Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 184 Entries. Tuesday, February 17 View Page New pumpkin patch machine. 1000 lb box capacity and 2000 lb towing capacity. I wanted orange but they only came in red and green. Planning on using it a lot in the commercial pumpkin patch. I think I would have a hard time getting a 1000 lb pumpkin in that box!!!   Tuesday, April 7 View Page Have a lot of plants growing for the school plant sale. This is the geranium house.   Tuesday, April 7 View Page And the main house. Can't wait to get my pumpkins going and in the greenhouse. Its nice to have a facility like this available to me.   Sunday, April 26 View Page Soaked seeds for four hours and put in germination chamber at 88 degrees today. Lineup is 1874.5 Mathison -- Backup 1554 Mathison/433 Wexler only going to have one non orange plant 1662.5 Stelts - Backup 1813 Northrup/ 288 Buglio 1317 Clementz -- Backup 451.5 Weibel 811 Gerhardt -- Backup 780 Gerhardt 359 Foss -- Backup 356 House ( 1048 Engel x 1770.5 Leiber) also started one each of 904 Northrup, 1327.5 Rea, and 1134.5 Rea. Any backups I don't need will go into my commercial field.   Monday, May 4 View Page Main AG's and backups potted up today. Hope to get them in the dirt later this week.   Monday, May 4 View Page Commercial Orange AG's seeds soaked for 4 hours today.   Monday, May 4 View Page commercial orange AG's in the germination chamber   Saturday, May 23 View Page Little but healthy. The 811 Gerhardt finally made it into the patch today. Was a tough ride but after having one get lost in the mail, a B grade seed from Jim that I really appreciated but didn't germinate, I got a seed from a very generous grower that has made it to dirt. Really wanted to grow this seed since I love orange and now I am going to have the chance.   Thursday, June 4 View Page 1554 Matthison   Thursday, June 4 View Page 1662.5 Stelts   Thursday, June 4 View Page 811 Gerhardt planted late.   Thursday, June 4 View Page 359 Foss   Thursday, June 4 View Page and last but not least the 1317 Clementz. Looking for some big oranges this year and hopefully a new PB.   Sunday, June 7 View Page Commercial field pumpkins and specialties to plant this week. ( if the rain stops).   Sunday, June 7 View Page Commercial fields and specialty pumpkins to plant week of June 15th.   Friday, June 12 View Page Field pumpkin lineup for 2015 2- 81 Wolf's ( 88.5 Leland x 145 McInnis, 1- 181 MacKinnon ( 162 J MacKinnon x self), 1- 248 Timm (97 Dill x self), 1- 247 Graham (181 MacKinnon x 103 MacKinnon, 1- 173 Wellington (cross unknown), 1- 122 House 14 ( 81 Wolf x 152.5 Deletas), 1- 108 House 13 (96 Menting x 150.5 Razo, 1- 106.9 House 14 (162 j MacKinnon x 108 House), 1- 105.6 House 14 (152.5 Deletas x 162.5 LaRue ) 23% heavy, 1- 99 House 14 (103 MacKinnon x 109 Martin), 1- 56 House 13 (91 Strombach x open)   Saturday, June 13 View Page six inches of rain in the last three days. five inches forecast for the next 10 days. 500 pots of field pumpkins sitting in the greenhouse that need to get in the field. Not looking good right now.   Monday, June 15 View Page Mudded in big fields today. Needed to get them out of their pots even though the ground was pretty wet.   Tuesday, June 30 View Page Sprayed AG's, commercial AG's, and fields and commercial fields with Tanos (8 oz/acre), Bravo (2 pt/acre),and Badge (1 1/3 pt/acre. Been extremely wet. over 13 inches for month of June. More rain than we would normally get all summer.   Thursday, July 9 View Page Like everyone else ( except CA) way to wet here. 15 inches of rain in the past 30 days and rain in the forecast almost every day for the next week. Pumpkins on high ground looked okay but even they are starting to yellow from lack of oxygen to the roots. Some of the worst looking corn and soybeans I have ever seen in my area. My commercial pumpkins still look okay but they are starting to suffer also.   Friday, July 10 View Page 1554 Matthison x 1465 Keenen at DAP 18   Friday, July 10 View Page Bad picture but 288 Buglio x 1813 Northrup. 162 OTT day 20   Friday, July 10 View Page 1327.5 Rea x 1662.5 Stelts 163 DAP 20. Picture doesn't show it but it is a nice yellow color.   