Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 201 Entries. Wednesday, March 19 View Page The one to beat. I have some big time seeds a head full of knowledge and some big ideas I still don't have much space but why not aim High. 1000 pounds is the goal this year.   Wednesday, March 19 View Page Here we go again! Got my soil test reports back. I am a little confused about how the results can be so different from what I got in the Fall from the samples I sent to U-mass. for Patch A U-Mass said I had an organnic Matter of 13.3% and a Cation Exchange Capacity of 35.5. The only thing I did was put on some calcitic lime for PH and plant a cover crop and yet western Labs is saying I have an OM% of 4.6 and a CEC of 8. I realize there is going to be some variation do to having different samples and testing methodology but that really isn't even close. Makes me wonder about how useful any of this data is.   Monday, March 24 View Page Started a couple of test seeds from my 631.5   Monday, March 24 View Page In the past I have had problems with my first true leaves malforming before I get the plant in the ground. The leaves will grow to about 4" accross and then the edges will harden and stop growing and the leaf will get a pillow type curl to it. I have a theory that they are starved of nutrients because my 6" peat pots full of starting mix didn't have enough nutrients to keep them going over the long period of time that they were kept inside. I have also heard the theory from other growers that it might be from too much heat. for this test I am starting them in a 3" peat pot and transplanting that into a 1 gallon pot as soon as its out of the incubation chamber. The roots should outgrow the 3" peat pot quickly and the patch soil should be able to supply the required nutrients. I also am not using the space heater that i have used in previous years and am just keeping it at room temp.   Wednesday, March 26 View Page The cover crop on the main patch.   Wednesday, March 26 View Page Its pretty robust and healthy. Hopefully that's a sign of things to come.   Wednesday, March 26 View Page Tilled everything under. I will let it sit a couple days then add my amendments and till again. Sorry about the blurry pic. It was getting dark out.   Wednesday, March 26 View Page Patch B. I am going to let the cover crop go a few more weeks on this one.   Monday, March 31 View Page got the heating cable buried in the ground over the weekend.   Monday, March 31 View Page I also got the frame up for the green house.   Friday, April 4 View Page here is the seed lineup assuming everything germinates. 2009 Wallace, 1655 Ford, 811 Gerhardt.   Friday, April 4 View Page I pulled my test germ of the 631.5 out of the pot to examine the root structures. The roots were up against the pot So I should probably transplant my plants to the patch by the time they are about this size.   Friday, April 4 View Page I wanted to see how the roots were interacting with the peat pot so I peeled all the excess dirt away. Turns out the roots were only coming through the peat pot in a couple of spots on the bottom of the peat pot.   Friday, April 4 View Page Further investigation showed that the plant was extremely root bound within the peat pot. This is not good. I was always under the impression that the roots would grow through the peat pot. Thats obviously not the case.   Friday, April 4 View Page I tried running a few test germs where I created a nest of starting mix within native soil directly in a 1 gallon pot with no peat pot. One didn't germ and the other cam up damaged with some mold on the seed So I am not willing to risk that method on my keeper seeds. This is my solution. Poked holes all over the peat pot so the roots have many avenues to expand out into the surrounding soil.   Friday, April 4 View Page And Its officially on. The 2009 Wallace is in the dirt intended for the Puyallup Fair. Also planted a 1000 Grenchik as a backup. The 2009 Wallace is the former world record holder and was the first pumpkin ever over 2000 pounds. It was the seed that was used to grow the current word record of 2032 pounds and was also the seed that was used to grow a damaged pumpkin in Europe that had an unofficial weight of 2328 pounds. Even though I received this seed from Ron and Pap Wallace for free, its pretty nerve wracking to be growing a seed that people have paid hundreds of dollars for. I will be on pins and needles until its out of the ground and I will be pretty bummed if something goes wrong.   Monday, April 7 View Page Got the plastic on the Greenhouse over the weekend.   Monday, April 7 View Page I am using the same set up as last year. Its currently 63 degrees outside and 73 degrees inside the greenhouse.   Monday, April 7 View Page The 1000 Grenchik is poking through and the soil is mounding up on the 2009 Wallace which means its not far behind. Big sigh of relief!   Tuesday, April 8 View Page The 2009 Wallace and the 1000 Grenchik have been transplanted in 1 gallon pots and are under the lights. The time lapse camera is set up and rolling at 15 minute intervals.   Thursday, April 10 View Page The Cover crop has really exploded with the warm weather we have had lately. It is really thick.   Thursday, April 10 View Page It took 3 passes with the tiller to get it totally tilled under.   Thursday, April 10 View Page From the other end   Thursday, April 10 View Page The 2009 Wallace and the 1000 Grenchik are coming along nicely inside.   