Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 119 Entries. Friday, February 19 View Page Starting the 2016 diary with a picture of my first big orange. The 358 est House 2013 ( 568 Kaczenski x 810 Westcott). I didn't know at the time what good genetics a helpful grower gave me. 568 Kaczenski is a 1059 V/M x sib. 810 Westcott was a 1090 Northrup x 1421 Stelts. This was the start of getting hooked on orange.   Wednesday, April 6 View Page Just uploaded the iPhone app. This is a test.   Sunday, April 10 View Page Another test post   Monday, April 11 View Page Girl Scouts visit last year.   Monday, April 11 View Page Pumpkin Patch preschool visits The Pumpkin Place.   Sunday, April 17 View Page It's not the biggest operation but the schools greenhouses are making it hard to get pumpkin work done. This is main greenhouse.   Sunday, April 17 View Page Temporary greenhouse one.   Sunday, April 17 View Page Temporary greenhouse two.   Sunday, April 17 View Page Temporary petunia house.   Sunday, April 17 View Page Geranium and wave petunia basket house.   Sunday, April 17 View Page Main plot seeds started today. 2032 Matthison -- backup 1916 Barron 1538 Jutras -- backup 1731 McConkie 1317 Clementz-- backup 1177 Clementz 823 House -- backup same 598 House -- backup same   Tuesday, April 19 View Page Started seeds for commercial row 1 today 1799.5 Deletas 1731 McConkie 1684.5 Delaney 1561 Reeb 1266 Jany 1172 Grande 1103 Young 1086 Veitch   Wednesday, April 20 View Page And the fastest to germinate winner is the 1916 Barron. 36 hours after going in germination chamber.   Friday, April 29 View Page Main Plot 2032 Matthison 1916 Barron 1538 Jutras 1317 Clementz 823 House Row 1 Commercial 1. 1799.5 Deletas 2012 – ( 1495 Stelts x 1409.5 Miller) 2. 1731 McConkie 14 – ( 1985 Miller x 2009 Wallace HD Producer 3. 1684.5 Delaney 2012—( 1495 Stelts 10 x 1818.5 Bryson) 4. 1561 Reeb 2014 ( 1661.5 Werner x self) HD Winner/Producer 5. 1266 Jany 2013 – ( 1634 Werner x self) HD winner/producer 6. 1177 Clementz 2015 – ( 1947.5 Clementz x 1317 Clementz ) HD winner 7. 1172 Grande 2015 – ( 359 Foss x 932 Grande) HD Winner 8. 1086 Veitch 2012 –( 1610 Lieber x 1059 Vincent/McGill) HD Winner Row 2 Commercial 1. 1047.5 McWilliams 2015 ( 359 Foss13 x self) 2. 1030.5 DeBacco 15 – ( 811 Gerhardt 11 x 1719.5 Daletas 14) HD winner 3. 993.2 Vincent/McGill 2008 – ( 772 Poirier 06 x 998 Pukos 2005) HD Producer 4. 942 Kampf 2011 – ( 1059 Vincent McGill x 802 Kurilich HD Winner/producer 5. 840 Young 2012 – (777 Young x 1059 Vincent/McGill) HD producer 6. 823 House 2015 – ( 811 Gerhardt x 359 Foss) 7. 744.1 Offermann 2015 – ( 1317 Clementz 13 x 772.2 Porier 06) HD Winner 8. 705 DeBacco 2014 – ( 811 Gerhardt 11 x 2009 Wallace 12) HD winner Row 3 Commercial 1. 668 Kruger 2012 – ( 1059 Vincent/McGill x 1634 Werner) HD winner 2. 575 Wolf 2014 – ( 811 Gerhardt x 1059 Vincent/McGill) HD Winner /Producer 4. 448 Lovitt 2013 ( 904 Stelts x 1059 Vincent/McGill 5. 442 MC-Kruger 2012 – ( 895 Ruegger 09 x 1290 Poirier 07) 6. 432 Herrmann 2014 – ( 777 Young x 993 Vincent McGill) 7. 428 Cooper 2015 – ( 1048 Engel x 1290 poirier) 8.   Friday, April 29 View Page These are the seeds that I have germinated so far. Should have some really nice oranges from that group. Starting to germinate my old orange seed lineup. 364 Webster 2004 was first to pop in 36 hours.   Thursday, May 5 View Page Photo for last post. The 2032 Matthison, 1916 Barron's, 1317 Clementz, 1536 Jutras, and 823 House all have houses but everything else is about to get a rude awakening.   Saturday, May 7 View Page Competition plants went into main patch today. 2032 Matthison 1916 Barron. 1538 Jutras. 1317 Clementz. 823 House   Saturday, May 7 View Page Rows 1 & 2 of commercial patch went in today also. Row 1 -- 1799.5 Deletas, 1731 McConkie, 1684.5 Delaney, 1561 Reeb, 1266 Jany, 1177 Clementz, 1172 Grande, 1086 Veitch.   Saturday, May 7 View Page Row 2 commercial 1047.5 McWilliams, 1030.5 DeBacco, 993 Vincent/McGill, 942 Kampf, 840 Young, 823 House, 744.1 Offerman, 705 DeBacco.   Saturday, May 7 View Page Also got row 3 commercial in today. 823 House 3, 668 Kruger, 575 Wolf, 488 Lovitt, 451.5 Weibel, 442 MC-Kruger, 432 Herrmann, 428 Cooper.   