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Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 112 Entries.
Thursday, April 26 View Page
I’m slowly getting my s*** together lol. I’m back in Port Orchard Wa. But while I was back home in North Dakota for a week I brought some seeds back with me which I soaked for 24hrs and this morning I put them in the peat pots. My line up this year is. 2363 Holland 2252 Patton 2004 VanderWielen 1594 VanHook Backups 1501 Barlow and 1293 Benson. Should all go well with my primaries which I don’t see why they shouldn’t unless I screw one up traveling 1500 miles back home with them. Anyhow I plan on passing one on to my buddy at home. I haven’t done anything to my patch yet so I’ll have lots of work to do when I get home around the 7th or so.
 
Sunday, July 1 View Page
Hi everybody. Y’all thought I gave up huh. All is well in Hobbit’s Pumpkin Patch. I’m about a week behind last year, guess I stayed in Port Orchard, Wa to long. I started the season in Port Orchard, started my plants there about 2 weeks behind last year. Any how, I should be pollinating the 2363 at 14 ft towards the end of next week. The others are lagging, I do have a female on the 2004 should be roughly 15 ft. The other two are very close behind. As you can see I turned my 10X10 hoop houses in half hoop houses this year. They’ll stay in place for the duration of the season. Last year by the end of the season the main heart of the plant the leaves were dried out and useless. I hope this keeps them nice fresh and green till the end of the season. Hopefully I’m bringing a heavy one to Stillwater. Happy growing everyone.
 
Friday, July 6 View Page
Pollinated my first one of the year this morning. A nice 5 lobe at 12 ft. This plant is growing very fast, my first secondaries are already at 13ft. If all goes well this will be the largest plant I’ve grown. Based on my first two years of growing I intended to start terminating at 13ft. Now I’m going to go to 15ft each side.
 
Friday, July 6 View Page
The other 3 plants are still a week away from pollination.
 
Friday, July 6 View Page
This is going to be next years pumpkin patch. There’s been nothing but natural grass growing here for the last 30 years. I had it tilled to a 1ft depth. It was tilled 3 weeks ago. It’s nice to see there’s no weeds growing (yet).
 
Friday, July 6 View Page
Soil looks pretty good. Lots of organic matter. I’ve yet to have a soil test done. I plan on seeding winter rye this fall. It’s currently 40ft X 160ft. With acres of room to grow. Soil is sandy loam. I just can’t wait to get things started.
 
Friday, July 6 View Page
Soil looks pretty good. Lots of organic matter. I’ve yet to have a soil test done. I plan on seeding winter rye this fall. It’s currently 40ft X 160ft. With acres of room to grow. Soil is sandy loam. I just can’t wait to get things started.
 
Friday, July 6 View Page
There’s going to be a 32x48 shop with living quarters built on the east side of the pumpkin patch. Of coarse there’s going to be more ground worked up for garden area. The house has already been started, probably won’t be finished till next year. Watch out folks, there’s going to be big pumpkins growing in North Dakota.
 
Saturday, July 7 View Page
A little hot here today.
 
Wednesday, July 18 View Page
This is one ugly one, I had another pollinated but culled it yesterday it was only growing at half the pace. There are two more coming one should be tomorrow the other a day or two later. It’s getting late in the game though, I may have to run with it.
 
Wednesday, July 18 View Page
Nice shape, it’s starting to pick up the pace.
 
Wednesday, July 18 View Page
This one has everything going for it. 4” gain last 24 hrs
 
Wednesday, July 18 View Page
The pretty round one.
 
Wednesday, July 18 View Page
The corn works great for windbreaker. I’m doing this again next year all four sides.
 
Friday, July 20 View Page
2363 Holland X 1594 Van Hook. This is my last pollination of the season. Yea a little late I know, but my first one is the weirdest kin I’ve seen and something is telling me to keep it. I’ll post a pic of it next.
 
Friday, July 20 View Page
2363 X Self. 14 DAP Weird looking, already developing ribs like a grown up.
 
