Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 187 Entries. Sunday, January 14 View Page This ones for you So Cal - you guys like to bury yourselves in the sand we do it a little different up here :)   Sunday, January 14 View Page And things are warming up - kids got out the wiggle cars - probably be patch prepping in no time!!!   Tuesday, January 23 View Page Watch out bob! It looks huge!   Monday, January 29 View Page I like what I’m seeing from the 7.07....hoping this baby will take...wheeeeeee   Monday, February 5 View Page Just got a surprise package in the mail! The grower assures me it’s a sealed package of 5.07’s and not cherry tomato seeds lol hmmmm I’ll offer these 5.07’s to anyone not on team megazeketip ... too funny rebel!   Tuesday, February 6 View Page Rebel - I got my kraken!!!! This baby is bigger than a golf ball!!! Off the 7.07   Tuesday, February 6 View Page Ewwwww wheee - mega mega mega - I might just grow the 10lber indoors - wheeeeee   Tuesday, February 6 View Page Thanks for the photo Lambchop.....look how much fun he's having.....silly guy......told you fellas Lambchop does all the work....   Wednesday, February 14 View Page Please help support the UMGPG and Gale Woods weigh off. We currently have a silent auction going. We appreciate any and all bids! Some really great lots ... even saw a 359 Foss in there:)   Thursday, February 15 View Page Oh baby! Spring is in the air!!! They were probably sold out of Giant Heirloom Tomato scent ...truck is gonna smell reeeeaaaaalll nice!   Saturday, February 17 View Page Indoor grow lab....maters set   Saturday, February 17 View Page 4.63 - got a decent one going in the hydro bucket   Saturday, February 17 View Page 7.07 has got a monster going - I’m excited to grow this baby in the spring - throwing some awesome megas.......only 31 days left of growth for the indoor grow cut off ...hope it’s enough time   Wednesday, February 28 View Page Oh baby - probably gonna hit 10...   Tuesday, March 13 View Page Sneak peak of the 10lber - just for you bnot and weird wint :)   Tuesday, March 20 View Page Just missed 10lbs!!! Came in at a whopping 1.78lbs - still green as a bean!! Poor planning by the grower ....pretty happy though with my first attempt at hydro....happy spring everyone   Sunday, April 15 View Page April 15th!!! Seed start day!!!   Sunday, April 15 View Page Picture from Friday - hoops out and ready to go!   Sunday, April 15 View Page Oh wait....we got a little storm that rolled in...   Sunday, April 15 View Page One of the drifts lol ....wheeeeeee   Sunday, April 15 View Page My hoops handled the 40 to 50 mph winds really well ...lol tear   Sunday, April 15 View Page This one was in the neighbors yard hahaha ....   Sunday, April 15 View Page F it - took the little one to underwater world at the MOA - it’s pretty cool if you’re at the mall I recommend swinging in ...looks like I’ll be waiting on seed starts here   Saturday, April 21 View Page Got the goods! Really excited to try RAWs new Amino Acids this year. If you’re wondering what I use, here it is...NPK RAW products   Tuesday, April 24 View Page Oh baby oh baby - here we go!   Sunday, April 29 View Page Hot damn!!! Here we go!! Funny it’s cheaper for me to pay this guy to till my patch than it is to rent a rear tine tiller for the day at my rental shop lol   Sunday, April 29 View Page Hoops staked down, patch amended and tilled, cables in, boards out, new set of cables installed, fence up ....I’m sore...take anyone else a week or two of Pumpkins to get back in shape lol   Sunday, April 29 View Page Took about 48 hours for me to get this set of cables from WOW. My old cables were kicking off at 62 degrees and I wanted to get outside Sunday...mr wallace to the rescue!! Thanks again Ron   Sunday, April 29 View Page Fantasy Pumpkin! The beard and I started this last year and it’s pretty awesome. Pick 5 growers in a draft and the total weight of your top 4 wins. Only one pumpkin per grower. I kicked mikes ass last year and won this bitching trophy. We just had our draft for 2018 and I pretty sure I already won...let’s go wallace, Brandt, tobeck, skinner and Schmit ...the best part is I drafted the Beard ...start one up its fun   Monday, April 30 View Page Transplanted outside yesterday - Ron started sending pumpkin pro in really strange containers....ha   Monday, April 30 View Page 2145 on the right - 2112 on the left - the 