Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 122 Entries. Friday, May 5 View Page Uhhhh ohhhhh Ned has entered the smart phone era. Time to get back to big pumpkins, have some fun and see if I can grow something. The weather is not cooperating in northeast Pa. Rain and more rain along with cool temps have me behind schedule on my comeback tour.   Tuesday, May 30 View Page Not a lot to report in northeast pennsylvania. The plants are in and it's a balancing act while waiting for them to grow. We need sunshine and warmer weather. They are in their fragile thinking about vining out stage. It's easy to slip farther and farther behind with these cool temps.   Thursday, June 1 View Page I received a pic from Tim Caniff, former Florida record holder. Tim grew this 500 pound beauty on one of the "House" seeds. It's tough growing in that area but what a beautiful spot it is in the Bradenton Beach/ Cortez location. Our family vacations there each November and I look forward to visiting Tim for an occasional brew, pumpkin chat and maybe some fishing. Congrats Tim !!   Monday, June 5 View Page It looks like another cool week is in the forecast so another week of plants waiting to get moving. We need some sun and heat in the northeast. I used my only set of heating cables in the best spot at the patch at my moms house and you can see the difference. I will be growing one of Ron's big boys there, the 2230 Wallace!   Friday, June 16 View Page Plants are way behind a lot of the pictures being posted but I learned a long time ago to not try and compete with those growers. These baby plants are fragile and I am happy to have them survive so far. I am battling cool temps, rabbits and wood chucks so far. I am hoping the temps in northeast Pa continue to finally warm up. The best at my home patch is the 1821 Checkon. King James weighed a nice orange one in Altoona last year maybe I can get lucky too.   Monday, June 26 View Page Plants are finally staring to fill out. It doesn't look like any June pollinations for me but that is ok. My 2230 Wallace is looking good at my moms patch. Trying to keep up with some feeding and other controls this year.   Monday, June 26 View Page The 1821 checkon still leading the way at my house patch. It is going to be a battle fending off the woodchucks, rabbits and curious deer there. My old fence has lots of openings. Dyberry patch guy and I have had some damage this year!   Monday, June 26 View Page Dyberry had some long gourd success last year and this new extension may be the trick to let them really stretch.   Monday, June 26 View Page Held a local grower seminar with dyberry andy at Bethel. We had a bigger turnout than expected. It could be a big year !!   Monday, June 26 View Page Bethel grower seminar photo   Thursday, July 6 View Page It finally has warned up in northeast Pennsylvania and my plants are starting to respond. The 1821 checkon at my home patch is still the leader and hoping a pollination this morning will be the keeper!   Thursday, July 6 View Page I was fortunate to be able to get away for a mini vacation to the other side of the country. I am sure I was close to some serious pumpkin growers. The weather seemed perfect.   Thursday, July 6 View Page We took a ride to the Muir Forest to see what all the talk is about those big red trees. They are impressive.   Thursday, July 6 View Page I took a look at the base of the tree and look what I uncovered. !!!!! Pap must have been here too. I guess they really work   Thursday, July 6 View Page We crossed some bridge that appeared to be famous.   Thursday, July 6 View Page It was great to get away but the patch was missed and the weeds had a party. Pollinations are under way so hoping for the good weather to continue. I like this cross. The 1821 checkon X 1916 Baron. Fingers crossed   Thursday, July 6 View Page A better big tree photo.   Thursday, July 6 View Page We couldn't resist a stop at Half Moon Bay. The shops all talk about the pumpkin festival ! It was a beautiful town   Friday, July 7 View Page A warm overnight rain should get things going. I have some Green hopefuls! It's on my 834.5 that I grew some years back and won first at Altoona that year. It's the 1177 Haist x 895 Hester. I haven't grown it in a while and wasn't intending to but it was my best squash grower this year and had to keep it. The Crawfords have done quite well with it so I will give it full attention!   Friday, July 7 View Page Took a tour to visit dyberry patch andy. We are in the same boat. Pollinations are a bit behind this year but who cares. There is lots of time for a big pumpkin by our standards. Andy had some help from a curious youngster who wanted to help and learn. Here andy showed Nathan the art of pollination. This is how future pumpkin growers get hooked.   