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Eugene,OR

After living my life for the past 42 years believing that if I learned everything I possibly could about something and worked at it harder than anyone else would ever consider working, that I would be wildly successful at that endeavor. A couple of nights ago while I was working in my patch it dawned on my that LUCK really is a big part of growing giant pumpkins. Although I believe that we create a lot of our own luck, or good fortune, I've come to realize that we can't control lots of things which directly can impact the size of our pumpkins. Factors like the weather, or insects, or seeds that do weird things, are really left up to luck. My hat is off to the top growers who manage to prevail year-after-year. Perhaps these growers have aided their "luck" by living in the right place, or maybe they just have the magic touch (to go along with their years of experience and the skill they have developed). This year I hope that I get better luck than I had last year. I wish you the best of luck as well. But at the same time, I'm programmed to believe the old saying: "Luck is the residue of dilligence. The harder I work the luckier I get."

6/28/2007 11:33:04 PM

Littleton, Colo

Vineman..I agree. There's alot of things we can not control. I believe you learn from your mistakes in life and if you keep making the same mistakes over and over...then there's not much hope for you. It's sad for the people who work hard and take "old fashion" pride in their work each and everyday and come out on the short end of the stick. I believe in something John Elway said..." As long as there's time on the clock, you have a chance." I believe that !! He also said, " You can't hit a home run if you don't step up to the plate." BELIEVE in what you are doing !! I'm feeling a little low tonight too...so let's ALL make this a hobby to be proud of and work hard at it !! Let's all step up to the plate !! If this was easy...everybody would be doing it !! Good luck Vineman !! Never give up !!!!!!!!!!! Good luck to all !!!!

6/29/2007 12:45:49 AM

Eugene,OR

Don't get me wrong, I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I'm "just peeling off another layer of the onion's skin" in the development of my understanding how this obsession of ours works. I'm sincerely wishing everyone luck...and hoping for a little of my own!

6/29/2007 1:07:00 AM

Littleton, Colo

I understand !! Feeling you !! How long have you been growing ??

6/29/2007 1:13:48 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

Vineman,
Looking at your diary, it appears that you are keeping up well with the factors you can control. I hope the "luck" comes with your hard work. The "luck" factor keeps me hopeful that I can pop a big one.

6/29/2007 1:34:58 AM

Puyallup, WA

After nine years of growing these babies, let me assure you that luck is a big factor....even for the experienced grower. That is whay I grow at least ten plants, because I know that something bad will happend to at least three of them....always does.....every year! Sometimes I have
60% failure.....bacterial wilt, popped vines, varmits, splits, ect. If you expect it....it's not so bad when it happens. Last year, I ended up with five out of fourteen!

6/29/2007 1:51:05 AM

Rhode Island

you cant count on luck to carry the season but you can to carry the day.

like a massive hail storm that passes a couple miles away but passes you by.

or that woodchuck thats content to eat the clover around the patch and does not care to eat the tips of your plant.

or my favorite- a sag line that does not burst open

pap

6/29/2007 7:24:02 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Yes, Good Luck to All, ....Sometimes "You" get the bear......Sometimes the "Bear" get you........

6/29/2007 9:01:58 AM

Midwest

You have no control over most living things. Plants are not man-made. Computers are man-made and how many of us have control over them? I guess that sometimes I have a false sense of control over my life.

6/29/2007 1:45:12 PM

Nicholls Georgia

it is all in the lords hands

6/29/2007 3:25:23 PM

San Jose [email protected]

USUALLY the harder you work the luckier you get. I think a lot has to do with experience, being prepared for those hail storms (wiz, biz, LB) freak freezing nights in June. You cannot control everything, but what you can, just do it.

6/29/2007 6:25:44 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Everything I've read in this post boils down to this:

We are all dealt a hand in life. How we play it is up to us. Some of us risk it all and go for broke, some of us take the slow and steady approach.

No matter which avenue we pursue, we are all content to learn something from one year to the next. This is how life as a human being was truly meant to be played out.

Digging in the dirt, battling nature and the elements,
calculating the perfect cross, and sharing our ups and downs make this the most satisfying pursuit of my life.

6/30/2007 12:07:47 AM

Littleton, Colo

Amen !

6/30/2007 12:24:37 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

All right why did someone not tell me Luck was required with these darn things. Lately the only Luck i have is bad luck :) But my new saying in life...Is when life hands you manure make compost. I have learned also you make think you are in control of your life...but it actually controls you.

6/30/2007 8:13:20 AM

Simi valley, ca

Last yr i thought my problem would be pumpkins growing to fast! yr before they did ! But with 47 days in row of 100* pluss & some up to 115* (an all time record for length of heat wave ) my pumpkins shut down & i only ended up with 826 lb pumpkin--- bad luck ??? i thought id get that 1000lber ! or good luck ?? I still won first place at our local weighoff !! ????

7/1/2007 6:24:09 PM

Somers, CT

I think the best advice is to keep a sense of humor and deal with the issues you cannot control as they arise. Tis sport is supposed to be fun and when it is not I will start growing potatoes or corn, maybe even put up a tennis court.

7/2/2007 1:59:35 PM