Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 237 Entries. Saturday, January 9 View Page The Vermont club seed bubbles are being filled! @springpleasecome   Tuesday, January 12 View Page Here is a pretty one off of our 809 Young 2013 (777 Young x 811 Gerhardt)   Tuesday, March 1 View Page Started Swedes and giant tomatoes today. 6 of the 118 Swedes. 6 tomatoes including 3.22 Marley, 4.37, 4.61 and 5.44 Young.   Wednesday, March 16 View Page Dang. So close! Maybe next year.   Sunday, March 20 View Page There are a few memorable moments in a mans life: birth of a child, new truck, and of course a new grill! For all that have put one together, you will understand the pride of this achievement. Ha!   Saturday, April 16 View Page Started the day out with a patch full of winter weeds.   Saturday, April 16 View Page Old patch is weedy too but has decent soil.   Saturday, April 16 View Page Shallow till of patches and then 700 pounds of amendments and perlite.   Saturday, April 16 View Page Eight yards of compost delivered at 1 pm.   Saturday, April 16 View Page Getting there.   Saturday, April 16 View Page Using shovels and wheelbarrow and backs.   Saturday, April 16 View Page Compost is spread over amendments in new patch.   Saturday, April 16 View Page Just did spot selections in old patch for 2 pumpkins and 2 long gourds. Time for ibuprofen and wine. Tomorrow I will get it tilled.   Sunday, April 17 View Page Started 12 seeds this morning for 4 spots. Starters are 552 Minor (603 Muller x self), 1912 Carter (1750.5 Martin x self), 1000.5 Gansert (827 Gansert x 1059 Vincent - McGill), 777 Young (993 Vincent McGill x 1059 Vincent McGill). Back ups are 990.5young (1103 Young x 1059 Vincent McGill) and 554 Young (993 Vincent McGill x 907 Young)   Sunday, April 17 View Page Almost there. No melon this year so green hoop is for tomatoes. Hopefully won't be too hot for maters.   Sunday, April 17 View Page Here is view 2 of new patch. Weed block should save our backs for a month or more.   Sunday, April 17 View Page Old patch is ready to go as well.   Sunday, April 17 View Page Started 18 tall sunflowers and 8 big head sunflowers for Champlain Valley Fair.   Thursday, April 21 View Page No movement from 777 Young yet so starting 3 back ups. 907 Young (1059 x self), 504 House (840 Young x 811 Gerhardt) and 618 Young (811 Gerhardt x 993 Vincent Mcgill.   Sunday, April 24 View Page Started 141 Vunak, 137 Eaton and 125 Kline long gourds today. Soaked in water/hydrogen peroxide mix for 8 hours after sanding and then on to germination temps.   Sunday, April 24 View Page We dug in 4 hoops of soil heating cables. Here is one hole about 5 inches deep.   Sunday, April 24 View Page Here is the cable before we buried. Need to remember to pull in the fall before I till. I tilled over a couple expensive heavy duty cables last fall. These are cheaper but still too pricey to ruin.   Sunday, May 1 View Page Plants survived first night in hoops. Here is the 618 Young 2015 (811 Gerhardt x 993 Vincent McGill)   Sunday, May 1 View Page 552 Minor (603 Muller x self) on left and 554 Young (993 VincentMcGill x 907 Young) on left.   Sunday, May 1 View Page The 1912 Carter. Back up is 990 Young as only one 1912 germinated.   Sunday, May 1 View Page Last but not least is 1000.5 Gansert. Plants are tiny but that's when I like to transplant best when root ball is really small and has an opportunity to grow without a border.   Sunday, May 8 View Page It has been gray and cool for the first week of plants being outside with 6 out of 8 days cloudy and rainy periods.   Sunday, May 8 View Page Good news is that weeds aren't growing either.   Sunday, May 8 View Page 618 Young. 811 x 993   Sunday, May 8 View Page 552 Minor on left (603 Muller x self) and 554 Young on right (993 Vincent McGill x 907 Young)   Sunday, May 8 View Page 1912 Carter on right and 990 Young on left.   Sunday, May 8 View Page 1000.5 Gansert not loving VT gray and cold but will be fine.   Sunday, May 15 View Page Mid May and the plants are still alive which is a win. We have had a few frosty mornings and possible snow flurries tomorrow but this is par for the course here. We are in a valley near Mount Mansfield and are in a cold pocket. Our trees are starting to show leaves. Spring is close!   Sunday, May 15 View Page 618 Young is slow and steady.   