Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 241 Entries. Monday, February 17 View Page Lets start this years diary with a perch photo. These were a few of the bigger ones I caught today with the biggest being just over 10 inches. I kept around 20 perch which is enough for a good fish fry.   Saturday, February 22 View Page Had a great meeting today!   Saturday, March 22 View Page Spring is here. At least that is what the calendar says.   Saturday, March 22 View Page Most growers are taking soil samples but I am taking snow samples.   Saturday, March 22 View Page March 22nd and 16.5 inches of snow pack on average. Hoping to till in 24 days. What will mother nature do?????? Time will tell!   Sunday, March 30 View Page Patch as of today. Weather is finally starting to warm up to low 40s. It will take many of these days to clear the patch.   Sunday, March 30 View Page A little more melt right next to the house!   Sunday, March 30 View Page The snow pack is down to 13.5 inches. We have lost 3 inches in one week. At this rate the patch will be snow free by May 1st. Lets hope we are much closer by next Sunday!   Sunday, April 6 View Page Spring is finally in the air here in northern VT. We put up 6 hoops in total, mostly over 6 inches of snow. The next weeks forecast should help with continued melting!   Sunday, April 6 View Page The melon patch next to the house is mostly melted and now is the time to start warming and drying out the soil.   Sunday, April 6 View Page This thermometer is in one of the huts with snow and is just around 80 degrees. This should help melt the snow faster!   Sunday, April 6 View Page Here is the thermometer in the melon hut and shows a nice 80 degrees. The whole patch might not be ready by early May, but inside the huts should be ready. The trials and issues of growing long season plants in northern climates!   Sunday, April 13 View Page Patch finally became snow free as of 4/11. Here is a look at new patch and melon patch.   Sunday, April 13 View Page Here is a pic to show old patch snow free.   Sunday, April 13 View Page Here is my line up for 2014. Mostly orange but thought it would be fun to attempt to grow a big one with 2009.   Sunday, April 13 View Page 232 Barber watermelon seeds. They still have another month or more to grow before I put the best one outside.   Sunday, April 13 View Page Started 18 giant sunflowers for local fair. 9 tall and 9 big heads.   Wednesday, April 16 View Page Thank goodness I started seeds yesterday. Three inches of snow and 19 degrees this am!   Sunday, April 20 View Page All of the snow has melted. Again! Here is the new patch with different set up. Due to the bad flooding last year and the 4 inches of water from rain snow combo last week we decided to move closer to the house. So each space is 20 feet wide by 39 feet long. But also stumps are on higher and drier ground.   Thursday, May 1 View Page Well it is almost patch time. We have decided to go no till on old garden and most of new due to the late spring and wet soil. Winter rye is finally greened up and weed block is down to save our backs. Plants will be planted within next 5 days.   Thursday, May 1 View Page Here is patch view 2 showing the second long gourd trellis. The trellis is 14.5 feet tall and 12 feet long. I like to pollinate long gourds from 20 feet out and further.   Thursday, May 1 View Page Here is melon patch on left and spot for 2009 Wallace on right. The 2009 will get a 20 x 40 space to fill.   Saturday, May 3 View Page Finally dry enough to till. Our old tiller was having issues so we decided to purchase a new Cub Cadet RT 65. This new tiller really chewed patch up nicely including the winter rye. Forecast is for frost potential 3 out of next 5 mornings. So today I will be transplanting to two gallon pots. Planning to plant out Thursday May 8th.   Saturday, May 3 View Page Here are the starters and back ups transplanted in gallon pots. Lets hope the next 5 days go fast and they aren't too root bound.   