Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 96 Entries. Saturday, March 25 View Page Got Orange?   Saturday, April 1 View Page Not sure if root formation is a good thing this early on the giant rutabaga. These plants have been outside for about 3 weeks. I hope Chris is keeping his cool, so it does bolt and go to seed.   Monday, April 3 View Page Is it growing season already :) Need to repair the fence surrounding the patch, and replace the cover on the green house. Those 50 mph wind for the entire day did a number on both of them. This year I will be planting a 1200 est Engel 2016 and a 1374 Engel 2014. Going for orange and pretty again.   Wednesday, April 5 View Page That should have been doesn't bolt and go to seed. I am sure Chris will figure things out this season.   Tuesday, April 18 View Page Soil heating cables are plugged in and 1374 Engel 2014 and 1200est Engel 2016 are soaking. Rutabagas placed in their new location.   Tuesday, April 25 View Page Everyone is up. Snow and cold in the forecast for Thursday. Don't trust my new greenhouse. So holding of until Friday to put the plants in the dirt.   Wednesday, May 10 View Page 1374 Engel and 1200 Est Engel are growing good. New green house keeps the soil at 70 degrees, and the air temp below 90. Spread the rest of the amendments last night and laid down the buckwheat cover crop for the Mycorrhizae to attach to. Soil looks awesome this year.   Thursday, May 11 View Page 1374 Engel growing strong   Thursday, May 11 View Page Giant Rutabaga   Friday, May 12 View Page https://www.facebook.com/events/127676764441107/permalink/140681203140663/ Take part in my poll. Like my page if you would like to also   Wednesday, May 31 View Page Not to be outdone by Qtip. Here is my Rutabaga. It is the only thing in the garden that likes these cold rainy days. Oh yeah it is a twin and starting to branch out.   Friday, June 9 View Page How is your Rutabaga growing, Chris Qualley?   Friday, June 9 View Page 1374 getting ready to show you what Big, Orange, and Beautiful looks like.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page I just realized this year everything in the patch is my own seeds. 1374 Enge1, 1200 Engel, 65.4 Rutabaga, 118 Engel Field Pumpkin, 265.5 Engel Bushel Gourd. Hmmm I must believe in my own crosses and seeds :)   Friday, June 16 View Page New Growers. It is easy to feel behind, when you see your plant does not have a pumpkin yet, and is just starting to vine. It will come. To many new growers end there season trying to push your plants. If t5he directions say 1 TBS per gallon 2 will make it even better.   Sunday, June 18 View Page https://www.facebook.com/gr8pumpkin.net/videos/753411108187838/ My cover crop of buckwheat was huge this year. So I shoveled it like snow. Pretty happy with how efficient the snow shovel was. Boy a snow blower would have been awesome.   Tuesday, June 20 View Page Save the Date. 0630am June 21st, 2017. Looks like it is going to be 1374 x self as all the males on the 1200 bloomed today.   Wednesday, June 21 View Page Pollinated 1374 x Self today on a six lober. Wanted 1374x 1200 mother nature chose for this not to happen, Tomorrow I will probably have a dozen males on the 1200   Thursday, June 22 View Page I like a healthy patch. Toads are little warriors lying in wait for whatever comes with in eating distance. I have several under each pumpkin canopy   Thursday, June 22 View Page Have to watch for them when I am hoeing. They are super camouflaged.   Thursday, June 22 View Page Check out this guy...   Thursday, June 22 View Page Stamen Pollen 4x, 11X, 22X and 44X. It is almost translucent at 44x.   Saturday, June 24 View Page Pollinated 1200 Est Engel x 1374 Engel. The 1200 Est Engel is a 1912 Carter x 1143 Engel. The 1143 Engel was a 359 Foss x 1374 Engel. The 1374 is a 359 Foss x 1048 Engel. The 359 was a 1048 Engel x 2009 Wallace. The 1048 was a 777 Young x Self. In all there have been a lot of Howard Dill Awards grown of these pumpkins.   Saturday, June 24 View Page Looks like the 1374 x 1374 Pollinated on June 21st has taken. The weather has been cooler than average. So it has slowed plant growth down. The Rutabaga's love it.   Saturday, June 24 View Page 1200 Engel x 1374 Engel   Monday, June 26 View Page Boom Baby...this is the only thing growing in this cold snap.   Wednesday, July 5 View Page "GRETA" 1200 Engel x 1374 Engel. Watch this girl.   Thursday, July 6 View Page Pollinated 1374 x self on 07/04. and 1374 x 1200 on 07/06. We shall see who gets to stay as I really want 1374 x 1200 cross.   Tuesday, July 11 View Page Giant Rutabaga still packing on the weight. Can't wait to see what this bad girl weighs in October.   