Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 251 Entries. Saturday, February 3 View Page Bart broke his arm but still made it to VT winter meeting!   Saturday, February 3 View Page Matt DeBacco with his 1400 pound VT growers club jacket!   Saturday, February 3 View Page Wendy Paterson and Bob Bigelow also won a Vermont grower 1 thousand plus jacket award with a 1300 pound pumpkin!   Saturday, February 3 View Page Wilbur Horton presenting at VT growers winter meeting.   Saturday, February 3 View Page Matt DeBacco presenting at the VT growers meeting.   Sunday, February 18 View Page Daytona 500 day and giant onions and carrots are started.   Sunday, February 18 View Page Also time to shovel out the grill for some steaks! In the north spring is more of a mindset then a date on the calendar.   Thursday, March 1 View Page Not pumpkin related but just one of our sunsets in Jamaica. What a beautiful island with friendly hosts!   Sunday, March 25 View Page Giant carrots and onions are slowly coming along.   Sunday, March 25 View Page Today we started our giant tomatoes. 8.22 Marley, 7.19 Larue,5.44 Young and 5.24 Borger. Let the race begin. We are looking for 6-8 plants for the greenhouse.   Saturday, March 31 View Page Moved 8 yards of compost from driveway to garden. Everything is so wet. We will slowly get it spread in next week or two.   Sunday, April 15 View Page Was the morning of seed starting and all through the house not a creature could sleep as the furnace ran constantly and not as quiet as a mouse. The patch that is laden with compost is now covered with snow but we still have hopes that Mother Nature would soon be kind and let us grow. The seeds were all chosen and ready to go and the growers were ready and anxious to sow. The first was from Glenna our friend the orange queen whose pumpkins are so beautiful they just have to be seen. The second is from Rick who has many good seeds our fingers are crossed this will provide an orange monster rising from the weeds. The third and fourth are our own seeds and are orange and sweet, we’re looking to add heavy to help them compete. The fifth is a seed from THoff who is a friend, look out 150 patch competition we plan to contend. The season has started and good luck to you all, if we are fortunate enough we will see you in the fall!   Thursday, April 26 View Page Beautiful view from the pumpkin patch this morning! Hopefully real patch will be workable when we get home.   Thursday, April 26 View Page Playa del Carmen is truly a beautiful place with good people who work hard. Love the 80 degree water!   Sunday, April 29 View Page This is our welcome back home from sunny Playa del Carmen! Plants are getting big in gallon n pots. Hopefully will plant in a week if possible.   Sunday, April 29 View Page Started 3 more sets of seeds. 300 Hoffman, 554 Young and 512 Young. These will be for 150 contest and back ups.   Sunday, April 29 View Page Starting 262 Ansems, 268 Kent, and 265 Engel bushel gourds soaking. As well as 129 Young, 141.5 Ansems, 143.75 Vanderbilt Wielen, and 139 3/8 Ansems long gourds.   Sunday, May 6 View Page New patch 40’ x 50’. We added a bit to this patch as Kerry wants to try bushel gourds this year. This patch will have 3 ag’s at 600 square feet each and one 150 square foot plant. Here is the patch with 12 yards of compost, 50 pounds of calcium nitrate, 50 pounds of 0-0-50, 50 pounds of kelp meal and 16 cubic feet of perlite.   Sunday, May 6 View Page Patch with everything tilled in. You can see that we planted plants a couple of days before but majority of patch was too wet to work. Like many Springs we focused on the micro climate to get plants in and then work the rest when it is ready.   Sunday, May 6 View Page Here is old patch tilled with amendments. This patch will have one pumpkin and 2 bushel gourd plants. Just have one hoop so bushel gourds will be held in large pots before it is safe to plant.   Sunday, May 6 View Page Here are competing 1275 Rea seeds. We are looking forward to seeing how this seed does as it has great potential.   Sunday, May 6 View Page 910 Young. We think the 1059 influence that we added to the 1297 could make a very sweet orange cross. Time will tell.....,   Sunday, May 6 View Page 1385.5 Howell/Jollivette. Hoping for nice size here with ok color. We plan on adding more of an orange influence to this great cross.   Sunday, May 6 View Page 560 Young. This is a 907(1059 x self) crossed with 1297.5. Reverse cross of the 910. Only 1 of 2 made so we will add a back up to the hoop soon.   Sunday, May 6 View Page We have a 300 Hoffman ready for 150 spot but no hoop so we will keep it going in a big pot until we feel we can plant out. The same for bushel gourds and long gourds. We put up a new 9 x 15 green house for tomatoes that will be used on all plants for the next couple weeks.   Sunday, May 13 View Page Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! New patch is starting to progress as we got giant sunflowers planted in rabbit proof barriers and the weed guard down to help our sore backs.   