From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Norton, MA

I have been hearing bits and peices of some of these secret NH pruning strategies but if there is anyone out there who knows conclusivly how say Bruce Whittier does it that would be great. I've heard stuff like long main vine and early on the vine sets but if you NH guys do anything else that you could share it would be useful to us all. Thanks, Alex.

2/8/2004 4:50:41 PM

New Hampshire

To be a member of the NHGPGA we have to swear to take a vow of silence. Our benvelant dictator Jim Kuhn will have our heads if we let our secrets out.

2/8/2004 6:02:53 PM

New Hampshire

OK one secret. Keep this from Jim Kuhn. Most people know that we are called the Granite State. We have discovered that granite and pumpkins have the same molecular structure. We went to harvest some granite from the OLD MAN ON THE MOUNTAIN, well I guess we took too much. The secret is in our motto "OUR PUMPKINS WEIGH LIKE OUR GRANITE".

2/8/2004 6:16:56 PM

Goffstown,nh

Alex,i'm not sworn to total secrecy so I'll say this. We don't prune every other side vine as some think. We prune enough to gurantee good air flow. Sometimes the side vines grow closer together so you cut accordingly. If the main vine is curving left you will obviously do alot more pruning on that inside curve. Bruce follows these guidelines. You'll have to come to our annual summer picnic, and go on the patch tour...We end the tour with a little ride by the resting place of the Old Man of the Mountain. And yes we like to keep that main vine growing as far as it can.... Good Luck

2/8/2004 6:33:21 PM

New Hampshire

If there is a secret in NH, they are not telling me. I am convinced it is attention to the basics. How did the Patriots win the Super Bowl? They have a coach that preaches doing the basics. I didn't see too many trick plays last week just good blocking, tackling, throwing, catching and kicking. Attention to the basics. 90% of what you need to know is found in Langevins' books.

AS far as I know most of us prune off every other side vine to allow for leaf space and good air circulation. IF you hear of any secrets make sure you let me know too.

2/8/2004 6:35:53 PM

New Hampshire

OK I might have over stated when I said "most". I Know MANY of us prune MANY secondaries for the reason Jim B. mentioned.

2/8/2004 6:43:42 PM

Montoursville, PA

But you guys have not revealed that you apply two tablespoons full of Gooney Bird Compost at each rooting position along the mains and the secondaries except for one guy who catches fresh horse dumplings as they erupt, from the animal, for similar placement. So let's be fair and tell all the secrets.:)

2/8/2004 7:10:04 PM

Norton, MA

I can't wait for that tour. I signed up for the NHGPGA a few months ago and that was a great newsletter. Don't you write it Jim-B? Just a little something to get ALL of those secrets. LOL! Alex.

2/9/2004 6:32:07 AM

Md/ Usa

How did the Patriots win the Super Bowl? simple the oposing team was too stupid and went for two 2 point conversions and not extra point on two touch downs.
Also there kicker could not hit the side of a barn on a feild goal attempt. the only reasons Patriots won the Super Bowl.

2/9/2004 8:01:57 AM

[email protected]

Pat's also missed a couple. So there goes that theory. LOL

Folks who made the tour last summer (I didn't) came home with 3 points of interest that I'll trry harder with this year.

1.) Smaller than expected & very well pruned plants with good access from all points.

2.) Near anal use of boards & amendments to keep structural soil compaction down.

3.) Unusually large leaves that were dark dark green.

It's point #3 that get's me wondering....granite dust? LOL

Steve

2/9/2004 8:45:30 AM

Goffstown,nh

Thanks Alex,yes I do write the NHGPGA Newsletter. We'll provide alot of photos and tips for our members to digest.
matfox, sorry your Panthers lost. The two extra points that they didn't get because they went for 2 pt. conversions still wouldn't have been enough. They lost my three...Let's face it these were poor coaching decisions,it was too early in the game for 2 pt. conversions. Oh well we must start focusing on conversions in the pumpkin patch.
We will be selling 25lb bags of NH soil, and 6' long walk-on boards for your patch. (you can never have enough boards)LOL!!

2/9/2004 10:54:33 AM

Parts Unknown

If I told you I would have to kill ya! It is an oath taken by each NH grower. Sort of a yankee thing. We are also selling gallons of water (high iron content) from the river that runs from New Boston to Goffstown.

2/9/2004 7:05:11 PM

Puyallup, WA

The NH growers will be nearly impossible to beat!! I say that because I have visited with Jim B and Jim K. They are very unselfish and share ALL knowlege with all the club members. They grow as a "team"...quite unlike most other organizations.

2/9/2004 10:10:39 PM

So. Maine

Hey Stan , just like the Pats ...a "team" , another reason why they won The Super Bowl 2 out of the past 3 years!

2/10/2004 12:50:44 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

Hey, wait a minute. I'm a NHGPGA memeber and nobody told me anything!
Ohhh, yea...I forgot, I'm a redneck.

2/10/2004 7:33:32 AM

Atlanta, Georgia

Their most kept secret is that the men growers get their wives to work full-time in the patches! LOL!!

2/11/2004 8:58:24 AM

Hamilton, MT

Ditto what Stan said! I, too, have visited with Jim B, Jim K, and Peter C and was amazed and awed by their open and honest tours of their patches. Their generosity and infectious enthusiasm for the small time grower(me)was flattering. And ditto to Alex, too - NHGPGA puts out the finest newsletter, bar none! Join up and learn how and why NH ROCKS! - Kim

2/12/2004 11:43:08 PM