Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 114 Entries. Sunday, January 1 View Page My lil monster at 3 months old... was just told seeds won't see soil for a few months.   Tuesday, January 3 View Page Technically, the patch is going to even be more shaded this year unless all the big peripheral trees shrank instead of grew. If I can match a sight like this from August last year, I'll be content.   Friday, January 6 View Page Same shot but on 1/06/2012. Was hoping to get some amendments tilled into the patch with prime weather, but my siblings from Illinois are coming down for the weekend. They don't recognize sleep as a function and like to party, so doubtful.   Thursday, January 12 View Page Wife: "Luke, why are you outside in 15 degree weather playing with a scarecrow and drinking beer? The neighbors already won't make eye contact when we walk the baby and dogs." Me: "It's Winter, and that's what I do."   Thursday, January 26 View Page The Dude, now sitting just under 4 months ready to go this spring.   Saturday, January 28 View Page Me and some buddies went fishing (in the morning) and shooting (afternoon) with our last friend to get married as a post bach party. This Smallie will not be used in the garden.   Saturday, January 28 View Page More good times today. Buddy getting married is on the left and he was the only one to get skunked by fish.   Monday, February 6 View Page Any organic growers out there, please email me. I have some questions as I am thinking about not using all the pesticides and fungicides I typically use.   Friday, February 10 View Page Thanks Glenna for the email and chart. I think I'm going with Actinovate, Biota Max and Rootshield to keep the plants healthy. I'll spray with Act. SP and milk (thanks Anthony) - no synthetic fungicides this year. I'm going to do a drench of Imidacloprid every 30 days or else I am convinced I will lose to vine borers which have 2 full cycles here, and I've seen them as late as early Sept. I won't be using and synthetic contact insecticides and am looking for natural alternatives.   Friday, February 10 View Page Woops, thanks Jorg for the emails too!   Monday, February 13 View Page Not too much snow, but it came down hard while it lasted. Patch is in the background. The Dude was not impressed. Weather is supposed to get nice next week, and time to get started.   Wednesday, February 29 View Page Threw out all my left over contact and systemic pesticides and spot and systemic fungicides. Trying new methods this year, let's hope it works!   Monday, March 5 View Page Dear Wiz, I went down to the Mayan ruins in search of great pumpkin secrets. After 8 hours of climbing through jungle and with no luck, I did what I do best...   Monday, March 5 View Page this...   Monday, March 5 View Page this...   Saturday, March 10 View Page Ok Ok, the real photo from the above. LMAO. I was in no form to climb anything that day.   Friday, March 16 View Page Damn, I'd give up a World Series any day just for Mizzou not to choke and win a national title. Shock and aww...   Saturday, March 17 View Page Well, the sun did rise today after that loss so enough complaining. Spring is in full mode, and patch is ready to go.   Monday, March 19 View Page Almost 6 months old ready to fish in the Ozarks and work pumpkins.   Saturday, March 24 View Page Went to 4 x 4 this year... still no Shazzer-dome. Hey Wayne, what's too early about this pic, but a great sign for things to come? Hint: I composted my kins in the patch last fall. lol   Saturday, March 24 View Page My Dad back in the early 80's outside our house in Southern Illinois. He grew pumpkins when I was young, and I wish I had pics. My kid should have plenty.   Thursday, March 29 View Page I am growing 2 plants this year, and this is one of them being my own 11 time World Series Champions... I mean the 525 Puricelli (1059 VMG x 1165 Marsh). As for the other, I cannot decide between the 1723 Marshall or the 1244 Rea. Either way, both will see tons of soil in other patches of growers far more experienced than me.   Tuesday, April 3 View Page Pic taken today, and look at the link below and check out the difference on 04/03 this year compared to same pic on 04/03 last year... wow! I am starting real soon. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=152763   Tuesday, April 10 View Page Started two 525 Puricelli's and the 1244 Rea on 04/09. I had been using a cooler as my germination chamber in the past. This year I went high tech and built an all foil thermo-capsule that sits on a heat mat. If it gets too cool, I pull the roof forward, if too warm I pull it back. I have the blue print for this bad boy if interested, and I attribute it's design to all the advanced physics and architecture classes I took in school. Total build time: 48 seconds. Materials needed: foil and duct tape.   