2112 was started 4 days earlier than the 2145 - 2145 will get the nod unless she goes wonky   Monday, April 30 View Page 1781 LL on the right - 1961 Sperry on the left - same deal here - the Sperry was started 4 days earlier...the 1961 has been my best looking plant out of the 12 I’ve started   Monday, April 30 View Page Both 2095 Brandt’s- one is a little sissy and one looks great ...this should be an easy decision   Wednesday, May 2 View Page Started the first round of maters last night - 10lber here we come!!! I’ll start the second in a couple of weeks once I get these outside   Wednesday, May 2 View Page Look what bnot sent me - I’m 90% certain there will be a pot plant growing in my garden now ...guess time will tell lol   Friday, May 4 View Page Wife is away on girls weekend so Baby Quinn will have to be out in the patch with Dad haha this is gonna be interesting   Friday, May 4 View Page Working on Pumpkins is tough work   Saturday, May 5 View Page 2095 Brandt - the left one is the go to- this years plant additions have been added - classy clown for the 2095 ha   Saturday, May 5 View Page 1781 ll and 1961 Sperry - this is going to be a tough call - couple of bears riding a motorcycle haha   Saturday, May 5 View Page 2145 and the good luck monkey   Saturday, May 5 View Page First maters up in just a little over 3 days - 6.06 rebel and 4.63 Me first ones outta the gate! Here we go   Thursday, May 10 View Page Ohhhhhh baby! 10lbs here we come   Monday, May 14 View Page Minnesota fishing opener 2018! First time bringing the girls fishing on the official walleye opener trip and having them compete for the “ Angler of the Year” honor   Monday, May 14 View Page Even did a little “Marley” fishing...I’d set the hook and let the kids reel them in - like watching an adult reel in a Marlin lol - how do you like our bitchin hat’s   Monday, May 14 View Page Kira got the biggest 17” - she was pretty proud   Monday, May 14 View Page The boys got to go a little walleye fishing while grandma watched the kiddos - solid little opening day this year   Monday, May 14 View Page And the winning fish!!! 23” was good enough for Angler of the Year honors ...   Monday, May 14 View Page Another year and another name etched into the trophy - and by etched I mean written on piece of painters tape in pen...nothing but class our crew lol   Monday, May 14 View Page Allie picked out her favorite shirt for Mother’s Day - lol - she’s my favorite (don’t tell the others :))   Monday, May 14 View Page And best of all the plants survived - Friday night dipped down to the mid 30’s - here’s the 2095’s I need to make a decision soon they are getting crowded   Monday, May 14 View Page Cut the 1961 Sperry this morning - just went ahead and cut it so I couldn’t change my mind 100 more times on which to grow - was a tough call this plant looked awesome but I’m sticking with the original plan with the 1781 - don’t let me down 1781!!!   Monday, May 14 View Page 1781 - looks good and should be down for the races soon- gotta get rid of that kick stand though   Monday, May 14 View Page 2145 should be down and running soon - then the fun starts - who’s ready for vine burying season!!!! :(   Monday, May 14 View Page Maters are outside! I’m starting to get excited for these little guys.   Friday, May 18 View Page Hehehe - running!!!! 1781   Friday, May 18 View Page Close -2145 - walking her down slow   Friday, May 18 View Page 2095 has an erection - maaayybbee a little much nitro haha   Friday, May 18 View Page Pumpkins got the secret sauce - cat urine and hamster manure steeped for 3 hours in boiling water - it’s hard work collecting all that urine or maybe it’s azos, raw microbes, companion and silicates -I can’t remember but I know it’s one of the two   Sunday, May 20 View Page Started these yesterday- fingers crossed on the 81 wolf’s- they are 9 years old   Monday, May 21 View Page 2145 - should be out of the hoops in a couple days   Monday, May 21 View Page 1781 - this plant is slowly becoming the favorite   Monday, May 21 View Page 2095 - beefy - main keeps trying to turn to the right - hoping this stops soon haha   Monday, May 21 View Page Almost ready for maters to go in - I spend a little extra time up front putting down weed fabric and mulch so I don’t have to weed the maters all year - I will be throwing a field pumpkin in the middle   Thursday, May 24 View Page 1781 is the first one