.been cold for better then 2 weeks highs 45 every day.getting some sun today.taking down the deer fence & cleaning the patch.I love working in the patch even in the cold months.Its AWL GOOD!   Saturday, November 10 View Page Look at that head of hair on Jackson reed!LOL.Cleaned patch today 60 sunny great day.Took hoops off melon cave.Will plow tomorrow.Gathered leaves shredded from a neighbor.65 Tomorrow WOOT WOOT!   Sunday, November 11 View Page Removed hoops from melon house.plowed patch.Will build new knee walls & convert to kincave 2.will have 4 kins next year & 1 giant Squash.Melons will be where I grew the field kins with the deer fence.Will grow maters where the sunflowers were.May put a row of sunflowers on the road sde of maters.   Sunday, November 11 View Page Leafs on right are for 2015.compost on left looks like it should be ready this spring.I have a loader coming to flip compost & move pile back 10 feet & will push 2015 leafs & grass in there spot.I may have to screen compost as I am finding to many sticks not broken down.Will use chicken wire & screen sticks out.I noticed this in my melon hose this year.soil smelled woody & had small sticks stealing the nitrogen from soil.I wont get fooled again.problem solved.   Sunday, November 11 View Page Wow! Its dark at 6 oclock.Wow again! twice as many bubbles this year as last.lol Will pack this evening & mail out in the morning.I dont want to keep you two waiting.lol Only 6 months till planting time.Good Luck in 2013!   Monday, November 12 View Page I love this one!Man I'm in a good mood.Nothing could be finer!WOOT WOOT!   Tuesday, November 13 View Page First snow of the year to stick a little.Will send soil sample in today & add amendments this weekend.No cover crop will be planted.Will spend the next month trucking compost & aged manure to compost piles & patch.   Tuesday, November 13 View Page Yes I will spend the next cold month stalking & locating aged manure & compost like a Chicken farmer after a gang of wild dogs.Have you ever danced with a cow pie in the pale moon lite under a November moon?Its quite stimulating!lol   Tuesday, November 13 View Page I sent out bubbles this morning if you dont get them in 1 week let me know.I'm packing seeds tonight for club request.Somebody said there's more to life then growing giants.I dont know where I will find time to do anything else.Screening & loading manure this weekend,packing seeds tonite.Is there anything else?Blasphemers lol!I may bowl moonlight doubles on Saturday nite.9 pin no tap.Celebrating the big 51.It's AWL GOOD!   Friday, November 16 View Page Hello everybody!!!LOL I heard I'm getting bashed on the boards.I will not bother to even read the crap.See you soon at a website near you.LOL!   Friday, November 16 View Page http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s096L7ng4uE This song seems to fit the day at hand.One of my all time favs!   Saturday, November 17 View Page Boy these forums have really turned in to a Circus!lol Step right up folks see HANDYHOMEGROWN! The Freakiest KIN grower in the WORLD!LOL!Hey if you still want a Jackson Reed & some melon seeds,Let me know,some of the early sept.contest winners are just contacting me now.I will send to Clubs just need an address.Growers send a bubble.I have named the site that will open this winter at a computer near you.World Wide Giant Growers.Now I can put all my energy into keeping it fun & exciting with great new ideas for awl!I will focus on melon money the first year.There is enough kin money out there now.Grafting will make no difference 1 pot for awl.I will try & graft a melon on kin this winter.We will pay from GPC results.We will build prizes's for awl veggies.There will be a carrot club!lol   Saturday, November 17 View Page 2 year old horse manure will add to leaves to help break them down faster.   Saturday, November 17 View Page 2 year old Screened compost,looks clean but you can still see the tiny sticks & tiny organic matter.I may send this out to the lab to see whats in it.   Thursday, November 22 View Page Happy Thanksgiving! The bird in the roaster,time to head to the patch.Moving the compost over to make room to push this years leafs manure & grass clippings in for 2014 if ready then.I learned alot this year.Soil is key to growing a biggin,Will have it perfect in 2013.Timing of nutrients to plant is also key.and keeping plant healthy is a must.The screenhouse's take care of the bugs,this leaves more time & money for growing amendments.I made a couple mistakes in 2012.I wont do them twice.2013 will rock if you need help growing shoot me an e-mail.   Thursday, November 22 View Page Nice Sunny Day.60 out.Temps will drop tonight & stay cool highs all week only 40 this weekend & 36 for highs all next week.Partys over for the year.will work on new website & hit a few auctions.Have a great winter see you soon!   Sunday, November 25 View Page Wind finally Stopped,Will work on kin cave door wall today.Hope to put covers on soon.60 degrees out   Monday, December 17 View Page Its only a baby but worldwidegiantgrowers.com is born!Time to celebrate the Grand Opening!   Saturday, December 29 View Page Testing Testing!! Had to buy a new camera.The old one puked at 1 & 1/2 years.I'm glad I bought the 2 year warranty.It wont load new pic on diary.trying this old photo to see if it would load.2012 kin cave!   Sunday, December 30 View Page Testing! Changed photo size,I made the local paper twice this year!2012 Rocked!!!!!!!!!   Monday, December 31 View Page Wheres Waldo? I named one of these seeds Waldo.Which one?lol!Testing! Went back to K-mart & swapped camera just testing photo size here.BTW this is the 209 Clementz(grew 2 melons on 1 plant a 190 & 209) 260.5 X 291 Kent.This will be a Hot cross.If you want some seeds let me know.Mark@worldwidegiantgrowers.com