Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 141 Entries. Sunday, April 9 View Page It's been 8 years since I submitted to a diary on here. This is how the season ended that last year I did in 2015. It was first year in the new house and went straight from yard to growing. I remember the first day in the house was May 1st and before anything I tilled a spot for the 359 Foss, 705 Debacco, and 907 Young. The ground was pure clay and was acidic so we went decided to grow beauties. Since we are doing the tomato competitions figured might as well do one these.   Sunday, April 9 View Page We grew most years since then, nothing official. With a new house and another child house projects, work, and children take up most of the time. This was a 1998 Jutras.   Sunday, April 9 View Page Some years were good, most were bad. 1959 Hunt/Lyons.   Sunday, April 9 View Page Last year I decided to take off and just did some normal gardening. I let some big tomatoes go wild and really enjoyed watching them grow and decided this year I would do both.   Sunday, April 9 View Page This was the Tiger King, my biggest unofficial to date. This year the plan is forgo that first week of archery and get something to scale.   Sunday, April 9 View Page We will be participating in the 5 gallon challenge. Those black bags, next to the white 20 gallon bags will be used. 5 White 20 gallons will be grown early, with 10 more 20 gallon attempts started around the first week of June. 6 plants will go in raised beds I put together a month ago. The bags are all Promix and meal fertilizers. The raised beds are 3/4 promix and 1/4 compost with 4 cubic feet vermiculite. The beds are 4 x 12 and will house 3 plants each.   Sunday, April 9 View Page The other raised beds are for normal things I suppose. Put these up last minute after deciding to do tomatoes, they will be moved down by the patch next year. Depending which do better I'll add more raised beds or bags.   Sunday, April 9 View Page This was from the latest we ever started off my own seed. This year will be the earliest we ever started. I've never remembered a spring like this.   Sunday, April 9 View Page Mill Fabric in the Front is where the tomato hut will go that is currently acting as a place to harden off plants. The background is my small town and if you look close you can see the paper mill where the mill fabric comes from. Houses are on, most of the patch is ready all broad forked. This year we are doing 3. I shrunk the patch two years ago thinking I'd always just stick to 2, so only 850 sqft per plant this year. Could change if one goes down but I have hard time filling 1000sqft as we live in a cold climate. The soil cables now take up a space of 5 x 8 and we will run them as long as the thermostat requires them to be run.   Sunday, April 9 View Page When you live in a paper mill town there's mill fabric behind every shed :)   Sunday, April 9 View Page Tomato Hut in action with the first wave.   Monday, April 10 View Page Randoms knocks on the door, the random stopping in the driveway its all part of it I suppose. Ailts plant my son grew.   Monday, April 10 View Page And we are started. 2168 and 2069 will battle for a spot.   Monday, April 10 View Page With the nice weather continuing picked up 4 yards of compost and spread it across the far end of the patch to mix in for vine burying. The bottom of the patch shown here always bothered me, its where the hill starts to really decline. So went back got another 4 yards to raise up this spot and level it out a little bit. If this weather keeps up I won't have anything to do until June except cut grass.   Wednesday, April 12 View Page First wave stars were potted up today. The 5.52 Demars was the last to germ but growing the quickest.   Wednesday, April 12 View Page The runts were placed in the 5 gallon container challenge and will be potted up as they grow. I'm surprised at the ability to pick these bags up and not disturb the root system.   Wednesday, April 12 View Page And in just 3 short days the 2493 Wolf was the first to poke through the soil. Tomorrow morning I hope more have joined the party and put them outside in the tent before that cold weather comes back.   Sunday, April 23 View Page Freeze coming in so everything is inside tonight. Running out of room.   Sunday, April 23 View Page Tomatoes looking great thus far, the occasional yellowing been, nothing unexpected this early in the season.   Sunday, April 23 View Page 2493 Wolf best plant thus far, and worst plant. One 2006 Wolf looks great, other is second worse. That and a little mishap involving my tomato hut, 1000's of flies and pesticide we will not be double planting. The 2069 Stelts is outperforming the 2168 Werner and will get the nod. My wife was determined I grow the 2168 and wants a fruit for our Daughters kindergarten class so she bought 100 gallon grow bag and is growing it on the lawn. So I bought two more 100 gallon bags and will grow the non starts as well, as insurance of course.   