Saturday, April 12 View Page I got the amendments tilled in on the second patch. This year I am participating in a nation wide contest to see who can grow the biggest Pumpkin in 150 square feet. Last year I grew my 631.5 in under 150 square feet and would have won the contest if I would have shown up. There will probably be a bunch more participants this year since its better publicized but I am giving it a whirl. The Walking boards are set 10 feet off of the fence and there is a board on the far end which angles across marking the end of the patch. The patch is 16 feet long at the concrete column and 14 feet long at the end of the walking board.   Saturday, April 12 View Page the near end width measurement.   Saturday, April 12 View Page The far end width measurement by the Azalea.   Saturday, April 12 View Page The length measurement by the walking board.   Saturday, April 12 View Page The length measurement by the concrete post   Tuesday, April 15 View Page Wow the 1000 Grenchik is one aggressive seedling. Easily double the size of the 2009 Wallace. It has great genetics. 1495 Stelts x 1789 Wallace. I wish I had a spot to put it in the ground. but there is no way i am planting it instead of the 2009.   Tuesday, April 15 View Page The 2009 Wallace is safely planted in the ground inside the green house.   Tuesday, April 15 View Page The Time lapse camera is on duty.   Tuesday, April 15 View Page I am adding rootshield to the mix this year. Adding Rootshield was the only change that Joel Holland made to his growing program last year and he shattered his own 4 year old state record with two different pumpkins. This is a biological that grows in symbiosis with the root system and attacks harmful fungi in the soil which keeps the plant healthier much later into the season.   Wednesday, April 16 View Page Got the compost tea brewer up and running again.   Friday, April 18 View Page I started two 1655 Ford-Givens seeds for my second plant. This seed was used by Joe Scherber last year to grow the Colorado state record of 1478 pounds. The 1655 was a self pollinated 1789 Wallace (aka the freak).   Friday, April 18 View Page So here is my vine pattern strategy for 2014. On Plant A, my plan is to add a 4' x 8' tray of soil over the top of the gravel driveway so that I can remove it after the growing season. Plant B is going to have the most soil to work with. Plant C is my plant for the 150 SF contest. This strategy is contingent on a female blossom showing up in the right spot about 8 feet out. If it doesn't, I will have to turn the vine and adjust the strategy at that point.   Monday, April 21 View Page Don't know why that photo didn't post. Lets try it again.   Monday, April 21 View Page Looks like the jpg file was correct. lets try this one.   Tuesday, April 22 View Page Both 1655 Fords are up.   Tuesday, April 22 View Page Two 811 Gerhardts are in the soil. This will be the one I use for my 150 square foot plant   Tuesday, April 22 View Page Here is a collage I made of 11 pumpkins grown using the 811 Gerhardt. It consistently produces Very Orange round and symmetrical pumpkins and many of them have won Howard Dill awards for being the best looking pumpkin at their weighoffs. My goal with this plant is to win the 150 Square Foot Contest and The Howard Dill Award at the Central Market Weighoff with the same Pumpkin.   Wednesday, April 23 View Page The 1655 Ford Seedlings aren't looking too good. #1 has a cot leaf that is still yellow and isn't growing and the Cots on #2 are severely curled. The stems dont look all that thick either.   Wednesday, April 23 View Page Got the Plastic up on Patch B. This is the spot intended for the 1655 Ford.   Wednesday, April 23 View Page In a stroke of genius, It occurred to me that I could hook up my compost tea brewer to my air compressor. The compressor has a regulator valve that I can use to control the amount of bubbles. I am able to get way more turbidity in the brew than I was able to get with the fish tank pump I was using before. Tad the resident expert on the compost tea forum has always told me I didn't have a big enough pump. This should handle that problem.   Friday, April 25 View Page Its been 9 days since I put the 2009 in the green house. During that time we have had 2 days that were mostly cloudy with partial sun breaks and 7 days that were completely gray. The leaves are looking a little yellow with the lack of sun so I decided to help them out a little bit.   Friday, April 25 View Page I have now erased any doubts my neighbors may have had about weather or not I am crazy.   Friday, April 25 View Page The 811 Gerhardt has germinated. The second Gerhardt seed was a sketchy one that only felt half full and it doesnt look like that one is going to germ.   Wednesday, April 30 View Page Transplanted the 1655 Fords to the hoop house. I was not encouraged by the lack of root growth within the one gallon pots. These two have been anemic since they broke ground. I am not sure if they will make it.   Wednesday, April 30 View Page I started another 1655 Ford a few days ago when I started to become concerned about the first two. This one came up with a lot of vigor and already had 2 roots coming through the peat pot. It will set me back a few days but if this one comes on strong I may go with it.   Thursday, May 1 View Page Today is supposed to be the warmest day of the year so far with a forecast high of 75. Figured I'd take advantage of the opportunity to put the 811 Gerhardt into the ground in the 150 patch. Roots looked good. Feeling optimistic about this one!   Thursday, May 1 View Page The 2009 Wallace is starting to vine out. I am probably going to need to prune out that kickstand leaf at some point. Looks like I need to do some weeding too.   