Sunday, May 15 View Page 200 plus pots of commercial jack o lanterns seeded today. They will be real work in a couple of weeks when it's time to plant them. Made it safely through the frost last night.   Wednesday, May 25 View Page Big setback in the giant bushel gourd competition. Thought they were safe in their 30 gallon protection tubs. Wrong!!'   Wednesday, May 25 View Page This am they were all completely dug up. I am guessing that raccoons decided to dig in the moist soil. 2- 279.5 English, a 188 Ciesielski, a 117.5 Sheldon, and a 173 McKrugerkettle gourd all gone.   Tuesday, June 7 View Page This is why I haven't had time to post much. All transplants. About half done.   Tuesday, June 14 View Page 364 Webster 04 is alive and well   Tuesday, June 14 View Page My bottom patch with one plant each of all my 2015 seeds. Just had to see what they would produce.   Tuesday, June 14 View Page 1916 Barron is my strongest plant.   Sunday, June 26 View Page Bottom patch looks a lot different than a couple weeks ago.   Sunday, June 26 View Page 823 House 15 x 1538 Jutras   Sunday, June 26 View Page 1684.5 Delaney x 1799.5 Deletas   Wednesday, June 29 View Page 1916 Barron x 364 Webster   Wednesday, June 29 View Page 668 Kruger x 1317 Clementz   Wednesday, June 29 View Page 1172 Grande x 1086 Veitch   Wednesday, June 29 View Page Looks like the 74.2 House 15 Cinderella ( 233 House 14 Cinderella x field Cinderella) is going to produce nice shaped conderellas   Friday, July 8 View Page 823 House x 1539 Jutras -- 164 ott/ 103 lbs -- 50 lb gain last 3 days   Friday, July 8 View Page 1538 Jutras x 1317 Clementz --123 ott/45 lb   Friday, July 8 View Page 1016 Barron x 364 Webster -- 167 ott/109 lb   Friday, July 8 View Page 1664.5 Delaney x 1799.5 Deletas -- 193 ott- 166 lb   Friday, July 8 View Page 668 Kruger x 1317 Clementz -- 158 ott/ 93 lb   Friday, July 8 View Page 1172 Grande x 1086 Veitch-- 150 ott/80 lb   Friday, July 8 View Page 1664.5 is 193 ott. Don't want anyone to think I have pumpkins going over 100 percent to chart. Lol   Monday, July 11 View Page Is this an open pollination!!!   Saturday, July 23 View Page Had a great time on a fishing trip last week.   Saturday, July 23 View Page Caught lots of fish but came home to a ton of weeds and work. Two + inches of rain and upper 80 and low 90 temps. Had several AG's rip their veins from growing so fast with not enough S in the curves.   Saturday, July 23 View Page One of the neat things about growing a bunch of AG's is the surprises. The 250 House Cinderella ( 146 House Cinderella x open) has a 251 lb white Cinderella growing on it.   Saturday, July 23 View Page 566 Winey x self is at 156 lbs.   Sunday, July 24 View Page 823A House x 1538 Jutras at 442 lbs   Sunday, July 24 View Page 1538 Jutras x 1317 Clementz at 438 lb   Sunday, July 24 View Page 1665.5 Delaney x 1799.5 Deletas at 342 lb   Sunday, July 24 View Page 744.1 Offerman x 1171 Clementz at 300 lbs   Sunday, July 24 View Page 823B House x 993 Vincent McGill at 242 lb   Sunday, July 24 View Page 442 McKruger x 942 Kampf at 208 lbs   Sunday, July 24 View Page 923 Pukos x 1317 Clementz at 208 lb   Sunday, July 24 View Page 823C House x 364 Webster at 265 lbs   Sunday, July 24 View Page 1047.5 McWilliams x open at 255 lbs   Sunday, July 24 View Page 823C House x 575 Wolf at 117 lbs   Sunday, July 31 View Page 823 House A X 1538 Jutras at 600 lbs this am   Sunday, July 31 View Page Hard to see but this ear of Indian corn is 17 inches long.   Friday, August 5 View Page 823 X 1538 plant went down to phytopthoria (sp) this week with it getting close to 700 lb. I had high hopes for a possible HD from this one.   Friday, August 5 View Page 1538 Jutras X 1317 Clementz is a deep orange but does not have a lot of size potential since I damaged the stem trying to move it one morning when it was young. I know better but was in a hurry that day.   Sunday, August 7 View Page 82 lbs for my first try at giant watermelloms. Nothing special but did nothing but plant seed and weed.   Tuesday, August 9 View Page Had to cut the 823 from the vine as it was rotted on both sides of the stem. It will end up about 650 lbs and has great shape and color. Going to use it as a display at my pumpkin business.   