Friday, July 10 View Page 356 House x open. 356 was a 1048 Engel x 1770 Lieber cross. This is the darkest orange pumpkin I have ever had at this stage of growth. 160 OTT DAP 20.   Friday, July 10 View Page Wet ground is starting to take its toll. 16 inches of rain last 30 days with 3 more forecast for this weekend. I have lost my 1662.5 Stelts and part of my 359 Foss and 1317 Clementz from stem rot. Ground has been constantly saturated or even had standing water at times.   Friday, July 17 View Page A big storm hit last night with high winds and 3 inches of rain. It flattened most of the varieties of indian corn that I am growing. A few rows were protected by trees and are still okay. It could be worse. A tornado beat a town up pretty bad about 40 miles away. I have no idea how much rain we have had since June 7 but we set a new all time record for June Rainfall and July is already over 3 times the normal rainfall.   Sunday, July 19 View Page Sprayed with Ranman, Bravo, and Badge yesterday. I am worried about disease this year with all the rain we have been getting. I passed on a couple field blooms this weekend but should be starting pollinations on my big fields this week. Best AG currently is a 1327.5 Rea crossed with the 1662.5 Stelts at est 275 lbs.   Sunday, July 19 View Page 1554 Matthison x 1465 Keenen 233 OTT (326 lb est) day 27   Sunday, July 19 View Page Commercial big oranges   Sunday, July 19 View Page Commercial field and specialty pumpkins (3 acres this year)   Thursday, July 23 View Page Pollinated 248 Timm with 247 Graham and vice versa today. 248 Timm had three blossoms today. One on the main and one on the first secondary on each side.   Sunday, July 26 View Page 129 McWilliams growing out of a shipping crate on the end of my shed I use for pumpkin sales in the fall. Growing a lot bigger than I had planned.   Sunday, July 26 View Page Competition field pumpkins looking very good. I will have to start burying vine tips this week to keep them from growing into each other.   Sunday, July 26 View Page 122 House ( 81 Wolf x 152.5 Deletas ) looks really good right now. Pollinated a bloom on it yesterday by a 81 Wolf plant I am growing this year. The 248 Timm, 247 Graham, and 181 MacKinnon are all looking great also.   Sunday, July 26 View Page 811 Gerhardt x 359 Foss 193" OTT DAP 24   Thursday, July 30 View Page Fun seeds from seed exchange. Never have grown the giant sunflowers or corn but since there were seeds in the seed exchange I decided to put them in 30 gallon pots along each upright on the shed I sell pumpkins from. giant corn is not handling the limited root space but with the help of 10-20 gallons of water a day the giant sunflowers are doing well. Sidewall is 9 foot tall so sunflowers are at around 10 foot right now.   Sunday, August 2 View Page Ignore time stamp. 1554 Matthison x 1465 Keenan(2009 Wallace x sib) at 304" DAP 40 ( 630 lb est)   Sunday, August 2 View Page Ignore time stamp again. 811 Gerhardt x 359 Foss at DAP 30 -- 244" - ( 327 lb est)   Sunday, August 2 View Page 1327.5 Rea x 1662.5 Stelts at DAP 42 -- 291" -- 553 lb est   Sunday, August 2 View Page an oldie 904 Northrup 05 x 811 Gerhardt DAP 37 -- 263 OTT -- 418 lb est   Sunday, August 2 View Page The commercial big orange patch. I have several 200 - 600 pounders growing in this field.   Wednesday, August 5 View Page 810 Westcott x 811 Gerhardt -- 335 lb est -- growing in commercial field so no attention and probably will never get real big but good orange genetics.   Wednesday, August 5 View Page 260 Herrmann ( 150 Rea x 993 VM) x 215 House ( 150 Rea x 568 Kaczenski) -- 297 lb est -- I am working on having a line of seeds that will consistently produce 200 -300 lbers with good shape and color for my commercial sales. The crosses with the 150 Rea a generation or two back are doing a good job of producing the. Thanks Glenna   Friday, August 7 View Page Sprayed today with Revus, Bravo, Badge. Starting to see a little powdery mildew on the commercial pumpkins. Considering all the rain we had in late June, early July things look pretty good and disease pressure is low.   