Wednesday, May 7 View Page The 2009 Wallace is coming along nicely. The vine is stretching out but is still up in the air.   Wednesday, May 7 View Page The 811 Gerhardt in the 150 Square foot patch.   Wednesday, May 7 View Page This 1655 Ford looks like its going to do alright. The other one wasn't doing to well I already pulled it out.   Saturday, May 10 View Page The 811 Gerhardt in the 150 square foot patch.   Saturday, May 10 View Page The 1655 Ford with the 811 Gerhardt in the background. These ones haven't really grown much but that's not surprising since they have no heating cables and its been pretty cool out.   Saturday, May 10 View Page The 2009 Wallace is on the ground and Running!   Saturday, May 10 View Page I am a little concerned about the look of these leaves. The plant seems to be growing well but the leaves are droopy a little yellow and splotchy.   Saturday, May 10 View Page Off Topic, My Big Rhody is looking really nice this year.   Wednesday, May 14 View Page The 2009 Wallace is at 4.5 feet long and growing fast. I buried the first two leaf nodes on the main vine today.   Wednesday, May 14 View Page The 811 Gerhardt in the 150 square foot patch. The plants are really loving this warm weather. Lets hope it lasts the rest of the spring.   Wednesday, May 14 View Page The 1655 Ford.   Monday, May 19 View Page My dad and I are going to co-grow a 10 foot by 10 foot plant at his house. His experience at the middle school last year caused him to catch the bug. Our club is running a 10 x 10 contest where the vines have to stay inside the 10x 10 but the pumpkin can extend out. He cleared out this space and brought in a couple of yards of dirt and compost. This afternoon we planted the 1463 Wilson in the plot. It spent too much time in the pot and is a little leggy but I think it should do alright.   Monday, May 19 View Page we also planted this 573 Risi in his yard in the native dirt. He envisions the vine meandering through the bushes. I don't think it will grow anything with decent size but it has the genetics to go real orange and could give a nice decorator pumpkin.   Monday, May 19 View Page The 2009 Wallace is at 7-1/2 feet. It grew 3 feet in 5 days. After a slow gray start to the spring, the last 2 weeks have been just about as perfect as we could hope for weather wise. Judging by my pics from last year all three of my plants are slightly ahead of where their counterparts were at last year.   Tuesday, May 20 View Page The first female blossom has showed up on the 2009 Wallace. It looks like it will be in right about the 9 foot range when everything is grown out. I am hoping for a keeper at about 11 feet which would work perfect with my patch layout and vine pattern.   Tuesday, May 20 View Page The 811 Gerhardt in the 150 SF patch is well ahead of where my 827 Gerhardt was last year at this time.   Tuesday, May 20 View Page The 1655 Ford has turned out to be a fairly sturdy little plant. Its about ready to vine out.   Wednesday, May 28 View Page I noticed this yesterday on my way over to Coupeville. That is almost certainly an Atlantic giant patch. Its right on Highway 20 next to the swinomish channel in between Mt.Vernon and Anacortes. Any of you Washingtonians out there know who's patch this is? Who ever it is, They are growing on some of the most naturally fertile soil in the world. That's not an exaggeration. I read a published study once where they tested soil from various fertile agricultural areas around the world and the dirt from skagit valley was the best in the study.   Wednesday, May 28 View Page The 2009 Wallace is at 11'-8" and nearly at the end of the green house.   Wednesday, May 28 View Page The first female blossom on the 2009 Wallace. about 9 feet out on the main vine. The next 3 blossoms are all males so if I don't take this one as the keeper I am probably going to be 13-14 feet out with the next one.   Wednesday, May 28 View Page The 811 Gerhardt Is coming along nicely. The vine is on the ground and she is about ready to take off.   Wednesday, May 28 View Page The 1655 Ford is not doing quite as well as the 811 even though it is 3 days older. I hope it picks it up as this is the plant that will have the most space to grow in. The vine is on the ground though so it should start to put on big growth soon.   Wednesday, May 28 View Page Two Males opened up this morning on the 2009 Wallace. The first of the year!   Tuesday, June 3 View Page The 2009 Wallace is 13'-6" long and is out of the end of the greenhouse. IT has 4 or 5 leaves on the Main Vine that are around 26 to 28" across.   Tuesday, June 3 View Page The First female on the 2009 will be opening in the morning. Its at 9 feet and I am not planning on keeping it but I will pollinate anyway as a fall back.   Tuesday, June 3 View Page There is another Female out on the tip that should end up around 15-16' out. It should be blooming sometime around June 15th which is just about right as far as timing for the Puyallup Fair.   Tuesday, June 3 View Page I have added some trays over the driveway to get some extra soil for the plant to expand into.   Tuesday, June 3 View Page The 811 Gerhardt in the 150 SF patch. It is about 4'-6" long. and looking well   Tuesday, June 3 View Page The 1655 Ford is about 5' long but the secondaries aren't developing well. Definitely not the most aggressive plant I have ever grown.   Tuesday, June 3 View Page Pollinated the first pumpkin of the year this morning on the 2009 Wallace.   Tuesday, June 3 View Page It was a 5 lobe blossom. Self pollinated it with one fresh flower that opened this morning and one that had been in the fridge since Saturday.   