Sunday, April 23 View Page Finished broad forking the other day and spread all the amendments. Today tilled just 2" deep with the mantis to break up the clumps and starting tilling in the vine burring mix on the end. Boards are out, main line for the drip tape is out, that is new for me this year, excited to actually get these things the water they need, electric was run and cables are on. Wind fence will go up, also new for me this year, after the houses are off towards June. I'm way ahead!   Sunday, April 23 View Page Orange patch, will not receive any extra attention. Was mulched to keep watering needs way down and keep weeds at bay. Peach and pear trees in the background, if the freeze don't kill em looks like a great year again for both.   Sunday, April 23 View Page So caught up, working on next year lol   Thursday, April 27 View Page Plants in the ground on this day after the harsh sun around 5 o'clock. No photo the new houses are too awkward and made this event more stressful than they had to be. I'll do a one week in the ground next week. Notes thus far: 1.5 Gallons did help hold them longer, only one plant (2069 Stelts) started showing signs of root bound and it was far from terrible. Getting them out wasn't any more difficult than 1 gallon and starting them in the tote with heat pad was the same experience as well. I hate the new hoop houses too heavy and awkward and putting the cables 4 feet from the edge, requiring the plants to be 6 feet from the edge makes it much worse. No solution in mind considering the weight is necessary due to wind in my location. Will probably rebuild next year to include some fancy way to open the top or something...to be continued. In case I lose my note: Top of the Garden 2069 Stelts, Middle 2493 Wolf, Bottom 2006 Wolf 2069 is giving all that crazy extra leaf growth, looks good though, watching closely for ribbon. Always paranoid. 2493 looks the best 2006 looks to be the most chill Plan is pollinate everything with the 2069. Backups (1912 Stelts, 2069 Stelts) started on the 20th. Soil was at 75 degrees 8 inches down after 3 days 60ft cable covering 5 x 8 14 inches buried.   Thursday, May 4 View Page 2069 Stelts one week in the ground. 0 sun since going in, doing well considering that. Pruned the plants today and should get some sun this week.   Thursday, May 4 View Page 2493 Wolf. I should note this is the first time I've opened the houses in 3 days as its been snowing and cold. With the little heaters and soil cables it was 65 to 70 and I didn't want to rob them any heat. Anyways, in that time this big bad wolf decided to try and grow backwards. It was the best starting plant but hasn't taking to the transplant as well as the other two. Not concerning at this point as the weather has effected all plants except the flowers and peppers that live on heat mats and under grow lights.   Thursday, May 4 View Page 2006 Wolf. Photo doesn't do it justice as holding the house with one hand...etc. But has become the star of the show after one week in the ground really perked up ready to run. Yellowing like others, sun related I'm sure as they were all giving cal mag and epsom salts before going out. We have a few days of sun coming but another bout of 7 day rain after that. Thankfully backups look good just in case.   Thursday, May 11 View Page 2006 Wolf giving me a cobra. Why I didn't feed them anything during that sunless streak as soon as the sun came out it was on! Everything greened up and is getting bloated.   Thursday, May 11 View Page 2493 Wolf, starting to become the most behaved a lot can change in a week. This one looks to be self laying down. I'm guessing 2 days.   Thursday, May 11 View Page 2069 Stelts. Super sensitive plant. The tiger king being the pollinator, and me having such heat troubles with that plant is why this one is at the top of the garden. Easy access to cool it down with the hose. I'm still hoping this is just small roots and the drastic change from no sun to full on sun. Don't want another summer with a plant that can't take the sun.   Thursday, May 11 View Page Tomatoes doing OK. I lost three to root rot which had me confused for the longest time because I'm an under water kind of guy. Then I lost a few other flowers and the thing they have in common is a 2 year old bag of pro-mix that was behind the shed. I remember thinking it looked like it composted down and looks really nice. Well it holds water differently and compacts differently so that's my best guess. A bunch of the tomatoes have this soil in their containers which has me freaked so I'm watering even less. Started another wave just in case.   Thursday, May 11 View Page Back up plants, flowers, and the 5 gallon tomatoes. Peppers and other flowers still being babied in the house. First time real success with peppers, didn't hurt to read a bit about them first this time, look really great.   