Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 318 Entries. Tuesday, January 28 View Page *mic crackle...kshh...kshhh...is this thing on?...wow...Halloween, thanksgiving, Christmas, the new year?..and now less than 60 days until spring?...man oh man time is flying..and here we go with another one of my favorite parts of this hobby, the BigPumpkins.com grower journal...but before I get started I just wanted to give our sincere thanks to the members of the gpc who work so tirelessly to make this hobby what it is. Especially this time of year when they are up to their elbows getting prepared for the big show...You’d think that growing a record fruit would be the highlight of anyone's gardening season , and yes I still have smile from ear to ear, but it’s the support we’ve had throughout the whole process, not the record, thats got me grinning.....right from the start last season, being in constant contact with Woody Lancaster along the way, getting a call from the GpC president , the great Wizard himself when we broke the tomato record, to all hard work that Todd Kline has put in(and continues to put in)to ensure our names would be in the Guinness book...and it hasn’t stopped there..there’s more amazing things the GPC has up its sleeves...so cool I don’t even want to talk about it...(or jinx it)...man oh man, what the hell can I say?...thank you thank you ThaNK YOU!!!...i think I speak on behalf of thousands of growers around the world when I say you, the work you do, and the time you invest is So Appreciated by all of us...you make this hobby what it is today....And yes, the Guinness world record came in the mail...so pretty much, thanks to the GPC....we are now “Officially Amazing”...   Tuesday, January 28 View Page Now....with that being said.... It’s a new year...and I’m about turning over a new leaf...letting by-gones be by-gones ...let it RoLL off like water on a ducks back...not even gonna get mad this season...but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the disparaging remarks made over the past few years regarding the gPC on public message boards and what the gpc “doesn’t do” or “doesn’t care” about..I’m here to tell you it’s fake news....these people care very deeply. Soo...like I said...I’m not getting mad this year...I’m not saying I won’t respond to your post, or ignore you for that matter, like I said I’m not even gonna get mad..it’s rubbish...but I’ll tell ya what will happen... Ya see, me and saydee here are gonna pay you a visit some afternoon that you are working in yer garden...and I’m gonna tell her to grab ahold of your pant leg and start tugging....(don’t worry...she’s very gentle)...and again, I’m not mad...this will be fun..for her too...Well, she’s gonna keep tuggin, and um, you don’t know the word for “let go”...(hint- it’s not “let go”) so eventually yer gonna get tired..lol..that’s when you’ll prolly have to plop down on yer keister to take a little break....trust me she won’t stop....and uhhh...That’s when I’m gonna grab ahold of yer other pant leg , see....and I’m gonna start tugging in the opposite direction...and again, I won’t be mad...prolly be laughing...saydee yanking one way...me pulling in the opposite way?...funny stuff....but it won’t be me or saydee you’ll have to worry about in your compromising situation...it’s actually lambchop...   Tuesday, January 28 View Page ...she’s gonna cut yer nose off....Welcome to my 2020 journal....   Sunday, February 23 View Page I can’t believe I thought the Big Show was this weekend..!!!....lol...what a dope ...and I’ll tell ya...lambchop has pretty much been been on board with all my ideas since the get go....so that was a good feeling...for those who can’t attend the Show I’ll be having a private screening of “our” presentation in the chat rooms on BP.com shortly thereafter...(between 4-7...depends on the weather)...I really hope you enjoy it...I did put a lot of work into it....And if you were following along last season?...I pretty much pick up where we left off...except with LiiiightNiNg bolts...so that’s pretty sweet...   Sunday, February 23 View Page And seeing as I have a few hours of time on my hands, might as well get the journal going...I don’t wanna fall too far behind... It’s winter here...it’s days like this I have to remind myself that most folks on the planet never get to see this ...so serene...some would say magical....I say pretty....   Sunday, February 23 View Page Pretty StUPId!!!!....ya know what else is magical??...COMPOST!!.....until ya have to shovel it...uuugh...stupid Mother Nature...please spring...Don’t screw with me this year....   Sunday, February 23 View Page Saydee likes the snow...”Right DingDong!???”....she’s so sweet...there’s Wilson’s plant with the orange tag in the background there...I left him up so I could look at him all winter...I’m hoping he just starts to regrow in the spring......”what’s wrong sweetheart?”.....why is she looking at me like that?........saydee?   Sunday, February 23 View Page Saydee!??....”why are you looking at daddy like that!! “....hey, where the hell?...what is....that?....and why am I in a tshirt?..”   Sunday, February 23 View Page What the!!!!???....is that a???.....   Sunday, February 23 View Page Aww hell yea!!!!!!....learning that stupid computer isn’t the only thing that’s been going on here at the porkchop plantation..   Sunday, February 23 View Page Oh glory....82 degrees in the middle of winter.....more to come....   Monday, March 2 View Page What an unbelievable way to end the 2019 gardening season...and yes....I was curling that sucker when we came up on the big screen in Las Vegas..lol...I heard people laughing...what an Honor to Present to a room full of the best giant growers in the world...it went over well and I hope there’s at least few folks that got excited enough that they are willing to give this Domingo variety a chance....first question at the seminar in front of nearly 200 people?.....” Porkchop...this is Scott Marley from Bellingham Massachusetts...I was wondering......