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Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 139 Entries.
Saturday, January 7 View Page
I'm stoked! It is all coming down to this. One large flower on one 4.66 Russian Oxheart. The closest plant to the lights. The Big Zacs are not flowering and the other Oxheart has small one's. It is cold and snowy outside for Oregon standards. Inside it's 75F and 45% humidity.
 
Thursday, January 19 View Page
This is the next flower. The winter growing challenge is pretty much a challenge with myself. Trying to get a flower to just open, pollinate and grow is the biggest challenge. I cranked the air temp up into the 90's to try to stimulate something. Otherwise I have a mangle of 4 plants with the only one showing any sign of flowers being the Russian Oxheart closest to the lights. The flowers prior didn't really open and just fell off. Being in just a well pump house outside, the soil temp has been cold in the 60's and hard to heat up.
 
Saturday, February 4 View Page
Our annual PGVG seed packing party. Really, a great group of people.
 
Saturday, February 4 View Page
The previous two flowers of this 4.66 Russian Oxheart did not fall off, but did not pollinate so getting closer to an actual pollination. This next flower is the biggest so far resembling the one the 4.66 came from. Hopefully next week I will finally post an actual tomato and I will be on board!
 
Thursday, February 16 View Page
My entry into the winter tomato challenge! Off my 4.66. Saw it was starting to turn so it was time to go. Couldn't use the tape measure so used the calipers. 0.01 oz. isn't too bad is it? At least it registered on the scale. I tried. Couldn't get them pollinated.
 
Thursday, February 23 View Page
We have a heartbeat! Finally something took. Actually, two of them. I saw visible pollen with these. Moving the red/blue lights to direct light just on this plant instead of the 3 others made the difference. Also, turned down my heated fan speed to keep them from drying out. Look out bnot!
 
Saturday, March 4 View Page
Through out the winter I have trying to grow a tomato in my insulated pump house. Also, have been feeding the birds with bird seed at the feeder. Every so often I see a chipmunk fill up with bird food. Something has been digging in my large tomato pots. A week or so goes by. Small plants are growing out of the digging spots. They look like sunflowers. Weird, I let them grow. A week after that the varmint digs in the same spot and eats the maybe 20 2" sunflower sprouts. This cycle has continued 3x, digging in seeds, letting them grow, coming back and eating them after they grow. Trying to grow a tomato this winter has been frustrating, yet entertaining. The one tomato is 5" with two weeks to go until the end of winter. Thought about trapping the little guy as he is making mincemeat out of the plant roots. I think it's karma I didn't kill the damn thing yet. That's why I finally have a tomato.
 
Friday, March 17 View Page
OK, couldn't wait any longer. It even started to turn since I cranked up the heat to 90F for the last week. Here is my tomato for the winter challenge: 3.1 oz or 0.19 lbs. It was a lot of fun. Will try it again next year but definitely will need more light.
 
Saturday, March 18 View Page
Here is my tomato for the winter grow effort. The 3.1 oz or 0.19 lb Spaziani. My opinion on growing tomatoes in the winter is different than when I started. Next year I will need more light and hopefully will break 1 lb!.
 
Saturday, April 29 View Page
2017 competition tomatoes. Started seeds 8 days ago. Have been watering with willow water that I made. Stimulates root growth. Had a great germination rate. Many of the missing were due to a chipmunk that found its way into the cooler. Bastard! Could of been worse as many of the missing were from some of my own low budget seeds including my winter challenge effort and a few Big Zac no name seeds. But what did come up are the important one's including the names of Porkchop, LaRue, White, Megadom, Slammer, Konieczny, Sutherland, MacCoy, Foss, and a few of my own. Also, it wasn't a complete Megamutt meltdown! Out of the 6 Konieczny Megamutt's that I planted, I have one each of the "D" cross and "Z" cross in the bottom left row of the photo. All of my 6 PGVG competition seeds germinated. I have been keeping my temperatures up high from 95F-102F. This was a gamble but I think it attributed to a quick and successful germination. This is the Rebel part of my handle Garden Rebel.
 
Saturday, April 29 View Page
Oh, and that bunch of greens in my seed starts is from the chipmunk burying bird seed in one of the pots! It could of been a lot worse. As it did all winter in my winter tomato pots, he comes back after a while and eats the greens. He's a garden rebel also.
 