Saturday, May 3 View Page Here are the 2 starting long gourds. They can take being in a pot much longer than a giant pumpkin. Will plant out in 2-3 weeks.   Thursday, May 8 View Page Plants went in the hoops tonight. Let the night glow begin!   Sunday, May 11 View Page Spring has finally sprung in our backyard. We mowed the lawn for the first time and have most plants in hoops as well as giant sunflowers planted. Here is patch view 1.   Sunday, May 11 View Page The long gourds are still in pots as I have not figured how to build a sufficient hoop for them due to tight spaces. Here is patch view 2.   Sunday, May 11 View Page The watermelon hut on left is also the pot storage for long gourds and back up melons.   Sunday, May 11 View Page Here is the 1059 Vincent McGill. This is day 3 in the patch for all plants.   Sunday, May 11 View Page Ok Norm. Here is my "weenie". Otherwise known as the 232 Barber watermelon. Sue, look what you have done!   Sunday, May 11 View Page Here is the 2009 Wallace. Not sure how this got in the patch. I might need some spray paint to make it orange!   Sunday, May 11 View Page Here is last years flooded 279 Young. It is an 811 Gerhardt x 777 Young. This could be a sleeper orange seed!   Sunday, May 11 View Page Here is the San Diego Bay 980 Fredricks. It came into this world with a single cot but seems to like cool VT dirt so far.   Sunday, May 11 View Page Last but not least is my 809 Young from last year. This is a 777 Young x 811 Gerhardt. I have high hopes for this one too. Time will tell!   Monday, May 12 View Page Murder I tell you. It was Murder!   Sunday, May 18 View Page Beautiful sunny day today after we got 2 inches of rain Saturday morning and a frost this morning.   Sunday, May 18 View Page We lost a 124 Young to the cold this morning and I will wait for a few days before putting a back up out. Here is patch view 2.   Sunday, May 18 View Page We lost 6 giant sunflowers to critters this past week and planted 8 new ones today. Here is patch view 3.   Sunday, May 18 View Page Here is the 1059 Vincent McGill. Plant has been in patch 10 days. Looking good so far.   Sunday, May 18 View Page Heres Weenie! Ok maybe not the biggest in the contest but she is healthy.   Sunday, May 18 View Page Here is the 2009 Wallace a week away from running if the weather is decent.   Sunday, May 18 View Page The 279 Young is one of our better growers do far.   Sunday, May 18 View Page Here is the 980 Fredericks. She is starting to settle in nicely to our cool climate.   Sunday, May 18 View Page The star of the patch so far is the 809 Young. Home court advantage must be helpful!   Sunday, May 25 View Page Bright sunny day here although it was predicted to be overcast and rainy. I will take this! Patch view 1.   Sunday, May 25 View Page I have lost 6 sunflowers today! One to corn seed maggots and 5 to some critter like a rabbit or chipmunk. Patch view 2.   Sunday, May 25 View Page Soil has dried nicely from the 1.5 inches of rain we received Friday night. Patch view 3.   Sunday, May 25 View Page This why I don't bury stems. I found this wilted 129 Young long gourd at 6am. I gently dug it up and found 2 corn seed maggots in the roots. I picked the maggots out and reburied the plant. I treated with a drench of Triazicide.   Sunday, May 25 View Page 12 hours later this is the same 129 Young starting its recovery. If the stem was buried and the maggots were in there it would have been lights out.   Sunday, May 25 View Page Here is the 1059 Vincent McGill. This plant is growing well and starting to vine.   Sunday, May 25 View Page Here's Weenie (232 Barber). Seems to like our dirt so far.   Sunday, May 25 View Page 2009 Wallace. This plant continues to grow well.   Sunday, May 25 View Page 279 Young. In a shady part of the patch but seems pretty happy.   Sunday, May 25 View Page 980 Fredericks. Unfortunately this plant is not happy and appears that it may be a flat vine as well. I will keep it for one more week to see if it comes around.   Sunday, May 25 View Page 840 Young which is in the same hoop as the 980 Fredericks is rocking and rolling.   