Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 437 Entries. Thursday, January 5 View Page Plant stand I got for Christmas.   Tuesday, January 17 View Page Filed. Soaked 1.5 hours warm water. Damp paper towel. Ziplock. Heat mat for 2 days.   Tuesday, January 17 View Page Not Filed. Soaked 1.5 hours warm water. Damp paper towel. Ziplock. Heat mat for 2 days.   Monday, January 30 View Page All of my test germinations show that my plants in miracle gro potting mix are taller with bigger leaves but the plants in Pro Mix starter soil look stockier and healthier but the leaves aren't quite as big.   Monday, January 30 View Page Here's another   Monday, January 30 View Page One more   Saturday, February 18 View Page Got a couple of my dads old seeds to germinate. This pumpkin was grown in 2001 so the seeds are 15 years old. Pretty neat.   Thursday, February 23 View Page New 20x20 veggie garden dug today. Moisture in soil was ideal. Hard to believe it's just February 23rd. Now my 50x50 patch can be just for my pumpkins and squash.   Thursday, March 9 View Page Got 2 yards of poop spread on the new veggie garden. Now need some peat moss and till it in and should be ready to go.   Thursday, March 9 View Page 2 yards of poop added to veggie garden. My back hurts.   Thursday, March 9 View Page Rough sketch of Giants patch. Orange are kins and green is squash. Duh   Tuesday, March 14 View Page Latest plot thought. Will be growing a 1385, 1947, ???? Gansert, ???? Green Squash and undecided for the 150 challenge. Probably something big and ugly.   Friday, March 24 View Page 12'x16" raised bed awaiting some garden mix soil. Gonna fence it in and plant princess, blue moon and night fire pumpkins.   Friday, March 24 View Page Put together a 4'x8' hoop house today. Just need to wrap it with plastic and it'll be ready to go.   Friday, March 24 View Page Was gonna try a 150 challenge but decided I just don't wanna give up the room in my main patch. I have about 145 square feet here but it's so skinny I just don't think it's worth the hassle. Might throw a couple long gourds in here and let them grow on the ground and get all curly.   Friday, March 24 View Page Subject to change: 2017 Lineup 1385 H/J in 750 sq ft patch 2 seeds to start 1947 Bubba in 750 sq ft patch 2 seeds to start 1044 Gansert in 500 sq ft patch 2 seeds to start 1175 Holub SQ in 500 sq ft patch 1 seed to start 1362 Pugh SQ back up if needed 1 seed to start   Saturday, March 25 View Page Hand dug all the holes with a post hole digger and a digging bar for new fence around the veggie garden today. My entire body hurts.   Saturday, March 25 View Page Oops. Who put that drain pipe there? Luckily I barely busted through it and was able to tape it with some super sticky and thick aluminum tape. Four layers ought keep it good for years and years.   Wednesday, March 29 View Page Threw some plastic on and put a thermometer inside to see how it heats up.   Wednesday, March 29 View Page Got fertz & amendments? I do...haha look out pumpkin world.   Sunday, April 2 View Page Fence is up. Thanks to my wife for her help. Planted peas, onions, lettuce and some radishes. A bit to wet but already a couple weeks behind on the cool weather crops.   Sunday, April 2 View Page My daughters little setup. She planted onions, radishes, and peas. She decided on the 1947.5 Clementz for her competition pumpkin. I'm growing a 1385 H/J and a Gansert. Stupid upside down pics.   Sunday, April 9 View Page Hoops up. Lower half of garden still a mud hole. Might look into French drain to see if it helps.   Friday, April 14 View Page Dug trench to see if it helps dry out lower section of patch. Hate to lose the square footage but it's really doggy on the low side.   Friday, April 14 View Page Raised bed is full of top soil, mushroom manure and sand mix. Delivery truck got stuck when bringing it. No fun.   Saturday, April 15 View Page Water Buffalo set up and leveled. Hoping to let my well water warm up before watering the plants.   Tuesday, April 18 View Page And we're off. Soak started this morning. Warm h2o a dash of peroxide and a pinch of seaweed. 1947 Clementz 1385 H/J 1044 Gansert 1175 SQ Holub and 1362 SQ Pugh. Going with 3 AG and One SQ. Good luck everyone.   Thursday, April 20 View Page Potato towers started yesterday   Thursday, April 20 View Page I hope this doesn't happen once the plants are out. Yikes. This could put a hurting on a growing season.   Thursday, April 20 View Page After 2 days. Signs of life from both 1385 H/J, both 1044 Gansert and 1362 Pugh SQ. All potted up now. Still waiting on 1175 Holub SQ and both 1947 Clementz to pop. All 3 of these seeds are bulky heavy seeds so not surprised they have not sprouted yet.   Sunday, April 23 View Page 1385.5 H/J was first to emerge followed by a second 1385.5. Had to help both seed coats out. Plant #2 not looking so good.   Sunday, April 23 View Page 1385.5 #2. Cots look mushy on tips.   Sunday, April 23 View Page 1947.5 Clementz coming up   Sunday, April 23 View Page 1362.5 Pugh SQ pushing dirt   Sunday, April 23 View Page Drying dirt for my Spring soil test. Told my wife I was drying my dirt and she looked at me like I was crazy.   Sunday, April 23 View Page My new favorite hat I won as a door prize at the PGPGA beginners seminar today.   Thursday, April 27 View Page Was a toasty 102 degrees in the hoops yesterday. Still hoping lower end of patch dries up soon.   Thursday, April 27 View Page Most of my cots look weird and/or formed funny. Hopefully it won't effect the overall health of the plant. 1947 Clementz is the early leader. Some early beans I'm starting.   Saturday, April 29 View Page I seem to have a clear leader on each of the seeds I've started. Wonder why???   Saturday, April 29 View Page 1947 Clementz   Saturday, April 29 View Page These are my backups. 1662 Steil   Saturday, April 29 View Page Squash seeds were not started at the same time. Lost my starter and my backup so these are my backups to the backup. Not sure if that even makes sense. Haha   Saturday, April 29 View Page Pumpkin selfie. Don't mind the look. I just got up from a two hour nap. Love me some weekends.   Sunday, April 30 View Page Wishing the forecast was warmer for this week. Ground inside hoops is ready for plants but below average temperatures and rain means the plants will stay in 1 gallon pots until things improve later this week.   Tuesday, May 2 View Page My secret weapon??? Fingers crossed.   Tuesday, May 2 View Page 1385 H/J. Best looking plant so far. All of my plants are getting repotted into 2 gallon grow bags tomorrow. Forecast for next week looking crappy so just gonna keep them going in the house for a while longer.   Tuesday, May 2 View Page 1044 Gansert looking good.   Tuesday, May 2 View Page 1947 Clementz with sunburn from my T5's   Tuesday, May 2 View Page 1195 Holub Sq. She's several days behind the AG's.   Tuesday, May 2 View Page 1401 Jutras Sq   Tuesday, May 2 View Page 1662 Steil backups. Trying hard to earn a spot and they are winning me over. Biggest cots of anything I've planted yet and looking very aggressive. May let one compete with a 1947 Clementz for a spot. These were planted 6 days later than my other AG's.   