Friday, May 19 View Page Sun came out last week and didn't go away.......out grew the houses in a week pushing 8 feet before the 20th..... So we in risky territory. First secondaries on all plants are growing in the wrong directions what a beautiful mess. So put up the wind fence and drip tape two weeks earlier than I thought, if weather forecast holds true we good, if not, more room for tomatoes I guess :)   Friday, May 19 View Page Speaking of those, here is the 6 that made the raised bed. Back row is left and right 5.52 Demars with a 7.11 LR in the middle. Front row is left and right 8.5 PC with a 7.11 in the middle. And lots of pretty marigolds to keep it interesting.   Friday, May 19 View Page Here is the first wave in 20 gallon bags. There is a few more 5 gallon competitors in here but at this point I was tired and well, it is what it is. Its a mix of the previous ones.   Saturday, May 20 View Page In the past deer and wind were the biggest causes for failure. Wind fence should stop both. Always watered with a spray hose, and never had enough time to really give them the water they need. Drip tape solves that. Always behind on pollination closer to July, this year that shouldn't be an issue. Baring disaster we should see a PB this year. 1/2 of predicted rain is well past an inch with 6 sunny days to follow. We might see 15 feet by June 1st. Just need to weed, they are starting to really emerge.   Friday, May 26 View Page Would love to show an update on the plants but......   Friday, May 26 View Page This has been the last 3 nights and so far we haven't lost anything and everything is still growing. We did have one pumpkin leave get the kiss of death. A few tomato leaves as well. Dana lost her 100 gallon plant, which makes two she lost. And it was her idea to compete in the 100 gallon challenge with me.....Anyways, hopefully we make it through the night with little casualties. I already know I'm going to cut a few secondaries that look god awful and started growing the wrong way and with those big heavy houses there was nothing I could really do to train early on. Only after they came off could I manipulate things so that is something to fix for next year. Positive side, everything since the houses came off is right were I want it. Weeded a bunch today, pruned a bunch today, berried a bunch today. There was no frost warning for tonight so I stretched everything out and burried. We got a frost warning late today, so ran to Walmart spent 100$ on more sheets to cover the larger footprint. Big plants in May sucks. I started 4 days earlier than usual and never had plants half this size come June 1st. I'm thinking the larger 5X8 heating cable allotment and running them nonstop lead to this mess. Anyways, it gives me the confidence to actually start later then usual next year and end up with plants appropriate for June 1st.   Friday, May 26 View Page Here is a look at the second wave. 5 plants all planted at a small size into the 20 gallon bag. I want to see if there any difference from trenching opposed to just planting like this. I don't think it will matter. Everything is jammed in here until the frost warnings go away. The second wave will be grown outside and those Trinidad scorpion are going to friends who grow banana peppers. Sure hope they don't cross pollinate...... :) 3rd wave will be clones. I'm actually taking a clone from two of the 5 gallon runts that just really came on they are from the 7.94 La Rue. Hopefully next week we have photos of plants. Plan is to micro dose cal mag and iron plus all week and then on the last day hit him with bloom booster. Have to give a dose of Imidacloprid in there at some point as well.   Sunday, May 28 View Page Originally planned photo....but anyway we made it through the frost. Few more leaves got hit might lose a secondary on the big wolf, but otherwise I have no complaints considering. Tomatoes in the raised beds look like crap had to "punch" a bunch of stuff off. I'll give them this week see how quickly they bounce back. Can always replant always have more coming.   Thursday, June 1 View Page First of June, Frost is behind us and this date always was a benchmark in my mind. So lets do the weekly update today and after that we will post when something important happens. No more look at my plants photos we are now in the waiting on fruit portion of the show.   Thursday, June 1 View Page Front row raised bed. Frost didn't kill any leaves but left them weakened for the next few days barraged by the sun causing scorch. Still haven't decided if I want to replant or not. They are healthy just setback. I'll give it another week.   Thursday, June 1 View Page Back row raised bed same story. Added the rest of my flowers that were left over and had no home in hopes of cheering them up.   Thursday, June 1 View Page 80% weeded, 80% pruned, 80% burred, don't want them to know my full capabilities they will ask for more. We ran the torch and put out most of the drip tape. All that is left is the back where my vine burring mix is.   