Tuesday, July 11 View Page 1200 Engel "GRETA" 15 days old   Tuesday, July 11 View Page 1374 Engel x 1200 Engel pollinated July 6th.."Katie Sue"   Sunday, July 16 View Page Never in my 18 seasons of growing pumpkins have I been this frustrated. My plants are aborting pumpkins that are 15 days old. Something is wrong in the patch   Sunday, July 23 View Page This season has been challenging. Lost all my started pumpkins at about 15 days old, Not sure if it was the Hot then Cold weather. Or a severe thunderstorm the twisted the plant like a cork screw. This is my largest on the 1374 Engel. Open pollinated on a secondary as I ran out of plant.   Sunday, July 23 View Page Made this for someone special today. Many of you new growers do not know who the "Pumpkin Prince" Sir Edgar royal keeper of the pumpkin seeds was. Always sad when someone looses one of their Fur Babies. RIP Edgar   Sunday, July 23 View Page The Pumpkin Prince   Sunday, July 23 View Page The Pumpkin Prince   Sunday, July 23 View Page The Pumpkin Prince   Thursday, July 27 View Page You guys and your spider pictures. Now this is a Spider. It is a Fishing Spider one of North America's Largest Spiders, Next to the Cane Spider   Thursday, July 27 View Page Check out that face and eyes...it charged the reflection in the camera lens several times. Yet I remained calm and did not scream like a girl   Sunday, July 30 View Page This is it in the Engel Pumpkin Patch. Keep loosing fruit at 15 days...Time for some testing, as this sucks   Thursday, August 3 View Page There went summer. Too bad I had to work that day. 57 degrees out   Thursday, August 10 View Page Spookly still growing on 1374 Engel.   Thursday, August 10 View Page 1200 Engel x Self growing Cinderella style..if she keeps growing and looking like this. I still might have a chance for a Howard Dill Award at Stillwater.   Sunday, August 20 View Page 1374 Engel...still growing. Can't wait to carve Spookly   Sunday, August 20 View Page 1200 Est Engel 2016, Growing her Cinderella Style. If she keeps it up, she is going to be a beautiful pumpkin   Sunday, August 20 View Page Guess What.. The Dr told me I am getting old. I have Degenerative Focal tear along the undersurface of the posterior horn medial meniscus. They believe it was caused by Squatting and Kneeling on hard surfaces. Only thing they can do for it is for me to give it rest. So if you feel like coming to my house and pulling weeds. :) I will provide beer and food.   Sunday, August 20 View Page Guess What? Jodi and I have been chosen by a national TV channel, to be on their show for Pumpkin Carving. The like our back ground story and Love our personalities. Shooting will be in Mid September. So I might be Begging for a Giant Pumpkin to carve. If not Spookly might get the knife.   Monday, August 21 View Page New grower with two pumpkins that have the same issue. What is his soil missing that us causing this? No soil test taken   Wednesday, August 23 View Page Crappity Crap Crap Crap. Rudy Split...   Wednesday, August 30 View Page Check out Spookly from the other side. The 1374 Engel's color is spot on again   Thursday, August 31 View Page We have been chosen to be part of a TV show on the Travel Channel called Best in Pumpkin. We are searching for a small giant pumpkin.   Tuesday, September 5 View Page Still looking for a Giant Pumpkin for September 17th. We will be appearing on a National TV Channel. If you got one that is not going to make it out of the patch. Please let me know.   Saturday, September 9 View Page Check out that color on the 1374 Engel. Spookly has volunteered to be picked when the film crew is here.   Thursday, September 14 View Page Thank You Scott Steil...We now have a pumpkin to carve.   Friday, September 15 View Page https://youtu.be/f260w9xXY7w   Friday, September 15 View Page https://youtu.be/lpQw6dH3Owc   Saturday, September 16 View Page Shaded Pig Carving for tomorrows film shoot. I really like carving the shaded pumpkins, as you carve both the surface and the inside to make the light create shadows or highlights.   Saturday, September 16 View Page Happy Cows shaded carving   Sunday, September 17 View Page Halloween came early at the Engel's. Film crew was here from 6:45 until 7:30 tonight.   Sunday, September 17 View Page Shaded Pig   Sunday, September 17 View Page Jodi's Llama that she whipped out in record time   Sunday, September 17 View Page Giant Smiling Cow. We did not have enough time to do the ears correctly so it kind of looks like a giant squirrel/donkey. It was a long stop and go day of filming. With a lot of retakes.   Wednesday, September 20 View Page Wash your pumpkin Wednesday. This pretty pumpkin is the 1200est Engel x 1374 Engel grown Cinderella style. Will she get the HAD at Stillwater?Let's hope so   Thursday, September 28 View Page https://www.facebook.com/shannon.engel.507/videos/10210033691295730/ Another Time lapse Video on a Pumpkin Carving   Wednesday, October 4 View Page https://youtu.be/QRn27JA40F0 Here is a video of my Aaron Rodgers Pumpkin Carve. Not sure I should have shown Jodi how to shade and carve. She is kicking my butt this year.   