Thursday, May 4 View Page So I go to Agway and ask for molasses and they get me this. Just what I need to attract more deer to my plot. Haha   Thursday, May 4 View Page Some stuff I saved from when my dad was growing AG's.   Thursday, May 4 View Page More leftovers from Dad   Saturday, May 6 View Page SOOO....yesterday it's 70 degrees and sunny on my way home from work so I decide to put plants in the ground. My daughter plants her 2 1947 Clementz and I plant, with her help, our 1385 H/J, 1044 Gansert and 2 squash plants. Bout halfway through its starts raining and hasn't let up since. Bad omen? No pics cause of the rain.   Sunday, May 7 View Page Wow, my execution is horrible. First the nonstop rain after planting and now this. Plants are double planted in hoops and then covered with a large clear storage bin with a 90 watt floodlight in each bin. Went down to 40 last night with low 30's expected next few nights. Covered the bins with old comforters. Go out this morning to wake everyone up and find some pretty substantial heat damage on several plants. My best plant so far, 1385 h/j, looks pretty much like a crispy potato chip. I'm to embarrassed to post a pic so you'll have to use your imagination.   Sunday, May 7 View Page Not as bad as I originally thought. Except the one 1385 H/J which looks toasted. See following pics.   Sunday, May 7 View Page Squashes   Sunday, May 7 View Page Poor baby   Sunday, May 7 View Page Close up of damage   Sunday, May 7 View Page My second 1385   Sunday, May 7 View Page Clementz plants   Sunday, May 7 View Page New set up borrowed from Ron W   Sunday, May 7 View Page All tucked in.   Wednesday, May 10 View Page Thanks Tractor Supply. $1.00 per bag.   Thursday, May 11 View Page Squash   Thursday, May 11 View Page Gansert   Thursday, May 11 View Page 1385 H/J   Thursday, May 11 View Page Clementz   Thursday, May 11 View Page Bedtime   Thursday, May 11 View Page Patch pic   Friday, May 12 View Page 1385 that I cooked has bounced back nicely in just 4 days.   Friday, May 12 View Page 4 days growth on 1947 Clementz   Saturday, May 13 View Page All mini hoops within the big hoops removed today. Small heaters in each hoop for the first time. Set on low. Checked right after dark and temps were hovering around 70.   Saturday, May 13 View Page 1044 Gansert. Nearly three straight days of no sun is not helping. A little yellow. All plants got an epson salt drench either yesterday or today. Hope they green up.   Saturday, May 13 View Page 1385's in their new hoop house.   Saturday, May 13 View Page 1947 Clementz starting to vine.   Saturday, May 13 View Page New hoop house.   Monday, May 15 View Page Some plants for our fall pumpkin display.   Monday, May 15 View Page A couple more   Monday, May 15 View Page Watered AG and SQ with these from WOW   Monday, May 15 View Page Pic for last post   Thursday, May 18 View Page Squashes   Thursday, May 18 View Page Gansert   Thursday, May 18 View Page H/J   Thursday, May 18 View Page Clementz   Friday, May 19 View Page This is my new overhead sprinkler system for this year. It will be hooked up to the water buffalo (next picture) and fed via inline pump (which leaks like crazy). Add it to my "want" list.   Friday, May 19 View Page Water tank and pump.   Tuesday, May 23 View Page Darn plant wants to grow straight up. Lay down already!!!   Tuesday, May 23 View Page Squashes   Tuesday, May 23 View Page 1044 Gansert. These are our best looking plants IMO. Only one can stay. Gonna be tough choice to make. Sharing hoop with squashes in the background.   Tuesday, May 23 View Page 1385 H/J   Tuesday, May 23 View Page 1947 Clementz. Plant on left is aka Beanstalk. Gotta get her to lay down. Hopefully before this weekend as I'll be away for a couple days.   Monday, May 29 View Page Squashes   Monday, May 29 View Page Not sure what's causing yellow color.   Monday, May 29 View Page These went from our best looking plants to our worst. I think we went a little overboard with Eight bug spray. Definitely hurt a couple leaves and stunted plant. If doesn't pick up soon will be culled and 1662 Steil A will be trained to grow in its place.   Monday, May 29 View Page Both 1044 Gansert on ground and running. These are by far our best looking plants. Wish we could keep them both but one is gonna get culled soon. Main vines around 5 feet each.   Monday, May 29 View Page Hoops down. Silt fence/windbreak up.   Monday, May 29 View Page Backup   Monday, May 29 View Page Backup   Monday, May 29 View Page Patch view   Monday, May 29 View Page Wish I could get rid of the two giant oak trees on the left side of this picture. They are currently blocking a good 2 hours of sunshine per day. They are way to big for me to handle myself and I can't justify the expense of paying someone to cut them down for me. Plus I do actually like these trees. They are quite majestic.   Monday, May 29 View Page Misc decorative kins long gourds giant sunflowers and Indian corn for our pumpkin display.   Wednesday, May 31 View Page WOW Super Starter Pack vs no WOW. What a difference!!!   Saturday, June 3 View Page Final amendments added and tilled in today.   Saturday, June 3 View Page Anybody want to donate a tractor and tiller to me? Haha This hand tilling is brutal on the body.   Saturday, June 3 View Page Squashes. Not happy with plant color or rate of growth.   Saturday, June 3 View Page By far the best plant in the patch. I culled her sib today. She's growing about 4 inches per day and secondaries are starting to get going as well. Good green color on this girl.   Saturday, June 3 View Page I can't get these plants to green up. Added some 12% Nitrogen and watered in to see if they will green up.   Saturday, June 3 View Page Well.....we pulled both 1947 Clementz today and transplanted a 1662 Steil in their place. Lost a bunch of roots when transplanting so guessing she will take a good while to get back on track. The one 1947 was not doing much and the other had a split vine. Both were yellow and ugly.   Saturday, June 3 View Page Patch shot   Sunday, June 4 View Page 1044 Gansert   Sunday, June 4 View Page Squashes   Sunday, June 4 View Page 1385 H/J's   Sunday, June 4 View Page 1662 Steil. Transplant looking good this afternoon.   Sunday, June 4 View Page Decoration garden. Cinderella, Nightfire, Blue Moon, long gourd and Indian corn. Sunflowers too, almost forgot them.   Sunday, June 4 View Page Baby Cinderella pumpkin   Monday, June 5 View Page Garden Crocs rule. Don't be jealous. Go get yourself a pair. You'll love them. Culled my 1401 Jutras Squash and one of my two 1385 H/J today. Started burying vines on my 1044 Gansert and the 1662 Steil.   Monday, June 5 View Page 1195 Holub. Hopes she's green.   Monday, June 5 View Page 1044 Gansert   Monday, June 5 View Page Vine burying began today   Monday, June 5 View Page One day after transplant. Looking surprisingly good imo. Started burying the main today. See next pic.   Monday, June 5 View Page 1662 Steil   Saturday, June 10 View Page Wish my plants were growing better. This plant is lucky to be growing an inch or two per day and no secondaries in sight. Ugh   Saturday, June 10 View Page Growing around 4-6 inches per day with secondaries starting to grow. There's a baby pumpkin on this one. See next pic.   