(oh god no)......I was wondering...who will you be voting for in the next election?”.....LMAO...dunno know if it showed up on screen but I got a good pinch in the side from lambchop....lol...still purple...I think I handled it well...who whudda thought?....ya post one little video with a cut-out....geez.......   Monday, March 2 View Page ....I haven’t even shown anyone my new hat!!......look!!....Ted Nugent signed it...(he saw the video)....   Monday, March 2 View Page (Sorry fissh)   Monday, March 2 View Page Wow...this one is getting framed too...Todd Klein and Andy Wolf...wow...my gardening hero’s....thanks for all your work with guiness Todd...Andy- I know you always have our backs...thanks buddy!!...hope you grabbed our awesome trophy’s!!!   Wednesday, March 4 View Page The CUP has made its way across the country to grace our mantle for the 2020 season. This is what you covet. Who will take it this year?....I dunno....(I think joe wants it back pretty bad). Some heavy hitters may also join the race!....exciting....Best of luck to everyone!!!!..   Wednesday, March 4 View Page Yea baby....who wants a piece?....   Tuesday, March 24 View Page 48 hour’s later ....greenhouse on pro heat mat set at 88....I’m starting the bucket challenge. Good luck everyone   Wednesday, May 20 View Page Pfffft....can’t believe everyone waited so long to start..this one’ll be right in about 58 days or so..who knows, maybe we can ring that bell with a bucket mater. Final up-pot tomrw. Did I ever mention container gardening was my thing before giants were my thing?...this is gonna be fun. Lovin the Hawaii pics Becky!!!!..good luck everyone.   Saturday, May 30 View Page Does this mean I’m winning?   Saturday, May 30 View Page It is on like donkey KoNg!!!!...boy do I have some catching up to do on my journal...where do the days go?...cold snap coming this week. It’ll be Back in the greenhouse for this guy....not so much for the 1810..she wants out.   Thursday, June 4 View Page I think I’m going for it...shut down another vine. She’s curvy...I like that   Thursday, June 11 View Page Growth terminated a few days ago. Cheers for that...I’m really letting this bucket dry between watering and it is really drinking now...I give her a gallon and a half and it’s going dry in about 30 hrs. Roots popping out the bottom like crazy...like she’s trying to misbehave. She even flopped over on me.   Thursday, June 11 View Page Behave you little vixen....   Saturday, June 13 View Page I don’t mean to put a tomato on blast this early in the season and in fact, I plan on catching up to my journal to get me current with all the “other” stuff going on here but I thought I’d give my thoughts on the one of the important “tricks” to triggering these giants with pruning. If you do decide to terminate all growth after say , day 20, be very diligent about pulling these small shoots off the plant before they amount to anything..I feel like It would be equivalent to letting a strong tertiary climb all over a pumpkin. I almost missed this one.   Saturday, June 13 View Page It was hiding right under this set of leaves.   Saturday, June 20 View Page Darn it all...this is why I don’t go with the ones with a little brown on them...(or seeds on the outside Stillman)....something always happens..for us, it will be all bout waiting for the REaL mAcCoy this season. A nice healthy solid bloom...maybe it’s sunburn?...nah...darn it all.   Saturday, June 20 View Page Oh well...pumpkin time....and a clone is rooted. One more shot w the bucket.   Saturday, July 4 View Page Alllright..so I finally have a little bit of time to catch up on the journal...the walleye fishing has been great this year...   Saturday, July 4 View Page I don’t want to be accused of sandbaggin, that’s for sure....but first...?   Saturday, July 4 View Page Who counted porkchop out of the bucket challenge?....oh yea... she healed....my solution was no more food, let bucket dry until pulling away from the edges..got nice even ripening....soooooo.... GUESs the weight!!....win a prize!!   Saturday, July 4 View Page Here we go.....2020 pumpkin season... decided not to mess w lights this year...everything was green house grown. And I mean everything.   Saturday, July 4 View Page I’d like to thank that little shit kardaza for reminding me of the “741” porkchop. Should drop a giant orange bomb.   Saturday, July 4 View Page Was def a bit worried about the greenhouse start but everything else seemed to do so well we went with it. Growing the 1810 and “741” porkchop.   Saturday, July 4 View Page And a BUUNNCH of other stuff. Lambchop went ape shit with the seed catalogs.   Saturday, July 4 View Page   Saturday, July 4 View Page A bunch.   Saturday, July 4 View Page Pumpkins looking good.   Saturday, July 4 View Page Got really thick vines out of the gate..much better start for us compared to using lights...   Saturday, July 4 View Page Time to go in the ground!   Saturday, July 4 View Page The main patch was ready to go by the 5th of may but cold temps held us back a day or two...until the weather lady said it was safe.   Saturday, July 4 View Page So they went in on the 10th of may...   Saturday, July 4 View Page It froze that night...good lookin out weather lady....no worries, with heating cables, heat lamp and a few blankets it kept nice and warm in there...   Saturday, July 4 View Page Snug as a bug.... new this year?... we decided not to plant in the exact same spot for the 9th year in a row.   Saturday, July 4 View Page The back patch wasn’t quite ready..I’m always late with something when growing these things.   Saturday, July 4 View Page Almost there... this is my favorite hoophouse so far...made from my neighbor’s trees.   Saturday, July 4 View Page May 14th, the 741’s are in the ground.   Saturday, July 4 View Page Now where is the rest of this crap going lambchop?....uuuughh...gardening...   