Tuesday, July 11 View Page Val surprised me with a shirt from or California get away. A good choice.   Tuesday, July 11 View Page I am in the watching and waiting to see if the pollinations have taken stage and still have not pollinated on a couple smaller plants. My hopes for something big is on the 2320 Wallace. It was growing straight up but Mother Nature has it starting to tilt down now. It was anthesis sprayed and is looking good.   Tuesday, July 11 View Page Water system at my moms house is set and ready to go   Tuesday, July 11 View Page   Tuesday, July 11 View Page The 2320 has a lot of room to roam. The fruit set is around the 12 foot mark and the s turn has it positioned well. Last year I lost all sets on the main so hoping this year is different.   Tuesday, July 11 View Page This one didn't make the cut but makes for a good pic   Tuesday, July 11 View Page A nice one on the 1821 checkon that I pollinated as a back up. The plant is a beast.   Tuesday, July 11 View Page The weather is getting pumpkin perfect around here. I have been spending more time i the patch it seems. Val is enjoying the hobby and it's certainly more fun with two. My plants have never looked better. I am really hoping for a good one at my moms house she has been my chief watering queen for years now and enjoys the attention the pumpkin brings as people drive by to check it's progress. She is recuperating at home now from a march stroke and not as mobile as she was! I put her to work though and she enjoyed it. It's wonderful how a giant pumpkin has healing powers.   Friday, July 14 View Page It's day 8 on my 2320. It looks good to me but will take a closer measurement at day 10. I pollinated another way out on the main as a potential backup. We had some rain and the vines are growing. The ends like to vault up in the air which makes me wonder if my Nitrogen levels are off.   Friday, July 14 View Page Andy has some growth going on at the dyberry patch. He has a beautiful orange and shaped 1998 jutras that went down way to early which was pollinated with the 2059 daletas which was also an orange pumpkin. We call this the Box 701 DMG. The 701 should produce something big and orange !!   Friday, July 14 View Page There are lots of open pollinations that will need to be picked out. The color and shape on them look great   Friday, July 14 View Page Andy's long gourd trellis is filling up fast. The soil is jacked under that slide. I am going out on a limb and saying a very long gourd is gonna come from this spot.   Monday, July 17 View Page Some late pollinations are still happening and some pumpkins are in the 10 day stage. The patch is starting to fill up!   Monday, July 17 View Page It is fun to watch the changing shape of the rapidly changing fruit. The 1821 Checkon is the biggest plant at the home patch.   Monday, July 17 View Page The 1916 Baron is putting on size. It looks like it may be a wheel shaped one at the moment. We shall see. There is a younger set a few feet away that may get the nod.   Monday, July 17 View Page I peeked under the sheet to find the fastest grower so far. My 834.5 squash.   Monday, July 17 View Page I spied a ribbon vine forming on the checkon. It is way back on the end of a early secondary. No worries   Monday, July 17 View Page My moms patch has the 2230 Wallace charging hard. Val and I did some weeding and put the chosen fruit on a mat and shade in place   Monday, July 17 View Page We took a break to try our luck at some catfishiing. A good tjme had by all.   Monday, July 17 View Page Val had to show off. Nice fish   Wednesday, July 19 View Page Finishing up some late pollinations. I may do a few on some side vines and create some Orange crosses for another year and let some additional pumpkins grow   Wednesday, July 19 View Page The plants are filling in fast and will be the earliest I have ever terminated all growth on a couple of them! You have to love the elephant ear leaves that these plants produce.   Thursday, July 27 View Page Battling the ups and downs of giant pumpkin growing this season. It's easy to be overly excited about the growth rates one day only to have the wind taken out of your sails the next. It goes with the territory. After working harder than normal to get a big one at my moms patch the 2230 looked perfect until we noticed all growth had stopped. I don't know why !   Thursday, July 27 View Page A tissue test confirmed it is done !   Thursday, July 27 View Page Andy and I have been battling critters this year too. This is never good to find in the sand next to your fruit   Thursday, July 27 View Page On a good note the 1821 is putting on weight and the battle now is to try and keep it from growing over it's butt   Thursday, July 27 View Page The 1916 baron isn't as orange looking as I would like but very happy with its growth.   