Saturday, June 10 View Page First female of the year.   Saturday, June 10 View Page Growing so SLOW. Come on already. First open male flower of the year. See next pic.   Saturday, June 10 View Page A male bloom opened up this morning.   Saturday, June 10 View Page Suffered some serious flagging today due to lack of root structure from being transplanted last week. This plant is growing though and has a nice green look to it. I took pic early this morning before the sun got to it.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Baby squash showed up today and she looks green. Yay!!!   Wednesday, June 14 View Page This plant is finally greening up and starting to move a little bit. Baby squash looks green to me.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Finally throwing out some side vines. You can see them in this pic. Main vine is at least 8 feet long and growing 6+ inches per day.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Baby pumpkin showed up today on this plant as well. Just barely starting to send out some side vines. Newest leaves are looking nice and green. Growing a couple inches per day.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Baby kin on 1385 H/J. If it grows me one half as big as Mr Beard's grew last season, I'll be ecstatic.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Strong grower even though she was late to the game and transplanted to her final spot just 11 days ago. Still flags in heat of day but perks right up once sun sets.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Wish my AGs were growing as well as my decoration pumpkins. I believe I overdosed them with the systemic insecticide when I transplanted my main patch. Must remember that for next year.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Decoration patch. It's gonna be a complete nightmare in a couple weeks. Gonna try my best to keep it from getting powdery mildew but other than that, don't plan on doing much else.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Before and after of our chicken coop rehab. Hopefully the lower nesting boxes will discourage the girls from sleeping in them.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page New flock 2 Speckled Sussex 2 Buff Orpington 2 Black Star 2 Blue Laced Red Wyandotte 2 Bourbon Red Turkey   Friday, June 16 View Page Female's @ 7' & 9'. Next 2 female's on main will hopefully be a keeper. Side vines growing really strong now. 12 side vines before female @ 9'. Will bury more vines tomorrow, weather permitting. Wish all our plants were doing as good as this one.   Friday, June 16 View Page Squash is taking her good old time growing.   Friday, June 16 View Page I'd pull this plant if I had another backup in a good place but unfortunately my final backup is on the other side of the patch and to big to move at this point. She does have a baby pumpkin now so hopefully she will take off sooner than later.   Friday, June 16 View Page This is the plant that replaced our 1947 Clementz. She has quickly become a good grower and has her first baby pumpkin at the mains tip.   Friday, June 16 View Page Patch after I moved silt fence back a few more feet this evening.   Monday, June 19 View Page Even though I have tried so hard to do everything right this year, my plants just don't want to cooperate. I am so discouraged at this point I'm almost ready to give up. Growth is so slow except for the 1044 Gansert plant but she is missing half her side vines. This is our 1195 Holub Squash that is just not sprouting side vines.   Monday, June 19 View Page Side view   Monday, June 19 View Page First 2 females on main look like they're dying before the blossoms even opened. Third female is gonna be just past 12' on the main. Praying I can get her pollinated in about 10 days.   Monday, June 19 View Page Some side vines starting now.   Monday, June 19 View Page Another view   Monday, June 19 View Page Barely a side vine to be seen on this one.   Monday, June 19 View Page Side view   Monday, June 19 View Page Backup   Wednesday, June 21 View Page Inching along   Wednesday, June 21 View Page Taking off now.   Wednesday, June 21 View Page Side vines kicking in   Wednesday, June 21 View Page We pulled my daughters 1662 Steil today. Baby kins were green. She will now focus on our remaining 1662 Steil that we kept going as a backup. See following pics.   Wednesday, June 21 View Page New view   Wednesday, June 21 View Page She's now my daughters project but I will be helping her out.   Wednesday, June 21 View Page Grow baby grow!   Wednesday, June 21 View Page Baby on the new 1662 Steil. Looks a lot yellower than her sisters baby kins. That's why she stayed.   Wednesday, June 21 View Page Princess   Wednesday, June 21 View Page Blue Doll   Wednesday, June 21 View Page Messy vines going everywhere but not many kins and no bees around for pollination   Friday, June 23 View Page Yikes   Friday, June 23 View Page Double Yikes   Friday, June 23 View Page Will it ever end? May need a boat to get to the pumpkin patch.   Saturday, June 24 View Page Not sure why but my females are aborting before they even bloom. After about 5 days from showing up, they stop growing and wilt. Started to let females go on side vines now cause I'm getting worried. Next female on 1044 main is at 14'. Only have about 10 more feet of plot space til she hits the fence. Fingers crossed that she makes it. Placement would be ideal. Striped pole along main is at 12'.   Saturday, June 24 View Page Lots of side vines but they are slow growing. Greenie female at 6' on main but not sure if it's gonna bloom. Will know in a couple days. Unfortunately I won't be home to pollinate for next two days so if she does make it she'll be an open. Not that I really care though as long as I get a fruit set.   Saturday, June 24 View Page Side vines are coming on strong now. Female on main but it wilted and died.   Saturday, June 24 View Page Growing nicely now.   Sunday, June 25 View Page All plants have a female in the tip of the main vine. Hopefully I'll be busy 10 days from now.   Sunday, June 25 View Page 1662 Steil   Sunday, June 25 View Page 1195 Holub   Sunday, June 25 View Page 1385 H/J   Wednesday, June 28 View Page Don't like the look of these leaves. It got into the 40's overnight and hoping that's all it is. Fingers crossed.   Wednesday, June 28 View Page Another   Wednesday, June 28 View Page And another   Wednesday, June 28 View Page All four plants have similar leaves   Wednesday, June 28 View Page 1195 Holub Squash looks the worst   Wednesday, June 28 View Page 1044 Gansert   Wednesday, June 28 View Page Pollinated with self and 1385 H/J and left open for bees to help. Looks like a deformed 4 lober   Saturday, July 1 View Page Here's one from a side vine on my 1044 Gansert pollinated with 2 1385 H/J and 2 1662 Steil males. My plants seem to be making some gains but new foliage still doesn't look right. I do not believe the round up I sprayed caused my trouble because new growth still shows issue.   Saturday, July 1 View Page By far the best plant in the patch. She's slowly coming around and growing again. Female in main tip about 17' out. Wish me luck.   