Saturday, July 4 View Page Speaking of gardening, huge thanks to a little birdie that shares WR long gourd seeds w me...hope to do you and the seed proud...got a few setting already...man, I am sandbaggin.   Saturday, July 4 View Page I know, the gnomes are cool....   Saturday, July 4 View Page Good start to the mater season....   Saturday, July 4 View Page Good germ rates...   Saturday, July 4 View Page They get up potted a few times along the way....   Saturday, July 4 View Page I’ll be following my exact advice for growing big tomatoes this year. Step one- amend soil and till....   Saturday, July 4 View Page Step two...create mounds, then dig deep holes..yadda yadda yadda...same as last year ...hi saydee!   Saturday, July 4 View Page Planted and watered in well...cages to keep the critters off the. While they are young...they’ll be coming off today or tomrw to get wooden stakes.   Saturday, July 4 View Page Love it when they don’t miss a beat when they hit the dirt...24 hrs later and new growth is visible.   Saturday, July 4 View Page Aiight... I got a ton more pics but we are headed to the lake this afternoon..good luck with the guess the weight...I’ve got a great prize to send to some lucky guesser....(dawn- didn’t get to the woodchuck damage on the pumpkin plants but were still good...catching back up)   Sunday, July 5 View Page Oh boy... I think porkchop may have taken some liberty with his photo angles...   Sunday, July 5 View Page And the winner is!!!!!????   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Holy crap saydee!!... eddy Z sent me pics of a monster mater!!!!...it could go north of 10 pounds!!!....his computer isn’t working and he wants us to post pics!!!...betcha marv is excited!!!!!..should we take a break from watering all of mommy’s stupid flowers and post some mater pics!!!??....yea!!...let’s do it!!....but first...?   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Good soil, good seed and technique....and good luck....we’re gonna need some this year. Our lawn is full of these so let’s hope that translates....how many can you count?...I think I left off with plants going in the ground back in the early to middle of may...here’s a quick catch me up of the last 50 days here at the porkchop patch.....   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Dam..yea...the last 50 days...wow this goes fast...anyway...the plants were outgrowing the hoops a few weeks after planting...time for the “wind panel dance” which last almost 50 days...uggg...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page This our main patch...it’s 26x34 ish...seems huge this time of year...good to be out of that hoop.   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Gosh dang it...one day out of the dam hoop!!....the wood chucks were a battle early on..took the main...then a few sides...pricks   Tuesday, July 28 View Page We did make lemons out of lemonade and got the broken tip to regrow out of a compost pile but I think we are gonna yank it...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page We had the same issue with the 741...as soon as it came out of the hoop the chucks were all over it...lost the main and 6-8 secondaries....always something with these things....   Tuesday, July 28 View Page We got a great start with the WR long gourd seed...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Oh yea...quick start   Tuesday, July 28 View Page THWHAAPPP!.....like Indiana JONeZ!   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Despite the set backs, we just kept at it knowing that all plants will stumble at some point..   Tuesday, July 28 View Page But usally not twice...gosh dang woodchucks!!!...that was it...I shot all 5. Issue solved. Hey- cool flowers huh?   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Lions ear it called...that and the red amaranth will get seeds saved for the fall seed exchange.   Tuesday, July 28 View Page The hummingbirds love them..   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Lions ear...put this one on your list...ours are 7’ tall.   Tuesday, July 28 View Page And red amaranth?....com on...stunner..   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Here’s another fun one...” the peter pepper”....I was gonna save seeds but Ned and I are having a little friendly competition...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page He’s got me by a mile....I quit...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Ok...back to pumpkins by the middle of June we got the plants under control and heading in the right direction...weather has been hot and dry.   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Very hot and dry...shade netting with screen porch material helped..   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Yea...that’s dry for us...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page But we kept up with watering...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Kept up with weeding...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page And we managed to get a couple going at the end of June..   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Not what I would call a nice shape but at least we are growing...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Front half of plant end of June....   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Back half...monster of a plant...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page We got a beauty set and growing in the back patch...and look at that long gourd go!!!!   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Grow baby grow!!!   Tuesday, July 28 View Page The “741” is coming on like a freight train...dunno if the maters can stand that kind of assault.   Tuesday, July 28 View Page I def was thinking about LJ when I decided to cut the main in one fell swoop...but when it’s gotta go, it’s gotta go....   Tuesday, July 28 View Page I dunno...karadza might have blown it trying to pawn this seed off....beautiful 5 lober.   Tuesday, July 28 View Page We are cranking!!!!!!!   