Sunday, May 25 View Page 809 Young. Growing well.   Sunday, June 1 View Page Nice sunny June first day and the garden is nice and dry. Last year at this time we were flooded with a foot of rain in a two week period. Here is patch view 1.   Sunday, June 1 View Page Yesterday we planted giant cucumbers, long beans and giant tomatoes. Patch view 2.   Sunday, June 1 View Page Last 3 nights we have been in high 30s and low 40s. A warmer night time forecast for this coming week! Here is patch view 3.   Sunday, June 1 View Page Here is the 1059 Vincent McGill thinking that it is a long gourd. Just under 2 feet but seems afraid to touch the dirt!   Sunday, June 1 View Page Here's Weenie! About a foot long and starting to run.   Sunday, June 1 View Page The 2009 Wallace is doing well but is also a little stubborn when it comes down to touching the ground.   Sunday, June 1 View Page 279 Young. Plant is doing well in a shadier part of the garden. As VTSteve said to me, it wilts a bit in direct sun.   Sunday, June 1 View Page 124 Young long gourd. I lost primary plants but these back ups should come along once they acclimate.   Sunday, June 1 View Page 840 Young. This is about 2 feet long and my only plant left in the hoop. The 980 started as a ribbon. Then started to double. I pruned one of the doubles and the one that I saved was a ribbon as well. Friday night we got a storm and the light in that hoop fell and was the final blow for the poor 980. Bummed. I was really looking forward to seeing what it would do.   Sunday, June 1 View Page 809 Young. Trouble free so far and is about 3 feet long.   Sunday, June 1 View Page 129 Young long gourd. Primary plant had maggots but is bouncing back. Back up slowly settling in.   Sunday, June 1 View Page Giant tomatoes. Front 2 are 5.60 Wright and last 2 are 5.59 Zappa. Rough starts for the Zappa's but they are starting to leaf out.   Sunday, June 8 View Page Summer has arrived in Vermont finally and the patch is doing fine. We went smallmouth bass fishing on lake champlain and had a blast. Biggest bass was 20 inches. Here is patch view 1.   Sunday, June 8 View Page We have been much drier this year and the plants are happy albeit about a foot of growth behind. Here is patch view 2.   Sunday, June 8 View Page Here is patch view 3.   Sunday, June 8 View Page 1059 Vincent McGill doing well so far. Took awhile to get this plant to the ground. It is around 4 feet long.   Sunday, June 8 View Page Here's Weenie. She is 2 feet long now.   Sunday, June 8 View Page 2009 Wallace. This plant is starting to pick up speed. Sitting at 4 1/2 feet now.   Sunday, June 8 View Page Here is the 840 Young. Hopefully secondaries will show soon. At 4 1/2 feet today.   Sunday, June 8 View Page 279 Young. Doing well for being in the shadiest part of the patch. 4 feet today.   Sunday, June 8 View Page 809 Young. Fastest grower in the patch so far at 5 1/2 feet.   Sunday, June 8 View Page Here are the giant tomatoes.   Sunday, June 8 View Page The giant field pumpkins this year are: 128 Scherber, 117 Sweet, 121.5 Starr and 92.5 Cole.9   Sunday, June 8 View Page 124 Young long gourd. A rough start with the lgs but these back ups are doing fine.   Sunday, June 8 View Page 129 Young long gourds. These are 2 back ups as well but are starting to vine.   Sunday, June 15 View Page Happy fathers day. The growth continues to be steady but slow this past week. We have had nights in the high 40s and many gray days with rain. Here is patch view 1.   Sunday, June 15 View Page I have lost a few secondaries to wind and have done a good amount of pruning today. Here is patch view 2.   Sunday, June 15 View Page Here is patch view 3.   Sunday, June 15 View Page 1059 Vincent McGill. Still one of our slower growers and is a very rigid plant. Sitting at 6.5 feet.   Sunday, June 15 View Page 2009 Wallace. This plant is starting to pick up growth and has huge leaves. Not the best in the wind and have lost a secondary. Sitting at 7.5 feet.   