Sunday, August 9 View Page 248 Timm x 247 Graham - DAP 17 -- 119 OTT -- 35 lb est   Sunday, August 9 View Page 247 Graham x 248 Timm -- DAP 16 - 125 OTT -- 40 lb est   Sunday, August 9 View Page 106.9 House x 181 MacKinnon -- DAP 17 -- 110 OTT -- 28 lb est This pumpkin has been white along with the others on this plant. The 106.9 was a 162 MacKinnon x 108 House cross. It is starting to get an orange tinge but this one has been a surprise.   Sunday, August 9 View Page 105.6 House x 247 Graham -- DAP 16 -- 130 OTT -- 45.4 lb est This is my biggest field currently. Not the prettiest pumpkin but growing well. The 105.6 was a 152.5 Deletas x 162.5 LaRue cross   Sunday, August 9 View Page 81 Wolf x self -- DAP 15 - 125 OTT - 40.4 lb est   Friday, August 14 View Page 811 Gerhardt x 359 Foss at 298 OTT 594 lb est and growing   Sunday, August 23 View Page 811 Gerhardt x 359 Foss at 317 OTT - 713 lb est   Sunday, August 23 View Page 1327.5 Rea x 1662.5 Stelts - 328 OTT -- 788 lb est   Sunday, August 23 View Page 810 Westcott x 811 Gerhardt - 244 OTT - 327 lb est. Not big but good orange genetics.   Sunday, August 23 View Page 840 Young x 811 Gerhardt -- 273 OTT -- 457 lb est. More orange.   Sunday, August 23 View Page 798 Fraley x 811 Gerhardt -- 260 OTT -- 395 lb est. All but the 811 are in my commercial patch and have had no special treatment.   Sunday, August 23 View Page 725 Herrmann x 359 Herrmann -- 273 OTT - 457 lb est 725 Herrmann is a 993 VM x self 359 Herrmann is 993 VM x 500 Piorier Really orange   Sunday, August 23 View Page 559 Fraley x 1662.5 Stelts -- 269 OTT -- 437 lb est   Sunday, August 23 View Page 433 House x 1317 Clementz -- 267 OTT -- 428 lb est 433 House is a 827.5 Gerhardt x 1770.5 Lieber   Sunday, August 23 View Page 433 House x 811 Gerhardt -- 258 OTT -- 386 lb est Growing on same main as the 433 x 1317 in prior pic. The hardest thing to do is to sell all these nice oranges as I want to have them to harvest seed from for next year. A lot of times I hope no one wants them but the prettier they are the more likely they are to sell.   Sunday, August 23 View Page 350 House x 1662.5 Stelts -- 276 OTT -- 472 lb 350 House is 326 House x 1059 VM   Wednesday, August 26 View Page harvested first big field today. an 81 Wolf x self cross. Loved the color and shape but would have liked a lot more weight. Weighed in at 62.5 lbs right on tape. I could use 50 of these for my commercial operation but it is one of the lighted pumpkins I have grown off an 81 Wolf seed.   Wednesday, August 26 View Page Another big field ( which wasn't very big) I harvested today is the 29 House 2015. It is a 106.9 House x 181 MacKinnon cross. Have no idea how the l06.9 House which was a 162 MacKinnon x 108 House cross ended up white/cream. When I saw it was going to produce white I let it set as many as it wanted and I now have a plant with about 12 white pumpkins between 25-40 lbs. Not what I was looking for competition wise but I think they will be a hit in the pumpkin sales. I selfed the seed also hoping to get a line of big white field pumpkins. If anyone else planted the 106.9 House ( I sent a few of them to people requesting field seed) I would like to hear if it produced white pumpkins for you.   Sunday, August 30 View Page The family photo area at the pumpkin place. Small AG's make a nice backdrop.   Sunday, August 30 View Page Pulled the 1327.5 Rea x 1662.5 Stelts for display. Not big by AG growers standards but impresses people who don't see a really big pumpkin very often. Love the color but shape leaves a little to be desired.   Sunday, August 30 View Page 293 House 2015 UOW ( 675 Conniff x 500 Herrmann) on the display/sale row of pumpkins. The 675 Conniff is a 500 Herrmann x self cross. The 500 Herrmann is a 1059 VM x self. Really curious as to if the seeds will produce white or orange. Love the shape of this pumpkin. Perfect pumpkin shape.   Thursday, September 3 View Page Big fields were a big disappointment this year. Hoping to beat my PB of 131 and doubt if I will even get one to 100. Even with scheduled spraying downy mildew wiped them out early. This is the 64.2 House 15 uow ( 248 Timm x 247 Graham)   Thursday, September 3 View Page Biggest so far. The 85.7 House 15 uow ( 247 Graham x 248 Timm).   