Sunday, May 13 View Page Old patch is also getting there. This will have one pumpkin and two bushel gourds along with two long gourds.   Sunday, May 13 View Page 560 Young. 907 Young (1059 x self) x 1297 Young. All primary plants have been in the ground for 11 days.   Sunday, May 13 View Page Here are two competing 1275 Rea’s. Both are doing well! Should be running by mid week.   Sunday, May 13 View Page Here is a picture of some of the sunflowers in bunny protectors.   Sunday, May 13 View Page Two competing 910 Young’s. Both are starting to run. The one on the left has some sun burn but is recovering well.   Sunday, May 13 View Page Green house is full. Our 150 plants are in one gallon pots along with long gourds, bushel gourds and giant tomatoes.   Sunday, May 13 View Page Two competing 1385.5 Howell/Jolivette babies. Both are starting to run.   Sunday, May 13 View Page Giant carrots are acclimating to our cool climate. Lots of new growth from the core which is encouraging.   Saturday, May 19 View Page This is a better sign then a hummingbird sighting that summer has arrived in Vermont. Today beer fridge was moved out to porch for after gardening refreshments!   Sunday, May 20 View Page Third week of the season has past us and all good so far. We continue to add plants as temps improve and forecasts seem favorable. We have backups and frost guard ready just in case. This is what I call our new patch and it is roughly 2200 square feet.   Sunday, May 20 View Page Old patch is slowly starting to fill in with plants as well.   Sunday, May 20 View Page Greenhouse is getting emptied and will be home to 8 giant tomato plants.   Sunday, May 20 View Page 1385.5 Howell/Jolivette is doing well and the longest one is just over 2 feet. In a week we will need to make the culling decision.   Sunday, May 20 View Page 910 Young is our fastest growers so far. Longest is right at 3 feet.   Sunday, May 20 View Page Both 1275 Rea’s are growing fine and both just starting to vine. Going to be a hard decision on which to cull.   Sunday, May 20 View Page Here are the 150 competition plants. It’s early without a hoop but both were getting pot bound. Here are 300 Hoffman and 554 Young as a back up.   Sunday, May 20 View Page 143.75 Vander Wielen long gourd. Have one as back up in greenhouse just in case.   Sunday, May 20 View Page 265 Engel bushel gourd.   Sunday, May 20 View Page 262 Ansems bushel gourd. Each bushel gourd will have about 250 square feet. Hope it’s enough.   Sunday, May 20 View Page 141.5 Ansems long gourd. Back in greenhouse as well.   Sunday, May 20 View Page 560 Young started out looking like a flat vine but has doubled and I have terminated one. If this doesn’t straighten it out I have a 512 Young companion planted.   Sunday, May 20 View Page Had bunny pressure on our carrots so we put up a fence and also planted giant onions in same bed.   Sunday, May 20 View Page For anyone new to my diary this is what the new patch looked like in 2012! Probably not new anymore but compared to old patch which we started in 1996, it’s new to us.   Wednesday, May 23 View Page Cucumber beetles have arrived. Sprayed all plants with Bifen and merit.   Thursday, May 24 View Page Dug out two of our companion plants. 910 Young and 1385.5 H/J to give to a fellow grower who lost plants. This will be a good test as the plants are both 4-5 feet long. We have dug up and transplanted companion plants before successfully but they were not this big. Also gave him a couple of pot bound back ups just in case.   Monday, May 28 View Page Happy Memorial Day. We spent a couple of days with our son Parker in Portsmouth NH. We fished a bit and toured the whole area. This is on the York River in southern Maine.   Monday, May 28 View Page This is the 910 Young that we dug up for a grower friend who lost his plants. This was 4 feet long and 1 foot from the plant we kept. Both plants are doing fine!   Monday, May 28 View Page New patch has been weeded and stirrup hoed. Today we removed the hoops.   Monday, May 28 View Page Old patch has everybody in place. Now we need growth.   Monday, May 28 View Page 1385.5 Howell/Jolivette. The companion plant was dug up but she never missed a beat. Just shy of 5 feet today.   Monday, May 28 View Page 910 Young. Most aggressive plant so far and is 6.5 feet long.   Monday, May 28 View Page 1275 Rea. Here is the keeper and it is starting to run nicely. A little over 3 feet long today.   Monday, May 28 View Page Here are the 150 foot competition plants. The 300 Hoffman on the right is just starting to run and should be moving by next weeks diary pics.   Monday, May 28 View Page 143.75 Vander Wielen is still alive and showing signs of new growth. Planted a pot bound back up next to it today.   Monday, May 28 View Page 265 Engel bushel gourd with back up.   Monday, May 28 View Page 262 Ansems with back up.   