Sunday, August 14 View Page Picture to go with last entry.   Sunday, August 14 View Page Picking full moon pumpkins to keep color. Usually 50 to 60 lbs. 80 to over 100 lbs common this year.   Sunday, August 14 View Page Caption to go with watermellon pic. Second giant watermellon went 104.8 lbs and just barely fit in 110 qt cooler. Cooled it and cut it tonight. Excellent flavor. Made several gallon ziplock bags full.   Wednesday, August 17 View Page Harvested the 556 uow House.16 (823 House 15 X 1538 Jutras) to put on my display table at my pumpkin business. Went light because of a concave bottom. To   Wednesday, August 17 View Page 334 uow House 16 ( 150 Rea X self). I will be planting several seeds from this pumpkin in my commercial patch next year.   Wednesday, August 24 View Page 575 Wolf X 364 Edwards at 457 lbs est   Wednesday, August 24 View Page 823 House X 364 Edwards at 554 lbs est.   Saturday, August 27 View Page 300.5 uow House 16 ( 430 House 15 X 575 Wolf). One of several nice red orange kind on the 430 commercial plant. The 430 was a 798 Fraley X 811 Gerhart cross. The 575 genes should only add more color.   Sunday, August 28 View Page Giant watermellon number three at 98.5 lbs. My wife really likes their taste and one lasts a long time even when you give some to friends.   Sunday, August 28 View Page Specialty pumpkins and gourds at ready to go on shelves at my pumpkin business.   Tuesday, August 30 View Page Almost five inches of rain in the past two days. Almost eight inches in the past week. Don't know when I will be able to harvest my commercial pumpkins. If it doesn't stop soon the river may harvest my bottom pumpkins. Just about a foot from going over the banks and still raining hard with more on the way this afternoon. Hope the roots and vines are strong enough to hold them from floating away. Its always risky to plant the bottom but generally when you get past June you are safe. Not this year!!!   Thursday, September 1 View Page Harvesting pumpkins for display. Most would have grown a little more but need them for the Pumpkin Place display. This is the 606.5 uow House 2016 ( 823 House C x 364 Webster.   Thursday, September 1 View Page 444.5 uow House 2016 ( 575 Wolf x 364 Webster). This is a really nice shaped red-orange kin.   Thursday, September 1 View Page This one has an interesting shape but makes for a good display. 536 uow House 2016 (668 Kruger x 1317 Clementz)   Thursday, September 1 View Page Another interesting one. 319.5 uow House 2016 white Cinderella. This was off the 250 House 14 Cinderella and crossed with the 146 House 2013 Cinderella.   Thursday, September 1 View Page 285 uow House 2016 (475 House 15 x 1290 Poirier). 475 House was the 725 Herrmann x 359 Herrmann. 725 Herrmann was 993 V/M x self and 359 was 993 V/M x 500 Poirier. Small but really nice color.   Thursday, September 1 View Page 516 House uow 2016 ( 823 House E x Open ) Better orange than the picture shows.   Thursday, September 1 View Page 300.5 House uow 2016 (430 House 15 x 575 Wolf) 430 House was the 798 Fraley x 811 Gerhardt). Another small but very red orange pumpkin.   Thursday, September 1 View Page Another flat one. 345 House uow 2016 (520 House x 1266 Jany) 520 House was 433 House 14 x 1317 Clementz.   Thursday, September 1 View Page 368 uow House 2016 ( 612 House 14 x 705 House 14 ) Another one with better color than the picture shows.   Thursday, September 1 View Page The entrance sign to the pumpkin place with the 536 on the right and the 319.5 Cinderella on the right.   Tuesday, September 6 View Page more oranges 352.5 House 2016 uow ( 260 Herrmann x 823 House plant B)   Tuesday, September 6 View Page 458 House 2016 uow ( 442 Kruger x 942 Kampf)   Tuesday, September 6 View Page 424 House 2016 uow ( 823 House plant B x 993 Vincent/McGill) A really nice red/orange like the other 823 progeny.   Tuesday, September 6 View Page 179.5 House 2016 uow ( 260 Herrmann x self) Keeping the seeds from this one for my commercial patch. The 260 has produced some of the best colored red/orange pumpkings I have grown. They almost glow.   