Thursday, September 3 View Page a nice one out of the commercial patch. The 62.9 House 15 uow ( 140.5 Shier x 248 Timm)   Friday, September 4 View Page harvesting commercial big orange AG's today for display/sale 501 House 2015 UOW ( 904 Northrup 05 x 811 Gerhardt )   Friday, September 4 View Page 597 House 2015 UOW ( 374 House 14 x 359 Foss) The 374 was a 1059 VM x self   Friday, September 4 View Page one of the prettiest pumpkins and nicest shapes I have grown. It would actually sit on its end but I didn't want to put stress on it. 500 House 2015 UOW ( 350 House 14 x 1662.5 Stelts) The 350 House was a (326 House 13 x 1059 VM) 326 House was the 568 Kazenski x open. never been to a GPC weighoff but am guessing if this pumpkin had a little more size it would be a HD contender.   Saturday, September 5 View Page Harvested more commercial big oranges for display/sale today. 313 House 2015 UOW ( 1662.5 Stelts x open) Grown on my 1662.5 stelts plant that I lost about 75 percent of to SVB early in the season.   Saturday, September 5 View Page 324 House 2015 UOW ( 220 House 14 x 359 Foss) 220 House 14 was a 326 House 13 x 1048 Engel cross)   Saturday, September 5 View Page 274 House 2015 UOW ( 758.5 House 14 x open) 758.5 House was a 810 Westcott x 1059 VM cross)   Saturday, September 5 View Page 306 House 2015 UOW ( 387 House 14 x 840 Young)   Saturday, September 5 View Page 475 House 2015 UOW ( 725 Herrmann x 359 Herrmann) 725 Herrmann is a 993 VM x self 359 Herrmann is a 993 VM x 500 Piorier   Saturday, September 5 View Page 219 House 2015 UOW ( 500 Herrmann x 811 Gerhardt) All my commercial oranges are weighed on my 1000 pound Toledo Bend beam scale so shouldn't be too far off.   Monday, September 7 View Page 1317 Clementz x 359 Foss late pollination developed cracks after a two inch rain a couple weeks ago. kept cracks full of sulfer powder and got two more weeks but had a soft spot today so harvested the seeds from it. weighed just a little over 300 pounds but the seed will find a spot in my commercial patch next year.   Thursday, September 10 View Page Another one harvested from the commercial patch The 513 House 2015 UOW (559 Farley x 1662.5 Stelts)   Thursday, September 10 View Page Opps, that is 559 Fraley not Farley.   Friday, September 11 View Page Another commercial big orange picked today. 520 House 2015 UOW ( 433 House 14 x 1317 Clementz) 433 House was 827.5 Gerhardt x 1770.5 Lieber Seems like the 500 lb range is my magic number this year.   Saturday, September 12 View Page Pictures from the pumpkin place this year. This is the wash area.   Saturday, September 12 View Page The specialty pumpkin area.   Saturday, September 12 View Page White pumpkin area.   Saturday, September 12 View Page Gourds and more gourds   Saturday, September 12 View Page Ornamental corn selection   Saturday, September 12 View Page Small and medium jack-o-lanterns. Be careful or you may find a hobby become a full time job.   Monday, September 14 View Page Harvested more big oranges from the commercial patch for display today. This is putting some older orange genetics together the 534 House 15 UOW ( 1250.5 Kline 06 x 904 Northrup 05) This cross is loaded with 670 Daigle genetics.   Monday, September 14 View Page 456 House 15 UOW ( 433 House 14 x 811 Gerhardt 11) Ruined my string of 500 pound commercials.   Monday, September 14 View Page 504 House 15 UOW ( 840 Young 12 x 811 Gerhardt 11) Had a nice shape and color.   Monday, September 14 View Page 487 House 15 UOW ( 215 House 14 x 224 House 14) 215 House is 150 Rea x 568 Kaczenski 224 House is 150 Rea x 1059 Vincent/McGill   Monday, September 14 View Page 487 House 15 UOW ( 288 Buglio x 1813 Northrup)   Tuesday, September 15 View Page The 811 Gerhardt x 359 Foss is still in the field and taping 333 ( 823 lb est.) Great color and shape   Tuesday, September 15 View Page The white sheep of the family. 240 lbs of progeny from what was supposed to be my orange big field producer ( 106.9 House 14. I am not complaining as I put all but the two selfed ones ( two biggest on the seat) on the shelves and they all sold by the end of the day. Hoping the selfed seeds produce white for me next year. I have a 106.9 House in my commercial field that produced a 75 pound orange. not sure what happened but I hope I can reproduce it.   