Sunday, May 15 View Page 552 Minor on left and 554 Young on right. Really want to go with 552 as long as it grows normally.   Sunday, May 15 View Page 1912 Carter on left and 990 Young on left. Both plants doing well.   Sunday, May 15 View Page Both of the 1000.5 Gansert's are doing well. I have a favorite of the two but we will see.   Sunday, May 15 View Page We still have rutabagas, tomatoes and long gourds in pots until we get through the next week or two.   Sunday, May 22 View Page Although it has been a cool spring the garden is coming along nicely. We planted out 22 giant sunflower plants and long bean seeds yesterday.   Sunday, May 22 View Page We have had 4 mornings of frost in the last week. Compared to past years our leaves on our trees are farther behind for the date.   Sunday, May 22 View Page Planted 149.5 Eaton long gourd out. I have a few more back ups in green house just in case. It made it through the night which is always a good sign!   Sunday, May 22 View Page The 618 Young is a bit behind the others but looks like a strong stocky plant.   Sunday, May 22 View Page 552 Minor on left and 554 Young on right are starting to vine.   Sunday, May 22 View Page 141.25 Vunak. Fast grower out of the gate. This will make an interesting cross with the 149.5.   Sunday, May 22 View Page 1912 Carter is growing strong and starting to vine.   Sunday, May 22 View Page We have planted 6 giant tomatoes in the greenhouse and are keeping back ups in here too.   Sunday, May 22 View Page 1000.5 Gansert plants are doing well!   Sunday, May 22 View Page Look out Wilbur our rutabagas are growing well.   Monday, May 30 View Page Day late with the diary as we spent the past 3 days in Saratoga Springs NY. It is a beautiful town steeped in horse racing history. The plants made it another week and most are starting to vine.   Monday, May 30 View Page The old patch is fully planted and seems to be holding its own. The leaves on the trees are finally close to full size.   Monday, May 30 View Page 149.5 Eaton is growing slow but sure and should pick up in growth soon.   Monday, May 30 View Page The 618 Young is the slowest out of the gate but is just starting to vine so hopefully will get moving.   Monday, May 30 View Page 554 Young on right at 25" and the 552 Minor on the left at 15". The Minor has some weird growth going on with lots of double tendrils. We will see in a week which one survives.   Monday, May 30 View Page 141.25 Vunak starting to climb. About 8" long.   Monday, May 30 View Page Giant cucumbers are started.   Monday, May 30 View Page 1912 Carter seems to like our dirt and is 27" long.   Monday, May 30 View Page One of the 1000.5 Gansert is starting to run and is at 23".   Monday, May 30 View Page Giant tomatoes are doing well. We will keep back ups for another week.   Monday, May 30 View Page Rutabagas are starting to thicken up. Hoping for a new pb with them due to the earlier start.   Sunday, June 5 View Page The weather the last week has been beautiful with highs in the 80's. The plants are starting to run nicely but it may be short lived as the forecast next week calls for highs in the 50's and 60's. Patch view 1.   Sunday, June 5 View Page The old patch is doing well. It is nice to have a smaller size this year and the weed fabric is a time and back saver.   Sunday, June 5 View Page The 149.5 is still alive and plugging along. The first couple of weeks are painfully slow but growth will come soon.   Sunday, June 5 View Page 618 Young is healthy but had a slow start. It is running but just shy of 2 feet.   Sunday, June 5 View Page 554 Young won out over the 552 Minor which had a few issues. This is a similar cross to our 777 and should be an interesting cross. It is just over 4 feet today.   Sunday, June 5 View Page 141.25 Vunak is starting to run and is looking for the trellis. About a foot tall.   Sunday, June 5 View Page Giant sunflowers are growing well and tallest ones are about 2 feet.   Sunday, June 5 View Page 1912 Carter seems to be settling in and is around 4.5 feet.   Sunday, June 5 View Page 1000.5 Gansert seems to be at home in our dirt and is 4.5 feet.   Sunday, June 5 View Page Giant tomatoes are doing well. (2 )5.44 Young's, (1) 3.2 Marley, (2) 4.1 Menting's and (1) 4.37 Young   Sunday, June 5 View Page Look out Wilbur! The rutabaga's are marching.   