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Woohoooo!!!!.... cranki——-yup...I noticed late too....no sand...close call...she’s sliding now.   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Stupid s curves...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page We were doing really good...big big...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Too big...stem split...big thanks to Richmond Dave and north shore glen for teaching us how to deal with it over the years...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Def slowed this pig down...we’ll see...north of 500 on day 30 is always cool...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Plant looks great too...dammit all...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page We’ve had to move the thing three times already as it’s well over 4’ long...what pain...just like the mother seed.   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Here’s a trick we use to move the pumpkins on two sheets of mill fabric...1 1-4” kreg screws to secure the mat to a 2x4...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Then sandwich the top layer of mat with another 2x4 using 3” deck screws...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Hook in the middle to come straight back, left or right to twist..   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Lol...ok.. this where I realized there was no sand...she’s purty.   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Love this time of year....   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Volunteer mater and golden amaranth along the edge of the patch...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page So we will see how “helga” does over the next little bit...we pollinated another this morn in case we have issues...there’s always something...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page KarADZA!!....don’t sell it!!!!   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Love it....   Tuesday, July 28 View Page It’s starting with the long gourds ....   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Ok... any other pic I can bore you with?....lol...let’s talk maters...BIG FREeKIn MaTERs...   Tuesday, July 28 View Page Ok...here it is...Eddy sent me this pic of a Contender in the ten pound challenge....I’m liking my guess in the guess contest...eddy says it could be a week or better. Best of luck with that beauty!!!!....grow grow grow!!   Thursday, July 30 View Page Day 34 for Helga...still on the fence wether or not she makes it so we pollinated a nice 5 lober in case she goes south. The plan for this year will be to head up to the salmon river in the fall and catch some fish out of one of these pumpkins.   Thursday, July 30 View Page Day 30 for the 741 porkchop...kicking myself for not putting sand down early enough ...she’s going over...   Thursday, July 30 View Page A few stem splits from the first week have healed nicely...always be checking your stems and stumps.....Ima check with marv...this one could get me into his secret cucumber board.   Saturday, August 1 View Page Yoooo!!...Eddy sent more pics!!...it almost go time!!... and a note from the grower(s)?.,.(Haven’t heard from Cindy)...and look!!!.... win seeds!!!... there’s no way that’s Sutherland!!!!....best of luck to this sandbagger!!!! — — I want to thank everyone for all of the positive support, good luck wishes and playing along with the guess the grower and weight contest. It’s been a fun ride, a much needed break from everything that is going on in our world today. But the ride is almost over. The tomato started to blush sometime after Monday morning. It is turning fast. I will share seeds with as many as I can. All depends on how many seeds she gives us and if anyone wants them after it is weighed. Not sure when I will get it weighed but soon, guessing 2-4 days. Get your guesses in the winner/winners will be the first to receive seeds. Thank you 7/31/2020   Saturday, August 1 View Page Helga is still growing... day 35...it looks like the stem split is healing...hopefully she starts to pick back up..I’ll know in 14 days or less weather or not she’s injured beyond repair..moved her a good 4” back yesterday.   Saturday, August 1 View Page Look at those amaranth!!...hi saydee!!   Saturday, August 1 View Page Thanks again to whoever sent the castor bean seeds to the seed exchange last fall...our first year having success with these...thats neds 3.77 just to the right...no real blossoms yet..   Saturday, August 1 View Page Cockscomb....would love to save seeds because this is a really cool looking flower but I have no idea where to look... I think these get good size...greats choices this year lambchop!!!   Saturday, August 1 View Page Oh...and BTw.... OTV (on the vine) measurements on that tomato being grown west of the Rockies are —-32x27x24. Wow..it’s got a real shot.   Sunday, August 9 View Page Wow...where does the time go?...how bout a quick whip around the gardens?...   Sunday, August 9 View Page Helga is still growing but man oh man is she ugly. Day 45. Not quite 800lbs. There’s lambchop checking out the stump... no vine issues this year besides getting them all chewed off early.   Sunday, August 9 View Page The Tow truck Moth. When one gets injured, another shows up and picks him up and brings him to the hospital.   Sunday, August 9 View Page Finally have some tomatoes to pick!!!wooohooo!...   Sunday, August 9 View Page “Blueberry” Tomatos from bakers creek. Pretty good.   Sunday, August 9 View Page Speaking of tomatoes, my plants look great but I think the pumpkin food is messing up the works. There’s a couple I’m watching up high but I think the N for the pumpkin is too much.   Sunday, August 9 View Page The long gourds are starting to set . It will be a jungle grow this year.   Sunday, August 9 View Page We don’t have the night time bugs like some have so most of our blossoms don’t get pollinated. Otherwise there be a whole lot of extra work plucking the little ones off. And see the front left post?...bout a foot off the ground?   