Monday, May 28 View Page 560 Young. This plant looked like a flat vine but ended up a double vine. I terminated one of the vines and it looks like the single I left is growing. The plant is 4 feet long today. We are keeping our little back up just in case the 560 acts up again.   Monday, May 28 View Page 141.5 Ansems long gourd plus back up.   Monday, May 28 View Page Giant carrots and onions.   Monday, May 28 View Page Greenhouse is now tomato hut. Three 7.19 Larue, three 8.22 Porkchop, two 5.24 Borger and two 5.44 Young. They were all in one gallon pots and had very good root structure.   Thursday, May 31 View Page Tonight we got hail netting up as there is a chance of storms tomorrow. Plants are liking the warm start for Vermont.   Sunday, June 3 View Page Another week has flown by and the garden is getting close to being set up. Water was added this weekend along with giant sunflower supports. Our seasonable weather will be leaving us tonight with a few days coming with highs in the 50’s.   Sunday, June 3 View Page The old patch is looking good so far with one pumpkin and 2 bushel gourds.   Sunday, June 3 View Page 1385 H/J is growing well and starting to pop some secondary vines. This plant is around 71/2 feet long tonight.   Sunday, June 3 View Page 910 Young is still the leader so far and is 91/2 feet long tonight. Also has first pumpkin in bud.   Sunday, June 3 View Page 1275 Rea is starting to run nicely and is at 51/2 feet in length tonight.   Sunday, June 3 View Page 300 Hoffman for the 150 sq foot contest is starting to run and is just shy of 2 feet in length tonight.   Sunday, June 3 View Page 143.75 Vander Wielen is starting to get used to our dirt. Should be running by next week.   Sunday, June 3 View Page 265 Engel bushel gourd getting acclimated. Should be running by next weeks diary.   Sunday, June 3 View Page 262 Ansems bushel gourd is taking its time but is starting to look better.   Sunday, June 3 View Page 560 Young has started to single vine nicely after a few feet of being a double vine. Secondaries are missing on one side but we will get tertiaries to fill in. Plant is just shy of 7 feet tonight.   Sunday, June 3 View Page 141.5 Ansems long gourd is starting to run. Just 14 feet more and it will be on top of the trellis(;   Sunday, June 3 View Page Giant carrots and onion are getting bigger above ground.   Sunday, June 3 View Page Tomato cave is a happy place.   Sunday, June 10 View Page We have survived a chilly week and are happy everything is still green but overall the growth has been slow. There were 3 days early in the week with the highs mid fifties. Now the days are warming up to low 70’s but we had a low of 38 this morning! I am sure there were frosts somewhere in Vermont.   Sunday, June 10 View Page Old patch seems happy with everything starting to grow.   Sunday, June 10 View Page 1385 H/J is growing well with a good number of secondaries starting to show. Plant is 9.5 feet tonight.   Sunday, June 10 View Page 910 Young is a little over 11 feet tonight and has its first baby showing at 11 feet.   Sunday, June 10 View Page 1275 Rea is a nice stocky plant is at 7.5 feet tonight.   Sunday, June 10 View Page 300 Hoffman plant for 150 contest is just shy of 3 feet tonight.   Sunday, June 10 View Page 560 Young is growing well after double vining early. The first 4 feet on the left side of the plant has no secondaries so we will train a tertiary in that direction. Plant is 8.5 feet tonight.   Sunday, June 10 View Page 143.75 Vander Wielen are slow to vine so we added a 139 Ansems just in case.   Sunday, June 10 View Page 265 Engel is doing well and hopefully will start running by next weekend.   Sunday, June 10 View Page 262 Ansems is slow to vine as well but also has survived some cold weather.   Sunday, June 10 View Page 141.5 Ansems should be on the trellis by next weekend.   Sunday, June 10 View Page Tomatoes are mostly doing well except for one plant that doesn’t seem happy.   Sunday, June 10 View Page Let me reintroduce our tiki idol that we have used for many years as our reference to size of our photos. As you can see he is roughly the size of a 12 ounce soda can.   Sunday, June 10 View Page Tiki man seems to approve the first mega bloom on the 8.22 Marley. This mega is about 1 foot off the ground.   Sunday, June 10 View Page Here is tiki man with a different 8.22 Marley plant mega bloom. This one is about a foot off the ground as well. If one of these takes I will stop plant and prune aggressively.   Sunday, June 10 View Page Tiki man is hanging with giant carrots which have huge tops. Who knows what’s going on below ground? Let’s hope they are not “all hat and no cattle”!   Monday, June 11 View Page 37 degrees this morning. Maybe Mother Nature left the refrigerator door open last night?   Sunday, June 17 View Page Warm weather has finally hit Vermont and for a change it has been very dry. We were gone for the past 4 days and plants have gotten away from me. I pinned leaves down tonight and will bury in the next few days.   