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New Hampshire

I am fortunate to be in a state that is known for it's big pumpkins. Some say it is the granite dust. I believe what really makes the biggest differnce is the group of guys we have here in New Hampshire. We learn from each other and compete with each other. Most of us are only a half an hour away from each other, so we are always visiting each others patches to try to glean any thing that we can. We are Pumpkin buddies who are trying to beat each other.

The reason I am making this post is to encourage growers from Illinois. I am original from Illinois and often wonder why we don't see bigger ones coming out of her. Believe me, Illinois by far has better natural soil than New Hampshire. I am true to my New Hampshire ties but I still have a part of my heart in Illinois. Lets go Illinois!!!! Jim Ford

12/26/2003 11:55:16 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

We are trying Jim. I only know of about 6 serious growers in the state. We just lost the state record holder. They moved to Florida. My soil looks good enough to eat. I plan on stepping up my fungicide/fertilizer program this year. I plan on growing a big one. Thanks for encouragement.

George J.

12/27/2003 12:53:37 PM

Il

Real soon someone from Illinois will jump into the 1000 club.The growers that I have meet and talk seem to be a great bunch of guys. This will be my second year. I am looking forward to it. I Hope that I have learned several things on here that will help me out this year.

John Wright
PB 569
Southern Illinois

12/27/2003 6:09:24 PM

No Place Special

I live on the Iowa side of the Mississippi river but maybe I should plant a couple in Illinois (5 min away) to try for that record. What is Illinois record?

12/28/2003 12:38:20 PM

Timewell Il

I had a weigh off at my farm this fall and we had a 540.5
pounder grown by Gene McMullen. We will contiue to try.
Tim

12/28/2003 7:22:39 PM

Streator ,Illinois

Jim,
we are just a little slow in coming to the dance but we will get there :)
Gene MCMullen

12/28/2003 10:44:37 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

767lbs off the 780 Kuhn x 963 Stucker

12/29/2003 4:52:44 PM

Long Island,New York

Hiedi Edwards' 823* from 2000 off the 565Andrews99* seed.

12/29/2003 5:15:10 PM

Joliet, IL

Jim,
hopefully the 756 seed you sent me will get me over the 500
pound mark and then some. with all the double digging,
shredded leaves, 15 yards of mushroom compost, and load
after load of 8 year old manure, along with various other
soil ammendments, and better advice from gene and george J.
on svb control...at least i can say i am trying my damndest
to beat my personal best of 487.5 that i had last year,
which was my second year growing. i have also spread the
pumpkin growing bug to 3 more serious growers. eventually
with some more interest and more competition between growers, Illinois will pull its own weight (pun intended).
Thanx for the push Jim, and the seed,
jeff shenoha

12/29/2003 7:51:36 PM