Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 34 Entries. Sunday, July 15 View Page Second pollination attempt today. First one was in 105 degree weather so....not so much luck there.   Sunday, July 15 View Page This is later than I’ve ever pollinated. Always had one going by the first week of July even when the weighoff was late October. The plant was in a funk for weeks. Just sat there not growing. It seems to have pulled out of it now.   Sunday, July 15 View Page I had a nice bouquet to use today. This is the 923 Kline 2010. Not at all what I had planned to grow this year but it’s what God’s given me.   Sunday, July 15 View Page This young lady is at 17 feet out. She was a right-handed gal which would have had her growing on the wrong side of the flag pattern and up against the wall. No bueno! So I twisted the main enough to switch her to a lefty. Hope that doesn’t damage her psyche. Lol   Saturday, July 28 View Page Another look. I believe the verticillium wilt is back to some degree. Losing leaves near the stump prematurely.   Monday, July 30 View Page 16 DAP Growing slowly but growing. Looks like it will be pretty and orange   Tuesday, August 7 View Page 23 DAP update: the weather sucks. It’s back into triple digits and humid. The 923 Kline is picking up steam. It did 46 lbs over the past 3 days and is still showing signs of increasing daily gains. The slow start has this pumpkin well behind last years fruit and when it’s all done it will only have 69 days of growth before the weigh off.   Tuesday, August 7 View Page The orange is creeping in.   Wednesday, August 15 View Page Everything is on cruise control right now. Day 31 and gained 25 lbs overnight. I love it when the color is creeping in. I think this one should be nice and Orange.   Saturday, August 18 View Page Daily gains in the mid 20’s. A little powdery mildew showed up today so I’ve got to get after it. Not surprising given the heat and 85% humidity. EST weight 390 this morning; it’s day 35.   Sunday, August 19 View Page Stem side view. Have some vine positioning challenges ahead of me...   Saturday, August 25 View Page Averaging 22.5 lbs per day this week. Not bad! Nice to have Chris and Mike visit the patch today!   Saturday, September 1 View Page Slowing down as expected. I think the verticillium, although slow-moving has finally reached the fruit. 20 days until harvest.   Saturday, September 1 View Page One more. Because Pumpkin.   Thursday, September 6 View Page I know I shouldn’t boast, especially since it’s still on the vine and catastrophe could happen in minutes. But this pumpkin is downright gorgeous. It’s color is still deepening. It’s got great symmetry and shines like the stars.   Thursday, September 6 View Page 16 days until harvest. Growing slowly now but as long as it’s growing it’s not dying. The stem is thick and firm. No danger signs at this point.   Monday, September 10 View Page Let’s try once more. The app seems to be hiccuping   Wednesday, September 12 View Page Biggest leaves I’ve ever had. 34” across!!   Wednesday, September 12 View Page Even the vine next to the stem is turning Orange. It’s nuts.   Wednesday, September 12 View Page Stem is beefy too   Friday, September 14 View Page One week to harvest. This time last year the pumpkin was rotting. I just didn’t know it yet.   Sunday, September 16 View Page 6 days to go!   Friday, September 21 View Page Lifting day is finally here!! Last shot of the patch for 2018.   Friday, September 21 View Page This tree fell in park behind my house in the middle of the night. Scared me half to death!!   Friday, September 21 View Page Onto the truck!!   Friday, September 21 View Page Attaching the hoist to the tripod   Saturday, September 22 View Page Great way to end the season with the Howard Dill Award and a 5th place finish. She’s now the Donahue 689.   Monday, October 8 View Page Leonardo Urena 1707 at HMB!!   Monday, October 8 View Page Josiah Brandt at HMB with his 2136!!   Monday, October 8 View Page Steve Daletas at Half Moon Bay with his 2169 wins !!!!   Wednesday, October 10 View Page Tres Amigos de Regatta!!   Wednesday, October 10 View Page Getting Ready for the Regatta. Harvested at least 200 good seeds. It took 2+ hours to prep it for the race!   Wednesday, October 10 View Page Every grower should do this once in their lifetime. It’s so fun!!   Monday, October 15 View Page Solarization is underway. With temperatures near a high of 85 this week I figured there’s no harm in giving it a go. We will see what kind of heat I can generate under the plastic.