Thursday, July 27 View Page Val and I fenced all of the prospects in at the home patch to guard against any unwanted nibbling! I have some young Orange prospects that need protecting! One from my 942. Known to grow long orange fruit.   Thursday, July 27 View Page A 1317 Bubba   Thursday, July 27 View Page A nice shaped orange contender from the 1000 Sandercock.   Thursday, August 3 View Page Rain and sunshine in the northeast have most of the plants looking good. My Turk's Cap Lily plants look awesome this year !   Thursday, August 3 View Page The Wayne County Fair is here !! A sign that summer is flying by. The first major pumpkin contest is part of the fun. Andy tried out a new tractor to take our entry in. International "Harold", was up for the challenge. The 701 Box is a good seed and is throwing nice shaped orange pumpkins.   Thursday, August 3 View Page A successful loading day. Now breath held that we can outlast the competition and take home another blue ribbon and $4 prize money, minus the $2 entry fee ??   Thursday, August 3 View Page 30 day numbers are in for the 1916 Baron and tomorrow is the 1821 Checkon. It looks like both will be as good of 30 day numbers I have ever had. The extra attention of some details has made the difference and Val's helping hand. Pics to follow.   Thursday, August 3 View Page It's August, it's GO time, full throttle AHEAD !   Thursday, August 3 View Page Andy's long gourds are stretching to the top and it looks like some young sets are in a perfect spot. I am standing by my earlier prediction. Some LONG gourds are coming from this spot! The 82 Sandercock is gonna grow a Slunger. I am not sure what we will do if Karl and the NY gang come down for a patch tour as Karl loved the thrill of the slide, we couldn't keep him off of it. We will figure something out.   Monday, August 7 View Page I am happy with the 30 day numbers on the two best plants at the home patch. The 1916 Baron has a nice shape and looks like it will be a high pumpkin.   Monday, August 7 View Page The 1821 Checkon is the biggest plant in the patch and has been given the most TLC and the growth rate is showing it. It is not going to win any beauty contests. With the slope of the patch it has enabled the pumpkin to tilt more than j would have liked and the blossom end is all but grown under. It will be a big blob design. I am not sure how it affects the overall size but it certainly is unable to stretch out.   Wednesday, August 16 View Page One sure way to get pumpkin growth is to go away and not stare at them every day. I was on a trip to deliver my son alex to his new destination at the University of Southern Mississippi gulf coast campus! After being away for 5 days it was easy to see that the growth has continued. Here is my best looking pumpkin and HD contender on the 1000 Sandercock   Wednesday, August 16 View Page The checkon is putting up good numbers! Some might say it is one butt fugly pumpkin. I think she is beautiful.   Wednesday, August 16 View Page The new star in the patch is the 1916 Baron. Wow !   Wednesday, August 16 View Page I told my patch dog Geordie what the new numbers were. He went crazy !!!   Tuesday, August 22 View Page Day 50 for the 1916 Baron. Looking good......pumpkin not looking bad either.   Monday, August 28 View Page Nights have been getting in the mid 40's here in PA. It is time to get the blankets out. The 1000 sandercock is looking cozy with her winter garb on.   Monday, August 28 View Page It has a great shape and color. Soon it will be time to give it some full sun to see how orange it can get   Monday, August 28 View Page The Baron is still the star of the show. A PB is well within reach. Hopefully a warmer September will get the job done. It too is starting to Orange up a little.   Monday, August 28 View Page Dyberry Andy has a nice one on the 701 Box.   Monday, August 28 View Page Lots of gourds this year too !   Monday, August 28 View Page And check out the melon on the 152 Haist.   Monday, August 28 View Page I have been trying to do a better job with some sort of feeding schedule and I believe it is working. My little giant pump in a rain barrel with amendments added has worked well this year.   Monday, September 4 View Page Hoping the cold snap and rains are over! Could use a warm September to insure a PB and then some. The Barron and Checkon are close with two completely different shapes. The 1821 is wide and looks great from the front.   Monday, September 4 View Page Line humans I guess , can look good from the front and not so good from the back.   