Saturday, June 7 View Page The 2009 Wallace has the greenhouse bursting at the seams. The hopeful keeper is right at the end of the vine. The plan is to grow the pumpkin in the driveway.   Saturday, June 7 View Page Here is the hopeful keeper. The plan was to put an "S" curve in the vine so that the Pumpkin could grow on the driveway and the main vine could continue growing out over the patch. However, the blossoms alternate between the left and right side of the vine at every other leaf node. This one came on the wrong side of the vine and wouldhave been growing back towards the patch so as an alternative strategy, I put a curve in the main vine 90 degrees so that it was heading straight out into the driveway and terminated the vine at the pumpkin. The secondary vine on the right side of the picture will now become the new main vine and the pumpkin will essentially be growing at the end of a short stub vine out in the driveway. I have seen other growers use this strategy before and it seems to be a good way to avoid stem stress.   Saturday, June 7 View Page Here is the first pollination on the 2009 Wallace. It has a circumference of about 8" on day 4. I am still not planning on keeping this one but its nice to see that it is growing aggressively.   Saturday, June 7 View Page Here is the 811 Gerhardt in the 150 SF patch. Its around 7 feet long. I am really happy with the health of this plant. Unfortunately, It doesn't look like I am going to get a pumpkin in the spot I was hoping to so I am going to have to amend my vine training strategy.   Saturday, June 7 View Page The 1655 Ford is about 7'-6" long but still just doesnt seem to have any aggressive side vines going.   Saturday, June 7 View Page However there is a Female Blossom on the 1655. There is no way I can keep this one. I need to get way more foliage behind it before I can grow a Pumpkin. I sure wish a Female would have shown up in this spot on the 811 Gerhardt.   Saturday, June 7 View Page Here is my Irrigation setup. From right to left I have a digital timer with automatic shutoff, a back flow preventer, a syphon style fertilizer injector with a bypass, a filter, and a digital meter that tells me how much water has gone out to the patch. The fertilizer injector draws liquids right out of the 5 gallon bucket and mixes it with the water. I have a hose that I will run from here and can be hooked up to either patch as needed. Right now the plan is to run dual irrigation lines on each patch. A drip irrigation system for watering and a a under canopy micro sprinkler system for foliar feeding. Using the hose I will be able to hook up each of the 4 systems as needed to the rig in the picture.   Friday, June 13 View Page Panic time in the pumpkin patch. It appears that I have an issue with excess nitrogen. I think I may have overdone it with the Manure last fall.   Friday, June 13 View Page All of the young leaves on all three plants have the bloated look that is typical of excess nitrogen. Things aren't looking very healthy. I ran 200 gallons of water through my drip system hopefully that will flush some of the nitrates out of the soil.   Saturday, June 14 View Page The keeper on the 2009 Wallace only partially opened this morning. Usually they are completely open in the morning. I am it probably doesn't help that it is 52 degrees and raining. I am not sure if I should pry it open and pollinate or just give it some more time.   Saturday, June 14 View Page She finally opened up its a fairly decent 4 lober but the petals are a little shriveled. Could be from the rain or the excess nitrogen. Either way I am keeping my fingers crossed that she takes. my 636 pounder from last year was pollinated on 6-13 so I am doing good schedule wise.   Saturday, June 14 View Page The 2009 Wallace in all her glory.   Saturday, June 14 View Page Here is the first pollination on the 2009 Wallace. Its doing very well at 19.75" Circumference on Day 11. I have never had a pumpkin grow this well this early in the season. I will keep this on another ten days or so and if everything is looking good with the second pollination I will cut this one off.   Saturday, June 14 View Page The 811 Gerhardt in the 150 Square foot Patch. around 9 feet long and still no sign of a Female flower.   Saturday, June 14 View Page The 1655 Ford chugging along like a train. Its about 10 feet long and its finally starting to get the side vines rolling a bit.   Saturday, June 14 View Page The first female on the 1655 Ford. I am thinking it will probably bloom in 4-5 days.   Friday, June 20 View Page I took most of the plastic off the greenhouse on the 2009 Wallace today.   Friday, June 20 View Page I am still extremely worried about the health of the plants due to excess nitrogen. The vine growth has slowed to a crawl and the new leaves are small and curled. I am afraid that the vine growth may stop altogether which would pretty much ruin my chances at growing anything of decent size.   Friday, June 20 View Page The first pollination on the 2009 Wallace grew 3 more inches today. Its doing well by my standards at 33 inches circumference on day 17.   Friday, June 20 View Page The hopeful keeper on the 2009 Wallace is at 7.5" on day 6 and not growing anywhere near as fast as the first one did. I think that is partially because of the cool rainy weather and partially because of the first pollination sucking up all the juice. I still want to use this one but I need to make sure it keeps growing for another week or so before i cut off the first one.   Friday, June 20 View Page I took the plastic off the hoop house on the 811 Gerhardt in the 150 SF patch.   