Tuesday, May 30 View Page
Tomatoes and peppers started 40 days ago. They need to get into the garden this week.
 
Saturday, June 10 View Page
Finally got all 42 comp tomatoes in the ground. I am trying this solar plastic that heats the soil but keeps out the rays that make weeds grow. We have had a cool and wet spring so any heat will help. I am trying a few air pots and using the 100 gallon plastic water tank again for tomatoes. Didn't till this year, just used a broad fork to aerate the soil some.
 
Saturday, June 10 View Page
A fine day last week to make some chili on the tripod. My son has discovered a drawing pad instead of an iPad and seems to like that more lately.
 
Saturday, June 10 View Page
This 4.66 Russian Oxheart was started last Fall for the winter tomato challenge. Couldn't kill it because of the $ it cost to keep it warm all Winter so it lives for another season.
 
Saturday, June 10 View Page
Really tried to get them in the ground earlier this year to take advantage of the first flowers which I find are always the biggest overall. This is an early 8.41 MacCoy for the first flowers. The roots are not big enough to support growing a fruit at this stage so will have to wait. Many of the plants have some nice megablooms early on. My goal this year is the same as last: at least break 5 lbs! I tied my personal best last year with a 4.69.
 
Saturday, June 10 View Page
Even the 4.66 Russian Oxheart is trying to get into the act with its first flowers. Really want to make a cross with these this year.
 
Saturday, June 10 View Page
Trying some container plants. Included are the Megadoms in the water tank and a Slammer or two in the air pots.
 
Friday, June 16 View Page
Here I am with tomato flowers again this year. Promised myself I would cut down but can't help myself. For you Chris, out of my two Megazac's both show early nice flowers for their first blooms. Too early to tell if they are ribbon vines. Either way the weather has been really crappy and these flowers will have to wait.
 
Friday, June 16 View Page
Here is the other Megazac 1st flower. A long way from pollination. Plant is too small anyway.
 
Friday, June 16 View Page
Here is the 5.30 McCoy first flower. About 16 of my tomatoes were transplanted to 1 gallon pots. They are much bigger and farther ahead than the one's transplanted to 4" pots that are the same age.
 
Friday, June 16 View Page
This 5.13 LaRue BZ for the PGVG comp has a nice first flower going.
 
Friday, June 16 View Page
Pulled some Giant Belgium seeds out of my stash and thought I would give them a whirl. Would like to have this one take. May be a waste as the weather has been cool and rain the past week. Some 70's and 80's coming up for the next 10 days. All my larger plants are 15" tall. Probably not big enough to support a tomato but either way nice to see some blooms.
 
Friday, June 16 View Page
Here is the 4.69 Spaziani (7.05 Porkchop) first flower. Several others from this seed are similar. This is from the largest tomato I have grown. Well I tied this weight from the year before. Either way, there is no "third time is a charm" with 4.69. Hope to at least get 4.70! Good luck everyone. I will be over and out for a couple of weeks.
 
Saturday, July 1 View Page
Came back home after two weeks (Hawaii brag brag) to find many nice surprises. Won't post all the nice blooms because you know like posting those so I will post just one. I have several ribbon vines. This is the biggest in the 5.13 LaRue (5.84 Foss). It was a busy day trimming 40 plants, weeding and tying plants to posts. Also, attempted my first cross (7.15 White x 4.66 Oxheart), even used tweezers! We will see.
 
Saturday, July 1 View Page
Another of the 5.13 LaRue. All systems go! Feel really good about the plants this year. They are on tomato watering time, not pumpkin, so watering much less. I'm sure that's what causes the leaf curling in previous years. Also, I'm sure the WOW starter packs have something to do with it. I put two in each hole when I planted.
 
Saturday, July 1 View Page
Forgot to add the photo..
 
Thursday, July 6 View Page
Really happy with the garden this year. It is such a relief to not have to fret about a pumpkin plants. The pepper plants are coming along too. Considering none are labeled as when they were seedlings I dropped the whole germination tray into a heap and don't know one from the other. I think I can tell the cayenne peppers vs the ghost peppers. I think I can tell the bell peppers from the peter peppers.
 
Thursday, July 6 View Page
Hope this 4.69 Spaziani (7.10 P.chop) takes. It's been a couple of days since a few days of toothbrush vibrating. If the this ribbon/megabloom from the first truss doesn't take there are currently only singles above.
 