Sunday, June 17 View Page Old patch starting to come alive as well.   Sunday, June 17 View Page The 143.75 Vander Wielen is still being stubborn so we may end up going with the 139.5 Ansems planted on the right.   Sunday, June 17 View Page Both 265 Engels are getting bigger but not running yet. May not have a huge bushel gourd in our future.   Sunday, June 17 View Page 262 Ansems bushel gourd seems slow too. But they are getting bigger!   Sunday, June 17 View Page 560 Young is starting to spread its wings. She is a little over 11 feet long today with a baby just out of the cluster.   Sunday, June 17 View Page 141.5 Ansems long gourd has found the trellis. Tonight she measured 2 feet. Only 20 more feet and we will be pollinating.   Sunday, June 17 View Page 1385 H/J is doing well with secondaries starting to grow well. Tonight she is 12 feet long with a baby just outside the cluster.   Sunday, June 17 View Page 910 Young is still our leader and is 13.5 feet long tonight with first baby at 12 feet which should open by next weekend.   Sunday, June 17 View Page 1275 Rea has been very easy to grow so far. She is currently at 9.5 feet with a baby at 9 feet. We will pollinate it but may see what the next one looks like as well.   Sunday, June 17 View Page 300 Hoffman for the 150 contest is growing trouble free and is at 5 feet tonight.   Sunday, June 17 View Page Here is a mega bloom that is not quite open on the 8.22 Porkchop. It is over an inch in diameter and is circular. Never had one at this size before and wonder how big it will be once it fully opens.   Sunday, June 17 View Page Here is the 8.23 Porkchop mega bloom compared to a golf ball.   Sunday, June 17 View Page Same 8.22 Porkchop mega bloom. She is still a baby and is just starting to open. Hard to believe she will get bigger. About 19” off the ground.   Sunday, June 17 View Page We pulled hail netting tonight as they are calling for thunderstorms tomorrow.   Friday, June 22 View Page Mega bloom is opening on the 8.22 Porkchop. Hopefully it will get pollinated.   Friday, June 22 View Page 3 DAP on 910 Young. Looks like a round ball.   Sunday, June 24 View Page Hard to believe this is the last Sunday update for June. If only January and February would speed by half as fast! Overall happy with the patch progress so far with the usual dozen or so challenges.   Sunday, June 24 View Page Old patch is coming along fine as well and the bushel gourds are just starting to show they are running.   Sunday, June 24 View Page 560 Young has been pretty problem free after its flat vine went to a double and we pruned to one. It is currently just over 14 feet with a pumpkin pollinated on June 22nd at 10 feet. Next pumpkin is close to 14 feet and may be our keeper if the blossom is clean and the pollination works.   Sunday, June 24 View Page 141.5 Ansems long gourd is starting to take off and is just shy of 4 feet.   Sunday, June 24 View Page Our keeper will be on the right and is the 268 Kent. The one on the left is a hot mess and will soon have a new home in the Keim patch.   Sunday, June 24 View Page Twin 265 Engel bushel gourds. We are keeping the one on the right and giving away the one on the left. Both are starting to run.   Sunday, June 24 View Page All three of these long gourds are finally starting to run. Guessing the keeper will be the 143.75 Vander Wielen but the other 2 are starting to grow nicely too.   Sunday, June 24 View Page 300 Hoffman plant is growing well now and is at 7.5 feet today with a baby in the tip.   Sunday, June 24 View Page 1275 Rea is settling in nicely. She is at 12.5 feet long currently with a baby at 9.5 feet and another on the tip.   Sunday, June 24 View Page 910 Young is getting close to first set of secondary termination. This has been a trouble free plant so far and is 16.5 feet long.   Sunday, June 24 View Page 910 x self at 12.5 feet which is a 5 lobe and 5 DAP.   Sunday, June 24 View Page 1385 H/J is growing well. Looks like I had a manganese or magnesium deficiency as old leaves are showing negative signs. This plant is 15 feet long and has a baby at 13.5 feet and 15 feet yet to be pollinated.   Sunday, June 24 View Page Tomatoes got a haircut. Time to start growing fruit.   Sunday, June 24 View Page Carrots and onion like our cool weather.   Sunday, July 1 View Page Hello July 1st. The heat is on in the northeast. Today’s high temp was 96 degrees and high humidity but just this past Tuesday morning our low was at 39 degrees.   Sunday, July 1 View Page Overall the plants are doing great and pollination season has begun. You will see blue styrofoam squares over all of the plants as we keep babies shaded as soon as possible.   Sunday, July 1 View Page 141.5 Ansems long gourd is climbing away and is at 7 feet long tonight.   Sunday, July 1 View Page 560 Young is on the lawn already and is 18 feet long. She has a pollinated female at 10 feet and one pollinated today at 14.5 feet which will be our keeper if it takes.   Sunday, July 1 View Page 268 Kent bushel gourd is finally starting to run and is 2 feet long tonight.   