Friday, July 20 View Page
Front view 2363X Self
 
Friday, July 20 View Page
2363 X Self
 
Friday, July 20 View Page
Mumble jumble, lol, I do my initial circumferences till I can’t lift it any longer by myself. The others of to the right of the page are other kin just disregard those.
 
Wednesday, July 25 View Page
This ugly thing is still growing. I have 2 backups yet, one of which is a Siamese double.
 
Wednesday, July 25 View Page
Starting to sow progress
 
Wednesday, July 25 View Page
This one I’m worried about, it lost it’s shine over night and I don’t have a backup set. Ones about a week away.
 
Wednesday, July 25 View Page
Turning out to be a nice one
 
Thursday, July 26 View Page
I found these at the Hobby Lobby
 
Saturday, July 28 View Page
My Grandkids named all the pumpkins again this year. They picked some really great ones.
 
Saturday, July 28 View Page
This one is showing really good progress.
 
Saturday, July 28 View Page
4 days ago this one lost it’s shine. I thought it aborted, it may still have I don’t know yet. For the next each day for two days it put on 10” then 11” yesterday only 5” today 10” (these are OTT gains) and it has started to get some shine back. Time will tell I guess.
 
Saturday, July 28 View Page
The ugly one. If this one makes it to the end of the season I think it’ll go heavy.
 
Tuesday, July 31 View Page
I lost my 2363 (Chicken Nugget) my ugly one. Yesterday’s DAP 24 OTT 194.5. I have another on the vine DAP 10 at 24ft, another I pollinated on the end of the vine yesterday at 30ft.
 
Tuesday, July 31 View Page
Here’s the opening.
 
Wednesday, August 1 View Page
Princess Leia (2004X2363) DAP 23 OTT 209.5
 
Wednesday, August 1 View Page
Big Billy Bob (1594X2363) DAP-24 OTT-222
 
Wednesday, August 1 View Page
Rosalina (1501X2363) DAP-24 OTT-227
 
Thursday, August 2 View Page
Rosalina passed the 300 pound mark
 
Monday, August 6 View Page
I use this chart as my guide
 
Tuesday, August 7 View Page
1594 X 2363 (Big Billy Bob) turned 30 DAP today. 10 day average of 30lbs a day.
 
Tuesday, August 7 View Page
1501 X 2363 Also turned 30 DAP today, 10 day average 41 lbs a day
 
Wednesday, August 8 View Page
Chicken Nugget #2 is off to a slow start. This is however my biggest plant and it’s Pollination is at 24ft. Hopefully it gets big enough I get some seeds from it.
 
Wednesday, August 8 View Page
Princess Leia is chugging along. She’s behind my goal of 600 lbs by DAP 30, but she has nice steady weight gains in the upper 40s a day.
 
Wednesday, August 8 View Page
Big Billy Bob is a slow mover. Big differences in daily weight gains, fluctuates between 18 and 40 lbs a day. Any Ideas?
 
Wednesday, August 8 View Page
Rosalina is my best performer.
 
Friday, August 10 View Page
Good pumpkin growing weather. It was 94 today, I think my plants are rooted in good, no wilting of leaves at all.
 
Saturday, August 11 View Page
It’s going to be a hot one tomorrow, guess I’ll have do some watering today.
 
Sunday, August 12 View Page
It’s pretty brutal out there.
 
Wednesday, August 15 View Page
2363 X Self Chicken Nugget #2 is running behind schedule. I’m just hooping for viable seeds at this point.
 
Wednesday, August 15 View Page
2004 X 2363 Princess Leia is currently my best performer this week
 
Wednesday, August 15 View Page
1594 X 2363 Big Billy Bob just doesn’t want to get it in gear. Hopefully it continues to chug along at this slow pace till end of September.
 
Wednesday, August 15 View Page
1501 X 2363 Rosalina continues to post nice daily gains.
 
Friday, August 17 View Page
Bottom view of kin overhead cover. This setup has withstood winds of over 60 mph
 
Friday, August 17 View Page
Simple set screw
 
Friday, August 17 View Page
These grain/bean bags I picked up at the local town dump about 4 miles out of town. I cut the bottoms out and put those over the kin now if it’s going to rain and at night. I remove immediately in the morning. Our town dump isn’t like regular dumps. People can drive in and shop all they want. I get all my scrap wood ie walk boards and so on, to include water hoses. You would be surprised what gets thrown away.
 