Sunday, June 12 View Page The last week has been cold and wet and the plants have slowed to a crawl but looking ok for the most part.   Sunday, June 12 View Page The soil has held up well in both patches and hopefully warmer weather next week will move growth along.   Sunday, June 12 View Page 149 Eaton is starting to push growth along.   Sunday, June 12 View Page 618 Young growing ok now and is just shy of 4 feet.   Sunday, June 12 View Page 554 Young stilling plugging along. Just shy of 6 feet long and starting to send out secondaries.   Sunday, June 12 View Page 141 Vunak has found the trellis and is starting to climb. Just shy of 2 feet.   Sunday, June 12 View Page Giant sunflowers growing well. Tallest close to 3 feet.   Sunday, June 12 View Page 1912 Carter is growing well and is about 6.5 feet.   Sunday, June 12 View Page 1000.5 Gansert looks happy and is about 6.5 feet.   Sunday, June 12 View Page Rutabaga's are doing well and starting to thicken up.   Sunday, June 12 View Page Giant tomatoes are growing ok but not liking the cold.   Tuesday, June 14 View Page We have been hit hard on our giant sunflowers. I believe it is from Jack (rabbit) The Stripper! War is on as we have already dispatched and eaten two of his family members.   Sunday, June 26 View Page Rabbit? Squirrel? War!   Sunday, June 26 View Page It has been nice weather for the past few days. The plants never grow as fast as we want but look healthy except for the critter issues.   Sunday, June 26 View Page Patch view 2.   Sunday, June 26 View Page Added the 137 Eaton next to slow growing 149 and it looks like the 137 will win out.   Sunday, June 26 View Page 618 Young is our slowest plant and also the one hit most by critters. Plant is just shy of 9 feet long.   Sunday, June 26 View Page 554 Young is doing well and is about 11 feet long.   Sunday, June 26 View Page 141 Vunak starting to climb and is around 4 feet.   Sunday, June 26 View Page 1912 Carter is growing well and a little over 11 feet long.   Sunday, June 26 View Page 1000.5 Gansert has a couple babies but no keepers as they were to close on the main. Plant is 12 feet long.   Sunday, June 26 View Page Giant tomatoes have a few mega blooms pollinated but are in need of a hair cut.   Sunday, June 26 View Page Giant rutabaga's are starting to thicken up!   Monday, July 4 View Page Happy 4th of July. Plants have been doing ok with challenges as usual.   Monday, July 4 View Page The new patch is growing the best currently. It has been unusually dry for Vermont.   Monday, July 4 View Page 137 Eaton has won out on this trellis and is currently at 3 feet.   Monday, July 4 View Page The 618 Young has some unfortunate issues but not it's fault. It is around 12.5 feet with a baby at the tip.   Monday, July 4 View Page We believe a squirrel has eaten through 2/3 of the main vine. It is about 3 feet from the stump. We have put sulfur on it and will be keeping it dry.   Monday, July 4 View Page 554 Young is doing well at 14 feet with the next pollination at about 13.5 feet.   Monday, July 4 View Page 141 Vunak is at 7 feet. First male opened last night.   Monday, July 4 View Page 1912 Carter is doing ok but has a lack of females. First female is at 14 feet but tiny. Plant is at 15 feet.   Monday, July 4 View Page 1000.5 Gansert is growing well with a pollination at 12 feet and another to be pollinated later at 15 feet. Plant is 15.5 feet long.   Monday, July 4 View Page Giant tomatoes are doing good.   Monday, July 4 View Page Rutabagas are doing very well and getting fat. Much farther ahead of last year.   Sunday, July 17 View Page It has been a busy travel summer and we have been gone many weekends but the patch is still surviving. Here is our garden tiki god that we use for size scale.   Sunday, July 17 View Page Patch view1. Mostly pollinated albeit late.   Sunday, July 17 View Page Patch view 2 almost filled up our 20 x 35 space per plant in this garden.   Sunday, July 17 View Page Patch view 3. We spent 5 1/2 hours yesterday on burying and weeding.   Sunday, July 17 View Page Here is the 618 Young x 1912 Carter at 6 days old.   Sunday, July 17 View Page 554 Young x open. Unfortunately I didn't protect this one and the last 2 aborted. We believe it is going to be very pretty for our local fair in late August.   Sunday, July 17 View Page 1000.5 Gansert x 1912 Carter. This is our hopeful keeper even though it's day 1 today at 21 feet.   