Saturday, April 14 View Page Well my 525s are up and going. My 1244 Rea had a club root so I started another. Hopefully it germs, and if not I'll grow a 1723. Since I have over four hundred 525s, I started a few additional ones to pick the strongest, and to have my plants all the same age.   Sunday, April 22 View Page Going orange this year cause I can't go big due to trees. 1244 in prime spot on left and the 525 Puricelli on right.   Sunday, April 22 View Page Here you go Glenn, spaceships have landed. Season now in full swing.   Saturday, May 5 View Page Dadgummit Dale, I need some bench working lessons. Patch bench is a little lopsided...   Tuesday, May 8 View Page Leader vines wants to lay down, but something ate the tip off both my plants leaving nubs. I have chicken wire around each plant and scented repelent. Rat traps set out this evening to hopefully break the backs of whatever mouse\chipmunk etc did this.   Tuesday, May 8 View Page 1244 and the nub where there were 2 other emerging leaves. The intruder has struck 2 days in a row on both plants. It attacks all new growth and then leaves it on display for me to find.   Saturday, May 12 View Page Redneck tick repellent.   Saturday, May 12 View Page Birdhouse gourd on right (thanks Erik) and The Boz 2nd from right (thanks Glenna), and some just for fun other varieties.   Tuesday, May 15 View Page My 525 off and going. Problem is that it's a double vine.   Tuesday, May 15 View Page The 1244 off and going even further. Problem is the rodents keep removing the leaves.   Friday, May 18 View Page Anyone have any idea why all new leaves are like this pee yellow compared to the old green ones? Virus?   Friday, May 18 View Page It's on both my plants... never have see this with new growth very yellow almost a neon yellow.   Sunday, May 20 View Page Here is my 525 after hit with Roundup. 1244 got the worst of it.   Sunday, May 20 View Page The tip is completely burnt out, so here are potential spots to cut and let a new healthy secondary become the main? Never have done that before so advice would be appreciated.   Monday, May 21 View Page After work today, I realized I have zero healthy secondaries, so now I have about 1 foot of main vine to where it was terminated with 2 leaves and zero secondaries or any growth for that matter. I am going to give them a few days to bud out a new vine, and if not pull them. That way I can have a grass lawn by mid June.   Tuesday, May 22 View Page Here is what is left of the 1244 at the severed main after I removed about 4 feet of infected/dead plant, but there is life in the red circle. What is the best way to have this new bud be the new main? Do I need to cut back to that budding area? Please email me with ideas.   Tuesday, May 22 View Page Another look at the healthy bud. If I cut back to it, I will lose the 2 big leaves left, but from what I have read, you need to cut back to the area to be the new main vine?   Thursday, May 24 View Page Look what I got in the mail today from Ohio. Cheers to nice people like Cntryboy and his family. They were kind enough to let me send them some of my 525 seeds this winter, germinate them in April, wait for me\my wife to kill my plants with Roundup, and kindly send one back to me so I can have a season. Thanks again Cecil, Johnathan and Teresa!   Saturday, June 9 View Page 525 mailed from Cntryboy is filling in well. Thx again! Field pumpkins and "The Boz" at about a foot each and doing well. This pic is for Missouri Longbeard since it was just east of his backyard.   Sunday, June 10 View Page Patch protectors under rigorous training to continuously chase the chipmunks out.   Tuesday, June 12 View Page My 525 Puricelli... 2nd round. This is still smaller than the original 525 that was killed in mid May. I'm very behind but determined.   Sunday, June 17 View Page 525 Puricelli sits at about 7 feet now and is really growing fast. The Boz variety pumpkin from Glenna is about 4 feet along with 2 field pumpkin plants. Pics of plants to follow once worthwhile, but until then some Ozark fun from this weekend.   Monday, June 18 View Page The heat is on! Weather has been nice but looks like upper 90's to 100 for the rest of the week. I can't complain though, compared to last year, the storms have been well timed and mild. 525 is averaging close to a foot a day, so an early July pollination looks possible.   Thursday, June 21 View Page Patch shot. I have about 1/4 of the green populated in that cell compared to last year.   Thursday, June 21 View Page My own 525 Puricelli est. Cntryboy mailed me after my plants were killed in mid May. It's about 11 feet and not throwing secondaries... hmmm? Leaves look good though.   