Saturday, July 1 View Page This poor girl is a mess. The main has grown about an inch or so in the past 4 days. I'm still hopeful that she will pull through. Couple more pics to follow.   Saturday, July 1 View Page It pains me to look at this.   Saturday, July 1 View Page Closer view of the leaves. If anybody has a thought as to what happened to her please email me. Thanks   Saturday, July 1 View Page Growing again but very slow.   Saturday, July 1 View Page Girl in tip.   Saturday, July 1 View Page Picked first cucumber and first green beans today.   Saturday, July 1 View Page Beans   Sunday, July 2 View Page Off to Western Labs for tissue test tomorrow. Maybe I'll find out what I screwed up. Thanks to Lee Zappa for the patch visit today.   Tuesday, July 4 View Page Six pollinations this morning. Not many males to pick from. Mostly side vines but beggars can't be choosy. All left open.   Tuesday, July 4 View Page Squash looking worse so pulled it today and replaced with a 91.5 Zappa Field Pumpkin. Thanks Lee for the plants.   Tuesday, July 4 View Page Put in 2 91.5 Zappa field pumpkins where the 1195 Holub was supposed to grow.   Wednesday, July 5 View Page Here's a look at the patch. Moved wind break out to fence. Cut out bad sections of leaves. Plants seem to be coming back to life. Especially the 1044 which has side vines growing strong again. Pollinated a bunch of kins and side vines on 1044. Will keep one if can't get one set on main. Couple kins along main should open in next few days and hopefully can get one of them set for a keeper. Both are around 16' out.   Wednesday, July 5 View Page 1044 Gansert is coming on again. I was really worried there for a while but looks like she's gonna be okay.   Wednesday, July 5 View Page 1385 H/J is trying to break out of its funk. Wish it would hurry up. Cut out most of the funky leaves and cleaned up around the stump today. Baby kin in tip. May be only chance to get one set in next couple weeks. Not much plant to support a kin. If things don't improve it will be pulled to let Field pumpkins grow in its place.   Wednesday, July 5 View Page I think the Steil plant is gonna be okay but gonna be a late set if we can get one going. Cut out bad leaves and keeping fingers crossed. This plant has the biggest leaves of all our plants.   Thursday, July 6 View Page Hopefully can get her pollinated and set. Good spot and running out of main vine chances. Have some side vine options if needed.   Thursday, July 6 View Page On a side vine 5 DAP but looks like she took. 3 lober. Hope to cull in favor of a main vine set but you never know.   Saturday, July 8 View Page Really need this pollination to take. I used 2 male flowers from itself and 2 from our 1662 Steil.   Sunday, July 9 View Page Variety of plants   Sunday, July 9 View Page This plant is back to full growth mode. Now I need a pollination to set. All of my main vines are completely twisted up following the "event". Western Labs should have my results back tomorrow but I'm pretty sure it was the drift from round up that hurt my plants. Won't make that mistake again.   Sunday, July 9 View Page Finally growing again. Crooked main vine. The arrow is pointing at the main, not a secondary.   Sunday, July 9 View Page Another crooked main vine on the 1385.   Sunday, July 9 View Page Crooked main closeup.   Monday, July 10 View Page Got my tissue results back. Looks like I need to add a few things. Any suggestions? Please email me at jayyohe@yahoo.com   Tuesday, July 11 View Page Pollinated a 1385 H/J x self x 1044 Gansert x 1662 Steil this morning. Used what male flowers were available. Not being picky. Covered with red solo cup because of rain in forecast.   Wednesday, July 12 View Page Made some stump covers today. Thanks Dustin Trychta for stopping by today and giving me this idea.   Wednesday, July 12 View Page Yeah it's starting to look like a pumpkin plant again. Grow baby grow.   Wednesday, July 12 View Page Slowly starting to resemble a Christmas tree. The pumpkin I pollinated a couple days ago is looking good. Not much plant but I'll take it and hopefully set another one in a week or so.   Wednesday, July 12 View Page Finally got some plant size but now having trouble getting a pumpkin set. Lots of babies on side vines that will be opening within the week. If I can get one set the main vine will be chopped off.   Friday, July 14 View Page Tea brewer going strong   Saturday, July 15 View Page This girl opened this morning in the 1044 Gansert. I pollinated it with whatever males I could find. Not many to choose from. Left open for help from the bees.   Saturday, July 15 View Page Here's another pollination from this morning. Same situation as last pic. She's on a strong growing sidevine very close to the fence but fences can be moved if needed.   Sunday, July 16 View Page Another beautiful baby pumpkin pollinated this morning on the 1044 Gansert. Looking like another 8-10 days until next chance to pollinate on the 1385 and 1662. Gonna be really late with those two.   Monday, July 17 View Page Found main vine cracked and barely attached so off it came. Dusted with some Sulphur. Would have made it to edge of patch soon anyways so not that big of deal.   Tuesday, July 18 View Page My field pumpkins are starting to vine.   Tuesday, July 18 View Page While everyone else is posting their DAP pictures, I'm over here like "check out my plants". Ugh   Tuesday, July 18 View Page Have 3 females that should be ready within the next week or so. If one of those don't take the plant is getting yanked.   Tuesday, July 18 View Page 3 females on this one as well. No sets by August 1st and she goes in the trash. Tired of babysitting these two slackers. (1385 and 1662)   Tuesday, July 18 View Page Still waiting to see if my 3 pollinations took from this past weekend. Fingers crossed. Side vines nearing the fence so they will be termed soon. See next pic.   Tuesday, July 18 View Page Side vines running out of room. They are growing about a foot per day so probably be terminated by this weekend.   Tuesday, July 18 View Page Cinderella pumpkins   Tuesday, July 18 View Page Thanks Lee Zappa for the sunflower seeds. Starting to flower now at around 11 to 12 feet. I don't have supports for them so expect them to come crashing down soon.   Friday, July 21 View Page Pollinated this morning. Looks like it has roots growing from the blossom end???   Friday, July 21 View Page Another one from this morning. Busted up the blossom hunting down a cuke beetle. Little sumbeach. Will be spraying this evening.   Friday, July 21 View Page Looks like we will have females on both the 1385 and 1662 opening this weekend. If everything takes, we're only 2 weeks or so behind last year so who knows. Maybe a new PB is still in reason. Plus we have way more plant then we did last year at pollination time.   Saturday, July 22 View Page First female of the year on the 1385 H/J. Pollinated with 1044 Gansert and 1662 Steil. Covered with red solo cause it's gonna rain today. Second female should open in a week.   Saturday, July 22 View Page Dang it dang it dang it!!!   Sunday, July 23 View Page Scraped out the brown then sprayed with peroxide water mix. Dried with fan and dusted with captan. Put up rain protection and left fan on. All this trouble and I think a later pollination on a side vine is growing better. We'll decide in about a week on which one to keep.   