Sunday, July 17 View Page This is the first on the 1000.5. Most growers would keep it with 1 hail mark but we aren't most growers. If the last pollination doesn't take we will keep it though as it is getting late in the year.   Sunday, July 17 View Page 1912 Carter x 1000.5 Gansert at 8 days old today.   Sunday, July 17 View Page Giant tomatoes are growing well.   Sunday, July 17 View Page 141 Vunak is above the 14 1/2 foot trellis. Females starting to show.   Sunday, July 17 View Page 137 Eaton is fighting hard not to grow upwards but healthy. We have started nutri cal applications.   Sunday, July 17 View Page Here is the squirrel attacked 618 Young plant. We came close to losing it but it has recovered.   Sunday, July 17 View Page Here is our biggest rutabaga.   Sunday, July 24 View Page Worked on patch very little today after being exhausted from team pumpkin patch tours. What a great group of growers who made Kerry and I feel welcomed. Also posted on Twitter some pics of huge pumpkins we saw there. Thanks team pumpkin!   Sunday, July 24 View Page It has been a challenging year with critters but it appears we may have a pumpkin on each plant. Patch view 2.   Sunday, July 24 View Page Here is the 618 Young x 1000.5 Gansert. It is 7 days old and a cc of 16". To all growers never quit. If we get a decent summer she should reach a fine size albeit no weigh off winner.   Sunday, July 24 View Page Here is the 554 Young x open. Unfortunately we took this open at 8 feet as we had pollination issues with 2 behind it. Roughly 24 days and a cc of 66 inches. We will pick this one for our early fair if she stays together. Great shape and color. 554 Young is 993 Vincent McGill x 907 Young (1059 x self) very similar to our 777 cross.   Sunday, July 24 View Page 137 Eaton at top of 14.5 foot trellis.   Sunday, July 24 View Page 141 Vunak is at 20 feet. Time to start looking for females.   Sunday, July 24 View Page 1000.5 Gansert x 1912 Carter at 21 feet. 1st pumpkin got hail marks and second pumpkin got squirrel attacked so we culled them. This pumpkin is 8 days old and has a cc of 22 inches.   Sunday, July 24 View Page 1912 Carter x 1000.5 Gansert at 14 feet. Looks like this could be a pretty pumpkin and is 15 days old with a cc of 45 inches.   Sunday, July 24 View Page Rutabaga's keep getting larger and are starting to get horns off of them. Our widest cc is 27 inches. If anyone has any ideas for us to add growth to these please email me at jkpayoung@hotmail.com   Sunday, July 24 View Page Got to visit Lloyd Blair and his wife. Here is Lloyd with the 809 Young. Keep her going!   Sunday, July 24 View Page We also saw some huge pumpkins on the patch tour which I put on Twitter. There was some serious nutrition on the tour. Matt had fun with donut sugar and surprisingly only ate 1.   Sunday, July 24 View Page Hmmmmmm seems to be a pattern here.   Sunday, July 24 View Page We also got to break into fort Debacco!   Sunday, July 24 View Page Got stump! This grower has a couple of monsters going!   Friday, July 29 View Page Wife got a new summer ride. Hope it doesn't interfere with her weeding!   Sunday, August 7 View Page We had a nice week vacation in York Beach Maine and are happy that the patch is still alive. Patch view 1.   Sunday, August 7 View Page Patch view 2.   Sunday, August 7 View Page 618 Young at 21 days with an ott of 169 inches. Last night put on 18.5 pounds.   Sunday, August 7 View Page 554 Young is starting to become a pretty pumpkin and is at 261.5 for ott at day 38. Last night put on 25 pounds.   Sunday, August 7 View Page 1000.5 Gansert is doing well with an ott of 190 at day 22. Last night put on 24 pounds.   Sunday, August 7 View Page 1912 Carter is doing great at 266.5 ott at day 29. Last night put on 40 pounds.   Sunday, August 7 View Page This was where the squirrel ate 2/3 of the main on the 618 Young. I am amazed how these plants can heal themselves with a little help.   Sunday, August 7 View Page Largest rutabaga has a cc of 31.5 inches. Looking huge.   Sunday, August 7 View Page Largest tomato so far is the 3.22 Marley at 21.5 inches. Still looking green so hopefully will pack on a few more inches.   Tuesday, August 16 View Page We just returned from a 4 day trip to Saratoga Springs to take in a little horse racing and the patch appears to need a little attention.   