Friday, August 17 View Page
Last weeks dump find. Tested and it works perfect. I’ll impliment this into the patch next year.
 
Friday, August 17 View Page
Another dump find last week. Also tested and works, it’ll go great with the pump if it can handle the amps. Haven’t checked to see yet if it can handle the pump amps but I’m sure it will.
 
Friday, August 17 View Page
This year I put in 2 corn rows in between each plant running north and south. This has helped in two ways. 1 they make for a very good wind break, 2 it shades the plants in morning and evening. My plants look very healthy and young looking yet. I’ve only done 2 foliar feeds this year so far as well, which has also helped with plant age. It can’t be hurting cause 2 of my kin’s are putting on upwards of 50lbs a day average. Within a week all the corn will be harvested and I’m taking the rows out opening the plants up to full sun all day. I will also start foliar feeding on a regular basis. My hopes are that I can continue the 50+ pounds a day for a good while yet. We have no shortage of sun up here this far north, I think somewhere around 18 hrs a day come June 21st.
 
Friday, August 17 View Page
And buy the way these are not breathable. When I remove them first thing in the morning the top blanket is very damp. I may be a little anal, but underneath this cover are layers. 1st layer is a sheet, 2nd layer Mattress pad, 3rd layer Blanket, 4th lawyer another blanket. Told you I might be a little anal. Lol. But these are my babies.
 
Friday, August 17 View Page
I only use this cover if there’s a chance of rain and nighttime temps drop below 55 degrees the dampness is only on the first blanket. All blankets are removed and hung to dry with only the sheets left on during the day. The sheets under all this are completely dry along with the kin
 
Friday, August 17 View Page
Well three of my kin have reached 40 DAP, 1. 1594 X 2363 (Big Billy Bob) OTT 313 est weight 707. I guess it’s just going to be one of those that’s just not a producer. 2. 2004 X 2363 ( Princess Leia) OTT 354 est weight 1011 . I like this much better. 10 day average 53.4 pounds a day. 3. 1501 X 2363 (Rosalina) OTT 359.5 est weight 1054 . I like this one too. 10 Day average 50.8 pounds a day.
 
Friday, August 17 View Page
I made a mistake in my favor which doesn’t happen very often. Mistakes happen a lot but not in my favor. Princess Leia is only 39 DAP
 
Friday, August 17 View Page
This is another change over last year. My kin sit on 1” high density insulation board, underneath that is 3”4 in 4’ x 4’ pressure treated plywood both of those layers have holes drilled for drainage. under that is the same plastic sheeting I used for my overhead covers. The plastic sheeting prevents the plywood from cupping. I drilled holes in the two front corners and attached galvanized steel cable. By the way I’m going to redesign that I don’t like the bolt heads. Anyway, I’ve done away with the extremely nervousness of wrapping straps around the back of the kin. I use a come along and move the whole sheet forward to remove stress on the vine and stem. Therefore the pumpkin doesn’t have to drag along the sand bed.
 
Saturday, August 18 View Page
Another hot day, it’s a good thing it’s only 90 degrees outside, with the current heat index at 130 degrees.
 
Wednesday, August 22 View Page
We had a few cold nights down this past week, around mid 40s which slowed the average weight gains. This one did 30+ for the last 7 days.
 
Wednesday, August 22 View Page
2004 X 2363 The great white pumpkin. This one averaged around 41 lbs a day last 7 days.
 
Wednesday, August 22 View Page
1594 X 2363 This one I’m quite sure is going to go real heavy. It’s extremely solid. It gained an average of 21 pounds a day for 7 days. This is right at the weight and DAP as my 1629 pounder I took to Stillwater last year.
 
Wednesday, August 22 View Page
1501 X 2363 This ones 7 day average is 40 pounds a day
 
Wednesday, August 22 View Page
All in all it’s been a pretty good week. I don’t know what pumpkins are going to what weigh off yet, it’s too early to tell. I put up a minimum of 5 game cameras and other devices in case the individual that poked holes in my 3 biggest ones last year returns. I think I’ve figured who did the act and who instructed him on the how to do it.
 
