Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 64 Entries. Sunday, January 4 View Page 2nd year growing, 1st try at diary. Good luck to everyone.   Sunday, January 4 View Page Hooked!! Had a blast this past season can't wait for Spring! Thanks to all the growers that take the time and effort to help new growers like myself with the learning curve!   Wednesday, March 25 View Page Great day for working in patch before the rain starts again. Hoop houses go up very soon.   Friday, April 3 View Page Seeds soaking and pots are ready for early kind. 3 seed fighting for 2 spots. All Gehweiler 1882, 1675 est or the 1530 which did very well for me last year.   Sunday, April 12 View Page Early kins transplanted for Cullman, Al. This is the 1530 Gehweiler. Second hoop has 1882 Gehweiler. Really wanted to grow the 1675 est Gehweiler but the 1530 was first to come up and very strong plant. It was also very good for me last year, so it gets the spot. Keeping second 1882 inside to make sure all goes well. Now to get ready for next batch couple weeks away.   Friday, April 24 View Page Here we go! Seeds filed and soaked this evening and into pots. Lineup includes: 1719.5 Daletas,1775.5 Sperry, 1873 Steil,1420 Zywiec, 1740 Globus, and 1916 Barron. 4 spots may the best plants win.   Wednesday, April 29 View Page Good day in patch. Hoops complete , final amendments added and tilled in, 1530 and 1882 Gehweiler doing well and all 8 seeds sprouted.   Monday, May 4 View Page Gracie planting her 1420 Zywiec. Says she is going to do it herself this year. I think she already made a good choice; her 1st pick didn't look so hot so she went with her backup the 1420. It was first to germinate and strong looking plant. Good call. My lineup just hit the dirt. 1530 and 1882 Gehweiler are the early kins and looking good. Bout to hit the ground with main. Today transplanted the 1916 Barron, 1719.5 Daletas, 1873 Steil. Let the games begin!!   Tuesday, May 5 View Page 1st causality of the season. Came home to find the 1916 Barron destroyed by some kind of animal. Not sure what it was. My brother gave me a very good looking 2008 Neptune backup he had. Placed it in its new home. Put hoop sides up to hopefully keep out critters. Very excited to grow the Neptune as it was one I had my eyes on. Hate to lose 1916 as it was my best looking plant. Maybe next year.   Wednesday, May 13 View Page Both Gelweiler plants are out of the end of there hoops. This is the 1530 moving nicely. Roots everywhere. I really like this plant. It was very good to me last year. Half fence went up today.   Saturday, May 16 View Page Had to cut sides out of hoop houses to let early kins run. Later kins picking up speed and looking well. Gave them all shot of Talstar and Daconil this evening and got fence put up. Started batch of tea for watering tomorrow.   Wednesday, May 27 View Page 1882 Gehweiler moving nicely. 1530 not far behind. Gave all a shot of Extreme blend this morning as a boost. Should be pollinating late next week on early kins. Of the later plants the 1719.5 Daletas is ahead but not far in front of the 1420 Zywiec.   Thursday, June 4 View Page All out of hoops time to move.   Thursday, June 4 View Page 1882 Gehweiler and 1530 Gehweiler both doing well. Very happy with both. Each has one pollination completed and another tomorrow. 1882 seems to have taken and already growing well at 12.5 feet. 1530 had deformed lobes and seem to have aborted so tomorrow's pollination at 14-15 feet important. Out of the later kins the 1719.5 Daletas leading way but others are coming on.   Wednesday, June 10 View Page This is the 1719.5 Daletas. Best grower right now at 10 ft. It has been great from the start.   Wednesday, June 10 View Page 2008 Neptune started slow but starting to move. This was a backup plant my brother gave me after an animal destroyed my 1916 Barron. It's at 8.5 feet and doing well.   Wednesday, June 10 View Page 1420 Zywiec that my daughter is growing. It is a close second to the 1719.5. 9 ft out now.   Wednesday, June 10 View Page 1873 Steil this is actually a backup plant that was never going to get planted but didn't have it in my heart to toss it. Glad I didn't cause it is doing much better than the primary 1873 Steil plant. Hope both produce nice kins.   Wednesday, June 10 View Page Traps went up today. Hope they stay empty but somehow don't think that is gonna happen. SVBs took down 2 plants last year. Here's to hoping that doesn't happen again.   