Tuesday, September 15 View Page 54.8 House 15 UOW ( 248 Timm x 247 Graham). Not big but could be a big producer next year. Lost all of my big field plants to downy mildew at around DAP 20 so didn't get any really big ones this year.   Tuesday, September 15 View Page 430 House 2015 UOW ( 759 Fraley x 811 Gerhardt) From the commercial patch. great color but shape isn't the best.   Thursday, September 24 View Page Harvested more commercial orange AG's today. 303 House 2015 UOW ( 238 House 14 x self) 238 was 150 Rea x 1770.5 Lieber   Thursday, September 24 View Page 422 House 15 ( 238 House 14 x open)   Thursday, September 24 View Page 324 House 2015 UOW ( 224 House 14 x open) 224 House 14 was 150 Rea x 1059 Vincent McGill   Thursday, September 24 View Page 266 House 2015 UOW ( 260 Herrmann x 224 House ) 260 Herrmann was 150 Rea x 993 Vincent McGill   Thursday, September 24 View Page Biggest is still sitting in patch. 1554 Matthison x 1465 Keenan.   Thursday, September 24 View Page Two of my grandchildren at my Pumpkin Place   Thursday, September 24 View Page Found this hiding in the gourd patch. Can it beat my 141 from last year?   Thursday, September 24 View Page Field pumpkin time. Downy mildew destroyed my patch just when they started growing good so had a very disappointing year. Pictured is the 75.5 House 2013 UOW ( 181 MacKinnon x 248 Timm )   Thursday, September 24 View Page 88.2 House 2015 UOW ( 99 House x 247 Graham ) 99 House is 103 MacKinnon x 109 Martin   Thursday, September 24 View Page 68 House 2015 UOW ( 56 House 2013 x 181 MacKinnon) 56 House was 91 Strombach x open   Thursday, September 24 View Page 75.6 House 2015 UOW ( 75.6 House 14 x 248 Timm) Strange to have a progeny exactly the same weight as the mom. 75.6 House 14 was 108 House 13 x 97 Dill. The 97 Dill really took over this one as the 108 produced round pumpkins.   Thursday, September 24 View Page Starting to fill a large order for a fall drive customer at the Pumpkin Place.   Thursday, September 24 View Page Opps, Looks like I need to reset the date and time. Doesn't look like January 2010.   Monday, September 28 View Page Bad day. Noticed the 811 Gerhardt x 359 Foss had a little ripple in the side that wasn't there before. Closer inspection showed she was real soft. Insides were pretty much mush. took out all the seeds I could. Will dry them and do a germination test to see if they are viable. Was hoping to take it to Anemosa this weekend and maybe try for a HD Award but not going to happen now.   Monday, September 28 View Page Nothing like harvesting some big oranges to lift your spirits. This was a really weird one. It is not one of my cinderellas. It was a 356 House x 359 Foss cross. The 356 House was 1048 Engel x 1770.5 Lieber. This fruit grew upside down and is sitting on the pallet that way. It taped 352 lbs. It weighed 428 lbs. Thought the scale was wrong so lifted it back up and weighed myself and it was accurate. so now I have the 428 House 2015 UOW ( 356 House x 359 Foss.   Monday, September 28 View Page 232 House 15 UOW ( 224 House x open) 224 House was 150 Rea x 1059VM. the 224 has produced several very nice orange pumpkins for me.   Monday, September 28 View Page 359 House 2015 UOW ( 810 Westcott x 811 Gerhardt) Can't wait to see what this seed does next year as I have always liked the 810 and the 811 is the king of orange.   Monday, September 28 View Page 423 House 2015 UOW ( 612 House 14 x 1662.5 Stelts) 612 House was 723.5 Kaczenski x 1059VM   Monday, September 28 View Page 237 House 2015 ( 260 Herrmann x open) 260 Herrman was 150 Rea x 993 VM. One of my prettiest oranges.   Monday, September 28 View Page 344 House 2015 UOW ( 220 House 14 x open) 220 House 14 was 326 House 13 x 1048 Engel   Monday, September 28 View Page So what am I doing with all these big oranges? They are on display at the Pumpkin Place. This is the road by the entrance to the Pumpkin Place.   Monday, September 28 View Page Lining the parking lot.   