outside - it’s like watching them go off to their first day of kindergarten   Thursday, May 24 View Page 2145 - will have to take the hoop off her tonight - she’s starting to take off now   Thursday, May 24 View Page 2095 seems to be under control now - I ended up with two secondaries on the same side in a row but not much I can do about it   Thursday, May 24 View Page People keep asking if I’m growing carrots this year - and the answer is yes - they just germinated I think I’m a little behind though :)   Thursday, May 24 View Page Also had my patch buddy hanging out with me again - you just lie there Quinn, I’ll do all the work :)   Tuesday, May 29 View Page Interesting weather weekend to say the least here in central MN - started out with nice little thunder storm with the some of the Strongest winds I’ve seen... 2145 got the worst ...wheeee   Tuesday, May 29 View Page Wind was so strong it snapped off one of my 4x4 fence posts ....more fun!!!   Tuesday, May 29 View Page Oh what’s that weather man, it’s supposed to be in the high 90’s all weekend and crack a 100 ...super fun! Shade cloth it is! I feel like Spence or one of you southern growers ...damnit I shoulda done melons this year!!!   Tuesday, May 29 View Page Had to clean my water tanks - I highly recommend NOT doing this on a 90plus degree day - smelled like a state fair biffy - almost threw up about 8 times - fun fun fun   Tuesday, May 29 View Page 104 - lol - it’s MAY!!!! More fun!   Tuesday, May 29 View Page Top secret batch of maters started ...shhhhhhhh   Tuesday, May 29 View Page Trying blueberries this year - I’ve got 7 lol wheeeeeee - everyone in the family gets one berry - ohhh I hope they are good   Tuesday, May 29 View Page 2095 Brandt - slowest grower but beefiest plant - named the plant Beefy   Tuesday, May 29 View Page 1781 LL - looking solid   Tuesday, May 29 View Page 2145 - Always amazes me the way these plants respond after to getting beat up by a storm - all I ended up losing was 1 mature leaf   Thursday, May 31 View Page Pretty crazy to look at comparisons from last year to this one....last year was cold and cloudy and this year hot and sunny....these photos were both taken on May 30th....hoping it's a sign of good things to come   Monday, June 4 View Page It’s alive!!!! Side note not related to the Zacheart but if I ever find the horse that pooped stinging nettle seeds into my compost I’m going to shoot him....my hands sting lol   Monday, June 4 View Page 2145 - might be shooting for an early pollination on this one   Wednesday, June 6 View Page Well - had a little problem with my second round of maters last night - lol - nice little storm rolled in and blew the hoop house over about 6 ft knocking over all my little mater plants ...ehhhh shit   Wednesday, June 6 View Page Started the rescue mission this morning for the survivors lol   Wednesday, June 6 View Page I think I managed to save quite a few but I have no idea which ones are which lol... mystery maters ha - the good news is one 2.06 Zacheart and my one 8.36 bouydo stayed in their little pot ...   Wednesday, June 6 View Page Pumpkins managed the storm just fine 1781   Wednesday, June 6 View Page 2095 Brandt - I’m liking this plant more and more each day   Wednesday, June 6 View Page 2145 is looking solid - we are close to go time!   Wednesday, June 6 View Page And more sad news neither one of my 81 wolfs germinated :( I’m a failure - I’m rolling with the 150 Steil and the 162 maccoy- I’m probably the most excited for these this year   Friday, June 8 View Page Chopped this ugly little girl off this morning on the 2145   Friday, June 8 View Page Got a couple more that should open in the next couple days so the decision was pretty easy - 2145 is in full salad production mode right now   Friday, June 8 View Page 1781   Friday, June 8 View Page 2095 aka beefy - should have a couple opening in the sweet spot in the next couple days/week - with this great spring weather we have had I will be having some early pollinations this year - assuming they all take   Friday, June 8 View Page Had a bit of a boner move in my mater garden - tiller chopped a couple holes in my sprinkler system lines - lol whoops forgot that was there - Took me about a week to figure out why we hadn’t had any rain and my garden was a muddy puddle lol   Monday, June 11 View Page 1781 opened pollinated 6/10 - earliest pollination I’ve had... looks pretty