Sunday, June 15 View Page Here's weenie(232 Barber) A little over 3 feet long.   Sunday, June 15 View Page 279 Young. Growing well and at 6.5 feet.   Sunday, June 15 View Page 840 Young. Doing well and is 7 feet long.   Sunday, June 15 View Page 809 Young. Best grower in the patch so far. I hope she produces a big orange beauty! Sitting at 8.5 feet.   Sunday, June 15 View Page Giant field pumpkins being lead by the 128 Scherber.   Sunday, June 15 View Page Giant tomatoes.   Sunday, June 15 View Page 124 Young. All long gourds are still way behind. We will see if it will amount to anything.   Sunday, June 15 View Page 129 Young. Hopefully will be on trellis by next weekend.   Wednesday, June 18 View Page I .... wanna rock and roll all night! And break some secondaries during the day. Somehow this verse was in my head as I am straightening out the 1059 Vincent McGill. She will be fine. A tad unique looking but fine! Big storms last night.   Sunday, June 22 View Page The first weekend of summer is officially here and the plants are nice and healthy. The last 2 mornings have been in the low to mid 40's. Patch view 1.   Sunday, June 22 View Page The soil temp is 54 degrees this am at 4 inches deep. Because of this it isn't a shock to see the plants growing a bit slow.   Sunday, June 22 View Page Here is patch view 3.   Sunday, June 22 View Page Here's weenie. The main vine is just short of 5 feet.   Sunday, June 22 View Page 1059 Vincent McGill is doing fine after losing a couple of secondaries. Currently at 10 feet with a female at the tip.   Sunday, June 22 View Page 2009 Wallace. This plant is starting to pick up its growth nicely and is just short of 11 feet long. The first female just showed up at 10.5 feet. The blue foam is being used as a roof for a main vine split that is about 10 inches long.   Sunday, June 22 View Page Giant sunflowers are doing well after protecting them with the Toftness cage! Tallest is close to 4 feet.   Sunday, June 22 View Page Here is the 128 Scherber fp doing well and starting to run.   Sunday, June 22 View Page 279 Young is doing fine for only seeing sun for 4-5 hours a day. Currently at 8.5 feet with a baby in the tip.   Sunday, June 22 View Page Giant tomatoes doing well and pruned.   Sunday, June 22 View Page 124 Young lg. Slowwwww but will be on trellis soon.   Sunday, June 22 View Page 840 Young is doing well and is currently at 10 feet with a baby at 8 feet.   Sunday, June 22 View Page Giant cucumbers and long beans. Look out Zoey, beans are going to be long this year!   Sunday, June 22 View Page 809 Young is queen of the patch so far and is sitting at 12 feet with the first baby at 10 feet.   Sunday, June 22 View Page 129 Young lg has finally found trellis and is just shy of 2 feet.   Sunday, June 29 View Page It's hard to believe this is the last diary postings for June. Compared to last year the weather has been favorable and all the veggies are doing well. Patch view 1.   Sunday, June 29 View Page Patch is still a bit slower than others as our max sun is 6 hours per day and a few mornings have been in the 40's. But overall the plants are healthy and doing well. Patch view 2.   Sunday, June 29 View Page Here is patch view 3.   Sunday, June 29 View Page 129 long gourd is finally starting to run and has gained about 3 feet this week. We have sprayed with copper fungicide to try to keep plant healthier this year.   Sunday, June 29 View Page 809 Young. This plant has been a solid grower and is sitting at 15 feet in length. One pollination at 9.5 feet crossed with the 840 Young and another pollination in 2-3 days at 13 feet. Plant has grown just under 4 feet this past week.   Sunday, June 29 View Page 840 Young. This plant has had a few issues with stunted secondaries but overall growing ok. It is currently 13 feet long and has the first female at 12.5 feet. This main has grown 3 feet this past week.   Sunday, June 29 View Page 124 Young long gourd has finally made it to the trellis in this shady spot and is at 26 inches. Although shady we grew a 121 inch lg here last year.   