Thursday, June 21 View Page Glenna, 2 pics back, that would be The Boz in the back left. I'm ready to grow that bowling ball for a display.   Saturday, June 23 View Page Had to call in the 9 month old special forces to help me get the plant really going.   Saturday, June 23 View Page Darren, email me. This guy will take down any problem you have.   Thursday, June 28 View Page And I am supposed to pollinate tomorrow. lol. It's hotter than Death Valley here the next 10 days. 90's would be cool.   Friday, June 29 View Page I guess she couldn't take net 215 degrees of highs in 2 days... lmao, you think she'll take? I have another a couple feet down and should blossom once this heat wave ends or at least in the 90's. That only means more real estate behind the fruit. I still have a good feeling.   Saturday, June 30 View Page After losing the above to the heat, I figured out shading won't cut it. I'll hopefully pollinate this guy within the week.   Saturday, June 30 View Page Chris from Cal, if you shade your plant with your kid's swim pool, you might be a redneck. The tent is covering 5 new secondaries that popped and their new growth. All new leaves smaller than my hand that were exposed in the +106 heat the past couple days dried up. This should help quite a bit.   Sunday, July 1 View Page I like this new setup. It's 102 outside the cooler, and 88 inside. I have a hole on top and some rebar going through to hold the rig in place. My only concern is will constant shade have an affect on it blossoming. I had to use a cooler because I can't make it home in time before the ice melts each day (to change it out). The cooler will hopefully give me that much needed time.   Tuesday, July 3 View Page Note to other growers in heat and sun: if using a method similar to mine above, don't use bricks! You'd think I was a reptile exhibit worker at the zoo supplying heat rocks for reptiles with full bellies to sun on let alone cool a pumpkin... LMAO.   Wednesday, July 4 View Page Had 2 more aborts and really need a day in the 90's. And being 103,105,104,100 the next few days, this is becoming exhausting and all efforts might be futile. Abandoning cooler method and moving on... Smallmouth down... at least until next week.   Thursday, July 5 View Page 1 DAP on this beautiful 5 lober. Still not sure if it took. I am really liking it's shape, so I'll give it a couple more days.   Thursday, July 5 View Page We are also having one of the driest May\Junes on record with along with record temps. With this, I have had one huge benefit... NO bugs. No skeeters, no vine borers, no cuke beetles. I haven't seen anything in a month around my plants. There is still hope... http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2012/07/04/how-columbias-wildlife-suffers-extreme-heat/   Thursday, July 12 View Page CHHH CHHH CHHH, HA HA HA HA... just my luck to have my first pollination Friday the 13th. At least now I got a pony in the race.   Thursday, July 12 View Page Workin with the headlamp again after dark. Now it's getting fun! Here's the 525 Puricelli plant... this thing is growing insanely fast and already 400 square feet roughly while it was 100sq feet just two weeks ago.   Saturday, July 14 View Page The above pic turned out to be a 5 lober which was pollinated 7/13 on the first secondary, and doubled in size over night. Here we go!   Saturday, July 14 View Page Chris and Dale, ya both are rednecks if you're already planning on using your pumpkin stumps as firewood this fall.   Sunday, July 15 View Page My 525 Puricelli Est will be an 800 square foot plant within 2 weeks... biggest I have ever had. I have a 3 day old on the first side vine and one ready to go tomorrow 25 feet out on the main. On the left is the Boz variety and a field pumpkin plant. The Boz has a 3 day old as well about the size of a tennis ball.   Monday, July 16 View Page 3 DAP on 525 Puricelli side vine. I already like this round shape since I grow for orange and potential H.D award. We will see if this takes or the one on the main does with temps hitting 105 by Wed.   Wednesday, July 18 View Page The above aborted yesterday after a heat index of 104. I have one 2 day old left but getting up to 106 today. I have a 12 foot canopy up over the 2 DAP, fans running, and gallons of ice water around it. Hopefully she can hold on! I feel terrible for the farmers and those who live off growing through out the lower midwest. As for Missouri, all 114 counties have been declared a natural disaster area due to drought and heat.   Wednesday, July 18 View Page Here's a near 800 square foot plant in 110 heat index. I'm doing all I can to set one, but they abort every time it gets over 103. Hopefully this works, if not I will be forced to pull the plant due to irrigation costs of keeping this salad alive. Is it 5 oclock somewhere yet?   