Thursday, July 6 View Page
Since I am only showing plant parts instead of an actual tomato might of well throw this in. Check out this side vine from the 7.10 Foss. I went to pick it early on and I think it bit me! That's inbreeding for you. There is a mangle of leaves and stems at the end right now, looking for that mega. I don't think an OBGYN can find a flower in there at this point. Only time will tell.
 
Thursday, July 6 View Page
And here is a big ass ribbon mega from the 5.55 Caleb White. A seed straight from my home state of Alaska. There is a good cluster of flowers at the end. Took the toothbrush to it this morning and the pollen flew! It's a good sign anyway. More flowers will be opening up in the coming days. This is a good example of first flowers. The plant doesn't have its act together yet as far as organization of flowers until the 2nd trusses on up. You guys want more of these, plant early in the garden after the first few leaves like Wixom Chris does. This is where I got the idea. I did it this year and it's working. Don't let them grow for too long in the pots. By the time the first flowers arrive the roots and plants need to be established and ready to support a monster on the first flowers, otherwise those first flowers will dry up and blow away.
 
Thursday, July 13 View Page
I made a cross and am documenting my steps. This is a 7.15 White BZ I thought I would try back on 6/30.
 
Thursday, July 13 View Page
The anthers cones (that hold the pollen) were still closed and hadn't dropped pollen. I began the process of pulling them off so it wouldn't pollinate the flower through the female part (Pistil).
 
Thursday, July 13 View Page
I carefully pulled off the anther cones with tweezers to expose the stigma where the pollen sticks to.
 
Thursday, July 13 View Page
I went to the 4.66 Spaziani Oxheart plant and got a few flowers that were full of pollen that was dropping. I pollinated with several flowers for several days, even different times of day. Wasn't sure when the female was actually ready to receive pollen. Them females are picky!
 
Thursday, July 13 View Page
Another picture of pollination using the tweezers. I even used a magnifying glass to see the pollen stuck on there. I get close to my work.
 
Thursday, July 13 View Page
So 13 days later I have a new variety growing! So, 7.15 White (Big Zac) x 4.66 Spaziani (Oxheart) = Zac Heart. Not sure how big it will get or if I will get seeds. Another 7.15 White the same age looks identical to this one.
 
Thursday, July 13 View Page
7.05 Porkchop at 13 dap. Container grown in a 20 gallon air pot.
 
Thursday, July 13 View Page
6.88 McCoy around 10 dap. I have another identical 6.88 on another plant. Many other plants with tomatoes around this size.
 
Thursday, July 13 View Page
Yeah! The 6.23 MegaZac! Of two plants this one has the nice megabloom right on top. The other plant had one until the deer munched it, now only singles as far as the eye can see.
 
Thursday, July 13 View Page
The 4.69 Spaziani (BZ) from 7.05 Porkchop around 8 dap. Pretty excited about this one mostly because it is from my seed.
 
Thursday, July 13 View Page
Ooooh baby! If I am ever able to reach my goal of 5 lbs it will be with this one. The 5.55 Caleb White (BZ) at 3 dap. Flowers starting at one end taking one day after another. The weather has been very cooperative with 80's/50's, sunny and dry for at least two more weeks.
 
Thursday, July 13 View Page
The 5.55 Caleb White is crazy small! It is only 18" tall and topped with its own flower. There was a wayward branch growing out of the back of the flower that I had to clip off. This is the plants first flower and only flower.
 
Friday, July 14 View Page
One picture was suppose to be a close up.
 
Thursday, July 20 View Page
Finally, a nice flower on one of the 8.41 MacCoy's.
 
Thursday, July 20 View Page
This 4.48 LaRue BZ (7.10 Foss) is putting out some nice one's. Some flowers in this mega have already taken. High hopes for this one.
 
Thursday, July 20 View Page
The 4.69 Spaziani BZ (7.05 P.Chop) at 15dap.
 
Thursday, July 20 View Page
6.23 MegaZac is leaping out of the gate with this monster at only 6dap. Chris named it "The Monster" for a reason. Don't expect anything less than 6 lbs with this one. This is one hell of a cross.
 
Thursday, July 20 View Page
7.05 Porkchop at 20 dap. Measured at 11". Will need to put support in soon instead of taking pictures.
 