Thursday, June 1 View Page 2069 Stelts best plant thus far. Makes me happy to say that as it was the one I was worried about. Secondaries out performing the main at this point on all plants. I think its the heat map from the larger soil cables. Once they grow past it they slow down...Just a hunch.   Thursday, June 1 View Page 2493 Wolf, would be the best if not for some mishaps, including one that was my fault. First year using bamboo and pushing down you gotta be careful.....Still great plant no complaints. Likes the heat the least of the three so far.   Thursday, June 1 View Page 2006 Wolf wants pollinated already, picked off 5 females so far. Not deep yellow, have a hunch this may go light orange, but I'm always wrong so why even guess. Slowest growing plant but most behaved.   Thursday, June 1 View Page Up hill shot of the three plants. Soil outside the zone still 60 degrees, weather has been perfect with a cold front coming next week so things should slow down. If I had a vote I'm hoping for 17th pollination although my gut says it will be earlier. I want them another 8 to 10 ft from where they sit now.   Thursday, June 1 View Page Tomato hut. Some flowers popping off, a couple big singles nothing to exciting. The 5 gallon plants are out pacing the 20 gallon ones. I think its because they got transplanted two weeks earlier into them. But we will take what we are giving. Going to start the last wave today.   Thursday, June 1 View Page One mega in this 20 gallon 7.94 Larue. If she takes we will keep her. And Ned get that boat gassed up!   Friday, June 2 View Page Started last wave of tomatoes yesterday. Took a garden walk with the wife, its like therapy for plant problems. She suggested I start replacements for the raised bed and if they don't show promise by the time they are ready axe them. So that's what I just did, started another last wave today. Contemplated cloning the existing but I have the seeds might as well use them. The 2nd and 3rd wave plants are growing quickly in there new homes, and I have to order a few more bags for the cloned ones.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Last wave of tomatoes are up along with some clones. Porkchop, LaRue, and Palmer and some Demars BigMarley in the mix.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Raised beds are healing from that frost exposure. Decision was made 2 are getting pulled, possibly a third it has about 5 days to change my mind.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Pumpkin news we pinched off the second females and passed on the early June pollination's due to cooler weather this week. The next options are now passed the tip so the top 2069 Stelts, and Middle 2493 Wolf, are looking for a 6/20 attempt +/- a day. 2006 Wolf has one that will open in about 3 days and not sure if its the keeper if not probably 6/25ish. Leaning towards keeping the 2006 plant smaller and giving more to the 2493, I'll decide that in about 10 days or so.   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Second wave Tomatoes in the Tomato Hut are cruising along great. The next photo you will see 3 started the same time that live outside and can see the growth differences. This cheating must be rewarded, so I ordered a second larger tomato hut!   Wednesday, June 14 View Page Gave 2 5 gallon challenge competitors to my wife's father for fried green tomatoes, they were giving lots of small singles so off to a new home they went. Not sure I will replace them as I will have 26 others to pay attention too....I probably will. Nothing exciting in Tomato world otherwise. Cooler weather sticking around for quite awhile, 10 day shows 6/23 for the warmth to return. Positive is the females will develop without harsh sun exposure.   Thursday, June 29 View Page Day 10 for 2006 Wolf X 2493 Wolf. Was pacing a best day 10 number until the cold streak lets hope this stretch of warm weather coming perks it back up. Other 2 plants look hooked up will report on their day 10's.   Thursday, June 29 View Page First and Second waves in the smaller tomato hut.   Thursday, June 29 View Page 3rd and 4th wave and clones in larger tomato tent.   Thursday, June 29 View Page Have this one going on the 7.94 Larue.   Thursday, June 29 View Page Hoping this one takes on the 5.52 Demars. This seed produced knarly megas on all three plants.   Sunday, July 2 View Page Raining so a porch snipe will have to suffice. 10 DAP 2493 Wolf X 2069 Stelts. Only 22" but more than I thought it would be, the last week has been sunless and cool. Last two days we had some sun and its responding. Great shape. Positioning was difficult and we tried to save the main but ultimately a storm coming through and not wanting to risk it we took it off. Positioning and shape now looking good. Tomorrow is day 10 for the Stelts looks to be the best day 10 of the three and only plant with its main in tact.   Monday, July 3 View Page 2069 Stelts 10 DAP 26" bout what im used to getting.   Wednesday, July 5 View Page Chapter 7 of pork chops book said to try and catch one of these...... now what?   