Wednesday, June 10 View Page 1882 Gelweiler in front and 1530 Gelweiler behind. Both have sets that seem to have taken. Here we go. 1882 was pollinated with 1964 Liggett and 1530 with 1813 Northup.   Friday, June 19 View Page Pollinated 1719.5 Daletas with 2323 Meier this morning at 14 feet. Hope it sticks. Like location and timing and what a cross!!   Friday, June 19 View Page I know pic is not great but this is the 1882 Gehweiler x 1964 Liggett. Kin is really begin to take off 18 DAP. Plant is doing well except few sun burn issues from really hot days. Checked on 1530 Gelweiler x 1813 Northup this morning before work and it looked great really beginning to grow.   Friday, June 19 View Page 1530 Gehweiler.   Wednesday, June 24 View Page Patch Update: Very happy with the way things are growing now. Small problems. (Sunburn) couple broke tips. Pollinations: 1882 Gelweiler x 1964 Liggett. 25 DAP 1530 Gelweiler x 1813 Northup 20 DAP 1719.5 Daletas x 2323 Meier 2 set both seem to have taken and growing. 2008 Neptune x 2036 Glasier. Today 1420 Zywiec x 1873 Steil tomorrow. 1873 Steil x 1719.5 Daletas tomorrow. Second 1873 Steil plant has really taken off it will be pollinated in 3-4 days.   Wednesday, July 1 View Page 1882 Gelweiler x 1964 Liggett moving nicely. 30 DAP.   Wednesday, July 1 View Page 1530 Gelweiler x 1813 Northup 25 DAP. Really like the look of this kin. Orange, wide and long.   Wednesday, July 8 View Page 1882 Gelweiler in front, 1530 Gelweiler in the back. 10 days of rain, clouds, and highs in the low 70s have slowed things a little. Need the sun to dry things out. Patch very wet and weeds have gone the best of me this year but it is what it is.   Wednesday, July 8 View Page 1420 Zywiec in front 1873 Steil in back. Both feeling in their area nicely. Kins set and ready to grow. Just need some sun.   Wednesday, July 8 View Page 2008 Neptune front 1719.5 Deletas back. Day 20 for the 1719 tomorrow. Last 10 days not been great growing weather but both coming along nicely.   Friday, July 10 View Page Had to move the 1530 Gelweiler do to my growing error. Really like to size and color on day 30. All went smooth. Dad came up we hooked up the come along to the back of the truck and straightened the main vine.   Sunday, July 12 View Page Good morning in the patch. Gave all plants a good drench of ferts before the rain to wash them down. Added just a little Epson salt, trimmed everything up and stalked down vines. Pretty happy with the way things are going. Could use a little less rain and clouds and more sun but you deal with what you get.   Monday, July 13 View Page Lost my 1873 Steil plant today. Both sets aborted. One at 15 days was only 58" and the other was 4 DAP. Pumpkins just didn't want to grow so I knew something wasn't right. As I pulled the plant, inside of the vines was turning brown and had a rotting smell to it. Any help on identifying this disease and a cure would be appreciated. Email please.   Monday, July 20 View Page 1882 Gelweiler 50 DAP today. Plant has been great. Highest weight gains was 47 lbs per day.   Monday, July 20 View Page Another view.   Monday, July 20 View Page 1719.5 Daletas put on 99.5 inches the last 10 days. Now 30 DAP. Amazing what the sun and little heat will do. Haven't watered in weeks with all the rain. Patch drying out will water tomorrow if this rain doesn't hit, but chances are it will so I drenched some Cal-Mag and compost tea to wash into the soil. 8.41 McCoy has two very nice blooms I am working with. Hope one sets time to grow.   Sunday, July 26 View Page 1530 Gelweiler. Long, wide and orange.   Sunday, July 26 View Page 1719.5 Daletas 35 days moving well. 1420 Zywiec really starting to move. And the 1882 Gelweiler holding steady. 2008 Neptune very slow out the gate but hoping she takes off.   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Day 2 for my first tomato on the 8.41 MacCoy. Looks like a go with this one. 1882 Gelweiler holding good. 1530 Gelweiler steady like it has been whole season. Never really hit big numbers but steady and consistent. 1719.5 Daletas gets measured tomorrow. Really picking up pace. 1420 Zywiec doing well. Not sure what to do about 2008 Neptune. It is 34 days old and only moving 8 lbs per day. Plant looks healthy but not sure what problem is. Not sure if I should cut my loses and pull or let it do what it will. Really got me puzzled. Any advise would be welcome.   