Thursday, August 23 View Page
Is this small kink in the stem causing the left side of my pumpkin smaller. See next photo
 
Thursday, August 23 View Page
Left side is smaller, wondering if it’s because of the small kink in the stem.
 
Thursday, August 23 View Page
For several days now I’ve been timing how much direct sunlight each plant has been getting because of the corn rows between the plants. I have now removed the rows of corn. On average each plant will now get approximately 2 more hours of direct sunlight. I’m curious wheather or not this will affect pumpkin weight gain. Any comments?
 
Friday, August 24 View Page
2017 August temperatures, I’ve bounced this against the dates of my kin’s last year and I’ve noticed the difference in weight gains during low temps. Additionally I’ve noticed that it takes an additional 24 hrs to see that difference. We have such large fluctuations in both daytime highs and night time lows. On top of that it’s often a 20 degrees difference in two days. Any comments?
 
Friday, August 24 View Page
Last years September temps
 
Friday, August 24 View Page
Current
 
Saturday, August 25 View Page
This is the 1501 X 2363 high on the left side, stem is good.
 
Saturday, August 25 View Page
1501 stem
 
Saturday, August 25 View Page
The 2004 when it was young and had no stem issues, I can see the hump starting to develop.
 
Monday, August 27 View Page
Still chugging along. Lower on weight than I would like. It’s a good solid pumpkin though.
 
Monday, August 27 View Page
This one I like, good steady weight gains. Hopefully between this one and Princess Leia I’ll have a personal best. Princess Leia turns 50 DAP tomorrow, I’ll post her then.
 
Monday, August 27 View Page
We had some hail roll through here last night and some high winds. I was prepared for the worst this morning and was extremely surprised this morning. 99% of the leaves and stalks are still standing tall. Only damage is a few holes in each leaf. Someone was watching out for me.
 
Tuesday, August 28 View Page
Princess Leia fell short of the 400” mark at DAP 50, but she’s doing well. The last three nights the temps dropped below 50 degrees. From here on out I’m going incognito like qtip. I’ll post a pic or two now and then and let y’all know how they’re doing. But no numbers I’m going to leave qtip guessing what’s coming his way should they hold together. Lol
 
Saturday, September 1 View Page
Big Billy Bob finally went over a 1000 lbs, OTT 353 10 day average a solid 20 lb 10 day average. Chicken Nugget #2 has a way to go yet, but it won’t be long at the rate of 33+ lbs a day for last 10 day average. My other two are alive and well
 
Wednesday, September 5 View Page
I’m concerned about the ring around this one. Hopefully I’ll have seeds.
 
Wednesday, September 5 View Page
To hell with going incognito, they are what they are. I just don’t understand why all the hush hush anyway.
 
Wednesday, September 5 View Page
This one still chugging along, I’m sure it’s going heavy.
 
Wednesday, September 5 View Page
This one is really starting to bulk up. It’s unfortunate all of them have had to endure some cold nights so far. I woke up this morning it was 34 degrees. Tonight’s forecast is a chance of frost. I’m not sure what measures to take with each of these. I only have so many blankets, lol. I think I recall someone mentioning turn the sprinklers on.
 
Wednesday, September 5 View Page
this is the 1501, it’s ribs are thickening up, I think it’s a good sign.
 
Monday, September 10 View Page
Maybe I should start growing tomatoes. This is a plan beafsteak.
 
Monday, September 10 View Page
More beafsteaks.
 
Tuesday, September 11 View Page
84 degrees here today. Unusual for middle of September. Tonight’s low, 47 degrees. There’s not many places you see this variation. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s update. Believe me things have slowed down with these cold nights.
 
Wednesday, September 12 View Page
Alls well in the pumpkin patch.
 
Thursday, September 13 View Page
So true, even 60s and 70s songs. I walked down to the pumpkin patch more times than I can count, only to walk back to the house to try and remember why I went to the pumpkin patch.
 