Monday, September 28 View Page 500 plus pound row ( okay the little one is only 428)   Monday, September 28 View Page Big boys at the entrance   Monday, September 28 View Page Tried long gourds growing on the end of one of the pumpkin sheds this year. People love them but keep asking if they are green beans. lol   Monday, October 5 View Page Got a call last week from the people who own the farm I grew up on that they were going to tear down the old barn that was there. I rushed up to take one last look. Milked a lot of cows, unloaded a lot of straw and hay, fed a lot of cattle and hogs, and cleaned out a whole lot of manure in that building. Bought back a huge rush of memories and emotions.   Monday, October 5 View Page You never know who is going to visit the Pumpkin Place.   Monday, October 5 View Page When you let giant long gourds grow on the ground you can get some interesting things. This snake gourd is a python.   Thursday, October 8 View Page The 1554 Matthison x 1465 Keenan still sitting in patch but not growing much. Still I am very happy as it tapes 357 OTT which is 1002 lbs on the tables. I need to get this thing to a scale so I can find out if I broke the 1000 lb mark. My scale will only weigh to 976 pounds since I have to use a 24 lb board on the scale to make the platform big enough. No matter what it is a personal best by about 200 pounds even if it goes light.   Thursday, October 15 View Page Took the 1554 Matthison x 1465 Keenan to get weighed today on a certified scale. Taped right at 1000 so had high hopes.   Thursday, October 15 View Page Ended up 8 lbs short. Still was a personal best by a couple hundred pounds. Looks like I will have to wait another year to join the 1000 pound club.   Thursday, October 15 View Page my little tractor couldn't lift it until I got on the back of the boom and pushed up on it. Will need a bigger tractor if I grow bigger pumpkins.   Thursday, October 15 View Page What better way to raise the spirits than to harvest some more AGS. 427 House 2015 UOW ( 215 House x 100 Herrmann) 215 House is 150 Rea x 568 Kaczenski and 100 Herrmann is 150 Rea x sib)   Thursday, October 15 View Page 326 House 2015 UOW ( 427.5 Kiger x open) Really nice white color.   Thursday, October 15 View Page 290 House 2015 UOW ( 220 House 14 x 215 House 14) 220 House is 326 House 13 x 1048 Engel)   Thursday, October 15 View Page 332 House 2015 UOW ( 220 House x open)   Thursday, October 15 View Page and last but not least for the day. 237 House 2015 UOW ( 215 House x open)   Tuesday, October 27 View Page Was interviewed for an article in Agri News. It is an agricultural newspaper for Illinois and Indiana. She was impressed with my 992. I think they would be really impressed if they saw a really big pumpkin. She couldn't believe it was a baby by big pumpkin standards. http://agrinews-pubs.com/Content/News/Latest-News/Article/Giant-pumpkin-pursuit-/8/6/13436   Wednesday, October 28 View Page Harvested seeds from some more pumpkins today. This is the 74.2 House Cinderella ( 233 House 2014 Cinderella x Cinderella ) 233 produced a lot of odd shapes so hoping I get better Cinderella shape from the 74.2 next year.   Wednesday, October 28 View Page 249 est House 2015 ( 1662.5 Stelts x 1317 Clementz ) My 1662.5 lost all its early sets so this was a late July pollination. I had a couple of late sets on this plant.   Wednesday, October 28 View Page 283 est House 2015 ( 1662.5 Stelts x 811 Gerhardt ) Another late July pollination on the 1662.5 )   Wednesday, October 28 View Page Pulled a lot of seeds today from fields and some AG's. This is the drying rack with a 24 inch fan behind it.   Wednesday, October 28 View Page Pulled seeds from my biggest field which wasn't that big. 88.2 House 2015 UOW ( 99 House x 247 Graham ) The 99 House was a 103 MacKinnon x 109 Martin cross   Friday, October 30 View Page Center pumpkin is from the 106.9 House that produced white pumpkins. When left out in the sun they turned a deep yellow. Took seeds from this one now the 27 House 2015 UOW ( 106.9 x 181 MacKinnon ) just to see what it will produce next year. Since both parents of the 106.9 were orange I am expecting this to produce orange. I also have the 106.9 selfed which I hope keeps producing white/yellow offspring.   Friday, October 30 View Page another orange. The 281 House 2015 UOW ( 1317 Clementz x open). A late pumpkin on a plant that I had given up for dead early in the season.   