Sunday, July 1 View Page 265 Engel bushel gourd is 3 feet long tonight and starting to run nicely.   Sunday, July 1 View Page 143.5 Vander Wielen is starting to run nicely and is just shy of 4 feet tonight.   Sunday, July 1 View Page 1385 H/J is doing well and filling up space. She is 19.5 feet long tonight and has a pollination at 13.5 feet and one opening tomorrow at 16 feet.   Sunday, July 1 View Page 300 Hoffman for the 150 contest is filling space fast. She is 11.5 feet long tonight and has a baby opening tomorrow at 8.5 feet.   Sunday, July 1 View Page 1275 Rea is doing fine and is filling out well at 16 feet long. We have one pollinated at 10 feet but will be focused on the next down the line at 13 feet which will open in a couple of days.   Sunday, July 1 View Page 910 Young still is showing aggressive growth and is at 20 feet tonight with one pollinated at 13 feet and one pollinated today at 17.5 feet which will be our keeper if she takes.   Sunday, July 1 View Page Not sure if I am feeding enough Nitrogen ???????????   Sunday, July 1 View Page Tomato cave looks fine and surviving the heat.   Sunday, July 1 View Page Carrots have huge tops that are close to 2 feet tall.   Sunday, July 8 View Page Happy just past 4th of July. VT just got through a 6 day hot spell with high temps over 90 and high humidity. The pumpkins seemed to like it overall but us cold climate humans suffered. We believe we have a pollination on every plant albeit some are at a shorter distance then what was planned.   Sunday, July 8 View Page Old patch is starting to shape up well.   Sunday, July 8 View Page 141.5Ansems long gourd is at 12 feet. Just 2.5 feet to go before it reaches the top. Hopefully we will be over and running by next Sunday’s entries.   Sunday, July 8 View Page Let me be the first to introduce Sally to you. My wife decided to go with the girls in Charlie Browns life for names this year. Sally is the 560 Young (907 Young x 1297.5 Young) x 910 Young (1297.5 x 907) and is 16 days old today with an OTT of 96.5 inches. She is already showing great color and decent shape.   Sunday, July 8 View Page 268 Kent bushel gourd is starting to run nicely and is 4.5 feet long tonight.   Sunday, July 8 View Page 265 Engel bushel gourd is starting to throw nice secondaries and 6 feet long currently.   Sunday, July 8 View Page Got stem! Please welcome Frieda (gotta love her red hair) 300 Hoffman x 560 Young. Frieda is 6 days old today and will be our entry in the 150 square foot contest.   Sunday, July 8 View Page Let’s put our hands together for Lucy 1275 Rea x 560 Young. She is 13 feet down the main and is 5 days old today.   Sunday, July 8 View Page We are feeling all uplifted by Marcie 1385.5 Howell/Jolivette x 1275 Rea. She is 16 feet down the main and is 6 days old today.   Sunday, July 8 View Page And last but not least is Peppermint Patty 910 Young x self (no other males ready when she opened) She is 13 feet down the main vine and has an OTT of 137 at day 19.   Sunday, July 8 View Page First mega bloom of the season off the 8.22 Marley about 18 inches off the ground.   Sunday, July 8 View Page The rest of the maters.   Sunday, July 8 View Page 143.75 Vander Wielen long gourd is starting to kick it into gear and is 7 feet long tonight.   Sunday, July 8 View Page Got top! Giant carrots are growing crazy ( at least the tops are but anyone’s guess as to what’s going on below)   Saturday, July 14 View Page Just got back from a nice vacation visiting our son on the sea coast and found we had a garden visitor.   Saturday, July 14 View Page Unfortunately this visitor likes pumpkins. But had a hard time with the bigger ones.   Saturday, July 14 View Page And was much more efficient at eating the 5-12 day old ones.   Saturday, July 14 View Page Here was our keeper on the 1385 H/J!!!!!!!   Saturday, July 14 View Page Here is a better shot of how deep the scratches are.   Saturday, July 14 View Page 5 toes a little over 2 inch wide foot.   Sunday, July 15 View Page Post raccoon attack and after a small health issue that led to an E.R. visit all is back to somewhat order.   Sunday, July 15 View Page We will probably electrify the patch soon but for now we are covering up with thick blankets and comforters to defend the pumpkins.   Sunday, July 15 View Page The 141.5 Ansems long gourd is on top of the 14.5 foot trellis. My sweet spot to pollinate is usually 20 feet and out so another 4.5 feet of growth and we will be searching for ladies.   Sunday, July 15 View Page Here is the new 300 Hoffman in the 150 patch. Today is day 5.   Sunday, July 15 View Page This is the back up 1385 Howell/Jolivette and is 9 days old today.   Sunday, July 15 View Page 1275 Rea back up is 9 days old as well.   Sunday, July 15 View Page 560 Young keeps plugging along and showing her scars. She is 23 days old today with an OTT of 166 inches. Small but very orange.   Sunday, July 15 View Page Here is the 910 Young proudly showing her scars and is 26 days old with an OTT of 205 inches.   