Tuesday, September 6 View Page My wife keeps taking things off the shelves and making yard displays with them. I don't know how I am supposed to make money that way. lol   Sunday, September 11 View Page Biggest watermello so far at 117.5 lbs.   Sunday, September 11 View Page Unique find today. Picking Autumn Cushaw squash and found two that were completely round.   Friday, September 16 View Page 524.5 uow House 2016- ( 404 House 15 X 1317 Clementz) 404 was the 675 Conniff X 558 Fraley)   Friday, September 16 View Page 420 uow House 2016 ( 873.5 DeBacco X 1317 Clementz)   Wednesday, September 21 View Page 965 House 2016 (1916 Barron X 364 Webster) Not huge but good enough to win nonGPC Morton Pumpkin Festival weighoff.   Thursday, September 22 View Page Little visitors to The Pumpkin Place today.   Sunday, September 25 View Page 369.5 uow House 2016 (128 Rys X self). Thanks to Chris Dunn I have the red genetics I was looking for.   Saturday, October 1 View Page 142 lb bushel gourd.   Saturday, October 1 View Page Never had a peanut pumpkin with this much covering.   Wednesday, October 19 View Page 169 and 192 House 2016 bushel gourds.   Wednesday, October 19 View Page 82 and 62 House 2016 pear gourds from seeds in last years seed exchange. Some fun seeds in the exchange.   Wednesday, October 19 View Page 176 and 130 uow bushel gourds   Wednesday, October 19 View Page 396.5 uow House 2016. ( 566 Winey x self)   Wednesday, October 19 View Page The picture area at my pumpkin business.   Wednesday, October 19 View Page Center pumpkin is the 334 uow House 2016 ( 150 Rea x self). An absolutely beautiful pumpkin with great shape.   Tuesday, November 1 View Page Harvested seeds from 319.5 uow House 16 white Cinderella. Parent was 250 House red Cinderella x 146 House red Cinderella ( mother of 250). Not sure where the white came from but I am putting this seed in my pack for the exotic seed exchange.   Tuesday, November 1 View Page Harvested seeds from the 220.5 uow House 16 ( 150 Rea x self). The 150 Rea has produced several 100 lb plus up to 500 pounders for me. No matter what size they always have a beautiful color. This seed will be in my seed exchange lot also.   Wednesday, November 2 View Page My third seed I plan to send to the seed exchange. 397.5* uow House 16 ( 566 Winey x sib). Anyone like greenies? Harvested seeds today.   Wednesday, November 2 View Page Harvested seeds from 359.5 Uow House 16 ( 128 Rys x self). Reddest pumpkin I have grown. Unfortunately had low seed count so will only go to club auction requests.   Thursday, November 3 View Page Harvested seed from the 458 uow House 2016 ( 442 McKruger x 942 Kampf)   Thursday, November 3 View Page Harvested seed from the 390.5 uow House 2016 ( 993 V/M x 823 House)   Thursday, November 3 View Page Harvested seeds I may use in the commercial patch. 142 House 16 ( Prizewinner x open) One of my prettier and nice shaped prize winners.   Thursday, November 3 View Page Another commercial seed for next year. 182 Uow House 16. Not sure of parents but was off white with blue and orange streaking. I will plant a couple next year hoping to get something similar.   Thursday, November 3 View Page Harvested seeds from my display center piece the 334 uow House 2016 ( 150 Rea x self). Definitely in the top 5 of prettiest and best shaped pumpkins I have grown.   Thursday, November 3 View Page Took seeds from another pretty orange with a little more size, 606 uow House 2016 ( 823 House x 364 Webster.$   Thursday, November 3 View Page Last seed for today. 444 uow House 2016 ( 575 Wolf x 364 Webster). The 575 produced some beauties.   Saturday, November 12 View Page Some other seeds harvested in the past week or so. 434*uow House 2016 ( 566 Winey x self)   Saturday, November 12 View Page 497.5 uow House 2016 ( 359 Herrmann x 993 Vincent/McGill) 359 Herrmann was 993 Vincent McGill x 500 Piorier   Saturday, November 12 View Page 267.5 uow House 2016 ( 1561 Reeb x 942 Kampf).   Saturday, November 12 View Page 169.5 uow House 2016 ( 150 Rea x 100 Herrmann) 100 Herrmann was a 150 x self. Cross made to produce 100-300 pound porch pumpkins for decoration and carving.   Sunday, December 11 View Page Doing germination tests. Some good and others not so good.