Sunday, June 29 View Page Giant tomatoes are starting to take off in this warmer weather.   Sunday, June 29 View Page 279 Young. This is a nice stocky plant growing in a shady area. First female opening tomorrow but only at 9 feet. We will cross the 809 into this gal but are waiting for the next female at 11 feet as our hopeful keeper.   Sunday, June 29 View Page 128 Scherber field pumpkin is doing well and is 5 feet long.   Sunday, June 29 View Page 2009 Wallace. This is a nice thick aggressive plant and is 14.5 feet long. We pollinated the first on the main this am with the 1059 Vincent McGill at 11 feet. There is also a baby at 14 feet that will hopefully be our keeper.   Sunday, June 29 View Page 1059 Vincent McGill. This gal is growing well despite losing a secondary and a few burnt leaves. Plant is at 13.5 feet. Pollinated first on vine on 6/28 with the 809 Young at 9.5 feet. Next pollination will be this coming week at 13 feet.   Sunday, June 29 View Page And last but not least is Weenie! Starting to get secondaries and plant is currently at 9.5 feet. Still needs to grow a lot before pollination time. Go weenie!   Thursday, July 3 View Page My new toy!   Sunday, July 6 View Page We had a nice 4th of July weekend and the weather was nice except for the 4th with a day time high of 68 and cloudy. The patch is doing well so far especially compared to the flooding from last year. Patch view 1.   Sunday, July 6 View Page We have a pollination attempt on every plant now but still need to wait another week to make sure they have taken. Patch view 2.   Sunday, July 6 View Page Some of the sunflowers are producing heads already. Been a tough year for the sunnies mainly on account of hungry critters. Patch view 3.   Sunday, July 6 View Page The 129 Young is climbing away and is at 10.5 feet now. It has grown 6 feet this week and sprouting lots of secondaries.   Sunday, July 6 View Page 809 Young is growing well and has a couple of pollinations. The hopeful keeper is at 13 feet.   Sunday, July 6 View Page Here is the 840 Young with hopeful keeper at 13 feet.   Sunday, July 6 View Page 124 Young long gourd. Growing slow but steady in a very shady spot and is 6 feet tall today.   Sunday, July 6 View Page Here is the 279 Young and the latest pollination today at 12 feet.   Sunday, July 6 View Page The 1059 Vincent McGill is growing real well and has a couple pollinated on it. The keeper we are hoping for is at 13.5 feet.   Sunday, July 6 View Page The 2009 Wallace is starting to put nice green growth on and also has a couple of pumpkins pollinated. We want the last one to make it which is at 15.5 feet.   Sunday, July 6 View Page Here's Weenie! Growing well but no females showing yet. There is a little bloom booster in her diet!   Wednesday, July 9 View Page We are excited to grow the 2009 Wallace, but the poor plant is so nervous it is crossing it's fingers!   Sunday, July 13 View Page Mid July is upon us and the patch is slowly starting to fill in. Plants are healthy except for a few stunted secondaries. Patch view 1.   Sunday, July 13 View Page So far we have 4 out of 5 plants with keepers. Patch view 2.   Sunday, July 13 View Page The new patch is coming along nicely and both plants are around 25 feet long. Patch view 3.   Sunday, July 13 View Page The 129 Young is about a foot above the trellis. Hopefully she will start to bend towards the front soon. If not I will be climbing tomorrow night.   Sunday, July 13 View Page This is the 809 Young and is a nice round ball. She is crossed with the 1059 Vincent McGill and was a 5 lobe at 13.5 feet. She is 12 days old today. The 809 Young is the 777 Young x 811 Gerhardt. I thought it would be good to bring the 1059 back into the cross for next year.   Sunday, July 13 View Page 840 Young (777 Young x 1059 Vincent McGill) x 809 Young (777 Young x 811 Gerhardt). She is 8 days old and was a 4 lobe at 13 feet.   Sunday, July 13 View Page 279 Young. First pollination aborted and second is a 5 lobe messed up with seeds but if it takes I may go with it as it is getting late.   