Sunday, July 15 View Page 265 Engel bushel gourd is picking up speed and is 10 feet long today.   Sunday, July 15 View Page 268 Kent bushel gourd is starting to grow nicely as well and is 7.5 feet long tonight.   Sunday, July 15 View Page 143.75 Vander Wielen long gourd is at 12 feet tonight and should be happily on top of the trellis by next weekend.   Sunday, July 15 View Page 8.22 Marley is doing its thing and has a cc of 14 inches at a very young age.   Sunday, July 15 View Page Carrots tops are still huge. But what’s going on down below????   Friday, July 20 View Page Come here Mr Raccoon I have something electrifying to show you! Thanks for the suggestion Paul. Very easy to install.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Thankfully no more critter damage since putting the electric fence up and our second pumpkins are growing nicely. Plants are slowly filling in there 600 square feet growing spaces.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Old patch pumpkin is almost filled its 400 square foot space and the bushel gourds are starting to pick up the pace.   Sunday, July 22 View Page The 141.5 Ansems long gourd is roughly 20 feet long which is the distance where we start looking to pollinate. We have pollinated 2 on it already but only at 12 and 14 feet to see how they take and will cut them before they reach 2 feet long.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Sally on our 560 Young has hit 30 days today and has an OTT of 223. She won’t be huge but is looking like she may have great color.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Here is the 268 Kent bushel gourd and is 7 feet wide at the stump and 10 feet long.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Pollinated 2 long gourds on the 268 Kent bushel gourd, both on the 5th secondary. These hopefully will not be keepers but I wanted to practice pollinating.   Sunday, July 22 View Page 265 Engel bushel gourd is a bit more aggressive then the Kent and is 9 feet wide at the stump and 12 feet long. We pollinated a practice female on this plant tonight as well but just on 1st secondary about 3 feet from the stump.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Here is the 143.75 Vander Wielen long gourd and it is over the top of the trellis around 16 feet in length.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Frieda off the 300 Hoffman for the 150 contest is growing well but is a bit mis-shaped. Hopefully it will not be a problem as it gets bigger. Tonight she is 11 days old and has an OTT of 75 inches.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Here is Lucy off of the 1275 Rea. She is starting to grow very well and is 16 days old today with an OTT of 120 inches.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Here is Marcie off the 1385 Howell/Jolivette. She is also 16 days old today with an OTT of 119 inches.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Peppermint Patty off the 910 Young is slowly plugging along and is 33 days old today with an OTT of 251 inches. Unfortunately our early sets seem to be growing slower then usual. Hopefully our later sets will make up the difference.   Sunday, July 22 View Page Tomatoes are just starting to blossom in most plants but this low set off the 8.22 Porkchop has a cc of 19 inches and roughly 28 days old today.   Sunday, July 29 View Page We had a great 4 days in Saratoga to see the thoroughbreds run but unfortunately we came back to a few challenges on our return.   Sunday, July 29 View Page The old patch is filling in nicely with bushel gourds and long gourds.   Sunday, July 29 View Page This will probably be the last picture of Sally on the 560 Young. She has basically stopped growing at day 34 and only put 5 inches on her OTT in 4 days. I believe the plant has angular leaf spot but not sure if that will cause a pumpkin to abort. She is around 300 pounds today and a very nice orange color.   Sunday, July 29 View Page 141.5 Ansems is growing well and we have attempted pollinations last 2 nights with males from the 143.75. By next weekend we should know if any took.   Sunday, July 29 View Page 268 Kent bushel gourd is about 12 feet wide and 13 feet long.   Sunday, July 29 View Page Pollinated this baby tonight on the 268 Kent with the 265 Engel. I covered female with nylon after pollination just in case we get a moth to visit after working the long gourds.   Sunday, July 29 View Page 265 Engel. We may have an open on this plant at 10 feet. Other females are just showing up so more chances to come.   Sunday, July 29 View Page 143.75 Vander Wielen is growing quickly but doesn’t have a lot of females. Males have pollen so I think plant is fine. Game of patience.   Sunday, July 29 View Page Lucy 1275 Rea x 560 Young is growing well. Our 150 competition plant never set a symmetrical pumpkin so we pulled the plant. This plant and the 1385 H/J can now grow to 700 sq feet. She has an OTT of 195 inches tonight.   