Sunday, August 9 View Page What the hell is a bitter melon anyway?...lambchop won’t give me a straight answer but apparently we will be eating this. Hopefully it will tase better then the plant armpit fart Brussel sprouts from last year.   Sunday, August 9 View Page Front row seats to the show.   Sunday, August 9 View Page She’s puuurty...looking like a patch record is possible. Day 40.   Tuesday, August 11 View Page There’s is no place I’d rather be for the next 30 days. Orange zinnias from the seed exchange!   Tuesday, August 11 View Page Another Gorgeous morning in the garden. I think it got down to 72 last night.   Tuesday, August 11 View Page And although the patch is pretty, Helga is one FUGLY pumpkin. Seems dry inside the stem split. No fruit flies....so that’s good....But she ugly.   Tuesday, August 11 View Page Big old ugly potato. Pert near 14ft Cc at day 47.   Tuesday, August 11 View Page The final cleanup...way to go lambchop!!...bout time!!   Tuesday, August 11 View Page The pic doesn’t do this garden justice. It’s dam cracking as the brits say....and I think I named her “cuddles” ...she’s cute. It’s also one of saydees nicknames so we’ll see how it plays out.   Tuesday, August 11 View Page Puurrrty..she’s growing   Tuesday, August 11 View Page Hard to find good light to take a pic back here.. but it looks like we’ll go up high on googli’s “Domingo from down under”.   Tuesday, August 11 View Page Ahh yes...there’s my huckleberry...on the 9.65...wish it wasn’t 95 freekin degrees out.   Tuesday, August 11 View Page Speaking of hot....Ned?....marv?...   Wednesday, August 12 View Page Another great day...   Wednesday, August 12 View Page I call this photo “painted sky”....we’ve come to grips that Helga is a slug....   Wednesday, August 12 View Page So we’re gonna grow her FuGly sister too...maybe she can catch up.   Wednesday, August 12 View Page Lantana plant is ThUMPiN...hummingbirds love these.   Wednesday, August 12 View Page Castor bean from the seed exchange .. love it...you just don’t see this plant here .   Wednesday, August 12 View Page Giant green beans are coming ready...looks like a quick starter in there....   Wednesday, August 12 View Page I like this pic...maters in the background   Wednesday, August 12 View Page There’s another one up high marv...hard to get a good pic back here with all the pumpkin leaves in the way....can’t get a good shot of anything back here...Ned and Val are coming Friday, maybe the lighting will be better...   Tuesday, August 18 View Page Wow...there it is...eddys newest contender. Eddy heard it looks like it’s flashing. So maybe a week?...It’s probably one you want to go red-red...either way, Thats one biG BIG mATEr!!!!...so exciting to get one this size..!!...best of luck!!   Thursday, August 20 View Page The biggest cantaloupe ever grown.......................ever. Huge congrats to nick, that is simply AmAZING!!!!   Friday, August 21 View Page These are great..weeds will not penetrate them...all I keep thinking is u could make a stunning bridal wreath starring one of these....I call this photo “ Fly on my Cockscomb “   Friday, August 21 View Page What a find during our “trash days”... we can’t believe what people throw away..it weighs about 25 pounds....I call this photo “Buzzkills Lover”   Friday, August 21 View Page Lol...that was funny... A couple chilly nights as of late but it is a stellar year in the patches. I think Helga is still moving a little bit...I don’t think they continue to get uglier if they are on the way out so there’s still hope for her. her little sister Ingrid should start to move now if she is going too..day 23   Friday, August 21 View Page This is why I do this...for these magical few weeks during the long of summer , where yes...I do take time to smell the roses..   Friday, August 21 View Page Look at it...   Friday, August 21 View Page Lawd...   Friday, August 21 View Page LAaWDY....   Friday, August 21 View Page LAWWD have Mercy!!....   Friday, August 21 View Page Need blinders for this one...   Friday, August 21 View Page Just clicked 1000 pounds.....pURTY!!!   Friday, August 21 View Page Speaking of purty...lambchop is getting this flower thing down...she was so excited to start these petunia seeds back in March...walking up to the greenhouse and stoking the woodstove every evening...giddy like a kid...pretty funny....that’s one plant on the left, one in the right..dam, she’s good..I’m sure the wow tea has something to do with it but wow....well done lambchop...   Friday, August 21 View Page For some of the new growers to the site that are checking out the grow journals for the first time, these here are giant green beans...If you slice them thin enough and fry them with butter you can try for a world record fart.   Friday, August 21 View Page Maters....there’s gotta be something soon...double U tea eff.   Friday, August 21 View Page Lions Ear...also know as wild dagga...native to South Africa, with many medicinal uses..know to be a mild narcotic. Tea is made from the stems...a tincture is made from the leaves to treat snakebites among other things...Anderson cooper would say that’s snake oil but I’d bet he’s probably never been bitten by a snake in South Africa ..(I can set you up wiz!!)   Friday, August 21 View Page That time of year again...darned garden pests https://youtu.be/ywF9tVzfB5I   Sunday, August 23 View Page Helga...shes a beast...not in a PB kinda way either...she’s an ugly beast of a gourd...lambchops flowers are throwing off perspective a bit in the photos..they are sitting on a 55 gallon drum... she should pick a smaller variety. Still growing.   Sunday, August 23 View Page Yikes...don’t look directly at her or you will turn to stone!!!!.....   Sunday, August 23 View Page If Helga is the beast, this is definitely the “beauty” of our patches this year....   Sunday, August 23 View Page Is this what heaven looks like?....Somebody pinch me.   