Friday, June 20 View Page The 811 Gerhardt from the other end. The vine is laid out in a crescent shape. The main vine about 11 feet long.   Friday, June 20 View Page Finally a female on the 811 Gerhardt in the 150 SF Patch. Looks like its going to be in the 12.5-13 foot range.   Friday, June 20 View Page The 1655 Ford is at 11.5 feet long.   Friday, June 20 View Page I pollinated the first on the 1655 Ford on 6-17. It hasn't grown much but I am not planning on keeping it.   Friday, June 20 View Page This will probably be the keeper on the 1655 Ford. It should be right at about 12 feet on the vine.   Tuesday, June 24 View Page The First Pollination on the 2009 Wallace is at 45.5" Circumference on day 21 with an estimated weight around 40 pounds. Its average 3" per day for the last 7 days. I think its stealing juice from the keeper so I decided to pull the plug on it. I cut halfway through the stem tonight so that the keeper doesn't get flooded I will take it all the way off tomorrow night.   Tuesday, June 24 View Page Day 10 on the keeper on the 2009 Wallace. Its at 12.5" Circumference and Its been growing a steady 1.25 inches per day. I am confident enough that the pollination took that I am pulling the plug on the first pollination.   Wednesday, June 25 View Page Despite the fact that I took out a chunk of the stem half way across last night, this bad boy still managed to grow 3.25 more inches. Its completely off now. I weighed it on the bathroom scale and it came in at 49.7 pounds. Cutting the stem last night already seems to have helped the keeper which doubled its growth from the previous day. I am expecting some serious growth out of the keeper in the next week or so.   Monday, June 30 View Page The 2009 Wallace with the Keeper on it.   Tuesday, July 1 View Page The 2009 Wallace is at 26" on day 16. Its still behind the one that I culled. It needs to average 4" per day over the next 4 days to catch up to where the first one was on day 20.   Tuesday, July 1 View Page I didn't know it was possible but the worst of my vines actually exploded from the excess nitrogen. Fortunately there are only a couple of the first secondary vines that are this bad.   Tuesday, July 1 View Page This is the 1655 Ford.   Tuesday, July 1 View Page This should be the keeper on the 1655 Ford. I pollinated this one on 6-28 with pollen from the 2009 Wallace.   Tuesday, July 1 View Page Here is a top shot of the 811 Gerhardt. It is getting close to filling up the 150 sf.   Tuesday, July 1 View Page This should be the keeper on the main vine of the 811 Gerhardt. It will be opening tomorrow morning. There are actually two more on the 811 that will also be opening tomorrow. One on the 1st secondary and one on the 3rd secondary. I will pollinate all three for insurance. The one on the main vine will be pollinated with the 1495 Stelts Pollen that I got from Ron Barker. The one on the first secondary will be self pollinated and the one on the 3rd secondary will be pollinated with the 2009 Wallace.   Tuesday, July 1 View Page I took a 4 hour round trip down to Sumner to get this beautiful bouquet of flowers from Ron Barkers 1495 Stelts. The 1495 is a legendary for going heavy to the chart and often throws orange ones as well. I am going to cross this into the 811 Gerhardt to try and create a seed that will produce pumpkins that are both orange and heavy.   Saturday, July 5 View Page The 2009 Wallace. 43" Circumference on day 21.   Saturday, July 5 View Page The 1655 Ford. 10.25" Circ. on day 7   Saturday, July 5 View Page The 811 Gerhardt x 1495 Stelts (hopefully the keeper). Day 4   Saturday, July 5 View Page The 811 Gerhardt x Self on Day 4   Saturday, July 5 View Page The 811 Gerhardt x 2009 Wallace on day 4   Tuesday, July 8 View Page 4.75 more inches today on the 2009 Wallace! It went from 23" to 52.75" in 7 days. the pumpkin is 23 days old and the circumference is 9" larger than my 636 pounder was on day 23 last year.   Saturday, July 12 View Page 5 More inches in circumference on the 2009 Wallace today. This weather is spectacular. I am getting a small taste of what its like to grow in a normal North American Climate. It is now 71.5" in circumference and 168" OTT for an estimated weight of 113 pounds on day 27. It put on around 35 pounds in the last two days.   Saturday, July 12 View Page The 1655 Ford is at 25.5 inches on day 13.   Saturday, July 12 View Page The 811 Gerhardt x 1495 Stelts 19.5" on Day 10.   Saturday, July 12 View Page The 811 Gerhardt x Self 19.5" on day 10   Saturday, July 12 View Page The 811 Gerhardt x 2009 Wallace 21.25" on day 10.   Tuesday, July 15 View Page Day 30 for the 2009 Wallace. 85.25" circumference, 198"OTT estimated weight 181 pounds. Its Growing at about 23 pounds per day at this point. My best Pumpkin last year was at 62.25" Circumference and 156.75" OTT for an estimated weight at about 95 pounds on its 30th day. That one ended up being 636 Pounds. I am a little behind the benchmarks that are recommended for making the 1000 pound mark but our growing season here tends to be a little more long and steady than elsewhere so I think I could still pull it off.   Tuesday, July 15 View Page The 1655 Ford is at 36.25" circumference on Day 16.   Tuesday, July 15 View Page The 811 Gerhardt x 1495 Stelts is at 27" Circumference on day 12. Its looking like its going to be Orange and have some nice ribs. I hope its a beauty!   Tuesday, July 15 View Page I culled the other 2 pollinations off of the side vines of the 811 Gerhardt so I am all set with my keepers.   