sexy to me   Monday, June 11 View Page 2095 aka beefy had a gorgeous girl open this morning around 12 to 13 feet - might roll with her   Monday, June 11 View Page Beefys plant on pollination day   Monday, June 11 View Page Managed to save about 24 maters lol - if you need a couple late mater plants and are in MN let me know. I’m happy to share ....granted I don’t know which seeds are which but I know 90% are big zac and there’s a couple of Zacheart in there too lol whoops   Monday, June 11 View Page Tried Porkchop’s world famous strawberry mango salsa yesterday - I know it sounds lame but trust me it’s awesome - crushed the entire bowl - he posted the recipe in his diary a couple years ago and I highly recommend giving it a try   Sunday, June 17 View Page I call it vine bury burn ha!   Monday, June 18 View Page 2095 selfed this morning - this will be the one if she sticks and looks normal   Tuesday, June 19 View Page 2145 x self this morning - if this one takes I’ll have keepers set on all my plants by 6/19 - crazy to think after the April we had   Tuesday, June 19 View Page Things are starting to happen in the mater patch - this one on a 5.24 terry - not sure which terry brother or Dad this mater is from haha but it looks good so far!   Tuesday, June 19 View Page Field pumpkin finally laid down - 212lbs here we come!   Tuesday, June 19 View Page Took the kids to the circus last night - I don’t know how much this lion tamer gets paid but I guarantee it’s not enough - pretty cool   Tuesday, June 19 View Page First tissue test on 2145 - I’ve seen better - plant looks hungry - time to start pouring it on :)   Wednesday, June 20 View Page Dap 10 on the 1781 - will cut all back ups off today - we are going all in baby - let the fun begin   Monday, June 25 View Page 1781 is my oldest daughters kin this year she named her “Peanut” ...I like it! Dap 14 pic - so far so good fun is starting!!!   Monday, June 25 View Page 2145 is Kira’s this year - she named it....wait for it....wait for it....Super Pumpkin!!! .....really Kira, you had an entire year to come up with a cool pumpkin name and you choose Super Pumpkin ...well Super Pumpkin it is!!! Dap 6   Monday, June 25 View Page And last but not least the 2095 Brandt - this one is Allies for the year....I like her name the best welcome “Bubble Stuff” dap 7 - got all kins on boards and positioned just hope the 2145 and 2095 stick so I don’t have to reposition for a back up lol   Tuesday, June 26 View Page Things are starting to happen in the mater patch....7.07 QTip has a purty decent one to start things off wheeeeeeeee   Wednesday, June 27 View Page Would you look at this!!! Another one coming on the 7.07 ...just look at it! Just get a look at it   Thursday, June 28 View Page 1781 aka Peanut dap 17 - will get a tape on her at day 20   Thursday, June 28 View Page 2095 aka Bubble Stuff dap 9 - I’m expecting big things from this baby   Thursday, June 28 View Page 2145 aka Super Pumpkin - dap 8 - I think she’s gonna be orange - watch out Shanon!   Thursday, June 28 View Page 2145 - this is the largest plant I’ve ever had - don’t let me down Super Pumpkin   Thursday, June 28 View Page And would you look at this - a nasty little fella on the 5.24 borgers- unlike some tomato growers on this site I get excited when my friends seeds do well :)   Thursday, June 28 View Page Peanut has had a little issue on the blossom - been watching it like a hawk trying to decide to cut her off or not - it’s not squishy but I don’t like it none the less - let the constant worrying begin!!!! Only 108 days left until Stillwater lol   Thursday, June 28 View Page And a little PSA - this recipe deal was on Facebook for a bacon s’more- I highly recommend it - little slice of heaven - weave half strips of bacon and bake at 425 for 20 to 25 minutes - full bar of Hershey’s chocolate and 3 mallows enjoy   Friday, June 29 View Page Ummmm anyone know anything about pumpkin hair? I am thinking mobymike may have stuck into the patch and had sex with my kin...not sure...I’m sending a dna test in to western labs to find out who the father is .....but seriously why does my pumpkin have hair lol   Friday, June 29 View Page Would you look at that...what do we have here ...little something something peaking out from the 2.06 Zacheart....what’s first prize again? A toaster? Ohhhh I’m gonna win a toaster   Friday, June 29 View Page Fingers crossed Pumpkins didn’t get any damage - one of the joys of growing next to a farmer .....wind was blowing straight towards the patch .....   