Thursday, August 27 View Page Pics pics pics!!!...we’ve grown these for a number of years now...I’ve noticed that right about the 5-6ft mark the tips will either be pointed or rounded...the pointed ones always sour and turn brown...the rounded ones seem the finish...the one above saydee looks good...might need a board for that one...gotta love dem beans!!!   Thursday, August 27 View Page Not setting any records in the main patch...little Ingrid is gaining some weight now at day 28....   Thursday, August 27 View Page Helga?...well she’s just dang ugly...slow fat and ugly..she’s growing on me though...thankful to have one....I guess...ugggh.   Thursday, August 27 View Page That’s alright...I don’t have to look at her...a bit of wind damage last night...not too bad..no injury’s other than some amaranth.   Thursday, August 27 View Page I love this garden...best place around to sit and relax with a cup of coffee....for about seven minutes...then back to work watering...ugggh..   Thursday, August 27 View Page She’s a beauty...slowing down ..the volunteer golden amaranth is about 10’ tall!!...   Thursday, August 27 View Page I guess they both hurt yer eyes...Helga just doesn’t need the sun.   Thursday, August 27 View Page I got one too marv. I’ll be cutting I it though   Thursday, August 27 View Page Same plant...I think one of these two is our only shot at a bomb this year...I’ve narrowed down to these guys. Will make final decision in the next few days.   Thursday, August 27 View Page Speaking maters...Jack sent me an updated photo of his next BOMB...he’ll be keeping a close eye on this one as it ripens.best of luck Jack. You are in SLamMeR HEAvEN!!!!   Sunday, August 30 View Page A poem- “A peter pepper for me, and here’s one to you....”   Sunday, August 30 View Page “This one is shaped like an Elf’s shoe...”   Sunday, August 30 View Page “This one took a bite, ouch!!..good Lord!!....”   Sunday, August 30 View Page “ this ones perfect for marvs CucumBER bOARD!!” -dr Seuss   Sunday, August 30 View Page LMAO!!!...These actually are pretty fun... I know we all have heard of the “trump kin” form that you put over a young field pumpkin and it comes out shapes like trumps head...who all has heard of “ The Peter Pepper Nut NeckLace?”   Sunday, August 30 View Page Helga soaking up some morning sun...a few cool nights lately..   Sunday, August 30 View Page I think it’s good...almost certain she’s still growing... definitely ugly.   Sunday, August 30 View Page This back patch is so cool...there some maters in there...   Sunday, August 30 View Page Another shot of the cockscomb...I bet this head weighs over 2 pounds...   Sunday, August 30 View Page Good morning sunshine!!!.. got a good few inches of rain these last few days...the “741” is bigger then a wheelbarrow.   Sunday, August 30 View Page I love her.   Sunday, August 30 View Page Be still my beating heart..   Sunday, August 30 View Page Def had to double check w Andy wolf that this was a “good” crack...not sure if it made me feel any less nervous about it...growth crack...yea..growth crack...   Sunday, August 30 View Page The giant beans are coming on strong!!!   Sunday, August 30 View Page So are the maters!!...here’s a nice eater...   Monday, August 31 View Page What a beautiful day....   Monday, August 31 View Page Matter of fact it just been an awesome summer here in the northeast..a bit hot, but dam near perfect...wonder if she’s done weeding yet?...   Monday, August 31 View Page What a day...hummingbirds still all over the lions ear...the red amaranth are knock out stunning...   Monday, August 31 View Page Glorious day!!!...tired saydee out !!!   Monday, August 31 View Page I know , enough with the cockscomb...ther just so dam cool...they look like coral...would make an awesome border around a pumpkin patch..   Monday, August 31 View Page Oh lord, look at er....   Monday, August 31 View Page Oh gosh her other side...she’s puuuuurty...def our best lookin pumpkin ever...make a grown man blush...   Monday, August 31 View Page I think decisions are final...they were not easy...   Monday, August 31 View Page That’s my huckleberry in the sling...actually , it’s two slings...never needed 2 on day 20 before...SLamMer syndrome setting in...yer gonna see these leaves start to pucker up as he starts suckin fuel...it’s grow time...let the games begin.   Saturday, September 5 View Page Beans...beans?....if ever there was a year to do something cool in the gardens...jeez lambchop...pffft...they do taste good though...and while not Battlebots cool?...still pretty cool. Got them from the bakers creek catalog.   Saturday, September 5 View Page Here’s another winner...I would say I’m more of a snickers guy then a spinach guy but this one does impress...red Malabar spinach...considered a warm season spinach...pluck and serve on burgers.   Saturday, September 5 View Page Had a few gray days in a row this past week...first all year....hi saydee!   Saturday, September 5 View Page Here’s that monster bloom from my August 27th entry...see the petals pulling away quick?...nice and healthy green tips....that’s what you are looking for.   Saturday, September 5 View Page The next day...   Saturday, September 5 View Page And the next...I’d prolly try to grow this one but there’s already one going on the plant which I hope is my weigh-off mater...dang it all.   Saturday, September 5 View Page Mornings were also a tad cool this past week but looks like at least another week of sun and fun...decent nighttime temps.   Saturday, September 5 View Page Helga is still slowly gaining...   Saturday, September 5 View Page Ingrid def took a few pounds away..over 200 now...   Saturday, September 5 View Page 80 degrees.   Saturday, September 5 View Page Another all-star morning...   Saturday, September 5 View Page Flowers are getting moved in for our “Wallace wow” money shot!!!...get in there saydee!!!...   Saturday, September 5 View Page Hahaha!...look how big mommy’s flowers are!!! ...   Saturday, September 5 View Page Darkening up a bit...we really like this one..slowly adding pounds..   