Sunday, July 13 View Page 124 Young long gourd. Real shady part of patch but doing ok and is at 10 feet.   Sunday, July 13 View Page Giant tomatoes are starting to look more giant.   Sunday, July 13 View Page Mega bloom on 5.59 Zappa. Hoping to break 3.5 pb this year.   Sunday, July 13 View Page 2009 Wallace at 8 days old. This was crossed with the 1756 Lancaster that Dick Squires has growing and is at 15.5 feet and 4 lobe.   Sunday, July 13 View Page 1059 Vincent McGill. Probably my favorite seed to grow and am running out, so I decided to self it. This is a 5 lobe pumpkin at 13.5 feet and is 9 days old today.   Sunday, July 13 View Page Here's Weenie! Happy to say I have found a couple of babies and hope this is a sign for more to come!   Tuesday, July 15 View Page Ok! First the 2009 stump has crossed fingers. Now as I am slowly moving the fruit to a better position I uncovered a toad living under it! Must be good luck. I hope!   Sunday, July 20 View Page We had a fun day on the lake today and the weather has been great. The plants are currently healthy and hopefully all are pollinated.   Sunday, July 20 View Page The 2 plants in the far corner have been slow and had a few aborts. I am thinking the lack of full sun is causing most of this.   Sunday, July 20 View Page Here is patch view 3.   Sunday, July 20 View Page 129 Young. This plant is a little over 20 feet long today. Soon it will be time to search for females!   Sunday, July 20 View Page 809 Young at 19 dap. I think she is going to be a pretty one! Current ott of 151 inches.   Sunday, July 20 View Page Here is the hopeful on 840 Young crossed with the 1059 Vincent McGill. The first on this plant was not as good of shape so we chose this one. Stay tuned next week to see if she keeps growing.   Sunday, July 20 View Page Giant tomatoes are starting to rock! A couple have been pollinated but nothing exciting yet.   Sunday, July 20 View Page 124 Young long gourd has finally reached the top of the 14.5 foot trellis.   Sunday, July 20 View Page 279 Young has had s tough ride in the shade but we hopefully have one pollinated.   Sunday, July 20 View Page 2009 Wallace is doing well at 15 dap and has an ott of 115 inches.   Sunday, July 20 View Page Here's weenie. Starting to fill space nicely. I always seem to have few females on the melons.   Sunday, July 20 View Page But we may have one pollinated from July 18.   Sunday, July 20 View Page The 1059 Vincent McGill is doing well and has an ott of 123 inches at 16 dap.   Sunday, July 27 View Page Can't believe it is the last weekend of July. Three of the plants are doing well out of 5 so far. Patch view 1.   Sunday, July 27 View Page Everything has been pollinated except for long gourds which will happen within the next 10 days hopefully. Patch view 2.   Sunday, July 27 View Page Patch view 3.   Sunday, July 27 View Page 129 Young long gourd is at 24 feet. Time to watch for females in the 20-26 foot range.   Sunday, July 27 View Page Here is the 809 Young which now is named Princess Aurora. My wife decided to go with Disney princess names in the patch this year. Aurora is 26 days old today and has an ott of 221.5 inches.   Sunday, July 27 View Page Here is the 840 Young now named princess Ariel. She is 16 days old today and has an ott of 109.5 inches.   Sunday, July 27 View Page Giant tomatoes are starting to grow well. Here is the biggest so far on 5.60 Wright and has a circ of 16".   Sunday, July 27 View Page Here is the 279 Young which had a snaggle tooth pollination. She is named princess Belle and has an ott of 91 inched on day 15.   Sunday, July 27 View Page Here is the pumpkin on the 128 Scherber x self. Closed pollination so I can grow the seeds next year if she gets big. She will be the only pumpkin on the 120 square foot plant.   Sunday, July 27 View Page 2009 Wallace is now princess Mulan and she is 22 days old today with an ott of 200 inches.   Sunday, July 27 View Page Here is Weenie! She is now princess Fiona and is 9 days old today with an ott of 43.5 inches.   