Thursday, July 19 View Page 106 yesterday and 104 today in Saint Louis means everything aborted again. Supposed to have a cool front and be in the 90's tomorrow, but no room or females left. Good luck to most, and hopefully I will attend a weighoff sometime in my life if I can justify growing again. In the words of Paul F... dammit!   Friday, July 20 View Page After some words of encouragement, I decided to go for it and reincarnate the over heated aborts with a little TLC.. kinda like a ghost pumpkin. Here's my best one 12 DAP. It's a slow grower, and might not be a Howard Dill candidate anymore, but I have a good feelin' about this bad boy!   Sunday, July 22 View Page Not sure what this variety is, but it has a history and is called The Boz. Linus would probably know. Hard to tell here, but has some stripes coming in. Glenna sent it to me, and I thinks Brooks B originally grew it. The Boz has proven to be a haus surviving multiple days +105 so all is not lost with this season!   Sunday, July 22 View Page There is a tad of hope. Up where the chairs and sheets are lie a couple females I overlooked and almost buried. Maybe one will take but it will be over 100 all week. If not, I have decided to let a secondary grow in to the yard and I will pollinate in August. Too much time and effort was put in to quit now even if I just get a couple hundred pounds.   Monday, July 23 View Page Pollinated a five lober this morning on a side vine... praying for a miracle cause temps back up to 105 today through Wednesday.   Monday, July 23 View Page That's Kirkwood\Saint Louis at 106 (545 pm)... another midwest burning. Southern states cool. If my pollination from this morning takes, I'll be as happy as a puppy with two peters!   Tuesday, July 24 View Page St Louis according to this map is 104 degres at 715 pm and second hottest place in country behind Death Valley... pumpkin pollinated yesterday is still growing! I terminated the main and most secondaries so am wondering if that is preventing the abort in this exrtreme heat. Same drill tomorrow at 105 with index of 112. Temps back into 90's Thursday.   Thursday, July 26 View Page 3 DAP and growing well pollinated on a secondary in a distant galaxy. It was pollinated on a 107 degree day, followed by a 106 amd another 107. Temps are in 90's now, but I really dislike the shape.   Friday, July 27 View Page That's a lot of plant for me with almost everything terminated for that little 4 day old up front (far out on a secondary). Chris, that's my tert cutter in the foreground as I didn't lay enough boards out compared to last year... long stick, pocket knife and duct tape. You know the saying...   Saturday, July 28 View Page For Glenna, this is the Boz variety that gets little water at all, but still growing. Little Marco turned 10 months today and says thanks!   Monday, July 30 View Page Pollinated a 5 lober on a far out secondary today. Removed about 10 feet of the already terminated main at that secondary, so it is the new main now. I have some hope as I saw Brooks grew over 1K on a an 1161 that was pollinated 07/29 in 2010.   Thursday, August 2 View Page 10 DAP - only 25 CC. Not sure about the wrinkles either. Maybe it's okay, but just not what I am used to. I like em lookin' like they might blow any minute!   Saturday, August 4 View Page Backup at 6 days old and 16CC. I brought out the special 24 oz juice for this guy.   Monday, August 6 View Page All abort!!   Monday, August 6 View Page Is this even worth trying being crooked? I'd like to, and if anyone has thoughts on me growing it for just 60 days let me know.   Friday, August 10 View Page Going fishing tomorrow. Problem is I am going back to this spot, and this is what I ame across last time I was on this particular Ozark River. Great Smallmouth, but strange company. Note, I am not in this pic and was unfortunate enough to take it.   Friday, August 10 View Page Another backup that is out growing the crooked one above. Day 7 and 21 CC... just started doing 4 a night. Probably the keeper if it's above 30 CC day 10. Plant is still in great shape after using less of the heavy chemicals this year.   Sunday, August 12 View Page For those that ask about "heavy hitters" and wanting pics, check out the Shazz diary. Wow, keep that beast going.   Monday, August 13 View Page 10 DAP and 31 CC. First normal one I have had without wrinkles or with a real bad shape. I think it is because of nice temps now after 6 weeks of 95-108 which caused many aborts and abnormalities. I have limited time, so any thoughts on how to push it, let me know. Right now I am just using 0-10-10, humic, kelp, and Neptunes.   Sunday, August 19 View Page The Boz variety   Sunday, August 19 View Page Finally got some field pumpins to take with the great weather. I haven't grown these in a few years, but remember them being dark green?   