Saturday, September 5 View Page Seemingly good on this end!   Saturday, September 5 View Page Cue the angel voices...   Saturday, September 5 View Page Almost mater time.   Sunday, September 6 View Page No lambchop… You can’t be Ichabod Crane for Halloween.   Friday, September 11 View Page Ok saydee, jump if you want to get on the Trump train!!   Friday, September 11 View Page Woot WOOT!!!!!!!   Friday, September 11 View Page And the smart end for Marv!!   Friday, September 11 View Page Yessssss....more cockscomb....the black petunias were my choice....behind them are black hollyhocks....they will flower next year..help guard the mater patch.   Friday, September 11 View Page I named this photo “ mummy bug “.   Friday, September 11 View Page Coming into the home stretch...   Friday, September 11 View Page I guess there is something to be said about getting all your vines munched off early in the season and setting you back. Pics are prettier this time of year.   Friday, September 11 View Page We haven’t measure since the 1000lb mark but can tell she is still creeping along...patch record possibly?...a beauty for sure... I have lots of “741” seeds if you want to give them a try and of course seeds from this one will be gathered in the fall. Anyone interested in trying this one, shoot me an email.   Friday, September 11 View Page So strange...   Friday, September 11 View Page Hard to make a pumpkin look big with those dam fat leaves in the way...   Friday, September 11 View Page She ain’t pretty but she’s still growing...Go Helga go!!....(barf face emoji)   Tuesday, September 22 View Page Definitely sumthin goin on here..   Tuesday, September 22 View Page Yuuup... he got us... Ol Jack Frost came on time this season...prick.   Tuesday, September 22 View Page We knew he was coming...a week left til weigh-off?...we let it ride.   Tuesday, September 22 View Page Most of the flowers got moved into the greenhouse...the late season dinner plate dahlias are looking good. (Finally)   Tuesday, September 22 View Page What didn’t fit, was protected with the small hoop...weather is beautiful otherwise..stupid frost...I got some good pics before he came.   Tuesday, September 22 View Page The poor dahlias were beat the heck up this season w the mites..just now coming around.   Tuesday, September 22 View Page I’m thinking Helga might be a new squash record for us if I keep it on long enough.   Tuesday, September 22 View Page Sparkly eye emoji.   Tuesday, September 22 View Page What a fantastic year.   Tuesday, September 22 View Page Hard to believe this is all from a handful of seeds.   Tuesday, September 22 View Page Glorious   Tuesday, September 22 View Page I think I’ve mentioned the cockscomb this year... have I shown the ribbon vines?...   Tuesday, September 22 View Page Heart emoji.   Tuesday, September 22 View Page Even started feeding the birds again...also keeps the mice full.   Tuesday, September 22 View Page Tried to spray that morning...didn’t help.   Tuesday, September 22 View Page Not long now.   Tuesday, September 22 View Page Just a few more days....   Friday, September 25 View Page Ya know what’s better then pickin day?... DaY before pickIn dAY!!....such fantastic weather...   Friday, September 25 View Page Oh yea baby here we go...setting up for the shot!!...the greenhouse came in very handy this year getting us through the cold snap..   Friday, September 25 View Page Let’s do this!!!... it doesn’t matter that our patches froze!!!   Friday, September 25 View Page Com on saydee!!.. it’s time for the money shot!!!...get mommys flowers over here!!!...   Friday, September 25 View Page It is time... we made it to the end..both of them..what a crazy ass year...   Friday, September 25 View Page Hey btw...any of you young whipper snappers know what that amber colored thing is I’m using as a squirrel baffle?...didn’t think so...ahh the good ol days...   Friday, September 25 View Page The lift went well..lambchop nervous as always...   Friday, September 25 View Page Note to self...remember the dam sand next time...nice flat bottom though...   Friday, September 25 View Page Oh baby...it’s a bird!....it’s a plane!!!...   Friday, September 25 View Page It’s SUPEr SaYDEE!!!!.... get the hell outta the way ya DINGBaT!!!   Friday, September 25 View Page Bam!!!   Friday, September 25 View Page PaPoW!!!!!   Friday, September 25 View Page The MONEY SHot!!!.....She’s really getting the hang of this stuff...   Friday, September 25 View Page Snugged them up for the night and took some more pics today...so pretty..well move the whole kit and kaboodle up to my fathers apple orchard to display for the fall season after the weighoff.   Friday, September 25 View Page All loaded up. It’s going to be a beautiful day for a drive tomrw...   Friday, September 25 View Page Good luck to everyone weighing this weekend!!!!... l see so many of my friends on BP having such a great year!!...keep it up!!!...may they go heavy on the scale!!!!   Sunday, September 27 View Page Saratoga 2020 at the Seelow’s baby!!!!!...right smack dab in the middle of Great Sacandaga Country...what a beautiful spot.   Sunday, September 27 View Page Ooohhhhh sAaaaayyy CaN ...YOUUU ....SEEEeeeeee!!!!!!!!!....   Sunday, September 27 View Page Haha...me taking picture of lambchop taking a photo...what an awesome day...   Sunday, September 27 View Page Some real big pumpkins!!!   Sunday, September 27 View Page These guys had a great system worked out...I wanna run the digger if we get to do it at Courtney’s again.   Sunday, September 27 View Page The crew was top notch as always.   Sunday, September 27 View Page Huge congrats to Andy wolf for breaking the ny watermelon record!!!!...Biggest one I’ve ever seen in person. So cool Andy!!!!   Sunday, September 27 View Page Yup... another record falls...Way to GO Andy!!!...one of the hardest working guys in this hobby.   Sunday, September 27 View Page Andy’s daughter was a RoCK STAR handling the scale and draw board. Apple doesn’t fall too far..   