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New Bremen, Ohio

I just returned form a family vacation. Yes it is not the best time to take a family vacation, but I told my wife while planning this trip that I can't go during the 1st week of July. (While planning for this vacation in early spring would I know that my plants are about 10 days early for some reason).

Her comments were something like this, "Let me guess, you have to F^@& your pumpkins. You are the only man on the earth that would not take your family on a vacation so you can F^@% pumpkins!" My only comment I could think of at the time, are you jealous?

Immediately I thought of the BP crew could heard this rubbish they would die laughing.

How many growers have families and have the same issues or is it my wife?

6/29/2004 11:00:19 AM

ipswich, ma usa

Lets just safe my soon to be wife (August 22nd) calls herself a pumpkin widow! She new what she was getting into, but that doesn't mean she always likes it!! :)

John (5150)

6/29/2004 11:07:12 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Been there, done that. Tell her you could be out in some bar all night long drinking & fetillizing human females. At least with this hobby you are always home....You can never please them enough.

6/29/2004 11:33:43 AM

Central Connecticut

Oh Yeah! I've heard that before...just without the 4 letter words...I guess it didn't help that I was working in the patch building shade protection last year...ON MY ANIVERSAY...that didn't go over very well...but it was the only opportunity I had...This year isn't much better...I'll be camping with my son...Extended weather forcast...COLD FRONT MOVING IN TO NEW ENGLAND, WILL BE VERY CHILLY, ESPECIALLY AT BED TIME ;(

6/29/2004 12:22:07 PM

In the shade - PDX, OR

Yeah growing the giants and managing that family vacation time is very tricky.

I took the vacation in late May when the plants were still pretty small & didn't need as much time. Not too sure if that is an option for your if the kids are still in school....


Make her realize how important timing is in this hobby. Maybe she will realize how important both the family and growing is to you.

6/29/2004 12:31:19 PM

Indiana

The only time a pumpkin grower can go on vacation is December and January! Get your priorities straight Jeff!!!

Tom

6/29/2004 1:09:17 PM

Western Pa.

This idea taken from a Raymond episode when Deb went along to the Super Bowl:
When the other half comes along to an out-of town grower's gathering or Grower's convention--she's your pumpkin wh*re! Add that to your vocabulary!

6/29/2004 2:04:54 PM

[email protected]

Tell the Missus you're giving up Pumpkins for a new hobby..........................Boozin' & Whorin'!

That'll place our hobby in a better light.

6/29/2004 2:30:56 PM

Kenyon, Mn.

Give her a couple Plants! worked with My soon to be....Kinda cut down on one of our "other" pastimes though! LOL

6/29/2004 2:37:08 PM

No. Stonington, CT

unfortuanitly for me i am going on vacation the first week of july, but fortunitly for me it will be quite a while untill i have anything to pollinate, my main vine is only 3 feet long! ok so i may not be that fortunate...

6/29/2004 2:40:26 PM

Vermont Green MTN State

Ok Guys... Chill
And ask your wives if they want to trade for my husband who has his own business and is not home at all.
I wouldn’t mind having a pumpkin guy.LOL!!!!
I feel the same about vacation. I left for a few days to go to Bike week in Laconia NH, when I came back all was in shambles!!!!
Doeski

6/29/2004 3:14:40 PM

Massillon, Ohio

my family constantly tells me growing pumpkins "has GOT to be the biggest waste of time ever!!!!" .... "why would you want to do something so STUPID?" (direct quotes there). if a vine even creeps into the yard, watch out, they mow it right off.

not to mention my sabatoging, 2-4-d spraying grandparents who think its best to use EVERY INCH and are FREAKING OUT because there is still bare dirt left where plants havent spread to. "what are you doing with that space ? cant you plant some field corn in those spots?"

6/29/2004 3:50:28 PM

Spanish Ontario

get a good lawyer

6/29/2004 5:12:45 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Yo Dizzy,
Seems to be a common complaint from everyone who watches a giant pumpkin grower go under the spell. They can't understand why we do it. Soil prep, tilling , fertilizers, insect control, watering, pollenation, seed acquisition becomes a full time job... not to mention the idea that germination trials and Seminars on "How to" do everything right is still only trial and error in your own patch....
Once bitten by the AG bug you can only understand yourself,
very few people will understand that a PB is a quest and that anything less is only more challenging...Loved to see Jeff Glover from the deep south break 500...ONly cause I know he worked his butt off at it...I also loved to see a new grower go way big cause I know there hooked on big pumpkins..... Love to go to Niagara cause all the people there have been growing for years and will do anything to help out the newbies... Hang in there ...these are the greatest bunch of people I know...Always have time for the family, make time for your patch and enjoy what it is your doing. Grow Em Big! Chuck

6/29/2004 5:24:49 PM

Whidbey Island

Tell your wives you're not drinking, you're not smoking, you're not chasing skirts, they'll always know where you are and it is only a little gambling, but not with cards, dice or football games. That ought to help a bit......of course, if you are drinking and smoking in the patch, your excuse just evaporated.