Sunday, November 1 View Page Pumpkin Place is closed so can start harvesting seeds. Harvested the 597 House ( 374 House14 x 359 Foss). 374 House was 1059 VM x self. Pumpkin was going soft so didn't have many good seeds but was able to salvage some.   Sunday, November 1 View Page Going to harvest seeds all day tomorrow. First up is the 504 House 15 UOW ( 840 Young x 811 Gerhardt ) Can't wait to grow this seed next year. Great color and shape.   Monday, November 2 View Page 504 House 2015 ( 840 Young x 811 Gerhardt ) had a good seed count. If truly interested in growing this seed contact me.   Monday, November 2 View Page Harvested seed from the 513 House 2015 UOW ( 559 Fraley x 1662.5 Stelts ) Decent seed count. Again if truly interested in growing this seed contact me.   Monday, November 2 View Page Harvested more seed this afternoon 795 House 2015 UOW ( 1327.5 Rea x 1662.5 Stelts ) This was the deepest orange ( almost red) pumpkin I had this year.   Monday, November 2 View Page 500 House 2015 UOW ( 350 House 14 x 1662.5 Stelts ) 350 House 14 was a 326 House 13 x 1059 VM 326 House 13 was a 568 Kaczenski x open This is the prettiest and best shaped pumpkin I grew this year. It was almost like a 500 pound jack-o-lantern I am glad my 1662.5 Stelts plant produced bright orange pumpkins since I used it as a pollinator in several crosses   Monday, November 2 View Page last but not least for the day 501 House 2015 UOW ( 904 Northrup x 811 Gerhardt ) Not the prettiest pumpkin but wait till next year when the 811 color and shape come out.   Monday, November 2 View Page I will just post this once hear instead of with every post. If you are interested in planting any of may seeds contact me. I am glad to give them to those who will grow them.   Tuesday, November 3 View Page Harvested more seeds today. This is the 520 House 2015 UOW ( 433 House 14 x 1317 Clementz ) The 433 House 14 was 827.5 Gerhardt x 1770.5 Lieber ) Expecting good things from this seed next year.   Tuesday, November 3 View Page 539 House 15 UOW ( 1250 Kline x 904 Northrup ) Lots of 670 Daigle genetics in this seed.   Tuesday, November 3 View Page 487 House 2015 UOW ( 215 House 14 x 224 House 14 ) 215 House 14 was 150 Rea x 568 Kaczenski cross 224 House 14 was 150 Rea x 1059 VM cross   Tuesday, November 3 View Page 428 House 2015 UOW ( 326 House 14 x 359 Foss ) 326 House was 568 Kaczenski by open   Tuesday, November 3 View Page 430 House 2015 UOW ( 798 Fraley x 811 Gerhardt ) Love the shape and color   Tuesday, November 3 View Page 281 House 2015 UOW ( 1317 Clementz x open ) Sure wish I had gotten a cross on this one.   Tuesday, November 3 View Page 404 House 2015 UOW ( 675 Conniff x 559 Fraley) Pumpkin is actually an off white with a little orange on front and a green top. 675 Conniff was 500 Herrmann x self 500 Herrmann was 1059 V/M by self It will be interesting to see what this seed grows next year.   Tuesday, November 3 View Page 422 House 2015 UOW ( 288 Buglio x 1813 Northrup ) More seeds to harvest tomorrow.   Wednesday, November 4 View Page Todays seed harvested 992 House 2015 UOW ( 1554 Matthison x 1465 Keenan )   Wednesday, November 4 View Page 427 House 2015 UOW ( 215 House 14 x 100 Herrmann ) 215 House was 150 Rea x 568 Kaczenski 100 Herrmann is 150 Rea x sib Hope to keep the great color but cut the size down some   Wednesday, November 4 View Page 359 House 2015 UOW ( 810 Westcott x 811 Gerhardt ) High hopes for this one next year. Love the 810 Westcott seed and should only get better with 811 genetics.   Wednesday, November 4 View Page 423 House 2015 UOW ( 612 House 14 x 1662.5 Stelts ) 612 House 14 was a 723.5 Kaczenski x 1059 VM   Wednesday, November 4 View Page 324 House 2015 UOW ( 220 House x 359 Foss ) 220 House is 326 House x 1048 Engel   Wednesday, November 4 View Page 290 House 2015 UOW ( 220 House x 215 House )   Wednesday, November 4 View Page 293 House 2015 UOW ( 675 Conniff x 500 Herrmann ) 675 Conniff is 500 Herrman x self 500 Herrmann is 1059 VM x self Will it produce white or orange pumpkins next year?   Wednesday, November 4 View Page 303 House 2015 UOW ( 238 House 14 x self ) 238 is 150 Rea x 1770.5 Lieber More to harvest tomorrow but getting down to the little ones.   