Thursday, July 20 View Page
5.55 Caleb White at 10dap. From the 6.88 MacCoy from the 5.03 Boudyo. From here on out it will be..."The Kraken", the legendary sea monster.
 
Wednesday, July 26 View Page
5.55 Caleb White 17 dap.
 
Wednesday, July 26 View Page
Jenambaus, your spider picture is down right creepy! I pretty much crap myself if I encounter a spider by surprise. It reminded me of the spider we saw in the house we stayed at in Hawaii last month. My kids said, "Dad, you gotta see this spider, it is real big!" You know, big like a quarter. I walk in the room and see this. Now the other three people were peeking around the doorway to watch me kill this thing and save them from certain death. It was one of those really fast one's...the one's that if you miss, we are sleeping in the car for the rest of the trip. I wanted to leave but I had to do it. Good thing I had a couple of margaritas in me. I killed it with my sandal and heard it hit the floor. It was easily 4" across. Found out it was basically a harmless cane spider and felt like I killed some kind of pet afterwards.
 
Wednesday, July 26 View Page
Another picture after I killed it.
 
Thursday, August 3 View Page
5.55 White around 24dap and half way to the end. Three days in a row of 102F-109F. Growth has slowed. The brutal heat isn't the tomatoes best friend. I do keep them covered. Getting to 5 lbs is my only goal right now. I have a ton of sets growing. Like Dan S. I have lost a bunch to BER. One plant may have it and the one next to it nothing. It's pretty frustrating wondering how it could be. I apply foliar Ca. I don't touch and measure anymore, thanks P. Chop, I am determined, thanks bnot and pizza, and I do apply a little God at night, thanks Dan S. Not too much or it will only disappoint the grower.
 
Thursday, August 3 View Page
This is how I support a lot of my tomatoes using garden stakes. I use a tie wrap to keep it from sliding down.
 
Thursday, August 3 View Page
This is protecting it from the brutal heat outside. I do wet the cloth..maybe the evaporation helps? Either way the tomato be over 95F in the 107F or so it's suppose to be today. I know many pumpkin growers here in the NW are sweating bullets this week and not just from the heat.
 
Thursday, August 3 View Page
One of the bigger one's I have going, a 7.19 LaRue. According to Jack, on the same plant the 7.19 grew from was the 4.48 LaRue. It was a late season fruit as impressive as the 7.19 but time ran out at the end of the season and it was young. Enough time to produce seeds though. I had one of my best tomatoes going on a 4.48 but it developed BES. Keeping it growing for only seeds. Another 4.48 LaRue plant has a nice one going but is only 1 week old.
 
Thursday, August 3 View Page
A 8.41 McCoy not letting me down, around 25dap. A first week of July set.
 
Thursday, August 3 View Page
A 6.88 McCoy maybe pushing 20" and about half way through its life. One of my favorite seeds due the many great offspring it has produced in the last couple of years.
 
Thursday, August 3 View Page
6.23 Chris K. MegaZac at 21 dap. Pushing around 18" and long way to go. This tomato is what happens when you have 5 fused tomatoes or so, all in a row that grow. The fruit has nowhere to grow so it bends backwards into this donut shape. Jock strapping it using a sling with the help of another stake. This seed, if I could plant 20 in my garden next year, would be super exciting. Probably not a lot of original seeds left so seeds from this tomato will have to do.
 
Saturday, August 12 View Page
5.55 White AKA the Kraken around 34dap. After about 10 days of really high heat, many of the tomatoes really slowed down and this one was no exception. Only growing at 0.25"/day at most during this time. Now cooler in the '70s most tomatoes are picking up the pace again. This one grew 0.50" last night for example. May not get to be a world record but is still a Kraken to me!
 
Saturday, August 12 View Page
The 7.05 Porkchop, the oldest around 44dap. Expect it to turn within a week. Container grown in a 20 gallon air pot.
 
Saturday, August 12 View Page
7.19 LaRue around 29 dap. Still have a good ways to go.
 
Saturday, August 12 View Page
The 8.41 MacCoy at who knows what dap. I can't keep track of them all! Many of the plants that had BER are starting 2nd pollinations on nice blooms for round 2. We have two club weigh-off's this Fall and the club promo. Hopefully the weather continues to cool a bit. We have our chance of the first rain tomorrow AM. Just a sprinkle...it's been months since the last good rain.
 
