From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Oak Grove, Mn

The deadline for entry has passed. I have had to turn down two late entries so far. It was a hard decision for me...the more growers the better but I think to be fair to those that did take the effort to enter in time, deserve to have the hard cutoff.

Somewhat reminds of stories, I have heard from the very first 150 contest. I won't say anymore about that.

It was a beautiful weekend, and I spent it trying to get my garden ready for this year. Tomorrow, on Monday, it is suppose to be a rainy day. This will be a great opportunity for me to come up with the list of this years entrants. It is a big list.

If I have answered your email..you are in. I will have to go thru 3 months of emails to make sure I have everyone.

Thanks for everyones patience...I am not good at organizing.

4/19/2020 5:28:58 PM

Syracuse, NY

perhaps you can set your email headings for 'from/subject/whatever else'...that may at least weed out all the ones from...well, couldn't think of anything funny that was APPROPRIATE, lol---eg

4/19/2020 5:44:24 PM

Grittyville, WA

Good luck to all (officially entered and unofficial) participants.

4/19/2020 6:33:08 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I am getting more questions about the interpretation of the rules. Yes, the pumpkin fruit must grow in the 150 sq ft area. And vertical growing is yet not allowed. It is possible in future years this rule might be revisited.

It is still possible to be be very creative in you plans. This is what I came up with 3 years ago for the shape that I thought was best:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=272334
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=272369

I tried growing the christmas tree pattern but looping one side over the main so both sides were on the same side of the plant. My vines ended up being only 6 inches apart from each other. It was good for root nodes..but I should have trimmed more leaves. I am still trying to decide what to do this year...I am sure I can come up with a plan that will cause me much difficulty.

4/19/2020 8:33:55 PM

Keaau, Hawaii (Big Island)

I love that idea of your design that you shared bnot!...I will have to show your idea to the 5 families I have that entered the contest. I think they were thinking it had to be rectangular (like 10' x 15')...this will really make my 4-Hers use some life skills (MATH)...especially where they are still out of school because of the pandemic. LOVE IT!!...gonna be a fun contest!! Thanks for offering it!

4/20/2020 12:28:23 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Thanks Becky...and thank you also for willing to oversee your Hawaii growers. You have done so much for the 4H growing there. Big Pumpkins can be grown in Alaska...I am willing to bet that Big ones can be grown in Hawaii also. It will just take that special person that can think out of the box (rectangle). Lets have fun this year.

4/20/2020 4:50:00 PM

Lodi, California

what happens if the pumpkin grows out of the area? For instance if you recon that the pumpkin will only need 4 feet of space to grow, but ends up being a bit bigger than expected.

4/23/2020 12:56:59 PM

Lodi, California

*reckon

4/23/2020 12:57:44 PM

Plattsburgh, NY

I'm way too late to join officially, but I've been able to scare up a spot for a second pumpkin that's not very large, so I figured I'll make it 150 sq ft and do it for fun.

5/14/2020 8:57:48 AM