Monday, July 2 View Page First sheet is out!!! It’s grow time!!   Monday, July 2 View Page 1781 Peanut - dap 22 today - everything looks good for now lol   Monday, July 2 View Page 2145 super pumpkin - day 13 - nice shape and I’m all in   Monday, July 2 View Page 2095 Bubble Stuff is having some issues - I’m not liking what I’m seeing here - pollinated 2 on secondaries on 7-1 ....this will be getting the axe shortly :(   Friday, July 6 View Page Well I’ve decided to ride or die with the 2095 - Bubble Stuff is gonna be a fun shape - tried pollinating some back ups but either they looked funny or were lost to the heat ....here goes nothing...where is there a weighoff for ugliest pumpkin???   Friday, July 6 View Page 2145 Super Pumpkin Dap 17 - about a week and we will be rocking   Friday, July 6 View Page 1781 peanut - taping 240” day 26 - we had good weather yesterday and for the next couple days - I’m expecting the gains to really pick up hopefully averaging 50’s ...fingers crossed haha   Friday, July 6 View Page My neighbors dog had to bring over a surprise to show me....good boy Petey!! Good boy!!! He was so proud strutting around like a peacock with that guy in his mouth   Friday, July 6 View Page Patch looks good - special AM feeding of Raw Microbes and Raw bloom   Friday, July 6 View Page Plants are almost all fully terminated - vine burying is almost done!!! Anyone want to celebrate?!?   Friday, July 6 View Page Almost forgot this baby - this one has me excited - the 6.06 Rebel ....just look at it   Tuesday, July 10 View Page 2095 Bubble Stuff still chugging along - she’s getting a little less ugly   Tuesday, July 10 View Page 2145 super pumpkin - hoping this is the one this year   Tuesday, July 10 View Page 1781 peanut dap 30 today taping 275”....hoping for big gains with some nice weather coming up   Tuesday, July 10 View Page My very first field pumpkin - these are kinda cool   Friday, July 13 View Page Ummmm you guys are supposed to be in the soil....   Friday, July 13 View Page My first first FP - she’s gonna need a name....hmmmm   Friday, July 13 View Page 6.06 Spazianianizi.... look at it Rebel! Pretty sure it’s hitting 12lbs - I like this one   Saturday, July 28 View Page Time to get caught up - been up in Canada fishing eh... caught a PB   Saturday, July 28 View Page Plants and kins all survived! Had my 9 year old take care of kins when I was gone she did great! Looks like it will be Team Qualley on weighoff day!   Saturday, July 28 View Page My favorite mater I’d been battling some BER with wasn’t so lucky .... good bye   Saturday, July 28 View Page Tear...almost hit 10lbs   Saturday, July 28 View Page Not growing giant carrots this year but was lucky enough to grow my first weiner carrot!!! Fun!   Saturday, July 28 View Page Some new growth cracks....this one is gonna be tough to lift the sheet everyday and look   Saturday, July 28 View Page 2095 - Bubble Stuff - day 39 - numbers not looking good but was expected ...bummer on this kin because the plant looks terrific   Saturday, July 28 View Page 1781 - Peanut is holding together for now - currently the largest kin in the patch day 48   Saturday, July 28 View Page 2145 Super Pumpkin - this one is my best shot at a PB - day 38...super rib   Saturday, July 28 View Page Time has been a precious commodity this year and I don’t have enough of it ...had to give up on one of my 2 field pumpkins ...this is now the Halloween pumpkin plant lol   Saturday, July 28 View Page But got this little honey cooking on my 150 Steil ....she needs a name ...hmmmmm ... these FPS make me laugh   Tuesday, July 31 View Page Down goes Frazier!!!   Tuesday, July 31 View Page Poor peanut fell victim to the old BES - poopy   Tuesday, July 31 View Page It’s much more fun to visit the compost site in early November not July....lol   Tuesday, July 31 View Page Bye bye peanut it wasn’t meant to be...went down Dap 51 taping 380” estimated weight 1231   Wednesday, August 1 View Page First mater of the year. 5.24 Bnot...lets see what she weighs....this plant hated my soil ...and damnit the kids threw their damn frisbee in garden again ...one of these days they are gonna knock off a 8lber lol   Wednesday, August 1 View Page Weeeelllllll hmmmmmmm....cute one...I’m blaming bnot   Tuesday, August 7 View Page Josiah is falling behind. Pretty sure mine is waaaayyy bigger......   