Tuesday, August 16 View Page Overall this year is similar to last with some good growth on some and better on others. Having issues getting long gourds to continue to grow as we are seeing lots of aborts.   Tuesday, August 16 View Page Here is the 618 Young x 1000.5 Gansert. She is 30 days old today with an ott of 244.   Tuesday, August 16 View Page Here is the 554 Young at day 47 and has an ott of 300. She is a nice shaped pretty pumpkin.   Tuesday, August 16 View Page 554 Young side view. She will be picked for our local fair next week. If anyone would like to try our 554 seeds just send an email.   Tuesday, August 16 View Page 1000.5 Gansert x 1912 Carter. This gal is 31 days old and has an ott of 261.   Tuesday, August 16 View Page 1912 Carter x 1000.5 Gansert is looking darker orange and has an ott of 328 on day 38.   Tuesday, August 16 View Page Side view of 1912 Carter at 38 days.   Tuesday, August 16 View Page Rutabaga's are chugging along with the biggest having circumference of 34.75 inches.   Wednesday, August 17 View Page Not sure why but orange just makes me happy!   Thursday, August 18 View Page Sorry Norm but I may have to chop off your stump.   Sunday, August 21 View Page Tomatoes are all flashing early with the heat. Here is the biggest so far off the 3.22 Marley. Thanks for the seeds Scott, I was really hoping to get her over 5 pounds.   Sunday, August 21 View Page I thought the stump of the 1000.5 Gansert had dried up but it was leaking again this morning. So moved roof over it and   Sunday, August 21 View Page Cut window through it to drain. Dusted the inside with sulfur fungicide and will keep a fan on it 24 hours a day until it stays dry or pumpkin gets harvested.   Sunday, August 21 View Page Starting to see nice orange bumps in the patch. All pumpkins still chugging along with one doing better then the others.   Sunday, August 21 View Page New patch area is almost all filled in. Hopefully the surgery and treatment on the 1000.5 stump will work.   Sunday, August 21 View Page My wife names our pumpkins every year and this year had a Game of Thrones theme. Here is Arya (618 Young) at 35 dap and an ott of 271 inches. On the team pumpkin chart she has averaged 24 pounds a day for the last 10 days.   Sunday, August 21 View Page Side view of Arya.   Sunday, August 21 View Page Here is Sansa (554 Young) at 54 dap and ott of 314.5. On the Team Pumpkin chart she has averaged 18.8 pounds a day for last 10 days. She will be harvested Wednesday for the Champlain Valley Fair weigh off which is Thursday evening.   Sunday, August 21 View Page Side view of pretty Sansa. I think the 554 seed has many more pretty pumpkins to come.   Sunday, August 21 View Page Here is bad girl Cersei (1000.5 Gansert) who is living up to her name by foaming her stump. She is 36 dap and an ott of 280.75 inches. For the past 10 days she has averaged 23.6 pounds.If I can keep her growing she may turn out very pretty.   Sunday, August 21 View Page Side view of Cersei.   Sunday, August 21 View Page Here is Daenerys (1912 Carter) at 43 dap and an ott of 346.5. She has averaged 32.5 pounds a day for last 10 days and is turning a very nice orange.   Sunday, August 21 View Page Side view of Daenerys.   Sunday, August 21 View Page Been a tough long gourd year but may finally have one started on 141 Vunak. Time will tell.   Sunday, August 21 View Page Giant cucumber is doing well but no 20 plus pounder. Will pick for the Champlain Valley Fair. About 23 inches long.   Wednesday, August 24 View Page Lifting Sansa (554 Young) for the Champlain Valley Fair.   Friday, August 26 View Page Pumpkin paddock at Champlain Valley Fair.   Friday, August 26 View Page Our 616.5 Young.   Friday, August 26 View Page Another side of pumpkin paddock.   Friday, August 26 View Page Here is our second largest rutabaga at 32 pounds. We are keeping our largest diameter one which is still growing for our VT weigh off in September.   Friday, August 26 View Page We had longest cucumber (middle green one in picture) at 25 inches.   Saturday, August 27 View Page If you are a Game of Thrones fan you will understand that our pumpkin Cersei (1000.5 Gansert) is being bad and now demands a fan on her stem as well as her stump. She is pretty but in a bad way!   