Sunday, July 23 View Page Rain protection I made from pvc and a tarp. Space is just about filled. Will need to terminate a lot of vines this week then hopefully the pumpkin growth takes off.   Sunday, July 23 View Page First pollination yesterday looks good so far. Lots of females showing up now. Better late then never I guess. Vine growth is taking off as well.   Sunday, July 23 View Page Side vines on this plant grow straight up off the main. Been a real pain trying to control them. Had our first pollination on this plant this morning.   Sunday, July 23 View Page Here's the first pollination on my daughter's 1662. She's on vacation so I pollinated it for her.   Sunday, July 23 View Page Another side vine pollination this morning in the 1044 Gansert.   Monday, July 24 View Page I believe my plants do not like Eagle 20 fungicide. This is similar to the issue I had previously that nearly killed my plants three weeks ago. I used 10ml for 4 gallons. Needless to say, I won't be using it again. Only a couple spots look like this.   Monday, July 24 View Page Result of spraying Eagle 20. All this time I thought Round Up drift jacked up my plants before but now I think it was the Eagle 20.   Monday, July 24 View Page Leader of the pack right now.   Monday, July 24 View Page Cut mushy stub off this one. Sprayed with peroxide/water, stuffed it with captan and put a fan on it for a couple days. Removed fan today. Putting my efforts to another kin that's in much better shape. Will leave this on for a bit longer as a backup.   Monday, July 24 View Page Only kin on the main. Not happy with this at all. Plus it may be aborting. Looks a bit off. It will be culled once I'm sure my other kin is growing strong.   Monday, July 24 View Page I want this to take SO bad. Come on baby girl.   Monday, July 24 View Page Got shade/rain tarps up. Pollination on the 1385 which is the closest plant in the photo looks dull so I'm guessing it's not gonna take. Next female on main is probably a week out.   Monday, July 24 View Page Moved fence to make more room. Slowly moving pumpkin into a better position. If it takes, I will need to do a lot of trimming and maneuvering to get it leveled out and mill Fabric in place.   Monday, July 24 View Page My daughter Nicole's plant.   Tuesday, July 25 View Page Drawing not to scale and just going off my memory of where the secondaries are. Vines not termed yet have arrow at the end. However, vines on right side and bottom side of pic are up to the fence already so they have no place to go really. Right now I think the kin labeled 7/16 No Problems is best looking kin and want to go with it.   Tuesday, July 25 View Page Main vine   Tuesday, July 25 View Page Side vine   Tuesday, July 25 View Page Side vine   Friday, July 28 View Page Pollination dates of July 15 and July 16. Gonna be tough to choose which one to keep. They are all very similar in size shape and growth so far.   Friday, July 28 View Page Not sure if this is gonna take or not.   Friday, July 28 View Page Same goes for this one.   Saturday, July 29 View Page I decided on a keeper for the 1044 Gansert. Left other 2 kins on until I make sure all the trimming and maneuvering didn't hurt the chosen one.   Saturday, July 29 View Page Other two plants still not sure if pumpkins that were pollinated set. Doesn't look to promising at this point but I'm still hopeful.   Saturday, July 29 View Page Pic for last post   Saturday, July 29 View Page Current status of the 1385 H/J   Saturday, July 29 View Page Moved fence back to gain more room to walk around. What a difference this makes. Well worth the effort.   Saturday, July 29 View Page Seeds from Lee Zappa's 24.5" sunflower. My tallest one is just at 13' tall. The 12' 2x4 is way short of where it needs to be. Trouble is, I can't figure out how to get up there to add on and get the sunflower secured. My 6' stepladder only got me to around 10' up to tie it off.   Saturday, July 29 View Page My daughter Nicole in comparison to a 13 foot tall sunflower.   Sunday, July 30 View Page Pollinated this one just before leaving for the OVGPG Patch Tour.   Monday, July 31 View Page Funky lobe female on the 1385 pollinated this morning.   Monday, July 31 View Page Nothing here but salad. 4 females should open within the next week. If they don't take, it's pretty much lights out for this plant.   Monday, July 31 View Page Not much better here. Had 2 pollinations the past two days. See next pic.   Monday, July 31 View Page Please please please set. At least one of you.   Monday, July 31 View Page All but a few vines terminated on this plant. Allowing some third stage growth fill in a couple bare spots. Have two kins about the size of a basketball and one softball size and a fourth that is baseball size. The best looking kin is in a terrible spot but it is the better looking of the two bigger kins. It's right along the fence near my water storage tank and pump. The second bigger one doesn't have as nice of skin as the other one but that's the one I'm planning on keeping because of its placement, which is not ideal either. The two smaller ones are only being left on in case the two bigger ones punk out.   Monday, July 31 View Page Bad position but better looking   Monday, July 31 View Page Better position but not as nice looking. Still hoping to keep this one though. That big leaf stem will come off as soon as I am 100% sure this is our keeper.   Monday, July 31 View Page My Zappa field pumpkins are back to growing after being OD'd on Eagle 20.   Wednesday, August 2 View Page Still waiting to see if one of these gals wants to join in on the fun.   Wednesday, August 2 View Page The vines on the 1662 are trying to grow to the moon. Still nothing pollinated on this plant. Have at least 2 females that should open in the next 2-3 days. Then a few more about a week out.   Wednesday, August 2 View Page Cinderella's that grew outside the fence. Loving these things.   Wednesday, August 2 View Page Both on same plant. Pumpkin on the right is my planned cull but I'm seriously considering just cutting the vine it's growing on near the main and see what she does. Only considering this because these are currently the only two pumpkins growing out of our three plants.   Wednesday, August 2 View Page Underside of the 1044. Unfortunately some white fuzzy mold has shown up on the soil under this plant. Currently have 4 fans blowing on it now to try to dry things out. Left these two little kins on for backups.   Thursday, August 3 View Page Wasn't quite sure if this was ready to pollinate or not but I cut it open and pollinated anyways. Hope she takes. On a sidevine of the 1662.   Thursday, August 3 View Page Cull day for the 1044 Gansert. The bigger one was 42.5cc and no doubt was headed to be an orange beauty.   Thursday, August 3 View Page It just killed me to cut this girl loose. Sure hope I made the right call. Her sister that I kept is one day younger and has a cc of 42.25". Now she needs to get her butt in gear and pack on some pounds.   Friday, August 4 View Page Still trying to get one set on the 1385.   