Sunday, July 29 View Page Marcie 1385 H/J x 910 Young is growing fine and has an OTT of 200 inches at day 23.   Sunday, July 29 View Page Peppermint Patty 910 Young x self is still slowly plugging along and has an OTT of 284 inches. She is not growing quickly but may weigh ok as she is very tall.   Sunday, July 29 View Page 8.22 Porkchop. For the 3rd kick in the groin upon our return, this tomato had a questionable 3rd lobe that was detached when I measured. I believe this should be a legal tomato but went from a cc of 23” to 20”. She is still green and growing though!   Sunday, August 5 View Page Here is Sally 3 off of the 560 Young. Sally 1 was destroyed by raccoons and number 2 was perfect until it stopped growing at 320 pounds. Sally 3 is an open and is 9 days old today with an OTT of 69. If she will make it to a couple of hundred pounds she will go to my fathers assisted living facility. Fingers are crossed for her.   Sunday, August 5 View Page Here is the largest bushel gourd off of the 268 Kent and crossed with the 265 Engel.   Sunday, August 5 View Page Largest so far on the 265 Engel crossed with the 268 Kent.   Sunday, August 5 View Page Lucy from the 1275 Rea has hit 30 days today and besides a dent has been trouble free. The 560 Young that we crossed in to her will definitely hold the orange color and may round her out a bit. She is at 259 inches tonight.   Sunday, August 5 View Page We spent most of today out of the patch to stain both of our decks. I think I found a chore that I hate more then vine burying!   Sunday, August 5 View Page Marcie off the 1385 Howell/Jolivette is 30 days today and has an OTT of 260 inches. Orange is starting to form around the button so she may be orange after all.   Sunday, August 5 View Page Peppermint Patty off the 910 Young is a tall wide pumpkin but doesn’t have depth. She is 47 days old today and has an OTT of 305 inches. Color is coming in nice!   Sunday, August 12 View Page It was a fun busy weekend as we just had 40 of our good friends at our club patch tour. The patch has been poked and prodded a bit but overall we are still growing. My son Andrew and I moved 3 of the pumpkins forward as they were pushing back on their main vines.   Sunday, August 12 View Page Old patch is doing fine with a couple of bushel gourds growing and a new pumpkin on the 560 Young.   Sunday, August 12 View Page Sunflowers did well this year with a couple over 14 feet tall. We will bring one of these to our local fair.   Sunday, August 12 View Page The 141.5 Ansems finally has a couple of long gourds growing with the longest being at 28 inches. The crosses on all are 141.5 Ansems x 143.75 Vander Wielen.   Sunday, August 12 View Page Here is Sally. Our last hope on the 560 Young after a raccoon attack on the first and the second aborting at 35 days. She is 16 days old with a ott of 127 inches.   Sunday, August 12 View Page Here is Hazel on the 268 Kent x 265 Engel and has an ott of 45 inches tonight.   Sunday, August 12 View Page Here is Fern 265 Engel x 268 Kent. She has an ott of 38 inches tonight.   Sunday, August 12 View Page Here’s Lucy 1275 Rea x 560 Young. She has a sag we are a bit worried about but growing well. We slid it forward 3 inches today and added sand. Tonight she is 37 days old and has an ott of 298 inches.   Sunday, August 12 View Page Here’s Marcie,1385 H/J x 910 Young she got moved forward today and got new sand. She is at day 37 today and has an ott of 302 inches.   Sunday, August 12 View Page Lastly is Peppermint Patty which is 910 Young x self. She is slowly trudging along but is looking kind of pretty. She is 54 days old tonight and has an ott of 320 inches.   Monday, August 20 View Page Last photo of Lucy. 1275 Rea x 560 Young. Her stem split has opened up to the cavity. Taped at 800 pounds on team pumpkin chart at 45 days. She certainly had a chance to be over 1k. Sometimes your the windshield and sometimes your the bug. Been kind of a “bug” year for our patch.   Wednesday, August 22 View Page 910 Young patiently waiting to be harvested for the Champlain Valley Fair.   Thursday, August 23 View Page Loaded for the Champlain Valley Fair.   Thursday, August 23 View Page Peppermint Patty is now the 797 Young 2018 and came in third place. We also got first with tallest sunflower at 14 feet 9 inches.   Sunday, August 26 View Page This is a nice tribute to Mike Strange made by Danny Boyce and displayed at the Champlain Valley Fair. We miss you my friend and hope that you’re growing giants in heaven!   Monday, September 3 View Page I think this is only the second time in 22 years that our pumpkin season has ended in early September. Here is a picture of Marcie 1385 H/J at 56 days old.   Monday, September 3 View Page Not the prettiest pumpkin we have ever grown but we appreciated her size.   Monday, September 3 View Page She went down with a tiny rib split on her dill ring.   Monday, September 3 View Page We weighed her in at 1052 pounds and her OTT was 362 inches. We liked the cross but unfortunately just immature seeds.   