Saturday, August 12 View Page
Believe or not, the largest I have going at this point is from last years small keeper from a 1.68 BZ that came from a nice ribbon stem when it was the next latest and greatest thing. Well, it's growing a nice tomato anyway on a round stem. From its first cool day in a long time to the next cool day, it went from hardly growing at all to +1.25" in a day. The temp really makes a difference. I put Sulphur powder on many of my tomatoes in spots where I worry about rot like the middle. I miss sometimes and it goes all over.
 
Saturday, August 12 View Page
The MegaMutt D. Really nice plants with the MegaMutt's. I have another on this plant and a couple of others going on the MegaMutt Z. Is there Domingo in this Chris? I suppose I can spend the time and research. Both plants have the really big, round stems like the Domingo's I grew last year.
 
Saturday, August 12 View Page
My favorite from the 6.23 MegaZac. Only 29 dap, and has a ways to go. Nice and chuncky and no gaps as I don't want to weigh air. A fast grower now that it's cooler. Both of my MegaZac plants are real nice, big leaves, stems, and healthy. It's amazing that this tomato was about 5 tomatoes in a row in a straight line when it pollinated and turned into this beauty.
 
Saturday, August 12 View Page
This is the 4.66 Oxheart from the Winter Challenge. Started in mid October it's a survivor alright. Probably getting root bound. I put too much into it to just kill it. I need to at least need to eat something from it. I have some other 4.66's with tomatoes that are starting to put on some size. Just trim these crazy plants and the fruit will grow.
 
Thursday, August 17 View Page
So proud of my big onions! Now what do I do with all 40 of them?
 
Friday, August 18 View Page
Get a load of this giant cherry tomato! Should break my PB. They sure love this cooler weather...cooler I mean in the '80s.
 
Saturday, August 19 View Page
Still chugging along at 39 dap, The Kraken. I will miss it when it's gone in about 10 days. Kind of a fixture in the garden. Weirdest tomato I have ever grown.
 
Saturday, August 19 View Page
The 5.11 Dunn (8.41 MacCoy) at 24 dap. Really like some of the 2nd rounders not having to deal with the heat. This thing has gained 0.75"/day the last 3 days.
 
Saturday, August 19 View Page
OK you PGVG growers in the competition, you know who you are. This is the 2nd attempt from the LaRue 4.48 (7.10 Foss) as the first was lost to BER. This thing was a sunflower 21 days ago. Big gains per day as it is in the zone!
 
Saturday, August 19 View Page
MegaMutt Z at 24 dap. Yes, get as close as you can to make it look really really big.
 
Saturday, August 19 View Page
I have two going on this MegaMutt D plant. This one pollinated 20 days ago.
 
Saturday, August 19 View Page
The largest on the MegaMutt D at 25 dap. A long ways to go with this one. I could tie one end of a hammock from that big round stem.
 
Wednesday, August 23 View Page
7.15 White BZ x 4.66 Spaziani Oxheart = 2.06 Zac Heart. My first cross with about 100 seeds. Not a big tomato by any means. Just pollinated a random 7.15 White with a random 4.66 Oxheart.
 
Friday, August 25 View Page
One of the biggest and nicest plants is the 4.30 Spaziani Megadom in the 100 gallon horse trough. I have 3 going on it and can't pick and choose so growing all three. They range from 16"-18.50". Two are around 24 days. The smaller third one on the side is about 20 days.
 
Friday, August 25 View Page
A few of the tomatoes are approaching my PB of 4.69 lbs. This 4.48 LaRue is no exception at only 29 dap. Putting on nearly .50/day for a while. Can't wait to see where it is in a week, and a week after that.
 
Friday, August 25 View Page
This seed was from a 1.68 home scale last year, from a generic BZ I got from Dunkels. Not sure how much time is left in this one. Still putting on 0.50"/day. It's a chunky monkey with a bunch of weigh in the back that you can barely see.
 
Friday, August 25 View Page
Oh those MegaMutts. This is the MegaMutt Z. What they lack in depth they make up in diameter growth. Nice looking none the less. They are in their prime mid life putting on some good size daily.
 