Sunday, August 28 View Page It is hard to believe it is fair time already. The empty spot is from Sansa who ended up as the 616.5 Young (554 Young x open) She ended up going light to the chart but had nice shape. We may give her another try next year.   Sunday, August 28 View Page Here is the new patch shot. All of our pumpkins this year seem to have decent orange color which may lead to some nice crosses next year.   Sunday, August 28 View Page Here is Arya from the 618 Young. She is 42 dap and an ott of 300.5. Her color is starting to come in with some interesting white lines.   Sunday, August 28 View Page Side view of Arya(618 Young)   Sunday, August 28 View Page Here is bad girl Cersei (1000.5 Gansert) who is pretty in a bad girl way. She is 43 dap and an ott of 305.   Sunday, August 28 View Page Side view of Cersei (1000.5 Gansert)   Sunday, August 28 View Page And last but not least is Daenerys (1912 Carter) She is 50 dap today and has an ott of 367.5.   Sunday, August 28 View Page Side view of Daenerys (1912 Carter)   Sunday, August 28 View Page We finally got a good long gourd running on the 141 Vunak. Just hope the weather stays on our side.   Sunday, August 28 View Page Had to show giant rutabaga plant as it is massive. Our fair rutabaga was 31 inches around and weighed 32 pounds. This one is 37 inches around and almost a month to grow before VT weigh off.   Sunday, September 4 View Page This was the last day of the Champlain Valley Fair. All 3 remaining plants are still showing growth which is good.   Sunday, September 4 View Page The new patch is still holding well but the leaves are starting to show their age.   Sunday, September 4 View Page Arya (618 Young) is still growing slowly and is 320 inches at 49 dap.   Sunday, September 4 View Page Side view of Arya (618 Young).   Sunday, September 4 View Page Fan is on Arya because of this. I have sliced the stem back towards the vine and have applied sulfur. Hopefully she makes it!   Sunday, September 4 View Page Bad girl Cersei (1000.5 Gansert) She is at 50 dap and has an ott of 322.   Sunday, September 4 View Page Side view of Cersei (1000.5 Gansert).   Sunday, September 4 View Page Daenerys (1912 Carter) is still growing nicely and has an ott of 382 at 57 dap. Hard to tell from picture but she has nice orange color with Calai dots!   Sunday, September 4 View Page Side view of Daenerys (1912 Carter). This shows her color a little better.   Sunday, September 4 View Page Stem side view of 1912 Carter.   Sunday, September 4 View Page 141 Vunak has a couple of long gourds growing. The rutabaga has a cc of 38.5 inches today.   Monday, September 5 View Page Sansa now 616.5 Young is back from Champlain Valley Fair. We will stand her up on her blossom end if she survives until Halloween.   Monday, September 5 View Page Good day to be a pumpkin in Vermont today!   Sunday, September 11 View Page September 11 and a beautiful clear cool day here after a morning front went through similar to 9/11/2001. My thoughts are still with all of the families who have lost loved ones from that day or the days that have followed. We all need to remember and stay strong as it seems easy to give up on mankind these days. Here is the old patch.   Sunday, September 11 View Page New patch. The plants are starting to show every leaf problem in the gardening dictionary.   Sunday, September 11 View Page 618 Young at 56 dap are 100" x 89" x 142" for an ott of 331". So far we seem to be still solid under the stem split. If she makes it we will put expandable foam in stem split to keep water out in display.   Sunday, September 11 View Page 141 Vunak long gourds still growing.   Sunday, September 11 View Page 1000.5 Gansert is 57 dap and 90.25" x 90.5" x 152.25" for an ott of 333".   Sunday, September 11 View Page 1912 Carter is 64 dap and 110" x 108.5" x 172" for an ott of 390.5". Not a perfect shape but has nice color. It will be an interesting seed for us next year as we crossed the 1000.5 Gansert into it.   Sunday, September 11 View Page Rutabaga has a cc of 40 inches today. We will bring it to the VT weigh off September 24th.   Sunday, September 11 View Page We have once again gotten into quilt season. The season of more worry then work!   Thursday, September 15 View Page Caught 2 mice today with sticky traps. The little buggers have been nestled up in the quilts and munching away.   