Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 3 Entries. Tuesday, April 14 View Page Well, I am officially taking a year off of "competitive" pumpkin growing. I have big family vacation plans in Europe this summer. With that said, I am still going to grow one plant with minimal work commitment and no expectation of survival while it's alone for 3 weeks. I started seeds that I already had in the drawer: 2042 Kisamore, 2222 Gienger and my own 2346 Dawson. I'm not sure which will make it to the patch. I also plan to grow the plant alongside a buckwheat cover crop. Something we discussed in Russ's off-season Zoom group. Jim and Luca have succeeded with this method and I strongly believe in "always have roots in the ground". So this year will be for learning, time with family and low weight expectations. But I just couldn't ignore those seeds in the drawer altogether! Thursday, April 23 View Page Buckwheat cover crop is coming in nicely. The goal is to let it create a thick carpet. Then I will selectively chop it where the vines go during vine burying. Benefit is keeping roots in the ground working with the microbial life and creating soil aggregates. Also it should help with weed suppression and moisture retention (important in my climate). Monday, April 27 View Page Plants went in the ground Saturday morning when I supposed to be setting up for my son's bday party. My wife asked me why I'm growing pumpkins on my year off from growing pumpkins. I didn't have a good answer.