Friday, August 25 View Page
Here we grow! This MegaMutt D is a beauty! Really not sure how much time is left. It has slowed to 0.25" per day. Still pretty green.
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
Came home after 4 days to find a deer had entered the compound and made it his home. Down are some nice tomatoes I was going to pick today. Also, some new flowers that pollinated last week for fall weigh-off's. I still have some left of each that were protected better. Need to make a higher fence next year or tell my dog start peeing around the garden more. Didn't touch the MegaZac's or MegaMutts! They must not smell or taste good. Really, for a giant tomato grower who spends a lot of time in the garden it reminds me of finding that dreaded split in your AG when you lift the sheets. The deer come here because it is one of the most lush and green spots in the area. What I have left the temps from hell coming up won't help.
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
Ugh...One of the biggest ones I had going, the 4.25 LaRue. This would of put me over my goal of 5 lbs. Couldn't wait to come home from my distant work to weigh it and came home to a garden decimated by deer. The deer preferred the ripe ones, big flowering megablooms that were a week old, and pepper plants. Probably saw the size of them peter peppers and ran away...
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
Really liking this 5.11 Dunn. Just a heavy chunk. At 37 dap should have a week left. These babies are begging for 75F. With temps scheduled to be over 100F for the next week, I don't even want to think about it....
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
The 4.48 LaRue. At 35 dap it is on track to be the largest I have ever grown. It is difficult to get an accurate measurement of these things, hold the tape, take the picture.
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
The 1.68 BZ. Time for this thing to be weighed. Maybe tomorrow. They have lived a long time this summer. This one is over 50 days.
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
The 6.23 MegaZac at 47 dap. It was growing really good until the heat wave a couple of weeks ago. Still impressive for me. Have another here started about 10 days ago. Another just pollinated on the top for Fall. This genetics just puts them out and doesn't disappoint.
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
On the same 6.23 MegaZac. This thing was a sunflower 4 days ago! Just as usual, a straight up flower and fruit.
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
On the 4.30 Spaziani Megadom where I have 3 other tomatoes growing. This cross from Chris doesn't disappoint either. Good solid fruit. Should be ready by our final weigh off the 3rd week of October.
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
4.69 Spaziani from the 7.05 Porkchop. At 25dap. Both at 21". Fast growers and nearly twins. Too late for me to chop one.
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
Even the 7.10 Foss is finally getting into the act. It's the shape I like.
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
Ahh, the MegaMutt's. Another winner cross. Just keep putting out. Big flowers and fruit from day one. This is the MegaMutt Z.
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
On top of the MegaMutt Z. Don't think it will pollinate at 102F though. Had another super one about a week old but the friggen deer....need my boys to pee around the garden as a chore, wife won't do, it I tried...the things we got to do to keep the marriage alive! Such is country redneck life..
 
Thursday, August 31 View Page
MegaMutt D at 37dap. What a beauty.
 
Friday, September 1 View Page
No, this is the MegaMutt D. Posted the same picture of MMZ..
 
Saturday, September 2 View Page
MegaMutt Z at 38 dap.
 
Saturday, September 2 View Page
MegaMutt D at 39 dap. Showing a little red but I like to wait a little longer. Probably will pick it on Wednesday.
 
Saturday, September 2 View Page
My first official at 4.52 lbs from my 1.68 BZ last year from a generic BZ seed the year before. I brought this to a local fruit stand and it brought the everybody over there to stop and take pictures. They were most interested in the "big toe". I told them it was mater bling and it adds more weight. The other tomato from this seed also grew these extra accessories.
 
Saturday, September 2 View Page
Like the mater bling. Will grow this seed again next year. These were nice megablooms and took the first week of July so about 55 days old.
 
Saturday, September 2 View Page
My haul for the day. The 6.23 MegaZac never reached the weights I was hoping. Pretty much came to a stop with the past heat waves. Today is no exception, well for the next four days for that matter. It is suppose to be 100F for at least four more days. Nothing grows in this heat, only cooks. I could put a pork shoulder outside, and with all smoke could make some good smoked meat. Low and slow.
 
Saturday, September 2 View Page
Nothing like your wife catching you playing with your tomatoes. "Don't you have better things to do!"
 