Wednesday, July 29 View Page 1719.5 Daletas right on pace. Would like to see it pick up a little but wouldn't everyone. 1882 Gelweiler up tomorrow for measurement.   Monday, August 3 View Page Pulled the 2008 Neptune. Growth had totally stopped. I inspected the vines looking for cause but came up empty. Plant looked very healthy and received all the goodies everything else did. Not sure if this makes a deference but the flower lobes were very deformed when pollinated. Main vine broke in storm and was late so had to go with it. Hate it but it is what it is. 1882 Gelweiler and 1530 Gelweiler moving. 1719.5 Daletas picking up steam. No rain in many, many days so water tanks get filled daily.   Sunday, August 9 View Page 1530 Gehweiler x 1813 Northup   Sunday, August 9 View Page 1420 Zywiec x 1873 Steil starting to move.   Sunday, August 9 View Page 1719.5 Daletas x 2323 Meier   Sunday, August 9 View Page 1882 Gehweiler x 1964 Liggett   Sunday, August 9 View Page This is my mater off of the 8.41 McCoy. 1st year trying tomatoes and really not sure what I'm doing yet but seems to be growing good.   Saturday, August 15 View Page Got some much needed rain this morning 3/4 of an inch. As you can see dirt was very dry. Been watering every day for a while will be nice to not have to today. All kins still growing which is a very good thing. Plants starting to show there age a little.   Friday, August 28 View Page Cullman Alabama headed your way.   Tuesday, September 1 View Page Pic of the 1882 Gehweiler headed to the scales at Farm Ya"ll festival in Cullman, Alabama. Finished at 1577 lbs. Very happy to make it to scales. Those guys do a great job. I would suggest anyone coming down. Great site.   Wednesday, September 2 View Page   Wednesday, September 2 View Page No slammer but 1st try at these things, I'll take it. Still got a few days to grow.   Sunday, September 6 View Page Weighted my 1st ever tomato tonight off of the 8.41 McCoy that my brother gave me. Wanted to try these things to see if I liked growing them and needless to say I will be growing several next year. This one will get couple spots.   Thursday, September 17 View Page Leah with the 1530 Gehweiler. Had the harvest this evening because of ballgames tomorrow. Crossed the 1813 Northup into so excited to see what it grows next year!   Thursday, September 17 View Page Another view. 1530 Gehweiler x 1813 Northrup   Saturday, September 19 View Page Great day at Bear Wallow today. 1500+ again really happy with with the direction things are headed. Always improvements to make but man is this fun. Green Gro has really improved my patch this year! Great product that I will use again   Saturday, September 19 View Page One big improvement was the use of Green Gro compost tea.   Saturday, September 19 View Page My daughter AnnaLeah and niece Remy always love Bear Wallow.   Saturday, September 19 View Page Selfie with my nephew Briar during weigh off.   Thursday, September 24 View Page 1420 Zywiec gets its turn Saturday.   Thursday, September 24 View Page Another view.   Saturday, September 26 View Page Great day at North Carolina with my dad and brother. Able to meet and talk to so many great people and share ideals. 1420 Zywiec came in at 1318 and 11% heavy   Sunday, October 4 View Page Had a wonderful time at Allardt yesterday despite the weather. Here is AnnaLeah with our Howard Dill award. Always wanted to win one and now we have. This pumpkin weighted in at 1473.5 lbs.   Sunday, October 4 View Page Was a great year for the family! Lots of fun traveling to different sites meeting and talking to all.   Sunday, October 4 View Page Despite the rain the girls couldn't be happier to ride in the parade!! Now clean and put everything up and get ready for next year.   Sunday, November 1 View Page Well everything is put away and patch is cleaned up and rye is doing well. So now on to playing and testing in the basement all winter. All kins are cut and dry or drying. If interested shoot me an email. Counts were good on all 1577 Terry = 1882 Gehweiler (f) x 1964 Liggett (m) 1522 Terry = 1530 Gehwelier (f) x 1813 Northup. 9% heavy 1473.5 Terry = 1719.5 Daletas (f) x 2323 Meier (m) 14% heavy 1318 Terry = 1420 Zywiec (f) x 1873 Steil (m) 12% heavy.