Monday, August 20 View Page 17 DAP and 56 CC, puting on 5 inches a day now. It has some deep creases and start of a dill ring. Any chance something with ribs this deep goes 60 days? I hope so!   Sunday, August 26 View Page Went fishing for 3 days and got back finding plant in good health. The Bucketmouth (1 seen below) we caught just don't fight like the Smallmouth I am used to so I won't be changing my name any time soon. Day 23 for my 525 @75CC   Wednesday, August 29 View Page 26 DAP and about 200 pounds. Patch only gets 4 hours of sunlight this time of year due to huge trees. At least I got something after a tough go in June\July. Pollinated Aug 3rd.   Wednesday, August 29 View Page And pollinated about 10 feet out on a secondary about 20 feet out from the stump. lol   Friday, August 31 View Page Finally, now that is what you call a drought buster! They are calling for up to 7 inches of rain in St Louis before Sunday. The entire state of Missouri is covered from the remnants of Hurricane Issac. Pumpkin is covered with a blanket and heavy tarp. Rivers will rise, fish will start moving and beer will flow.   Friday, August 31 View Page lol, I'll try that again. Anyways, great to see rain.   Saturday, September 1 View Page My one Jackolantern   Saturday, September 1 View Page I have about 6 Boz varieties growing on an 80 square foot of plant (3 in this pic). They stop at about 80 pounds and will be good on the porch. Email me for a seed if ya like that sorta thing.   Saturday, September 1 View Page Never had my plant so healthy in September. Thanks for the organic tips, Jim. My 525 after 4 inches of rain... more on the way!   Monday, September 3 View Page Day 31, starting to look good. I can't believe it was that ugly just 2 weeks ago.   Wednesday, September 12 View Page Pollinated August 2nd. Sits closer to 400. Patch only gets light from 830am-noon right now and growth slowing. No weighoff for me this year. I just can't justify driving that far to weigh a dink.   Saturday, September 15 View Page With the arrival of Smallmouth 2 due to arrive this spring, it looks like I'll have ample time to hang around the house and garden. Already preparing the arsenal to go big and orange. A 993 Vincent McGill x 980 Fredericks sounds pretty good I do believe...   Monday, September 17 View Page Ahh, day 45 and my first blow out (BES). That's a season closer, folks. That was a long summer losing 2 plants, over 15 aborts to heat, and then losing my one keeper on day 45. I thought something was up when I turned on the ceiling fan this morning and some shit flew off.   Monday, September 17 View Page Blossom end split discovered today. This is my favorite time of the year to wade rivers anyway. Best of luck to all and looking forward to hearing numbers from weighoffs.   Thursday, September 20 View Page Sad day, but also nice not having much to do. About 800 square feet of the patch is all cleaned out, irrigation system taken down, and plant disposed out of view. Chris, wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt or else your arms and legs will look the color of your 980. lol   Friday, September 28 View Page Me and my future ladies man who just turned one today. It was a rough year here all around, but glad to see there are some monsters out there!   Wednesday, October 10 View Page Took the boy for his first trip to a real patch and not the backyard garden a few days ago. He insisted on wearing his Cardinals jacket, Kreig.   Monday, October 22 View Page Cover crop was close to a foot long so I mowed in 2 inches of sweetgum and maple leaves. The Spruce 2nd from right is about 6 feet tall so you can see why I get zero sun in the afternoon. Because of the heat, I think the shade saved me this year, but it will be hard to grow BIIIGG in the future.   Sunday, November 11 View Page Yesterday on the water. Any of you that canoe or kayak a lot know this is a bad situation when the fishing and timing gets away from you. lol   Friday, November 16 View Page 14 months and already found the top shelf and my winter meds... can't wait to get this little dude in the patch next year now that he can interpret soil tests better than me.   Saturday, November 24 View Page To go off the big winter debate we had last year about aliens, I now have scientific proof they do exist after a recent camping trip into the deep Ozarks. Caution: this image could frighten young children.   Friday, November 30 View Page Here's a 11/30 Bronzie for Smallouth Zappa.   Wednesday, December 12 View Page Found out what baby #2 is today, 2 boys within a year and a half... more help due by spring.   Friday, December 14 View Page 12/14 creek Smallmouth. No fertilizer for this guy.