Wednesday, September 6 View Page
MegaMutt D. It measured 25x 21x 20x .00055= 5.775 lbs! According to the tomato measurement/weights assistant. Well, it weighed only 4.41 lbs. I call it the Domingo complex. Beautiful plant, super blooms, awesome fruit..small weight. I was hoping to break 5 lbs with this one. Too many ripples, empty spaces, and saucer shaped. If it were a solid round it may of weighed that much. I will grow it again.
 
Wednesday, September 6 View Page
Seriously, the MegaMutt D was an impressive tomato on the plant.
 
Wednesday, September 6 View Page
The MegaMutt D on the scale at 4.41 lbs. I wanted to make it official for tracking of this wonderful genetics. Thanks Chris!
 
Wednesday, September 6 View Page
With the Summer coming to an end, now it's just a quest for 5 lbs. The 7.10 Foss is growing nicely and is at 23.5"...well, to me that could mean it's only 4 lbs.
 
Wednesday, September 6 View Page
The 5.11 Dunn at 23.00" 43 dap. May pick it Saturday. It's measurements all the way around give it some good weight.
 
Wednesday, September 6 View Page
MMZ at 24.5".
 
Wednesday, September 6 View Page
MegaMutt Z at 24.5"
 
Wednesday, September 6 View Page
4.48 LaRue at 42 dap.
 
Wednesday, September 6 View Page
To me this is a beautiful thing. About 10 dap 4.30 Spaziani Megadom. I want nothing more than to bring a big ass tomato to our weigh-off either Oct. 7 or Oct. 21st. I will be carrying it in a ammunition case, wearing dark sunglasses and black over coat. The audience was expecting big pumpkins...but then....
 
Friday, September 8 View Page
The MegaMutt Z at 4.45 lbs. Nearly the same as the MegaMutt D.
 
Friday, September 8 View Page
4.45 MegaMutt Z. For those keeping track...25.0" x 21.5 x 18.5 x .00055 = 5.47 lbs so "weigh-off".
 
Friday, September 8 View Page
A few picked today. Have a couple around 24-25" to pick in the next week or so. Still holding out on 5 lbs. The two contenders are 4.48 LaRue and 7.10 Foss. Funny, the two biggest I will end up growing this year out of 44 plants are from the same lineage, 7.10 Foss. About 5 tomatoes to be ready by early October.
 
Saturday, September 9 View Page
You got to be kidding me! Tied my personal best 3 years in a row at 4.69. It's there in the GPC. I mean really, what are the odds? From the 5.11 Dunn. I own it I guess.
 
Wednesday, September 13 View Page
New PB and Oregon record, 5.36 lbs from the 4.48 LaRue BZ (7.10 Foss BZ). Finally over 5 lbs.
 
Wednesday, September 20 View Page
4.30 Spaziani Megadom about 24dap. Trying for our PGVG Terminator weigh-off on Oct. 21st which is an almost impossible time to bring a good tomato. With all the rain starting to split at the seams so putting a little Sulphur on it.
 
Wednesday, September 20 View Page
4.30 Spaziani Megadom about 24dap. Trying for our PGVG Terminator weigh-off on Oct. 21st which is an almost impossible time to bring a good tomato. With all the rain starting to split at the seams so putting a little Sulphur on it.
 
Wednesday, September 20 View Page
MegaMutt D. Still 30 days until the Terminator weigh-off here in Oregon. Nice to not worry about the heat but now it's suddenly Fall, cold and raining. Had an almost identical one on the Z but the friggen deer!! Pulled the sheet right off. Both the D and Z have only thrown these kind of megablooms. Couldn't grow a single on these plants if I tried.
 
Wednesday, September 20 View Page
Nobody can do the Porkchop pose like Porkchop but I can at least try. Five pounds is just child's play anymore. This threesome is off the 7.10 Foss and is bursting at the seams with all this rain. Hoping to stretch this bad girl 17 more days to our PGVG Bauman Farm weigh-off here in Oregon. The Oregon record is currently borrowed from me temporarily by Jeff Treece at 5.38. Beat me a few days ago by 0.02! He is the N.W. premier field pumpkin grower and grew a 167.5 this year.
 
Thursday, September 21 View Page
4.69 Spaziani BZ at 46 dap from the 7.05 Porkchop. Still green. Hopefully keeps going slowly with this damp cooler weather.
 
Thursday, September 21 View Page
7.10 Foss. Measured on the inside of the jock straps. Solid and round everywhere. Still green. Oh how I would like to get 6 lbs. All the rain we had is pushing it to grow and crack. Put some Sulphur on it right after this.
 