Thursday, July 24 View Page 7-23: The 811 Gerhardt has completely filled up the 150 SF patch. Last year I grew a 631 pounder on 130 SF. From an 811 progeny. This Plant is bigger, healthier, on better soil, has better sun and so far the pumpkin is bigger. Bring it on! :)   Thursday, July 24 View Page Unfortunately, I seem to be the only person in the world who has managed to grow and ugly shaped 811. At least its growing and the color looks like its going to be there. Maybe it will fill out. The Pumpkin is 22 days old 60" in circumference and 147" OTT for an estimated weight of 77 pounds.   Thursday, July 24 View Page The 1655 Ford is at 66.5" Circumference and 161" OTT for an estimated weight of 99 pounds on day 25. Unfortunately this cold snap is coming at a terrible time for this pumpkin as it should be about ready to take off. we had a whopping hi temp of 61 degrees today on the island.   Friday, July 25 View Page The 2009 Wallace on Day 40. Circumference = 116.25" OTT = 261.25" Estimated Weight = 405 pounds Average weight gain over last 5 days = 21.6 pounds per day Average weight gain over last 10 days = 24.7 pounds per day Hopefully the weather warms back up over the next few days and the daily gains start to go back up.   Friday, July 25 View Page A view from the top nice and long. Last year on day 40 my largest Pumpkin was at 192 pounds and it put on another 444 pounds before weighoff. I am over twice as heavy this year. Last year I didn't make 116" circ until Day 70. There are 42 days until the Puyallup fair. I will need to average about 14.2 pounds per day from here on out to get to 1000 pounds. If I can just match what I did last year from this point on I will get to around 850 pounds.   Wednesday, July 30 View Page The 1655 Ford is at 81.75" circumference on Day 31 and is estimating at about 178 pounds   Wednesday, July 30 View Page The 811 Gerhardt on the 150 SF Patch. Unfortunately this pumpkin has developed a Dill Ring so a Howard Dill award is probably out of the question. Its a shame because as you can see the color on this thing is going to be fabulous. I haven't really researched the implications of this in terms of my chances of getting the pumpkin to weigh off undamaged. Either way I am stuck with it because its my 150 SF Plant and all the vines are terminated. Fortunately its still growing and is at 77" Circumference on Day 28 for an estimated weight of 141 pounds. If it holds together I could still have a shot at winning the 150 contest.   Wednesday, July 30 View Page The 2009 Wallace Day 45. Circumference = 126.5" OTT = 284" Estimated Weight = 514 pounds Average daily gain last 5 days = 21.8 pounds Needs to average 13.2 Pounds per day til weigh off to estimate at 1000 pounds.   Friday, August 1 View Page Its not pretty like its supposed to be but the 811 Gerhardt is tearing it up in the 150SF contest. It is at 85" Circ. 204" OTT for an estimated weight of 198 Pounds on day 30. It averaged 18.6 pounds per day over the last 5 days.   Saturday, August 2 View Page My 2009 Wallace is now the largest Pumpkin I have ever grown by tape measurement and its only day 48! Its at 131.75" Circ and 297" OTT for an estimated weight of 585 pounds on the 2012 chart. Last year my final OTT numbers were 292" on the 636. 297" on the 693 and 292" on the 631. I almost feel embarrassed to have such a killer seed wasted on an amateur grower like myself. A heavy hitter could have done amazing things with this seed. I am pretty pumped up though. My goal of 1000 pounds seems more like a possibility every day.   Wednesday, August 6 View Page The 811 Gerhardt is starting to look a little more presentable as it fills out. Maybe that Howard Dill Award isn't out of the question yet. Its probably going to depend on what Bob Risi brings to the weigh off. The 811 is at day 35 and is measuring 98.25" Circumference and 234" OTT for an estimated weight of 294 pounds. Its averaged 19.2 pounds per day over the last 5 days. Not to bad for a 150 SF plant.   Wednesday, August 6 View Page Here is a shot from the roof showing the entire 811 Gerhardt plat on the 150 SF patch. There sure are a lot of leaves packed in there. My plan on harvest day is to cut all the leaves off and expose the vines so that I can get a good photo of the vine pattern. I think it would be cool if everyone else in the 150 SF contest did the same.   Thursday, August 7 View Page Day 40 for the 1655 Ford. Circumference = 103" OTT= 251" Estimated weight = 360 pounds. Weight gained last 5 days = 98 pounds. Its OTT is 10.5" smaller than the 2009 Wallace was on day 40 but its bigger than all three of my pumpkins Day 40 numbers from last year. Those were 202" 222" and 217". This one will be 92 days old for the Christianson's weigh off. I am hoping for around 800 and if it goes heavy who knows......   Sunday, August 10 View Page Day 40 on the 811 Gerhardt (150 sf contest) Circumference = 106" OTT = 253" Estimated weight = 368 pounds Average gain last 5 days = 14.8 pounds per day. Its starting to get really pretty I am gunning for that Howard Dill award at Central Market.   Friday, August 15 View Page Day 45 on the 811 Gerhardt (150 SF Contest) Circumference = 111.5" OTT = 267" Estimated weight = 430 pounds Average gain last 5 days = 12.2 pounds per day This is my smallest Pumpkin which is to be expected being on 150 square feet. However, it is still well ahead of all three of my Pumpkins from last year. I think going over 700 pounds is realistic for this one.   Monday, August 18 View Page The 1463 Wilson on the 10 x 10 patch at my dads place.   Monday, August 18 View Page the pumpkin on the 1463 Wilson. 21 days old 48" circumference.   