Wednesday, October 4 View Page Here are Jodi's Pumpkins. Our October Weekends are booked full. Thanks to people recommending us for local festivals. We have some pretty serious carves happening at the end of the month   Wednesday, October 4 View Page Wash your Pumpkin Wednesday...Still growing but slowing down quickly.   Sunday, October 8 View Page Carved this into Bev Anderson's 716lb pumpkin today at the Anoka Weigh Off   Sunday, October 8 View Page Here was Jodi's entry for the carving contest. Don't tell her but she is getting better than me. Her 3D carvings are off the charts   Sunday, October 8 View Page Here is my Aaron Rodgers pumpkin   Sunday, October 8 View Page So not to be outdone by me, she whips out this Frankenstein   Sunday, October 8 View Page Sesame Street Abby   Sunday, October 8 View Page She has more time on her hands than me   Sunday, October 8 View Page So I whip out this Sugar Skull. She is impressed but not impressed. Sort of gave me a that's nice   Sunday, October 8 View Page So I up my game and throw a black light on it.   Sunday, October 15 View Page Bad Year for Rutabagas lost 3 of 3. Need to improve soil and drainage for 2018. So Chris Brown and Chris Qualley are not the only ones at Stillwater with a Rutabaga. Stillwater will be the Rutabaga Capitol of the World....Muhahaha   Sunday, October 15 View Page Cinderella off the 1200Est Engel getting ready to get loaded.   Sunday, October 15 View Page She is on the trailer...ready for her Journey to Stillwater   Sunday, October 15 View Page Another one for the wall. I strive hard to win this award.   Sunday, October 15 View Page Packers Logo Craved in to the 475 Steil. Can remember the exact cross but it has the 2145 in it. Scott made us pull every last seed out in the rain..:)   Sunday, October 15 View Page This pumpkin here my family members will say is the reason, the PACKERS lost Rogers, and Lost to the Vikings   Sunday, October 15 View Page Just a face...Jodi got cold because of the rain. Sad thing is we gave this pumpkin to LEO'S Malt and Grill. We set it on the corner and drove around to find a parking space that would fit the car and trailer. When we came back some idiot smashed it on the side walk.   Monday, October 16 View Page Cinderella Weighed 673lbs. Which is about 702lbs lighter than I had hoped for the season. Start preparing for next year. She is a 1200 Est Engel x 1374 Engel Pollinated July 21st. 1200 est Engel is a 1912 Carter x 1143 Engel. 1143 is 359 Foss x 1374 Engel. 1374 Engel is 359 Foss x 1048 Engel. #59 Foss is 1048 Engek x 2009 Wallace. If you are keeping track that is Howard Dill Award x Howard Dill Award x Howard Dill Award x Howard Dill Award back to 2012. So I am thinking it should have a chance for orange/   Monday, October 16 View Page Getting a lot of questions on Cinderella. Yes she was intentionally grown with the stem up and the blossom down. That is why her name is Cinderella. Would I recommend doing this to any new growers. NO. Would I do it again on a secondary set on a long side vine. YES. I had a mouse hole in the dirt going under the pumpkin 3 weeks ago. I have had a reoccurring dream of Rats and Mice by the hundreds living in her. When we lifted it to get the net under her they come flying out and cover me. I hate mice and rats...   Thursday, October 26 View Page http://www.weau.com/content/news/Pumpkin-Partners-Local-couple-to-be-showcased-on-Travel-Channel-453335063.html It has been a crazy awesome pumpkin season and it is not done yet   Thursday, October 26 View Page 673 Engel 2017 - 1200 Est Engel 2016 x 1374 Engel 2014. 1200 est was the 1912 Carter 2015 x 1143 Engel. 1143 Engel was the 359 Foss x 1374 Engel. So if you are keeping track there that is a crap ton of Orange. That should weigh to chart or above   Thursday, October 26 View Page A simple jeep carve   Thursday, October 26 View Page Skull Kitty on a 6" pumpkin   Saturday, October 28 View Page Let this soak in..   Sunday, October 29 View Page Octopumpkinpus 673 Engel 2017 carved up at Pumpkin Nights Twin Cities. She had no cavity in the middle, the stem and blossom were touching. Plus she was frozen solid, which made for a cold difficult carve.   Wednesday, November 1 View Page Mall of America carve   Wednesday, November 1 View Page Travel Channel Carve   Wednesday, November 1 View Page StillWater and Ronald McDonald House Carve   Wednesday, November 1 View Page All our cut-out carves   Wednesday, November 1 View Page Our Shaded Pumpkin Carves   Monday, November 6 View Page http://www.gr8pumpkin.net/giant_pumpkin_seeds_for_sale Clubs when requesting seeds, please use the Club Option for my Web Page. Saves me a trip to our post office and your bubble ships right away.