Sunday, July 9 View Page Can I finally learn how to grow tomatoes now?   Thursday, July 13 View Page All fruit past day 20. 2069 Stelts day 20 was this morning. 125lb on the 2017 chart did 19lb last night. Pretty good for me. This and the 2493 wolf, one day older slightly behind, are still on pace for PB. Let's go!   Monday, July 17 View Page 7.94 LaRue getting prettier everyday!   Monday, July 17 View Page 6.64 LaRue is growing faster, earlier though...   Tuesday, July 25 View Page Well my giant tomato was showing signs if I let it go red it would be trouble and being out of town the rest of the week it was today or risk it.   Tuesday, July 25 View Page Two things no one talks about. First how do you get these things off and second when going to find a scale for the first time people make you feel like your from a circus. Next person writing a book add those two chapters.   Tuesday, July 25 View Page 4.475 for my first one super happy still have that 5lb goal and I have one looking to do it so fingers crossed!   Wednesday, July 26 View Page Autopsy on the 20 gallon bag with promix was interesting. Whole bag was used, roots healthy, but uneven watering was apparent. Thinking maybe a watering tube might help I'm not sure.   Wednesday, July 26 View Page 6.64 LR day 24, 24". Already as big as my first attempt with 20 days to go! After the autopsy I hit this one with more water on water day so watch me mess it up lol. Let's Go!   Wednesday, July 26 View Page Heart breaker. She pushed off the main vine. Knew the positioning was trouble. Question is how much will this cost the final weight, does it still grow?   Sunday, August 6 View Page Been awhile since an update. I finished my Masters Degree last week so been trying to catch up. Here's the 2069 Stelts. Great shape, great color, great plant but not a great grower behind it. Was going amazingly until day 38 then it just slammed on the breaks. Still growing but I've read this story before.   Sunday, August 6 View Page 2493 Wolf did as I expected and ramped up day 37 and is now in the lead at day 43ish, It too dropped to 20lb a night shortly after so something is up in the patch. Maybe all that bug pressure is starting to show.   Sunday, August 6 View Page 2006 Wolf has had a split in it since day 23 or 24 is past day 50 and I haven't tapped it or done anything to it but it still continues to grow. I'm letting it do so as it was the pollinator of the 2069 and I want to see how it ended up. The split is super bad but it just keeps chugging.   Sunday, August 6 View Page The kids orange patch has been attacked by deer and only this 1120 Wolf has survived, it was crossed with the 2069 Stelts and is warty, which I kinda like.   Sunday, August 6 View Page On to the 100 gallon grow bag yard grow challenge with me against the wife. My 2069 Stelts is past day 30 and looking pretty.   Sunday, August 6 View Page The wife has been taking this too seriously for my liking, she measures three times a day.....Day 22 for the reverse cross of the 2168 Werner and her numbers are crushing mine, not looking good for me but glad she's enjoying it and we will do this again next year.   Sunday, August 6 View Page On to Tomatoes, here are the "losers" outside the tent. Sometimes one gives me something unexpected and ends up in the winners tent.   Sunday, August 6 View Page Here is the results of that funky flower off the 5.52 Demars. Nothing specularity but was a great plant to grow.   Sunday, August 6 View Page A young one with potential from another LaRue seed.   Sunday, August 6 View Page Another young one with potential that survived that wave of BER off a pork-chop seed.   Sunday, August 6 View Page And the Heart-breaker flashed at day 34 estimating somewhere around 26 1/2". After the stem snapped it slowed way down and flashed early, this one could of been something great. Will probably weigh around the 6lb mark and that will be done sometime this coming week.   Sunday, August 6 View Page The raised beds became flower beds.......There is Tomatoes in there somewhere but with all the bees around I can't look. So they are becoming food now. Won't do that again.   Wednesday, August 9 View Page Tale of the tape   Wednesday, August 9 View Page 6.585 if only the stem didn't snap and I had a few more days.   Wednesday, August 9 View Page Hoping it has plenty of seeds and there's always next time.   Wednesday, August 9 View Page Top and Bottom.   Wednesday, August 9 View Page Top and Bottom.   Wednesday, August 9 View Page Trying to register and blah.   Wednesday, August 9 View Page Scale Cert.   Wednesday, August 9 View Page Side 1   Wednesday, August 9 View Page Side 2   Thursday, August 10 View Page Time to pick Zeke's plant. I had a 5lb goal and I was hoping his plant would give me it.   Thursday, August 10 View Page Sometimes you get exactly what you ask for.   Thursday, August 10 View Page His 5.52 seed is a good one this was a poorly pollinated mega.   