Sunday, July 27 View Page 1059 Vincent McGill is now princess Jasmine and is 23 days old today with an ott of 195 inches.   Sunday, July 27 View Page Lastly is the 124 Young long gourd and is around 19 feet long.   Friday, August 8 View Page Sure boys. "I don't mind body surfing near the regular surfers." Broken nose 2 black eyes and 5 stitches! Nose meets surf board. Nose loses. Good news is that only one of 4 pumpkins split while we were away.   Sunday, August 10 View Page Today was the Vermont growers patch tour and bbq and it was warm and sunny. We had close to 30 people in attendance and toured 4 patches.   Sunday, August 10 View Page The days have been warm but the nights have been in the mid 40's. Patch view 1   Sunday, August 10 View Page We are now down to 3 pumpkins after a couple of splits. But the 3 are growing decent for the most part. Patch view 2.   Sunday, August 10 View Page Here is patch view 3.   Sunday, August 10 View Page 809 Young is growing good and is 40 days today with an ott of 304 inches.   Sunday, August 10 View Page Side view of the 809.   Sunday, August 10 View Page 129 Young long gourd. We have a couple pollinated but oldest is 10 days   Sunday, August 10 View Page 1059 Vincent McGill. 37 days and 281 for ott.   Sunday, August 10 View Page Side view of 1059.   Sunday, August 10 View Page Largest so far on the 5.59 Zappa with a cc of 15 inches.   Sunday, August 10 View Page Here is the largest so far on 5.6 Wright with a cc of 19 inches.   Sunday, August 10 View Page 128 Scherber field pumpkin x self. She is 18 days old today and has an ott of 115 inches.   Sunday, August 10 View Page 92 Cole x 128 Scherber. 5 days old today.   Sunday, August 10 View Page 2009 Wallace is growing fine in our cold area. She is 36 days old today with an ott of 300 inches.   Sunday, August 10 View Page Side view to show the length of the 2009. She is also getting some Calai dots.   Sunday, August 10 View Page Here's Weenie. 23 days old today with an ott of 105 inches.   Sunday, August 17 View Page We have had 5 very cool and cloudy days. The next 2 are supposed to be sunny but highs in 60's to low 70's and nights in 40's. The high temp average since Wednesday was 68 degrees. Patch view 1.   Sunday, August 17 View Page Overall we are happy that the fruits are still growing. Patch view 2.   Sunday, August 17 View Page The watermelon and long gourds seems to have slowed the most. Patch view 3.   Sunday, August 17 View Page 129 Young long gourds. We have a couple going but only seeing 3 inch days.   Sunday, August 17 View Page 809 Young. We are not happy with the color or shape of this cross from last year although I hear there are a couple nice orange ones out there. She is 47 days old with an OTT of 328 inches.   Sunday, August 17 View Page Side view of 809 Young at 47 days.   Sunday, August 17 View Page Here is our pretty 1059 that we selfed. She is 44 days today with an OTT of 306 inches.   Sunday, August 17 View Page Side view of 1059 at day 44.   Sunday, August 17 View Page 128 Scherber x self field pumpkin. She is 25 days old today with an OTT of 145.5 inches.   Sunday, August 17 View Page 92.5 Cole x 128 Scherber field pumpkin. She is 12 days old with an OTT of 56.5 inches.   Sunday, August 17 View Page Here is the 2009 Wallace x 1756 Lancaster. She is 43 days old today and has an OTT of 331 inches.   Sunday, August 17 View Page Side view of the 2009 at day 43. She is a long one.   Sunday, August 17 View Page Here is weenie in her new home. She is 30 days old and is 120 inches.   Monday, August 18 View Page End of line for 2009 Wallace. She taped 334 inches and estimates at 830 pounds at 44 DAP. We will let her stay on the vine a couple more days in hopes of viable seeds.   Friday, August 29 View Page It has been a bit since I have updated the diary so I thought I should post. As you can see from view 1, we have a lot of dirt showing.   