6/29/2004 9:33:08 PM

Commack, NY

i just came back from two days up in Boston......and let me tell you, it was all i could do to not mention my concern over my pumpkins.......man that was a tough two days! LOL

6/29/2004 9:47:22 PM

New Bremen, Ohio

Oh it isn't that bad, just get some remarks around every summer.

6/29/2004 9:48:47 PM

northern indiana

Isn't it amazing how the wife wants hubby to have a hobby to keep him out of her face. BUT, this hobby should not cost much money, take up much time, take up much space, get in the way, be unsitely to her or the neighbors, and still be a way for the husband to relax and feel refreshed, and stay out of her face when it is convineint.
Eric

6/29/2004 10:23:32 PM

[email protected]

My wife made me go to Niagara with the RI guys so I wouldn't drive up & back solo with one short nights rest. She knows me all too well LOL.

Quite frankly, if Giant Pumpkin growing upsets the domestic tranquility to the extent expressed, there are already serious problems with the relationship that need to be worked out.

This is a nice hobby the whole family should get something out of.

6/29/2004 10:40:13 PM

Indiana

Your exactly right Steve! Man gets pumpkin, wife gets prize check! haha

Tom

6/30/2004 12:44:24 AM

Puyallup, WA

By the sixth year, it starts to get better! :>)

6/30/2004 1:30:30 AM

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

The enjoyment I get, is better than going to a bar. The peace of mind I get, is better than going to a "shrink", and a hell of a lot cheaper. The exercise I get, well, it's better than nothing.

James

6/30/2004 2:44:15 AM

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

I have a problem. Our daughter is getting married on Aug. 22nd. to 5150. What do I do with my pumpkins while I'm in Ipswich, Ma.? Does anyone see a conspiracy here, to get me out of my patch?

James

6/30/2004 2:57:02 AM

Knopp, Germany

I definitely see a conspiracy. The only solution is to make the wedding a garden party and have them take their vows next to your patch. As a wedding gift I suggest that you give John the honor of doing some weeding for you!

6/30/2004 3:17:46 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

this is the time of year my wife starts really bitchin' and claiming she has the most horrible marriage ever.
they get over it....or leave

6/30/2004 7:59:26 AM

ipswich, ma usa

No conspiracy here!! It just means someone can look over my patch while I'm getting married. :)

John (5150)

6/30/2004 8:52:22 AM

Cologne / Germany

I have to say my wife is really with me about growing these plants. Both we like to work in the garden and to provide a good harvest of everything all along the year. It´s cheaper and more fun than buying at Walmart.
I always explain to her what needs to be done to grow AG´s that big and she understands. Of course she always likes to be asked by customers "Oh, saw you on the local TV yesterday" in early October:) Sometimes these people stop by just to see what´s happening in "our" patch during the season - good subject it´s not exclusively "my" patch. As well as for any other hobby - much more fun if the family is doing it all together.

6/30/2004 9:17:13 AM

New Brunswick

I am the pumpkin grower in this family. Hubby gleefully ran over my main vine with his 4 wheel drive, last year while putting in hay. He went out of his way to do this, going right across it and right up over the lawn and out the gateway. I was out for blood when he returned! The plant, undaunted, went on and produced two pumpkins weighing over 400 pounds. This year he made up for it by plowing and enlarging my patch, enabling me to have 4 pumpkin plants instead of three! Other than threatening them with Roundup, he is being quite good about them, even hauling bales of straw and depositing them around the patch for me to mulch with. He also tilled the patch up and loaded it with manure for me. (He does get a tad impatient with me when he wants to go somewhere and I have to "water the pumpkins".)but...I think deep down inside we have another pumpkin grower just waiting to emerge. LOL
Happy growing everyone, Sue

6/30/2004 9:18:19 AM

In the shade - PDX, OR

I rec'd an official complaint last night from the wife.

The suggestion was "Maybe you should take next year off".

I looked at her like she was crazy.

It hasn't even gotten that busy here yet.....

Sheesh!

6/30/2004 12:33:34 PM

Mill Creek West by god Virginia

hey all i am new to this sport but i guess you could say im addicted,enough anyway for my wife to wonder where ive been all those evenings out with my other girls (ags)i just tell her ive been out talking and having a good time with em,her only thought is geez i thought i was better looking and more interisting than a punkin plant i just tell her shure you are as im sneeking back out the door to check on my babies!!!!!!!!burrhead

6/30/2004 3:05:18 PM

wilmington,ma.

Been marred for 33 years now,she knows if I'm not in the patch I'm on the boat fishing.Her complaining is now down to a minimum.By now she knows it dosent do any good anyway!!!

6/30/2004 4:17:00 PM

Colorado Hail, CO. Elev. 5,900 FT

And to think I'm still married...
and started growing back in 1990...

And whats wrong if the female your
f**king is a plant anyway????

7/2/2004 12:15:41 AM