Monday, August 18 View Page Day 50 on the 1655 Ford. Circumference = 121" OTT = 291" Estimated weight = 551 pounds Average gain last 5 days = 17.2 pounds per day. 17.2 per day is really good considering 3 of those Five days were cloudy/rainy with highs in the mid 60's. I am getting pretty excited about this one. Its pretty much the same size right now that my biggest pumpkin was last year. Its 100 pounds smaller than the 2009 was on day 50 but its going to have ten more days in the patch than the 2009 will so there is an opportunity for it to make up some ground.   Monday, August 18 View Page Day 65 on the 2009 Wallace. Circumference = 156.25" OTT = 349.5" Estimated Weight = 936 pounds Average gain last 5 days = 17.2 pounds per day I decided to get a different perspective and take some shots from the roof. It actually looks bigger in person than it does in the photos. There are 17 days left until the Puyallup Fair. Only needs to average 3.76 pounds per day to get to a half ton. I am not sure exactly what else is out there. I would suspect that , Cindy Tobeck, Ron K Barker, Stan Pugh, Joel Holland and at least one of the Halberts probably have bigger pumpkins than me at this point but some times they like to hold them out for later weighoffs. 1100ish took third place last year so who knows.   Monday, August 18 View Page Here is a little closer view from the Roof angle. Its bigger than the engine in my Car and most likely heavier as well.   Monday, August 18 View Page Here is a shot of patch 2 from the roof. I am really not working with much space. The 811 Gerhardt (150SF contest) is on the right and the 1655 Ford is on the left.   Wednesday, August 20 View Page Day 50 for the 811 Gerhardt. Circumference = 117" OTT = 277" Estimated weight = 478 pounds 5 day average = 9.6 pounds per day. The growth has really slowed down and I am not sure why. My other two haven't lost that much steam. I am not too worried though. The plant is very healthy and there are 51 days til central market so even a 5 pound per day average would put it well over 700 pounds. And as you can see the color is going to be stunning.   Friday, August 22 View Page WOO HOO! made it with 2 weeks to spare.   Friday, August 22 View Page Here is my half ton beauty. its still doing 20 pounds a day. 1200 is conceivable and its thumping solid so it could go heavy. 1300 anyone?......   Friday, August 22 View Page Day 55 for the 1655 Ford Circumference = 127" OTT = 305" Estimated weight = 632 Pounds 5 Day Average = 16.2 pounds per day This is now the second biggest Pumpkin I have ever grown by measurement and is bigger than anything I grew last year.   Tuesday, August 26 View Page day 55 for the 811 Gerhardt (150 square foot contest) Circumference = 121.75" OTT = 286.5" Estimated weight = 527 pounds Average gains last 5 days = 9.8 pounds per day. This one is just plugging along. In another week it should measure bigger than all three of my pumpkins from last year.   Wednesday, August 27 View Page Day 60 on the 1655 Ford Circumference = 132.25" OTT= 318" Estimated Weight = 713 pounds Average gain last 5 days = 16.2 pounds per day   Thursday, August 28 View Page Day 75 for the 2009 Wallace Circumference = 167" OTT = 371.5" Estimated weight = 1117 pounds Average gain last 5 days = 16.2 pounds per day Someone absconded with my pepsi can so I found a new scale object. The Fair is in 8 days. This will be the last picture I post before weigh off. 1200 on the chart should be doable. There have only been 3 pumpkins ever weighed above 1200 at the Puyallup fair. I am sure there will be several more this year but it will be nice to join that elite company. I am hoping it goes 10% heavy too. I also was looking at past results last night and I found that the largest Pumpkin ever grown in Island County is 1155 pounds by Lee Roof so I might have a new county record on my hands.   Tuesday, September 2 View Page I was out of town for the long weekend and left the pumpkins to fend for themselves. Highs were in the mid sixties with rain while I was gone so the growth wasn't spectacular. This is the 811 Gerhardt (150 square foot contest). On day 62. Its measuring 126.75" circumference. 296" OTT for an estimated weight of 579 pounds. It only averaged 7.6 pounds per day over the last 7 days.   Tuesday, September 2 View Page day 65 for the 1655 Ford. Circumference= 136.75" OTT= 326" Estimated weight = 766 pounds Average gain last 5 days = 10.6 pounds per day. This view is from a different angle than I have shown before you can see the stem side a bit. Its a nice and tall pumpkin.   Friday, September 5 View Page This is the contraption we built to lift the pumpkin.   Monday, September 8 View Page The modified tripod was absolutely rock solid and worked very well.   Monday, September 8 View Page my new 2 ton chain hoist worked like a charm as well. Much smoother than the antique 1/2 ton hoist I used last year.   Monday, September 8 View Page The Pumpkin is up and the truck is ready to back under.   Monday, September 8 View Page Slightly concave on the bottom but not too bad. Here I am just wiping off some sand   Monday, September 8 View Page Ready to roll down the road.   Monday, September 8 View Page I think the drive down I-5 is my favorite part of weighoff day.   Monday, September 8 View Page Its impossible to look at a giant pumpkin driving down the road and not smile.   Monday, September 8 View Page At the fair, we have a slowly moving parade through the grounds which is a big hit with the fair goers. Here I am answering some questions. You know "How many pies can you make" "did you feed it milk" etc.   Monday, September 8 View Page Unloading at the fair   Monday, September 8 View Page Safely unloaded and ready for the weigh off   Monday, September 8 View Page Loading me up on the scale.   