Thursday, September 15 View Page I believe the mice bites were some sort of morse code for other mice that says "eat me". But I am not really sure and will need to consult a mouse whisperer.   Sunday, September 18 View Page The season is coming to a close and it is hard to keep things happy. Weigh offs start next Saturday and we are ready to harvest and move on.   Sunday, September 18 View Page The 1000.5 plant has the best looking leaves for this date and she is pushing fluids through the skin on her stem end. She got another gouge into her due to wind but she is still a beauty. After all Cersei is a bad girl.   Sunday, September 18 View Page Arya the 618 Young is starting to darken up nicely. Stem split seems to have stabilized. She has an ott of 339 inches at 63 dap.   Sunday, September 18 View Page Cersei the 1000.5 Gansert is still slowly growing and has an ott of 341 at 64 dap.   Sunday, September 18 View Page Long gourds did not like a couple of 39 degree nights but are still slowly growing.   Sunday, September 18 View Page Daenerys has slowed a lot but still moving the needle a bit. She tapes 394.5 at 71 dap. We will be lifting her Thursday evening for VT weigh off.   Sunday, September 18 View Page Rutabaga is still slowly growing with a circ of 40.75 inches. The tiki God who is the size of a beer can looks small sitting in it. We will be digging it for VT weigh off.   Wednesday, September 21 View Page Rutabaga Rutabaga Rutabagggaaaaa   Wednesday, September 21 View Page Rutabaga back side. Find the Pepsi can!   Wednesday, September 21 View Page Rutabagaaaaaaaa. What will you weigh on Saturday???????   Thursday, September 22 View Page 1912 got harvested today and has an ott of 397 inches.   Thursday, September 22 View Page Two happy growers that the pumpkin is sound and safely on a trailer. VT weigh off here we come!   Sunday, September 25 View Page What a beautiful day at the Vermont weigh off. 37 pumpkins and squash were weighed and we got to see so many grower friends. Daenerys (1912 Carter) did well and we tied for second place at 1297.5 pounds. Thanks for the photo Scott!   Sunday, September 25 View Page She was also lucky enough to win the Howard Dill award.   Sunday, September 25 View Page A fuller picture of 1297.5 Young (1912 Carter x 1000.5 Gansert) Thanks Dan Boyce!   Sunday, September 25 View Page Bigger scale picture 1297.5 Young 2016 (1912 Carter x 1000.5 Gansert)   Sunday, September 25 View Page Group photo after weigh off!   Sunday, September 25 View Page 54 pound Rutabaga. Looks that only a mother could love!   Sunday, September 25 View Page 115.13 Young 2016 Long gourd (141 Vunak x 137 Eaton)   Sunday, September 25 View Page The fall display is coming along. Two more pumpkins in the patch.   Monday, September 26 View Page Here we have a lonely Cersei (1000.5 Gansert) A couple nights of hard frost has finished her and we will bring her out front. The following is just an observation and not a political statement. This is the second year that we did not use myco and have found more vigorous rooting then we did the past 5 years using it. We have also grown some of our biggest pumpkin but the weather this year was more optimal then years back which is a major factor. The results of the great rooting will certainly keep myco out of my amendments for one more year.   Monday, September 26 View Page Picture of Cersei (1000.5 Gansert x 1912 Carter) ready to be moved tomorrow night.   Tuesday, September 27 View Page Harvested long gourd that we will bring to RI and wiped her down with a little bleach and water.   Thursday, September 29 View Page Last picture of 1000.5 Gansert x 1912 Carter as we discovered a soft spot and opened up to soup mess. Blech!! It is now the 839 Young UOW DMG   Saturday, October 8 View Page We had a great day at Frerich's Farm in RI and were fortunate to win the long gourd competition with a 127.5 inch.   Sunday, October 16 View Page • Patches cleaned up. Check   Sunday, October 16 View Page • Soil samples ready to be sent. Check.   Sunday, October 16 View Page We have not tilled the last 2 falls nor used cover crops but have let weeds stay. In the spring we will mow, amend and add compost before we till.   Sunday, October 23 View Page We got back from a long weekend trip to a little of the white stuff. Could be an early winter this year.