Saturday, August 5 View Page Pumpkin is picking up speed but Day 20 numbers are way below last year which is surprising since I have 4x more plant than last year. Hopefully see bigger gains soon but cooler temps for next 10 days may not help.   Saturday, August 5 View Page Looks like these two took. The later pollination on the right looks slightly bigger. In a week I'm making my decision and culling the smaller kin. Don't have time to wait til day 20 to decide. I need growth now. So far behind.   Sunday, August 6 View Page Still fighting to get a pumpkin set on this plant. Crazy   Tuesday, August 8 View Page Shape is good. Color is good. Growth is slow though.   Wednesday, August 9 View Page My Zappa field pumpkins   Wednesday, August 9 View Page This one started growing into a ribbon vine I believe but then it pulled out of it. Males are blooming. Hopefully the females show up soon.   Thursday, August 10 View Page Baby field pumpkin showed up today.   Saturday, August 12 View Page Finally on the chart. Yay!!!   Saturday, August 12 View Page Culled everything but this kin on a side vine and one on the main. The kin on the main looks funky and not sure if it's dying or what. It's the next pic. Trying to position with some old nylons my wife gave me.   Saturday, August 12 View Page Here's the kin on the main. Not really growing much.   Saturday, August 12 View Page Really want to grow this one. Only 5 lober in the patch and she's on the main.   Saturday, August 12 View Page This one on a side vine has a head start on the one on the main but hoping the kin on the main is "the one".   Monday, August 14 View Page This is the last of the Mohicans for the 1385 H/J. Got her all set up with mill fabric and a nice shade/rain block. If she aborts the plant is coming out. She's on a sidevine just like our kin on the 1044 Gansert. The one on the main quit growing a few days ago so I cut her loose today. Fingers crossed. Last hope for this plant.   Monday, August 14 View Page Day 29 for the 1044 Gansert. She did 17# in the last 24 hours. Just starting to take off. Lots of healthy plant to feed her. Positioning is horrible. I have to be a contortionist to get into her shade structure.   Wednesday, August 16 View Page Hit day 30 yesterday. Not great numbers but at least she's growing.   Wednesday, August 16 View Page 1662 Steil all set up and ready to grow. This ones on the main.   Thursday, August 17 View Page Since there is not an OTT weight estimation app for IOS users, I made my own that us iPhone/iPad users can use. It's not an app but it works with the numbers app on your iPhone or iPad. The pic is just a screenshot from my iPhone. Email me and I can send you the file for getting it setup. It uses the 2017 chart and works for both Microsoft Excel and IOS Numbers.   Thursday, August 17 View Page Microsoft Excel screenshot.   Friday, August 18 View Page Should hit 200# tomorrow   Friday, August 18 View Page We named this one Moe   Friday, August 18 View Page This is Luke. He has nasty stem splits already. See next pic.   Friday, August 18 View Page Dusted with sulfur and they are dry but they are SO close to the kin. These have me worried.   Friday, August 18 View Page This ones name is Luke also. Either this Luke or the other Luke will eventually be culled leaving us with one Luke. He also has stem splits. What's up with these two. If anyone has 1662 Steil seeds, throw them away. This plant has been a headache since day one. See next pic for pics of the stem splits.   Friday, August 18 View Page Luke2 stem splits. Sorry the bottom picture is blurry. The split is literally under the stem and I had my phone on selfie mode and couldn't back it away far enough to get it to focus. The other split is away from the pumpkin at least. Both of the stems on this plant split at less than a week old.   Friday, August 18 View Page Plant size   Friday, August 18 View Page Plant size. You can barely see the pumpkin under the shade tarp. Still working on a name for this one. My son likes Chippy.   Friday, August 18 View Page Plant size. Still a ways to go to fill up all her allotted space but she's getting there.   Tuesday, August 22 View Page Pictures from today. Garden is pretty much a swamp. Lots of rain this afternoon but dodged the big winds and hail. Busted down a few leaves but all in all not to bad. Disgusted with all the work I put in this season without nearly the results I was hoping for. Leader of the patch but not much in weight gains. Highest daily gain was 21 pounds but most days in the 12-15# range. Pathetic!   Tuesday, August 22 View Page 1385 H/J Just getting going. Cool weather next week or so will most likely slow her down. Lows in the 40's Wednesday and Thursday. Yuck   Tuesday, August 22 View Page Culled the kin on the side vine that was 3 days older than this one. Bad stem cracks on this girl but we're gonna go with it anyways.   Wednesday, August 23 View Page Did some measuring today. Also foliage sprayed molasses and cal-sea-hum.   Wednesday, August 23 View Page This is the baby of the patch.   Wednesday, August 23 View Page Showing signs of wonkyness to come. Bulging on the right side.   Thursday, August 24 View Page The 20 DAP circumference on this 1385 H/J is 7.75" greater than the 20 DAP circumference was on our 1044 Gansert. Yay!!!   Friday, August 25 View Page This thing's taller than my house!!! I think I could have gotten by with 12' posts.   Friday, August 25 View Page The plan was to grow the long gourds on the ground but this one was close to the sunflower support so I tied it up to see what it does.   Friday, August 25 View Page Nicole with "Chippy" at around 280#   Monday, August 28 View Page Try as I might, I just can't seem to get anymore out of this kin. Barely gaining any weight at this point. I've checked the plant over to look for a problem but can't find anything that looks wrong. Weather is definitely cool for August but not cold. Lows have been in the 50's for the last week.   Monday, August 28 View Page This one is still growing at a decent pace even though the temps are cool.   Monday, August 28 View Page Another slow grower here.   Monday, August 28 View Page Pic for last post.   Tuesday, August 29 View Page Found this nonsense today. Hope she's gonna be ok. 24/7 fan and under tarp since a baby. Maybe this is why she's barely gaining weight.   Tuesday, August 29 View Page My last minute long gourd project. Need a better way to hang it though.   Tuesday, August 29 View Page This nightfire pumpkin forgot it's orange stripes. Not sure what all the little indents are about.   Tuesday, August 29 View Page Really happy with the condition of the plants. Last year at this time my plants were barely alive.   Wednesday, August 30 View Page Still pollinating pumpkins. Very long female fruit on a sidevine. Another on main ready in a day or two.   Wednesday, August 30 View Page This one is on our second 91.5 Zappa and she's on the main vine. First try at a big field pumpkin. Thanks for the plants Lee.   Wednesday, August 30 View Page So I measured the long gourd today.   Wednesday, August 30 View Page And I measured all the pumpkins as well. Unfortunately, I think Chippy here has bailed out. Not sure if it's the little split I found yesterday or not. Sad too cause she sure is purdy.   