Monday, September 8 View Page There it Is! New Island County Record. 1223 pounds grown on 290 square feet. I never even imagined I could get one this big. I was just hoping for 1000 and didn't really believe I would even make it to that goal.   Monday, September 8 View Page Carolyn prayed for my pumpkin all year So she gets some credit too. :) The Pumpkin is great but she has been the highlight of my summer by far.   Monday, September 8 View Page The competition was stiff and I came in 5th place. The winning Pumpkin was 1609.5 pounds shattering the Fair record by almost 300 pounds.   Tuesday, September 9 View Page Day 70 for the 811 Gerhardt (150 SF contest) Circumference = 133" Ott = 306" Estimated weight = 638 pounds Average gain last 5 days = 4.8 pounds per day. Fall is definitely here. There is a crispness in the air and the pumpkin growth has curtailed sharply. There's still 32 days to go until Central Market. I hope it holds on that long. Last year my central market pumpkin on about the same size and same age plant put on 150 pounds in the last 30 days. I am setting 750 pounds as a goal for this one.   Wednesday, September 17 View Page Day 80 on the 1655 Ford. Circumference = 145.5" OTT = 341" Estimated weight = 872 pounds Average gain last 5 days = 7.4 pounds per day There are 11 days to the weigh off. This one is not going to make it to 1000 on the estimation chart so it will have to go heavy. It sounds hollow to me when I thump it so I am not too confident in making 1000 pounds.   Saturday, September 20 View Page day 80 for the 811 Gerhardt. (150 SF contest) Circumference = 137" OTT = 313" Estimated weight = 681 pounds Average gain last 5 days = 4.2 pounds per day. 3 weeks to go until weighoff. I am shooting for 750 which would be a hair over 3.1 pounds per day from here on out.   Monday, September 22 View Page day 85 on the 1655 Ford Circumference = 146 OTT= 342.5 Estimated weight = 883 pounds Average gain last 5 days = 2.2 pounds per day She is pretty much done growing. The weighoff is on Saturday at Christianson's Nursery. This is actually a very nice looking pumpkin and if it was orange might be in the hunt for a Howard dill award.   Wednesday, September 24 View Page day 85 for the 811 Gerhardt. (150 SF contest) Circumference = 137.5" OTT = 316.5" Estimated weight = 703 Pounds Average gain last 5 days = 4.4 pounds per day. I cleared some of the leaves around the pumpkin to expose it to more light and hopefully deepen the color. She is really pretty from the stem side. 17 more days till weighoff. Still hoping I can win this contest. VT Wilbur has a nice one growing that he said was taping mid 600s last week and I am sure there are some sandbaggers out there.... but If I can keep it growing for another 2 weeks, I like my chances.   Saturday, September 27 View Page I took my 1655 Ford to the Skagit Valley Pumpkin Festival Weigh off   Saturday, September 27 View Page My quadpod and hoist did the trick again.   Saturday, September 27 View Page Some of the Pumpkins at the weighoff   Saturday, September 27 View Page It estimated at 888 pounds but came in a bit light at 819.5 pounds.   Saturday, September 27 View Page The 819.5 Radach. Not too shabby for a 299 Square foot plant.   Friday, October 3 View Page Only one plant left in the patch. The 811 Gerhardt (150 SF contest) Its hard to believe that so much pumpkin came out of such a small plant. Tomorrow is day 95. I will update the numbers then.   Friday, October 3 View Page The weigh off is just 8 days away. There are pictures from last weeks weigh off but my new fiance hasn't e-mailed them to me yet. For some reason she thought the pictures from Sunday's proposal were more important.   Thursday, October 9 View Page My Dad Harvested our pumpkin off of the 1463 Wilson. This Pumpkin was grown on a 10 foot x 10 foot patch. We double teamed it. I germinated the seed planted it and did the vine burying and pruning on the weekends. My dad did the patch prep, watering and fertilizing.   Thursday, October 9 View Page Its hard to get a full shot of the plant given its location squeezed in between the shrubs and trees. This was grown at My parents house in Oak Harbor which is about an hour away from where I live.   Thursday, October 9 View Page Its hard to get a full shot of the plant given its location squeezed in between the shrubs and trees. This plant was grown at my Parents house in Oak Harbor which is about an hour away from where I live.   Thursday, October 9 View Page Here is my dad Harvesting the pumpkin. It measured at 262 OTT for an estimated weight of 401 pounds.   Thursday, October 9 View Page I will be at the Central Market Weigh off this Saturday with my 811 Gerhardt and my dad will take this one down to Coupeville where they have an unsanctioned weigh off for Whidbey Island growers only.   Monday, October 13 View Page Well. Here is my 811 Gerhardt (150 SF Contest) on the scale at Central Market. I was convinced it was going to go light but it actually went 6% heavy. and came in at 814.5 pounds. This is the first time I have ever grown a pumpkin that was heavier than its mother.   Monday, October 13 View Page I also won the Howard Dill Award! It was a great day all around!   Monday, October 13 View Page Here are the top 10 from the weigh off gathered around Joel Hollands 1627.5 pound winner.   Monday, October 13 View Page Here is the vine pattern that I used on the 811 in the 150SF contest.   Wednesday, November 12 View Page Sent out Seeds to 27 people in 17 states and 4 countries. Hopefully some one grows something great with them next year.