From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Grants Pass, Oregon

Hey guys. Here in my town, I am donating a squash and a pumpkin to a car dealership here in town who is using them for a fall display. He asked me to write up something informing people about this great sport. I would like to tell them about Ken and John D and this wonderful sight with all you people. He wants people to be able to know how to obtain seeds to get started with this hobby. I just would like some helpful feed back. I really want to advertise this sight for John and Ken since this just might make it into the paper here in my town.

Thanks in advance for your ideas.

9/20/2002 1:17:55 AM

Connecticut, USA

Wow, sounds cool. The seed request page will re-open next month. Initially it will have the seeds from last year available then I will begin adding seeds from this years pumpkins as they come in.

Maybe getting a description of this site from some of the daily users would make for a good story? What do you say folks?

9/20/2002 6:17:24 AM

Deer Park, WI

Hey Polka- If you need any help writing up an article, just let me know! If you want to use some (or all) of the text in my pumpkin growing basics article, feel free to do so. You can find that article on my website, and there is a link to in the BP.com links section. Plugging this site is a great way for beginners to get their feet wet. Go for it!

9/20/2002 9:41:37 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Hey Carrie - Are they going to give you a deal on a vehicle or are you trading favors? -just curious

Remember a picture says a 1000 words. The line up at Canby should be impressive - (or the 1200 pound winner).
Tell them that the current world champ lives in the NW.
Stick to the basics for new growers.
Include:
Site preparation- sq.ft. needed per plant.
Full sun, water, high organic matter in the soil & fertilizer.
Timing - when to start seeds, pollination date range.

If you even hint that there is a wealth of knowledge on the net, they will search.... Just providing the BP.com icon, they will visit.

I was thinking about writing a similar document (but with less content) for the site with John and Ken's approval. It would be something like "new growers start here" - & give an explanation of the site how to use it, search etc.

9/20/2002 11:53:48 AM

Montoursville, PA

CEIS That is a great idea. I'm a darn good gardener. I was a tad confused at first when I found this site. Just darn good basics for a newbe would be great. I got excellent help from a grower. In time I sorted out the value of this site but I doubt many would want the whole load which is here in a zillion different ways and by numerous growers.

If your effort can get them to build a patch and plant that first seed or seedling you will have a masterpiece. Don't overload a newbe with all the support stuff needed for a three year or more learning or understanding of the heavy hitter growing skills.

From the many will come the few who make this sport exciting. The many will enjoy playing and dreaming. When they are ready to commit the knowledge here already will begin to make sense and they will sort it out.

As an aside to prove the point. I have a son in your city. He is a gardener and a good one. He has the ground to do it.
There is no reason why he could not mimic the heavy hitters.
I sent him the books, a membership in your North West Asso., some great seed and encouraged him to visit you weigh off. Can't do much more than that. For some reason it did not turn him on. I would have done better buying six bales of peat and tilling it into my only patch. I tried!

9/21/2002 6:00:40 PM

Sloughhouse, CA

When you get your reg. packet from Elk Grove they include some activities for kids. I will scan the pages tomorrow. If you have a fax email me the number. Suzy

9/24/2002 12:03:26 AM