Monday, September 3 View Page Here is our 141 Ansem trellis with 3 long gourds growing. The longest grew 2 inches today and measures 121 inches. But..,....   Monday, September 3 View Page You guessed it. Sour tip! Kinda feels like you could write a sad country western song about our season. Ha!   Monday, September 3 View Page Here is our late season pumpkin off the 560 Young. (After first pumpkin aborted. Of course!) She is just under 200 pounds and will be brought to my fathers assisted living facility along with a couple beautiful mums from Ann Squires.   Monday, September 3 View Page 268 Kent bushel gourd is starting to get bigger and had an OTT of 168 inches tonight. Mice ate half a pound but we have traps out there now!   Monday, September 3 View Page 265 Engel bushel gourd is a bit later pol and is at 153 inches tonight.   Monday, September 3 View Page Picture of 265 Engel at 153 OTT.   Monday, September 3 View Page 143.75 Vander Wielen has got a couple skinny babies on it. Longest is just a tad over 100 inches.   Monday, September 3 View Page Here is our 2000 square foot patch which is now subsoiled in a checkerboard pattern and tilled. I have mustard arriving in the mail tomorrow and will spread it and water it in tomorrow night. Wait till next year!!!   Sunday, September 9 View Page First time in a long time that new patch has been totally empty to start September so we are trying something new to us.   Monday, September 10 View Page WOW mighty mustard is starting to germinate. This is an experiment to see if we have a long enough time left to get decent growth before a killing frost.   Monday, September 10 View Page 141 Ansem long gourd has one left and is right around 100 inches.   Monday, September 10 View Page Here is the other 141 Ansem chopped to harvest seeds. It ended up at 123 inches but had a sour tip.   Monday, September 10 View Page Here are the final 2 long gourds on the 143 Vander Wielen. Both are over 100. We need better weather to get something special.   Monday, September 10 View Page 268 Kent bushel gourd still plugging along and is a little over 180 inches OTT. Still looks young but we need nights warmer then 35 degrees. It is supposed to come!   Monday, September 10 View Page We helped our good friends Dick and Ann Squires pick their field pumpkins for their fall display. Around 450 pumpkins in this barn.   Monday, September 10 View Page Around 600 pumpkins here outside and another small barn filled. So far 1150 picked with an estimated 3-500 left for next weekend.   Sunday, September 23 View Page Vermont weigh off went smoothly yesterday with great weather and great competitors. I want to highlight a couple of stories that were important to us all. This is Gail Strange at the scale with her late husband Mike’s new personal best pumpkin. Before Mike passed he started seeds for this year. Gail wanted to keep his growing legacy this summer and along with Mike’s long time friend Peter Jones was able to get this seed from Mike’s hands to this new personal best which is listed in the GPC results in Mike’s name. Very sad but wonderful time with not many dry eyes to be found.   Sunday, September 23 View Page Wonderful story number two. This is long time grower Ron Scholtz with his family and personal best 1138 pumpkin. Our club gives out 1000 pound club jackets and Ron has worked hard for many years to try to reach that goal. With perseverance and help from Danny Boyce he succeeded this year. The whole weigh off crowd could feel his excitement and passion. At the end of the day, this is what makes our hobby great!   Sunday, September 23 View Page Wonderful story number 3. In honor of Mike Strange’s passion for growing pumpkins Bart Toftness donated money to the VT club to give a monetary award to the 21st grower. Our weigh off pays down to 20 spots and Bart wanted to see a 21st place award in Mike’s name to motivate the grower to continue on in the hobby enthusiastically. As luck would have it we actually had a tie for the 21st place with Jenna Baird (pictured) and Ralph Bell. The club felt that it was important to honor this donation and matched it so that we could give the award to both growers.   Sunday, September 23 View Page Here is our HD winner grown by Paul Gouin. Congrats Paul! Grown from our 907 Young.   Sunday, September 23 View Page Norm Gansert had a close second for HD! Also grown off our 907 Young.   Sunday, September 23 View Page Laural Keys also had a beauty! Grown off the 1315 Paterson.   Sunday, September 23 View Page Weigh off winner Kevin Companion had a 13% heavy to the chart beauty off of the 1989.5 Daletas.   Monday, October 1 View Page We had a great time at the Saratoga New York weigh off this past Sunday. We met some old friends and were happy to make some new ones. We won the long gourd class with this now 132 Young (143 Vander Wielen x 141 Ansems). We also brought an exhibition long gourd with the same cross that measured 127.625.