Sunday, September 27 View Page Look at that stunner...easily the most beautiful pumpkin I’ve ever seen in person...huge congrats on an awesome season VTjohn and Kerry young!!   Sunday, September 27 View Page It was very exciting to witness Chris “framac” Macdonald as he tried to secure his growers jacket. He’s been chasing this dream for a few years...look at this mutt..that’s helgas sister!!!!...   Sunday, September 27 View Page After his 1810 porkchop got weighed he needed about 1350 pounds to secure his jacket....think he made it?....he looks happy....   Sunday, September 27 View Page He shoots!!...He SCOrES!!!!!!!WAY TO gO FRAMAC!!!!....   Sunday, September 27 View Page There they are!!...the top 3 ...congrats to Chris , John , and Dan...such awesome pumpkins!!!!!   Sunday, September 27 View Page My favorite success story of the day!....young Adam Conrad, showing up to more then double his personal best.!!...lol...barley old enough to drive...grows half ton pumpkin,,,I think I was still eating boogers at that age...well done young man....that’s how you get er done!!! ..(y’all better look out for this kid)...this sports future is strong.   Sunday, September 27 View Page We made it back..the orange one cracked on the trip home...so yea...I guess strapping them down is a smart idea...Helga did manage a 7th place finish though, and came in at in at 1190 somethin!!...up to farm so she can rot at my dads...then it’s his problem.   Sunday, September 27 View Page Nuttin left but a few maters hanging and some big big dreams for seasons to come. I’m tapping out for anything good but I know some big maters always lurk this time of year...good luck to everyone still in the chase!!!..It ain’t over til it’s over!!!   Tuesday, September 29 View Page   Wednesday, October 7 View Page Ohhhhh boy....today is the day...has anyone seen it?...please tell me someone has seen it...SOO coOL..... this here is my Neice Lila...she was real shy kid up until this past year or two...she loves seeing the pumpkins...” com on kiddo..don’t be wuss..show us how Cindy does it!l...   Wednesday, October 7 View Page There ya go Lila!!!....it’s hard to believe she wouldn’t even talk to me until last year..I think I’m growing on her.... Com on...did anyone see?....   Wednesday, October 7 View Page WHAT!!!?.....   Wednesday, October 7 View Page Dragons!!???.....wHAaaaaaaaT?....   Wednesday, October 7 View Page Giant veggies wHUUTTT!!!!???....it came today!!!!....the guiness book came in the mail!!!!....did we make the cut!!!??.,.did we?...did we?....I See a guy with a tomato....?   Wednesday, October 7 View Page Did we!?.,,.someone said page 100....   Wednesday, October 7 View Page Holy cow it’s there!!!...it’s LILA....and Wilson!!!!....   Wednesday, October 7 View Page #bestUncleEver!!!!!   Friday, October 9 View Page Wow...my Maw stopped by...   Friday, October 9 View Page So cool....I bet some out there know what type of quilting this is...I already forgot what she told me...it’s gorgeous!!!!   Friday, October 9 View Page Soooooo cool!...that’s a lot of sewing...dam she’s good...thanks Ma!   Wednesday, October 28 View Page Aww man, this sucks...snow is on the way..guess it’s time start to wind it down a bit....   Wednesday, October 28 View Page The ol man unloading the 1036...   Wednesday, October 28 View Page We’ll save seeds to put in the seed exchange this year along with a bunch of other cool stuff..   Wednesday, October 28 View Page Fall... my favorite...watch it   Wednesday, October 28 View Page Oh yea...leaves are goin...   Wednesday, October 28 View Page Yuuup   Wednesday, October 28 View Page More color..   Wednesday, October 28 View Page Oh yea....   Wednesday, October 28 View Page A shot of the start of the Mohawk valley...awesome..   Wednesday, October 28 View Page Peak colors...   Wednesday, October 28 View Page Beautiful....know what else is beautiful....?   Wednesday, October 28 View Page We’ve got some unfinished business to take care of...the trophies are In and they are awesome!!!....teams are still fighting it out...stay tuned...   Monday, November 9 View Page Well... a little reminder last week that the season is drawing to an end. It’s been beautiful these last few days.. record high temps today. Unfortunately, It’s time to wrap it up folks.   Monday, November 9 View Page Congratulations to all the participants in this year BP.com Team tomato challenge!!!   Monday, November 9 View Page These trophy’s are SWEET!!!   Monday, November 9 View Page All winners will also receive seeds from my first cross!!... big into bigger and reversed. Pretty sure that’s how the pros do it...   Monday, November 9 View Page Huge congrats to salad Doug for growing the biggest tomato I’ve ever seen out of a 5 gallon bucket.(I think he cheated and used liters but we’ll give it to him anyway..lol...)..,and Rookie of the year?...I thought for sure Christopher24 would take this years trophy with an almost four pound bomb but sneaky Kevin Snyder came out of nowhere to secure this years prize with multiple fruits over 5 pounds, including a 6 pound PB. Congrats Kevin!... that’s an amazing rookie season!!...you MUST be HOOKEd!!!...   Monday, November 9 View Page The BiG PRIZE goes to the infamous Jack Larue!!!   Monday, November 9 View Page Way to go JACK!!!!   Monday, November 9 View Page Jack- you truly embody what it means to be a giant tomato grower..the folks you help, the friendships you share...it has been our honor to hold this cup for 2020 and will be an even bigger honor sending it back across the country where it can sit on your mantle for the upcoming season. But know this- we, along with countless growers around the world will be fighting to get it back in 2021!!!!... and for the others that follow our garden season year after year?..2021?....it’s on...   Monday, November 9 View Page For my new friends Nate and Stone - we will await our invite to the Kumite.   Monday, November 9 View Page Everyone else?... we’ll Seeya next year.