Monday, September 4 View Page We took the tarps off to get some sun! The 1916 has a great shape and starting to get a peach color. The skin seems soft so hopefully there is some more growth in her. It was anthesis applied so maybe that add a few late season pounds.   Thursday, September 7 View Page It's hard to complain about our Pennsylvania weather of late when you see the Texas destruction and the projections from Irma !! Pumpkins don't matter that much. Cool nights and lack of sun have stalled the growth rates at the moment. I did find a good tomato on a Fulk plant that I grew. It developed a rot spot so I picked it.   Thursday, September 7 View Page Dyberry patch and I are both raising some "cash cows " we call them! Nice orange 300 pound pumpkins are usually easy to find a home for. Andy has a nice lineup going.   Monday, September 11 View Page Finally the sun is out. It seemed like a good day to let the girls tan up some.   Monday, September 11 View Page The 1821 a bit pale, better use the sun screen.   Wednesday, September 20 View Page Winding down the season !! It's a great time of year. We have a little bit of everything this year. Dyberry andy has gourds and melons and we both have some 81 wolfs. I even found a nice tomato that my mom is displaying.   Wednesday, September 20 View Page We both have some Orange to compete for the HD awards. This Beauty is getting darker and darker and what a great shape. It is on my 1000 Sandercock!   Wednesday, September 20 View Page I found the perfect pumpkin model. My sister Beth brought along my great niece Hannah for photo shoot of the Barron.   Wednesday, September 20 View Page Hannah weighs all of 18 pounds. Not sure what the Barron is gonna weigh. No pre weighing here. It's gonna be a surprise.   Wednesday, September 20 View Page My two biggest have the exact same numbers with completely different shapes. What will be more the tall Barron or the low and wide Checkon. It will be fun to guess.   Wednesday, September 27 View Page Had a great time in Ridgefield! The weather was perfect and there was a nice lineup of pumpkins. Good music and good friends makes for a wonderful day   Wednesday, September 27 View Page It is always good to chat with the Rhode Island gang. Pap, Ron and Joe Jutras are always willing to give tips away and share some good pumpkin chat. We will definitely schedule a patch tour at their place next year. Ron said it was a tough year with the weather and his busy schedule but still managed a beautiful 1500 plus pumpkin. Here he looks on to see the winner get weighted. The Vincent 1825 was a beast.   Wednesday, September 27 View Page Joe had another nice squash. What a classy guy! This one would make a nice Cookie Monster!! A great squash year Joe and maybe the best is yet to come. Good luck !   Wednesday, September 27 View Page And good news for me, the Barron gave me a new PB. While these top growers are chasing the 1 ton mark I am old school and more than happy with the 1000 pound mark. The now Sandercock 1086 was god enough for a top 5 this year !!   Wednesday, September 27 View Page A top 5 !!   Wednesday, September 27 View Page Andy had a good day. A 3rd in the green off of the 530 sandercock   Wednesday, September 27 View Page And some cash in the long gourd division.   Wednesday, September 27 View Page Tom cat and another high school friend journeyed along to spend the day together. 4 close friends from the class of 79 at a pumpkin weigh off in Connecticut. Awesome.   Wednesday, September 27 View Page Val preferred to stay in the shadows at this one as our patch dog Geordie made his first tournament appearance. I know the PB was a result of Val's work as well. She had gravitated to the Checkon plant this year so i will need to put her name on that one as a co/grower. The hard work and attention has paid off.   Wednesday, September 27 View Page A neighbor had to called to help load the 1086. We will need to do it again this Friday.   Wednesday, September 27 View Page Val and Jug steady the load.   Wednesday, September 27 View Page A tight squeeze but we made it.   Wednesday, September 27 View Page A great day a PB and sold. Life is good !   Wednesday, September 27 View Page Warm summer temps are unusual for this time of year. I don't know if the 1821 Checkon is putting on more pounds at this stage but I am pumpkin the water to her. I think this phat bottom girl is gonna go heavy !!!   Tuesday, October 3 View Page The Honesdale pumpkin growing gang headed to Grims Orchard to enjoy the festivities with the other MAGPG growers and a good time was had by all. It is a great venue for a weighoff.   