Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 39 Entries. Monday, March 23 View Page FlatNorm decided to start his diary for 2015 with a new outfit as you can see. With that and his passport in his pocket he set off for that place called Wilkes-Barre Pa. that he heard so many of the growers would be. At first he found himself a nice quiet corner opposite the hotel registration desk where he could observe all the arrivals. He could hardly contain himself and almost spoke when so many of his friends came by to see him. Later he managed to find his way to the conference room where he was able to quietly observe the festivities. (He may have nodded off once or twice while everyone was so attentive to the proceedings).   Monday, March 23 View Page Most everyone recognizes the front of FlatNorm but few know what’s on the other side. It’s where so many of his friends leave notes messages and greetings. These are the fond remembrances which will sustain him until they meet again. The flatworld is a place where the weather is always sunny, everyone smiles, and pumpkins are always big and orange. Many thanks to all those who had time to write a little something…..you will receive a dose of FlatNorms world for your patch this year.   Monday, March 23 View Page FlatNorm had such a great time in Wilkes-Barre that he has dusted off his passport (2013 diary) and will apply for a UK visa so he can try to be in Lymington, 2016 ! He is so excited to go to a country where they use pumpkin weights for currency that he will increase the number of plants in his patch this year to fatten his wallet for the trip.   Monday, May 11 View Page FlatNorm is a bit behind schedule with his 150 square ft patch this year but not worried. He marked out the perimeter of his patch today which will eventually be bordered by his wind break. The seedling is still a few days away from going in the patch.   Monday, May 11 View Page The white square is the 5 ft square base for his hoop house. FlatNorm had to do some fancy math tricks to calculate the area.   Friday, May 15 View Page FlatNorm is happy that he finally has his plant in the 150 patch.   Friday, May 15 View Page Flatnorm would be happier if he had the labels correct on his 150 patch layout. 3 should have been 5 which still keeps him well withing his 150 limit.   Thursday, May 28 View Page Downsized Flatnorm is all packed with his passport for his trip to Phoenix to see the AZGPG weighoff.   Saturday, May 30 View Page Flatnorm couldn't wait to get his picture with the new Arizona State Record Pumpkin ! Congrats to Dean Baker for breaking the 8 year old record.   Saturday, May 30 View Page Dave Smith couldn't be happier with this winning orange beauty. Orange is Flatnorms favorite color.   Saturday, May 30 View Page In many ways the Arizona Giant Pumpkin Growers are all winners as the pose for a group picture with Flatnorm and the record pumpkin. Wendy, Dave, Dean and Scott.   Saturday, May 30 View Page The AZGPG didn't have a shirt in Flatnorms reduced size but he did get a fine cup to enjoy his morning coffee and remember all the fine people in Arizona.   Monday, June 1 View Page Back from Arizona and it seems Flatnorms patch survived.   Friday, June 5 View Page A peak inside confirms there really is a pumpkin plant.   Sunday, June 7 View Page Flatnorm wonders why all the other pumpkin plants got upgraded to drip irrigation ?   Tuesday, June 9 View Page drip or no drip, Flatnorms plant continues to grow and will need to be out soon.   Friday, June 12 View Page All the other pumpkins may have gotten drip first but Flatnorms plant also gets his own private mister(so there).   Monday, June 15 View Page A couple days later and Flatnorms plant begins to spread its wings. Hey ! Whats that other plant in Flatnorms patch ? With only 150 square feet there is no room to share but wait, there is more. Flatnorm planted an extra plant and innoculated it with myco so it will be active by time his plant grows that far. He hopes to get better colonization. See how much smaller the extra plant is. It was started the same day as Flatnorms plant and put in the patch the same day. Guess which one had soil cables and a toasty warm hoop house.   Tuesday, June 30 View Page With today being extra long because of the 'leap second' being added to the clock FlatNorm thought he would use the extra time to update his diary. It didn't take long for traveling sized FlatNorm to find something that needs closer inspection.   Tuesday, June 30 View Page FlatNorm thinks its a nice shaped pumpkin at day 4 but doesn't think he will keep it because he has his eye on the next one.   Monday, July 6 View Page Well its day 10 for Flatnorms first pollination in his 150 square ft patch. He still like the look of the first pollination even after 10 days but its still on the cull list.   Friday, July 10 View Page Look what Flatnorm stumbled onto during his spy tour today.   Saturday, July 11 View Page Another day and another patch to keep spy flatnorm busy   Sunday, July 12 View Page No spy tours for Flatnorm today so time to catchup on his 150 square foot patch. Seems its almost over run with plant and still he hasn't made is pumpkin selection. Rumor is tomorrow will be the do or die day for little pumpkin selections. He has 2 sets hiding in there and one must go.   Sunday, July 12 View Page Looking at the patch picture above one would wonder how Flatnorm keeps his plant contained inside the required 150 square feet limit. Easy, he leaves the silt fence installed all season and here you can see the 'wall of separation' from his neighbor the big plant.   Tuesday, July 14 View Page Flatnorms favorite pumpkin failed to make the cut so it went under the knife today. In 150 square feet there is no room to spare as you can see there are roots everywhere.   Tuesday, July 14 View Page Now Flatnorm has to figure out how he is going to manage this one hiding in the center of his 150 square foot patch.   Tuesday, July 14 View Page After cutting a couple secondaries and removing some leaves it looks like Flatnorm is read to go.   Tuesday, July 14 View Page Flatnorms 150 square foot patch is full up. You can almost see his pumpkin on the mill fabric. Just wait a few days and his monster will break the leaf canopy.   Friday, July 17 View Page Flatnorm always wonders whats outside the confines of his 150 square foot patch. So he went visiting and found this party animal next door.   Friday, July 17 View Page His neighbor gave him a full tour but he thinks this one is a bit square.   Sunday, July 26 View Page While out on a spy trip Flatnorm spotted this in a patch and thinks it may be a tad to wet in there.   Sunday, August 23 View Page It looks like a nice day for a hike in the mountains.   Tuesday, August 25 View Page Hey….wait for me !   Tuesday, August 25 View Page You can’t grow pumpkins on this ‘hill’, even the trees are small.   Tuesday, August 25 View Page No accounting for when or where you will see Team-Pumpkin.   Tuesday, August 25 View Page Taxi ! ….over here. (my ride back to the lodge at the end of each day)   Saturday, August 29 View Page It's nice to be home and find my 150 pumpkin is not flat and still growing.   Friday, September 25 View Page Flatnorm weighed his 150 sq ft contest pumpkin at the Durham Fair. Very happy with 665.5