Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 22 Entries. Saturday, May 13 View Page I was so eager I jumped the gun a little and started my seeds on the 17th and 21st of April. Here in England, they have designated the 15th of April as pumpkin seed starting day so I’m not too early according to Thompson and Morgan.   Thursday, May 18 View Page 1865 Paton; Both growing well. Note the nettle and comfrey mulch.   Tuesday, May 30 View Page One is growing a "ribbon vine". This plant will come out tomorrow. A friendly pheasant hen provides company.   Tuesday, June 6 View Page Both the 1865's have split their main vines due to high winds and torrential rain. Luckily, I have two backups (1865 started May 4) that were still under cover. These are doing fine.   Saturday, June 10 View Page 878 is vining out well. Potatoes in the background.   Tuesday, June 13 View Page Unfortunately, the main vine is splitting on this one as well.   Friday, June 16 View Page Does anyone know what might cause this type of yellowing of the leaves?   Wednesday, June 21 View Page It certainly has been cool here in England but the tide has finally turned. The last few days have been in the upper 80's (30C) and I think the yellowing leaves are now behind us. Here is the 878.   Wednesday, June 21 View Page Despite a badly split main vine, the 1865 seems to be doing alright. Broad beans and phacelia as companion plants.   Monday, June 26 View Page First female flower on the 878. (Masanobu Fukuoka would be proud of the biodiversity in this patch.) However, the joy was short lived as the next day I found the growing tip and about 18" of the main vine severed off. I suspect a prowling fox, attracted by the fish fertilizer.   Wednesday, July 5 View Page First pollination of the year today! (878 x 1248) Without the use of any green house, we are at the mercy of the weather and it has been rather cool until just recently. We will have a couple more warm days, in which I hope to get most of my pollinating done, and then back we go to classic English summer weather.   Friday, July 7 View Page My three daughters have taken ownership of the three remaining plants. This is more or less the entire patch.   Friday, July 7 View Page This was the first one we pollinated.   Friday, July 7 View Page And this flower from the 1865 was pollinated today (by a double cousin).   Wednesday, July 19 View Page My three daughters have each named their pumpkin. Here is "Bofur" at 6 DAP.   Wednesday, July 19 View Page and Bombur (12 DAP)   Wednesday, July 19 View Page ... and finally Jumbo jet at 10 DAP. The one in the foreground has since been culled and the remaining pumpkin, although not in a great position, is now twice this size and perfectly round.   Friday, August 4 View Page "Winnie the Pooh" at 18 DAP   Friday, August 4 View Page "Bofur" at 22 DAP   Friday, August 4 View Page "Jumbo Jet" at 26 DAP   Wednesday, August 23 View Page The other two have kicked the bucket. This is the only one left but she seems happy enough about it.   Thursday, September 14 View Page Just look at the size of that stump!