Thursday, September 28 View Page
There is another grower in our club that grew the 4.66 Oxheart that had multiple fruit. I think last year some other flower from a BZ pollinated the oxheart when I wasn't looken. This was next to the 7.05 Porkchip last year. Normally they are single fruit. This whole plant had multiple fruit. Had some nice megablooms flowers that took near the top but the friggen deer ate them last month. This one is at the bottom. I swear this thing is over 60 days old and still green, growing slowly. BNOT talked about different plants crossing pollen and I am a believer now. Still going to call it an oxheart..
 
Thursday, September 28 View Page
Pushing the tomatoes into the Fall. This one is another from the MegaMutt D.
 
Thursday, September 28 View Page
Yet another being pushed into the Fall at the top of the 6.23 MegaZac at 32 dap. Its 4 dap picture is on the 8-31 dairy. Won't grow to huge numbers because it's getting cold..but still fun.
 
Thursday, September 28 View Page
The 4.69 Spaziani (7.05 Porkchop) at 53 dap. Growing really slow and starting to blush at the bottom. Maybe I can keep it protected on the vine 9 more days? I get nervous...about a tomato. Flashlight in the garden when I finally get home from work. "Why are you having yet a another beer!" It's a lonely world in this house. Can't wait for it to be over honestly. It's got to be the same stress as having a 2000 lb+ pumpkin. Does anybody else go into the garden by flashlight? I sometimes miss the times of regular gardening when it was stress free.
 
Thursday, September 28 View Page
This is the mini Porkchop for me from the 7.10 Foss. Nice and deep. An honest 27". Has been blushing for days but there is nothing to blush about. I can't aim the Sulphur and it dumped all over. Anyways, will keep the deer away and it's well covered. I will pick it tomorrow. Hoping for a solid 6 lbs. I need a good night sleep again. That's what I look forward to the most. Not even the winter challenge for me. Time to clean gutters.
 
Friday, September 29 View Page
Yeah! It's always nice to get to the next pound. From the 7.10 Foss.
 
Saturday, October 7 View Page
Another great weigh-off here at Bauman's Farm in Oregon for one our PGVG events. It was really nice to see everyone. I won the tomato division at 6.02 lbs. Great competition this year.
 
Saturday, October 7 View Page
PGVG Bauman's Farm 1st place (6.02 lbs) from the 4.69 Spaziani from the 7.05 Porkchop (now Steve Marley I see) 2015.
 
Friday, October 13 View Page
Pepper harvest...Ghost peppers.
 
Friday, October 13 View Page
Trinidad Scorpion Moruga. I had a small piece from one, and I tell you what, it was the hottest thing I have ever ate. I am allergic to milk but about drank the whole gallon.
 
Friday, October 13 View Page
Peter peppers! It's not too late for another contest is it? Hey Porkchop, aren't you growing some of these? The deer ate all the leaves but left these peppers alone. They were startled by the sight.
 
Friday, October 13 View Page
Megadom flower. Little too late to the party I would say.
 
Friday, October 13 View Page
Not done yet. Still one more weigh-off in a week. 6.23 MegaZac at 48 dap. If you are bringing a tomato to the Terminator, don't worry, this one is pretty small.
 
Sunday, December 10 View Page
I am assuming this is a squash bug. Looked on the internet and they look just like one so they must be! Never seen one at my place until this Fall. They insist on trying to hibernate in the house, flying around as loud as a helicopter. Haven't grown a squash in the garden for two years. They are suddenly here! Coming up from Cali? Anybody else? Kill 'em All??
 
Saturday, December 30 View Page
This is what I do at the end of every year. Make some of the best damn chili, Dutch oven style hanging from a tripod over a fire. I can sit there for hours tending the fire.
 
Saturday, December 30 View Page
And here it is after many hours with all the secret ingredients. Beans added near the end. Included is Jack Daniels..Pit man's privilege!
 
Saturday, December 30 View Page
Ready to go! Just got these today. Do onion seeds from a far away strange place make them bigger? Hope so. Have seeds from two sources. Ya never know. Got the carrot seeds, tomato and giant cucumber. Can't wait! Happy New Year to all! Rick Spaziani AKA Garden Rebel.
 

 

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