Saturday, September 15 View Page
Me and my cannon, 4th of July parade. I fired this thing at a small pumpkin one time. The pumpkin literally disintegrated. I shoot golf balls through it using 1/2 ounce of black powder. This baby has a 5 1/2 foot barrel. Feet per second I have no idea. All I know is the ball is literally invisible to the naked eye once it leaves the barrel. I’m going to blast one of my AGs and film it after our local pumpkin fest.
 
Saturday, September 15 View Page
Am I taping the circumference correct.
 
Saturday, September 15 View Page
I’ve learned that circumference is to be measured parallel to the ground at its widest point.
 
Wednesday, September 19 View Page
Good afternoon everyone. Pumpkin patch update time. The pumpkins are doing great. Chicken Nugget is catching up to Big Billy Bob and she’s 12 days younger. I think by this time next week she’ll pull ahead. Princess Leia is enjoying the warmth and I think she’ll pull ahead of Rosalina these next 7 days. Big Billy Bob continues with its steady gains. Rosalina still maintains the lead, for now. However, I might be wishing I had built the greenhouse over her. All four have either caught up to or passed the circumference measurement mistake using the shrunk measuring tape. Next week I’ll be able to post actual gain averages. Temps are on a steady decline now that we’re getting closer to October. The best I can hope for is that it doesn’t freeze and the pumpkins continue to stay healthy. Till next week. Have a wonderful day everybody.
 
Wednesday, September 19 View Page
2004 X 2363
 
Wednesday, September 19 View Page
1594 X 2363
 
Wednesday, September 19 View Page
1501 X 2363
 
Wednesday, September 26 View Page
Good afternoon everyone. Pumpkin patch update. This will be the last posting of all the pumpkins. I didn’t do measurements today. The measurements were last taken on the 24th. The weather is cold and misty. I’m leaving the pumpkins covered. Things have slowed quite a bit with the cold weather. Chicken Nugget has passed up Big Billy Bob as suspected. Princess Leia reached 17 ft in circumference (204 in). Big Billy Bob is still plugging along. Rosalina also reached 17 ft in circumference, but growth has slowed a lot. I’m pretty certain neither Princess Leia or Rosalina will reach 2000 lbs unless they go heavy to chart. I’m not certain which of the small ones will be entering our pumpkin fest contest this Saturday, but I’m leaning toward Chicken Nugget. I’ll be bringing two pumpkins to Minnesota the weekend of the 6th and 7th. I’ll be posting updates as each have entered into a contest and let everyone know how they did. Have a great rest of the week.
 
Monday, October 1 View Page
My grandchildren that come up with the names. Had a great time with them this weekend. It’s always fun when they come for our annual Pumpkin Festival.
 
Monday, October 1 View Page
Entries at our local pumpkin festival.
 
Monday, October 1 View Page
My grandson Madden with Big Billy Bob. This is the one he and named.
 
Monday, October 1 View Page
My Granddaughter Huntlie with Princess Leia. She came up with the name for this one.
 
Monday, October 1 View Page
My Grandson Tage with Rosalina.
 
Monday, October 1 View Page
My Granddaughter Kyler with Chicken Nugget, 1st place winner 1237 pounds at our town pumpkin festival.
 
Thursday, October 4 View Page
Loaded and ready to hit the road tomorrow. Gail Woods Farm and Anoka here we come....
 
Wednesday, October 10 View Page
Princess Leia is loaded and ready for Stillwater.
 
Wednesday, October 10 View Page
I have a lot more blanketing and strapping down yet to do. It’s 32 degrees and windy today.
 
Saturday, October 20 View Page
1921.5 Carrier New North Dakota State record. What a super great time at Stillwater Minnesota this year. I met and visited with a lot of great growers.
 
Sunday, December 16 View Page
The good ole days
 
Sunday, December 16 View Page
Fun stuff
 
Sunday, December 16 View Page
You really do have to be crazy to jump from a perfectly good airplane.
 
Sunday, December 16 View Page
Yum yum
 
Sunday, December 16 View Page
Some of it wasn’t so fun.
 

 

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