Thursday, August 9 View Page First mater to the scale - 5.35 not a bad start...bigger things to come ...hopefully haha   Thursday, August 9 View Page Went right to chart   Thursday, August 9 View Page Another mater morning - little 4.48lber off the 6.06 rebel - not a bad one ...more to come in a couple days   Friday, August 10 View Page My wife loves this time of year - giant maters piling up on the counter ...should be adding 4 more to the collection in a day or two ...I won’t get an official weight unless they are bigger than the 5.35   Friday, August 10 View Page Rebel ...you know what to do...   Sunday, August 12 View Page More maters on the counter ...got two more left to pick for the early round   Monday, August 13 View Page Another 5lber - thought this one would flirt with 6 but I was wrong haha - biggest of the first round 5.6 ...off the 7.07   Monday, August 13 View Page Super Pumpkin passes the 400” mark and climbing - Kira is pumped she is in the lead for biggest in the patch   Tuesday, August 14 View Page Last one of the early maters 4.7lbs off the 4.80 foss   Friday, August 17 View Page 8 month old babies are the best pumpkin models - baby Quinn’s first time sitting on a one of daddy’s pumpkins - happy as a clam   Tuesday, August 21 View Page Well this was a first haha hi there little guy   Monday, August 27 View Page Porkchop can stop watering once you reach this level.....kids caught 168 toads lol   Thursday, August 30 View Page Zacheart challenge entry - don’t think I’m winning nuttin haha 2.80lbs - sorry rebel   Saturday, September 8 View Page I was told by a meat named individual, who shall remain nameless, that my diary sucks this year and I couldn’t disagree with him. Lol - I know I know everyone says it but time has been a precious commodity this year. Here is the 2095 Brandt aka bubba Stuff - taping around 1100 this baby thumps hard - not happy with the kin but will be fun to see how heavy she goes ....probably end up light, I know nothing :)   Saturday, September 8 View Page Super pumpkin is doing swell! She’s taping ahead of my 1918 at day 80 by 2” ....how’s that for numbers Hobbit :) ....fingers crossed she makes her the next 30ish days ...plant showing it’s age but I believe she has plenty to punch her to the end ...Allie couldn’t see because of the sun beat pictures we could get HAha   Saturday, September 8 View Page Mater time - as most mater growers know timing is the hardest part of planning for a weighoff - I think I got a couple in the right time frame but who knows   Saturday, September 8 View Page This one is my favorite off the 4.63   Saturday, September 8 View Page Disease is starting to set in - that weird spec thing is back and blight and blah blah blah mater plants are dying ha   Saturday, September 8 View Page My chubby little FP hoping for third place at Stillwater she’s taping about 80lbs and I think she’s close to done but I really have no clue lol my goal to start the year was 212lbs I think I am gonna fall about 130lbs short :)   Tuesday, September 11 View Page Whoa whoa whoa wtf is this guy doing here.....time to nuke the patch   Tuesday, September 11 View Page Ran out of time this year and let my 162 MacCoy go wild - got 7 FPS from her - all about 50 to 75 lbs lol - these are cool and heavy   Tuesday, September 11 View Page First one on the block with pumpkins out ....weird ....little size reference for ya   Tuesday, September 11 View Page All the girls and their giant carvers for the year - they are pretty pumped :)   Tuesday, September 11 View Page Delivered 3 to my nieces and nephew - hauling this babies around was way more work than I thought haha   Tuesday, September 11 View Page Still getting new growth cracks - wheeeeee   Friday, September 21 View Page My gale woods entry is taping close to 28” pretty sure this is the winner   Tuesday, October 2 View Page Super Pumpkin is all loaded up and ready for Stillwater! Frost wiped out the plant a couple days ago ...this is the largest ott pumpkin I’ve grown...wheeeeeeeee probably go light lol   Friday, October 5 View Page Gale woods here we come!!!   Friday, October 5 View Page Saw this random pumpkin guy on my way home from work....lol Hobbit!!!!   Sunday, October 14 View Page Ran into this father son combo at Stillwater...You can really see the resemblance in bnot and mobymike