Wednesday, November 11 View Page 301 House 2015 UOW ( 359 Foss x open ) harvesting seeds from the last of the Ag's this week. Mostly smaller ones and open crosses left. Not sure why I even keep the seed since I can't possibly grow them all but one of my best orange producers was an open cross two years ago.   Wednesday, November 11 View Page 313 House 2015 UOW ( 1662.5 Stelts x open ) Best thing about this is that it is the plant I used to pollinate several other crosses and it was a very bright orange producer.   Wednesday, November 11 View Page 276 House 2015 UOW ( 705 House 14 x 811 Gerhardt ) 705 House was 827.5 Gerhardt x 1059 V/M .   Wednesday, November 11 View Page 422 House 2015 UOW ( 238 House 14 x open ) 238 House 14 was 150 Rea x 1770.5 Lieber .   Wednesday, November 11 View Page 156 House 2015 UOW ( 365 House 14 x 1317 Clementz ) 365 House 14 was 1048 Engel x 1059 V/M cross. This was a very late pollination.   Wednesday, November 11 View Page 237 House 2015 UOW ( 215 House 14 x open ) 215 House was 150 Rea x 568 Kaczenski   Wednesday, November 11 View Page 345 House 2015 UOW ( 224 House 14 x open ) 224 House 14 was 150 Rea x 1059 V/M cross   Wednesday, November 11 View Page 344 House 2015 UOW ( 220 House 14 x open ) 220 House 14 was 326 House 13 x 1048 Engel cross   Wednesday, November 11 View Page 479 House 2015 UOW ( 998.5 Northrup x open ) If you see a seed you would like to try or see a pumpkin you like that was produced by one of my 2014 seeds that you might be interested in let me know. I have a lot of seeds !!!   Wednesday, November 11 View Page So what do I do with all those AG's once the seed is harvested? Local farmer takes them for pig feed. I figure I am giving him over 5 tons of free feed.   Friday, November 13 View Page Just finished germination tests on most of my seeds so they are ready to go. the 823 est House 2015 had a 80% germination rate but has a low seed count. I have had several requests already and they will be filled first. If any clubs need this seed or any other of my seeds for auction let me know and I will reserve a pair of the 823's for you as long as they last. Another seed that I think has promise is the 504 House UOW ( 840 Young x 811 Gerhardt ) that had 90% germination. I have a lot of this seed. I have several crosses with 811 Gerhardt, 359 Foss, 1317 Clementz, 1662.5 Stelts, and others if you look through this diary.   Sunday, November 15 View Page Finally finished harvesting seeds today. This is the 475 House 2015 UOW ( 725 Herrmann x 359 Herrmann) 725 was a 993 V/M by self, 359 was a 993V/M x 500 Pionior) Lots of 993 in this seed.   Sunday, November 15 View Page 282 House 2015 UOW ( 215 House 14 x 224 House 14 ) 215 is a 150 Rea x 568 Kaczenski cross, 224 was a 150 Rea x 1059 V/M cross. This was the center pumpkin in my picture spot at the Pumpkin place. Very dark orange and nice shape.   Sunday, November 15 View Page Now my 2015 summer project for fun. This little guy ( 36.9 pounds was on the dead 811 Gerhardt plant when I went to clean the patch today. I opened it just for fun and it was full of mature seeds. Now I just have to plant a couple of them next year to see what I will get from this little guy.   Saturday, November 21 View Page fifty yesterday. 5 inches of wet snow on the ground and still coming down this morning. mid 50's by middle of week. Grandson plays in state semi final football game today about 15 miles away. They have 1-2 more inches than I do and winds are supposed to pick up to 20-30 mph by afternoon. There goes their really good passing game. going to have to bundle up for this one.   Sunday, December 6 View Page Global warming or mixed up rose. Picture of a miniature yellow rose that is blooming in the flower bed in front of the house today. Under a foot of snow a couple weeks ago.   Monday, December 14 View Page Seeds harvested and packaged. What to do? Play with dried gourds. Sure wish I was just a little artistic. Have to keep it pretty simple with my art abilities.   Friday, December 25 View Page Merry Christmas everyone from the House family.   Friday, December 25 View Page Wouldn't be Christmas without a pumpkin ornament made from gourds