Wednesday, August 30 View Page Putting on 10# per day avg. Can't tell from the picture but she sure is lopsided.   Wednesday, August 30 View Page First crazy shaped pumpkin I've ever had. 14# per day over past two days. We call him Moe and hopefully he will quickly pass Chippy as the leader of our patch.   Thursday, August 31 View Page This is hopefully the last pollination of the year.   Thursday, August 31 View Page RIP 1044 Gansert aka Chippy   Thursday, August 31 View Page Insert sad face here   Thursday, August 31 View Page Cover crop will go in soon   Friday, September 1 View Page Still going despite the cold weather.   Friday, September 1 View Page Wish we had more time for this one to grow. Looks like it could have been a slob.   Saturday, September 2 View Page May just be a spectator at the weigh offs this year. Noticed the blossom end looked weird a few days ago. Should have whacked it off then. Found rot in it today that went into the pumpkin about a 1/4". Scraped. Peroxide. Sulphur. Fan. Nothing I can do but wait now.   Sunday, September 3 View Page Seems to be drying out nicely.   Sunday, September 3 View Page Not sure how fast these are supposed to grow but at least it's growing.   Sunday, September 3 View Page Sorry wrong date on those last couple pics.   Sunday, September 3 View Page Some of our field pumpkins.   Monday, September 4 View Page Measured today. 1385 did 15.3# per day over past 3 days.   Monday, September 4 View Page 1662 averaged 10# per day over past 3 days. Really cool week predicted weather wise so who knows if they'll keep it up. I sure hope so.   Wednesday, September 6 View Page + 21# per day over past two days   Wednesday, September 6 View Page + 12 # per day over past two days   Sunday, September 10 View Page 91.5 Zappa A   Sunday, September 10 View Page 91.5 Zappa A   Sunday, September 10 View Page 91.5 Zappa B   Sunday, September 10 View Page Last 4 days Luke has grown 10.75# per day. Never really put on any decent growth. Not sure why.   Sunday, September 10 View Page Moe on the other hand is doing really good. We've had temp in the low 40's the past couple nights and still did 70# over the past 4 days. Hey Dustin, tell Kirsha I'm coming for her. Haha   Sunday, September 10 View Page Got Nicole to pose for a picture with Moe.   Monday, September 11 View Page And just like that she laid down.   Monday, September 11 View Page Starting to see daily gains on the field pumpkins. Here's the biggest one on a sidevine of the 91.5 Zappa.   Wednesday, September 13 View Page Up 124# in the last week. 17.7# / day avg. Very happy with the growth of this one.   Wednesday, September 13 View Page Up just 71# this past week. Not as much plant as the 1385 but still think gains should be much better.   Wednesday, September 13 View Page First half hearted attempt at a long gourd. Not gonna break any records but I'm having fun with it. Still gaining length slowly.   Wednesday, September 13 View Page I'd be thrilled if this got to 7' long. Almost there.   Thursday, September 14 View Page Took blankets off following rain and couldn't help myself. Had to measure Moe again. Picked up another 19# in less than 24 hours. Good for an estimated 402# on the new chart. Walls seem thin though when giving him a knock. Grow Moe grow!!!   Thursday, September 14 View Page 91.5 Zappa A sidevine   Thursday, September 14 View Page 91.5 Zappa A mainvine   Thursday, September 14 View Page 91.5 Zappa B main vine "Stubby"   Friday, September 15 View Page Removed side vine pumpkin from 91.5 Zappa A.   Friday, September 15 View Page Found this on my LG where it was rubbing against the 2x4 support. It's not soft yet. Hopefully it will survive but have big doubts that it will.   Saturday, September 16 View Page Pumpkin selfie haha   Saturday, September 16 View Page Measured again today. 18.5# per day for last two days. PB is now in sight. Yay!   Saturday, September 16 View Page Slowly putting on weight. About 10# per day.   Saturday, September 16 View Page Shorty   Saturday, September 16 View Page Lengthy   Sunday, September 17 View Page +18 # today   Sunday, September 17 View Page +16 # today   Monday, September 18 View Page It's so cool that these two kins are on separate plants that are both 91.5 Zappa plants. Completely different shapes.   Tuesday, September 19 View Page Unfortunately it looks like it's game over for my one and only long gourd. The brown spot is spreading. Just waiting for it to split in two at this point.   Tuesday, September 19 View Page Moe is still gaining 18# per day. 6 more days of these gains and I have a good shot at a PB. Did find a little bit of oozing where stem connects to vine so scraped, sprayed, sulphur and put fan on high to keep him happy. Nothing to be worried about at this point. I hope!   Tuesday, September 19 View Page Luke is getting taller and taller. His SS measurement is actually bigger than our other pumpkin by more than an inch. But his EE is small. Would have made a good Cinderella. He had the most perfect 5 lobe blossom too. Weird stuff.   Tuesday, September 19 View Page Measured the FP's today. Tricky to get a CC with the thick stems they have. This one is around 16 pounds. I think Mr Zappa crossed this with a zucchini. Haha   Tuesday, September 19 View Page Here's the other one. Not big enough yet for chart. My guess is 10 pounds. Both of them have a goo like substance coming from blossom end but they both seem to be having less and less of it.   Tuesday, September 19 View Page Found these in the trash this morning. Should make nice pallet toppers. Thanks neighbor.   Wednesday, September 20 View Page My brother in law stopped over today and wanted to hold Butterball. Real natural huh? He's a city boy. Measured again today but didn't snap any pics. 1385 H/J 125.5 C +74.5 S + 81 E = 281 OTT @ 47 DAP 512# on new chart daily gains in upper teens 1662 Steil 95.25 C + 75.5 S + 70 E = 240.75 OTT @ 45 DAP 322# on new chart daily gains around 12-14# per day 91.5 Zappa A 100.25 OTT @ 20 DAP 21# 91.5 Zappa B 82.25 OTT @ 21 DAP 11#   Thursday, September 21 View Page Found another baby long gourd growing near the fence just begging to be raised to a 2x4. Hopefully I didn't cut her lifeline trying to free her from the tangled mess she was in. I know I'm outta time here but thought What the heck.   Friday, September 22 View Page Little gourd grew a couple inches today. Not sure if you can see the lines I marked on the board.   Friday, September 22 View Page The 1662 Steil is very white and very tall.   Friday, September 22 View Page 1385 is just a big blob of a pumpkin. Gains down to 16# per day for last two days but who knows for sure. Tough to measure this one. Trying to grow over blossom so may need to cut it off which is nerve racking this late in the game. See next pic.   Friday, September 22 View Page 1385 blossom end   Friday, September 22 View Page This sucker is growing like a weed. 9# gain in two days.   Friday, September 22 View Page No so much for this one.   Sunday, September 24 View Page Very disappointing measurements today. Moe only gained 22# in past two days. I have three possible theories. 