Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 29 Entries. Monday, March 5 View Page I’ll start this year’s diary with my new grow box that I’ve just built into my work bench. Inside is 30x46x36 inches and coated with reflective paper. I found with my previous box that this prevents leggy plants.   Monday, March 5 View Page Inside is 450w of led grow lights.   Monday, March 5 View Page Sliding door access keeps the heat a balmy 85 F using just the seedling heat mat.   Monday, March 5 View Page All closed up w/ lights on.   Tuesday, April 17 View Page I started my growing season on Sunday 15APR buy washing them in 50% Ethanol for about 30 seconds each and then filing and soaking for around 18 hours. Then they went on the heater inside of my 7 day pill boxes, which I have found to be a superior method for me. Seeds: 2118 Jutras, 1701 Jutras, 1807 Holub (2), 735 Gerhardt (4), 181 Wagler (2), 108 Wagler, 283.5 Dawson (2). The two 811 Gerhardt seeds that were sent to me in the mail got lost, along with some other valuable seeds which is disappointing but perhaps a sign that I should move on (?) So I have to choose a final seed to grow for orange and that will be either an Engel, Young or Gansert seed.   Sunday, April 22 View Page Happy earth day and birthday to me! I think I will celebrate with a little hard work!   Thursday, May 10 View Page Cover crop is cut and plants are in the hoops. Hoop 1- 811 Gerhardt and backup is 735 Gerhardt. Hoop 2- two 1807 holub squash. Hoop 3- two 735 gerhardt. Hoop 4- 2118 jutras squash and backup 1701 jutras squash.   Friday, May 11 View Page Jimmy endorses the use of two WOW super starter packs per transplant along with mycos and worm castings in each hole :-)   Tuesday, June 26 View Page Here is my 150 sq foot entry (in front) direct sowed which I believe is best when summer temps have moved in. No sense in limping to the finish line with a small aging plant so I started late for best conditions. Area is defined by the white pvc and grass borders. Seed is the 735 Gerhardt 2017.   Thursday, June 28 View Page 1st pollination of the year. 811 Gerhardt x 735 Gerhardt. Around 11 ft out. Good vine position. I hope this is the one.   Sunday, July 1 View Page Pollinated 735 gerhardt x 811 Gerhardt today. Here in eastern PA, 3 consecutive days over 90 is considered a heat wave. We are in the midst of a week or more straight 90s which is crazy. Forecast real temperature for today is over 100. I have a shelter set up with ice packs. Overheads running on and off all day long. Going away for the latter half of next week, the heat wave will continue. Jesus take the wheel.   Tuesday, July 3 View Page Had two 1807 squash open on the main same day today. Pollinated both x 2118 jutras. Maybe 12 and 14 ft out or something. The one closer to the stump was a 6 lober. Not that I care but just happened to notice.   Sunday, July 8 View Page 811 Gerhardt day 10   Sunday, July 8 View Page 811 Gerhardt plant on d10. Pulled the 735 plant yesterday due to possible early YVD.   Sunday, July 8 View Page All of the tips on the 735 were all fxxxed up. I’ve seen this before so no need to waste time and effort on this plant. Still have the 150’sq ft 735 plant though. It just laid down today.   Wednesday, July 11 View Page Pollinated 1807 x 2118 squash on 11 July. Other 2 aborted. Running short on time now.   Thursday, July 12 View Page 150 sq ft 735 Gerhardt plant.   Monday, July 16 View Page 811 day 17. Finally got a decent female to bloom on the 2118 squash main but no males on the 1807 go figure. So left it open and put a few males in there fr m random plants to seal the deal. But hopefully will get the next one out controller and go with that. I’d prefer the plant get a bit stronger anyhow. It’s already late and I’m relying on the 1807 for a big squash anyways so might as well get it right.   Saturday, July 21 View Page 811 Gerhardt day 24. Went to the shore for a week vacation starting today. Plants in better shape than normal when vacation comes around. Jesus take the wheel for the next 7 days.   Wednesday, July 25 View Page Pumpkins? What pumpkins?   Saturday, July 28 View Page Jimmy (19 months) shows off the 811 (30 days)   Friday, August 3 View Page 150 sq plant update. Burned tips really impact a 150 footer with late start.   Friday, August 3 View Page Boomerang the 150 sq vine to put pumpkin where the burnt vines should be. But flower didn’t open 2 days in a row. Never saw that. Forced it open this morning. 735 x 811.   Friday, August 3 View Page 181.7 Wagler FP x sib pollination was on 31 July.   Friday, August 3 View Page If I ever had a chance at the PA squash record this is the plant to do it. 1807 holub the plant is huge and healthy with squash at day 23.   Tuesday, August 7 View Page 811 Gerhardt, d40, 313 ott   Monday, August 13 View Page Goodbye watermelon   Monday, August 13 View Page Goodbye 811. Soft spot on bottom went too deep. Kiss my ass Mother Nature, I give up. You win.   Friday, August 17 View Page 811 HD x 735 HD. soft spot on bottom. Final measurement day 44 327 inches ott