Tuesday, October 3 View Page There was a nice lineup for the event. Complete with long gourds, watermelons and tomatoes too. Dyberry Andy put on quite a show. Wining the field pumpkin with his 81 Wolf entry   Tuesday, October 3 View Page He finally got a chance to show off his 152 Haist watermelon. What a beast.   Tuesday, October 3 View Page I won't go into the tomato saga but congratulations Andy. He stoooed pretty low the day before and visited my mom as he knew I had a 4 lb mater waiting in her fridge to take to the event. Did u really have to show up with white bread, mayo , bacon and lettuce. Enough said. He walked away as one of the big winners of the day. His tactics didn't seem to bother him at all.   Tuesday, October 3 View Page The highlight of the day for Val and I was to see if all of the hours spent in the patch this year would pay off on the 1821 Checkon. It had been Val's favorite plant to work on all year. Would it beat our recent new personal best????   Tuesday, October 3 View Page It was time to head to the scale !!   Tuesday, October 3 View Page And ,,,,, boom a new PB.. the now Val and Ned. 1134 !!! Very good to see that a plan came together. A lot of hours went in to make it happen.   Tuesday, October 3 View Page Grims is a beautiful place for a fall festival.   Tuesday, October 3 View Page Val applied for some weekend work.   Tuesday, October 3 View Page I thought andy played some sneaky pool with his tomato win and winning in the squash, field pumpkin and a second in the long gourd and melon. Which I germinated all of those seeds. It stung for a while but I will get over it.   Tuesday, October 3 View Page I have to thank our neighbor Craig for helping to load the 1134. It's always amazing the work and good fortune that needs to go in to getting a seed to germinate and to a weigh off scale. That in itself is a major accomplishment.   Tuesday, October 3 View Page A nice surprise for me was to catch up with Tony Ciliberto again. What a great guy. I met Tony in 2001 when I atended fun first weigh off in Altoona I had called Tony for advice that year and when the dust settled my then 6 year old twins and I had a 5 th place finish and Tony was the champ with a 1061. Fast forward Tony had his personal best this year and I came in 5th place again. Life is good. Here Tony's beast is headed to the scale.   Tuesday, October 3 View Page Yes! A well deserved personal best for a long time Legend of the Hobby. Is Tony in the Hall of Fame ??? He would have a vote from me.   Tuesday, October 3 View Page What a great find !! A toy truck of mine was discovered . I guess it was destiny to grow pumpkins. A little research reveals the company was from he 1960's.   Tuesday, October 3 View Page I like the name.   Friday, October 6 View Page Dyberry patch andy and I still have a few nice ones that haven’t been weighed yet.   Friday, October 6 View Page Come on Drew how about an Altoona road trip for old times sake. A couple off of the 1000 sandercock may contend for the HD award and make for a nice trailer full!   Friday, October 6 View Page The 1134 Sandercock now sits being guarded by Texas my Halloween cat and patch protector.   Tuesday, October 31 View Page A final visitor stopped by to check on the now Sandercock 1134. He gave his seal of approval.   Tuesday, October 31 View Page No buyers for the beast! I guess they like the orange pretty ones better. No worries as i wanted to get the seeds out of this personal best. The walls are thick and even and will be worthy of a 2018 grow for me.   Tuesday, October 31 View Page Seeds will be available if for some strange reason someone wants to give my cross a try. It’s the 1821 checkon x the 1916 Barron.   Wednesday, December 27 View Page Winding down another year. I best put a closing touch on the 2017 diary. I was able to find a new compost supplier so some manure was finally added to my home patch. It was black gold. With a fall vacation looming there was no time to till but at least it is there. I will need a warm spring to play catch up.   Wednesday, December 27 View Page Val and I hit Longboat Key for our annual vacation. It’s always good to get away. The fishing is great there !   Wednesday, December 27 View Page We met up with Florida pumpkin grower tim Caniff It’s always good to catch up with him. He is into the bee hive honey thing down there as a hobby.   Wednesday, December 27 View Page It was a good pumpkin year for me. Two personal bests and filled with seeds for anyone who would like some. Just shoot me an email. The 1134 had thick even walls.   Wednesday, December 27 View Page Our 1086 was one good looking pumpkin ! A big thank you to Andy Wolf for helping with the seed retrieval. There are plenty to go around to those who ask. The 1916 Barron x the 1821 Checkon should have sky high potential. Happy New Year to all !!