Friday, August 29 View Page Here is the pumpkin from that space. The 809 Young 2013 is now the 759 Young 2014. This is the 809 Young x 1059 Vincent McGill.   Friday, August 29 View Page Patch view 2 with a little bit of plants left.   Friday, August 29 View Page Patch view 3 is sparse too.   Friday, August 29 View Page 129 Young long gourd is plodding along. 2 lgs pollinated but growing slowly.   Friday, August 29 View Page 1059 Vincent McGill. She is getting very pretty and is 331 inches OTT at day 56.   Friday, August 29 View Page Side view of 1059 Vincent McGill.   Friday, August 29 View Page Here is the biggest tomato so far and is on the 5.6 Wright. The cc is just shy of 22 inches.   Friday, August 29 View Page 128 Scherber field pumpkin has stopped and tapes around 75 pounds.   Friday, August 29 View Page Here is weenie at day 42 and tapes around 70 pounds.   Friday, August 29 View Page Here is weenie's stump. Leaves. Who needs them dang leaves. LOL   Friday, August 29 View Page Here is plant overview of weenie. I have been fighting the fungus all summer.   Saturday, September 6 View Page Dang. We were hoping for our first 4 pounder. One more on the vine but it appears smaller. At 3.99 pounds it does make it a pb as last year our biggest was 3.41 pounds.   Saturday, September 6 View Page Helped Dick Squires harvest field pumpkins for a couple of hours this morning. Here is 337 pumpkins out of an estimated 1500 plus to be harvested.   Sunday, September 7 View Page Kerry and I worked with Dick Squires today on this patch. All total we have around 700 pumpkins picked and under cover. He estimates around 900 more in other patches.   Sunday, September 7 View Page Harvested some of our own giant sunflowers today. The tallest was just under 14 feet and the widest head was 19.5 inches.   Sunday, September 7 View Page The 129 long gourd is still alive but gourds really slowed with the 45 degree night. No personal best this year but still happy.   Sunday, September 7 View Page 1059 Vincent McGill is really slowing at day 65 today. I may say this every year but she is truly one of the prettiest pumpkins we have grown.   Sunday, September 7 View Page Side view of the 1059 Vincent McGill.   Sunday, September 7 View Page Here's Weenie. Nothing spectacular but she is still growing at 51 days with very little plant to support her.   Sunday, September 7 View Page Here is the stem end of Weenie. It is still nice and green.   Sunday, September 7 View Page The 128 Scherber is done growing but will hopefully break our pb of 71 pounds.   Sunday, September 7 View Page Here is our 20 inch giant cucumber. I will wait another week or two to harvest for seeds.   Thursday, September 18 View Page Woo Hoo! New pb tomato by .01 pounds. At least I can say I grew a 4 pounder instead of a real real close 4 pounder!   Thursday, September 18 View Page What makes a 4.00 pound tomato look small. Why an 8 pound 21 inch giant cucumber of course. Prediction of 28 degrees tonight have forced us to harvest our smaller veggies.   Saturday, September 20 View Page Hmmm looks like my leaves shrunk? Ha!   Saturday, September 20 View Page Weigh Off is one week from today. Here is the 1059 Vincent McGill stem view. 78 days after pollination.   Saturday, September 20 View Page 1059 VM x self side view day 78.   Saturday, September 20 View Page 1059 VM x self blossom end view. Day 78   Friday, September 26 View Page 1049 Vincent McGill all loaded and ready for VT weigh off tomorrow.   Sunday, September 28 View Page Here is the start of our front yard display with thanks going to Steve Minor and Wilbur Horton for their additions. We started this hobby 19 years ago to build a display on our front lawn and I am happy to say we still continue today.   Sunday, September 28 View Page Here is our 907 Young 2014 (1059 VM x self). The final piece for our display after it takes a trip to my wife's school.   Sunday, September 28 View Page Here is the 907 on the scale at our weigh off. It was a beautiful sunny warm day. Thank you to Dan Boyce who is our good friend and also takes all of the weigh off pics.