Thursday, August 10 View Page Tale of the tape.   Saturday, August 12 View Page Official Master Matters weigh day apparel is in!   Saturday, August 12 View Page After our win this season these will seen everywhere.   Monday, August 21 View Page 8.4 PC weigh day today. Flashed early.   Monday, August 21 View Page Pair of 6.3 La Rues left after that both pollinates the same day I can't remember and both slightly over 25".   Monday, August 21 View Page Pair of 6.3 La Rues left after that both pollinates the same day I can't remember and both slightly over 25".   Monday, August 21 View Page Tale of the tape. Or should I say look at that stem my god bonus weight.   Monday, August 21 View Page Tempted to register but have two taping larger so let's gamble some and hope for a lot more growing days.   Monday, August 21 View Page And other side.   Monday, August 21 View Page My tomato is conceited.   Tuesday, August 22 View Page It's CC isn't moving much.   Tuesday, August 22 View Page But whatever this measurement is, is. Knew it looked bigger.   Tuesday, August 22 View Page 2493 Wolf Day 61 @ 1100, the only one looking like it has a chance to go the full distance.   Friday, August 25 View Page With it's neighbors flashing I'm assuming the last La Rue will follow shortly so today's will be last measurement until it's picked.   Friday, August 25 View Page Honestly didn't expect it to end up this nice.   Friday, August 25 View Page Chart would have this one flirting close to 7 but I've had them come in light and heavy. 6lbs is almost a guarantee though so guess we'll find out. Next post will be flash and then weigh day and that will be it for this tomato season.   Sunday, August 27 View Page Flashed today so the front two will get picked in a few days (6.2 &6.3 LaRue) with the back one (6.3 LaRue) shortly after. Took the wooden rest off the front one not sure I will the back one.   Wednesday, August 30 View Page Weigh day for the 6.32 LaRues I read my writting wrong all three remaining are from this seed. I write it on the bamboo sticks and sometimes it's hard to read them.   Wednesday, August 30 View Page One of them sprung a leak, luckily it was the smaller one but it scared me into picking the last big one and I'm glad I didn't wait because it didn't matter   Wednesday, August 30 View Page Let's go get this thing official   Wednesday, August 30 View Page Before we get to the action the tale of the tape is brought to you by Marvs book.   Wednesday, August 30 View Page Big shout out to him and Zeke and all those who made this community. To my team mate Ned he's been so great this year. Pork Chop and Saswamp for continuing one with their traditions and everyone else on BP.com all the information and questions asked and prior knowledge and sharing of seeds I could go on forever this tomato is a reflection of all your hard work and selfless actions to promote this hobby, thank you all.   Wednesday, August 30 View Page YouTube video   Wednesday, August 30 View Page What a fun crazy year.   Wednesday, August 30 View Page Other side   Wednesday, August 30 View Page Decided I was just going to carry the biggest instead of risking it. The 6.32 LaRue gave 2 over 5 lbs.   Wednesday, August 30 View Page And here's all 3 off the 6.32 Larue   Wednesday, August 30 View Page Read this one better, thanks Ned!   Wednesday, August 30 View Page top   Wednesday, August 30 View Page bottom   Wednesday, August 30 View Page side 1   Wednesday, August 30 View Page side 2   Wednesday, August 30 View Page All 3 6.32 again   Wednesday, August 30 View Page Well that is a wrap so for my record keeping. 7.4 Johnson off the 6.32 LaRue, 6.59 Johnson off the 6.64 LaRue, 5.56 Johnson of the 6.32 Larue, 5.35 Johnson off the 6.32 Larue, 5.12 Johnson off the 8.4 Pork Chop and 4.48 Johnson off the 7.94 LaRue. No more plants left....bitter sweet.   Thursday, August 31 View Page It's official new PA state record!..... no words just elated.   Thursday, August 31 View Page This is the one I will be using for the paper, just had to advertise me and Ned's retirement plan. Taking orders for team Master Maters jersey soon. Ned will sign his for a low extra fee.   Thursday, August 31 View Page Photo for Previous.   Saturday, October 7 View Page Lets finish this thing out. Didn't get one to a finish line this year, with the tomato success and finishing school it wasn't as deflating.   Saturday, October 7 View Page Lots of visitors with old friends with new additions. Overall a great year.   Saturday, October 7 View Page Seeing my Daughter on the front page of 4 newspapers was exceptional.   Saturday, October 7 View Page The PA weight off was a sea of big and orange.   Saturday, October 7 View Page The Stelts 2109 taking the win. Good luck for those weighing tomorrow in Ohio!   Saturday, October 7 View Page They may have rotted off the vine but they found homes, the quest to get an official weight continues.....there is always next year. Good luck to all BP growers.