1 measuring error 2 it’s been very hot the past couple days 3 a lot of third stage growth got away from me this past week. It’s gone now.   Sunday, September 24 View Page Luke on the other hand is still keeping steady with the gains. Even though they are very small.   Sunday, September 24 View Page This Field pumpkin is pretty small and not doing much. +2 # per day.   Sunday, September 24 View Page This one is large and in charge putting on 3.5 # per day the past two days.   Tuesday, September 26 View Page Plants still looking good.   Tuesday, September 26 View Page Here’s another   Tuesday, September 26 View Page Our other long gourd rotted so now we’re watching this one grow. Doing about 2.5”-3” per day since I tied it up to this 2x4. I’ve been marking the daily growth on the board.   Tuesday, September 26 View Page So I guess 500 gallons of water over the past four days kicked Moe into gear again. Did 21 lbs Monday and 25 lbs today. Go Moe go. Wish I had another month to keep him growing.   Tuesday, September 26 View Page To bad the water didn’t do much for Luke. He’s stalled at 9 lbs per day for the past two days. Getting some neat ripples. You can see them between the 12 and 3 o’clock position.   Tuesday, September 26 View Page Not much to say here. Doing 2 lbs per day.   Tuesday, September 26 View Page This one is doing great I think. Has some yellow showing. Hope it keeps growing. I’m loving the shape of this one. Did 8 lbs in last two days.   Wednesday, September 27 View Page I really need to stop this constant measuring but I just can’t help myself. Haha   Wednesday, September 27 View Page The SS measurement on the 1662 is actually bigger than the SS on the 1385. This one is really tall.   Wednesday, September 27 View Page Still did 4# today even though the yellow is slowly spreading. Much colder temps for next 4 days so just have to wait and see what happens. Been upper 80’s lately and highs in 60 with low 40’s for next four days.   Saturday, September 30 View Page Gaining just 4 lbs per day in this chilly weather. Plan on picking on Friday for the PGPGA weighoff in Altoona on the 7th.   Saturday, September 30 View Page Forgot to get a picture of Moe but he’s taping over 650 lbs on the new chart. Gaining 8 lbs per day. It’s supposed to warm back up this week so hopefully he will keep gaining. This picture is from yesterday.   Saturday, September 30 View Page Not enough plant behind this one. Nice shape though.   Saturday, September 30 View Page Just about done here. Measures around 54 lbs.   Saturday, September 30 View Page Cold weather hurting Long gourd growth.   Sunday, October 1 View Page Non pumpkin related. This is my Bourbon Red Turkey. His name is Butterball. His girlfriend Honeysuckle is right behind him as well as a couple of our chickens. No we do not plan on eating them. They are our pets.   Sunday, October 1 View Page Plants still looking good as of today. Some PM showing up on the field pumpkins but none on the AG plants.   Sunday, October 1 View Page Another angle.   Sunday, October 1 View Page Luke sitting at around 425 lbs. 5 more days til harvest. Maybe hit 450 and go heavy for a 500 pounder. Wishful thinking huh?   Sunday, October 1 View Page Moe is around 670 lbs with 12 days til harvest. Still decent gains. Maybe 730 and go heavy for 800. A man can dream right?   Sunday, October 1 View Page My Zappa FP is still gaining even though it’s turning orange. Is that normal? Almost 60 lbs. If it quits gaining this week it’ll go to Altoona on Saturday. If not then going to Ohio Valley on the 14th.   Wednesday, October 4 View Page Will harvest on Friday for the PGPGA weigh-off on Saturday   Wednesday, October 4 View Page Might take this one to OVGPG next Saturday. Pretty small though.   Wednesday, October 4 View Page My entry for the PGPGA weigh-off on Saturday. Hoping to sell this one.   Wednesday, October 4 View Page My entry for the OVGPG weigh-off. Still gaining around 7.5 lbs per day. Cold nights and shade have killed the gains even though the plant still looks fantastic. Should safely measure in the 700# range by next Saturday.   Friday, October 6 View Page Loaded for Altoona   Friday, October 6 View Page My daughter helped me measure Moe today and he now is estimated at 732 lbs. With her help we were able to keep the tape measure out of the low spots. Picked up a few inches.   Friday, October 6 View Page Sitting at 68 and still gaining.   Sunday, October 8 View Page First award ever. Third place Long gourd. Yay   Sunday, October 8 View Page Grown from 1662 Steil   Sunday, October 8 View Page We had the whitest pumpkin there. See it there on the end? Yes, the one that looks like a ghost.   Monday, October 9 View Page Still gaining 1-2 lbs per day. Will harvest Friday for OVGPG.   Tuesday, October 10 View Page Getting oranger by the day.   Tuesday, October 10 View Page Looks like Moe is gonna have to go heavy to make 800 lbs. He should be just short of 800 on the chart by Friday which is harvest day. With nearly 60% of pumpkins weighed this year going light, I have my doubts that he’ll make it.   Friday, October 13 View Page Locked and loaded for OVGPG.   Saturday, October 14 View Page Fun day today. Saw lots of records get broken. Lots of personal bests get beaten and got to talk with a bunch of great people.   Saturday, October 14 View Page Moe came in way light but still broke 700 lbs for a new PB of 704.5. That’s a good day in my book.   Saturday, October 14 View Page My field pumpkin came in 5th place. Really happy with this one considering the plant was tiny.   Saturday, October 14 View Page Group shot.   Sunday, October 15 View Page Display is done. Glad the gardening year is done. It’s exhausting. Now I need to clean everything up and plant cover crops. Trying to convince wife to let me cut down some big trees and buy a Mahindra. Not going well. Any suggestions? Now I’m ready to do some hunting and skiing.   Monday, October 16 View Page Killing frost coming tonight so I picked the remaining 91.5 Zappa B field pumpkin. It is now the 47.2 Yohe uow.   Friday, October 27 View Page Here’s my new to me tractor I purchased this morning. Already making arrangements to buy a used 42” reverse spin Land Pride tiller that looks good as new. Didn’t get the backhoe I was hoping for but didn’t need to mortgage my house either for this one. Can’t wait to put it to use.   Sunday, October 29 View Page Got the tiller today.   Sunday, October 29 View Page Better picture of the tractor. I’m SO excited.   Tuesday, October 31 View Page Tractor was delivered today. Already spend 10 minutes digging at a stump which then required 30 minutes to clean off all the mud. Haha   Wednesday, November 22 View Page Preparing to have the big oak trees dropped that are blocking light to the garden as well as several dead cherry trees around the yard. Gonna put this baby to good use.   Thursday, November 23 View Page Butterball and Honeysuckle say Happy Thanksgiving to one and all. #turkeyslivesmatter   Thursday, November 23 View Page   Friday, December 1 View Page Operation “Stump Removal” is now complete. Freeing up much needed garden space.   Friday, December 1 View Page My daughter Nicole shot her first deer ever this past Monday. And it was a buck. So proud of her.