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Chippewa Falls, WI

I have been trying to decided whether to do it again... I had a pretty good year but hoped for better. But maybe I had to high of Expectations... I have really great seeds to grow. So I do not want to get rid of any of them but am debating just growing...

HELP!

Thanks April

11/3/2004 9:29:36 PM

canal winchester ohio

You may be debating now, Hell at one time or another all of us wonder why we do it. But after a winter of being couped up inside & that first hint of spring breaks I don't think you'll have a tough decision to make. You'll be knee deep in compost dreaming about the next weighoff.

11/3/2004 9:36:58 PM

Plant Your seeds next year even if you decide you don't want to. You can't start late and get a good chance at a big one. Even if you don't have all the compost there and all the stuff at least you got some plants if you miss the fun growing during the beginning of Spring and Summer. And if you totaly give up you can just pull them out and all done.

11/3/2004 10:28:43 PM

I'm with Gordon... GO UTES!

I have never had the "success" that many growers experience,
but this last August I really came to realize why I do this.
I was out in the patch, after dark, a calm warm summer night.
Fresh raspberries were on my right, pumpkin leaves up above
my waist, I surveyed what was easily the largest annual
plant in Pocatello. Not much in the way of fruit, but the
smell of the garden, the "dirt between the toes", the
enclosed little world I had created between the corn,
sunflowers and rasberries, I had a little fortress for me
and my pumpkins... I don't know if this makes sense, but
this is why I do it.

Well, that and at least I'm the pumpkin king of Pocatello!

11/3/2004 10:33:06 PM

Indiana

April,
you guys had the crappiest year on record up there. next season will be better, plant em and put in what you want. I am sure Shannon will spray them so they get a few hundred lbs if you decide not to do anything to them. Dont feel bad about wasting seeds, I waste more than anyone but welty on an annual basis.

11/3/2004 11:36:25 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

April...send them to me and I'll grow 'em!

11/4/2004 12:42:37 AM

[email protected]

April
I had the same thought here, IT WAS THE TOUGHEST 3 SECONDS OF MY LIFE. lol
We also had a crappy year, it can only get better!!!
Hang in there
Eddy

11/4/2004 12:49:17 AM

Roanoke Il

apirl i quit for a week take two weeks off you'll feel the urge real soon lol.. you bud mark

11/4/2004 6:09:59 AM

New Brunswick

Now that is an excellant way to look at things! I, too am the pumpkin champ of Our local area!!! and I had the biggest halloween pumpkins to boot. Got a lot of comments and chuckles on those. Will soon post pics in my diary.
By all means grow again....those big plants (even without big punkin's are great conversation pieces)
Sue

11/4/2004 6:46:55 AM

Deer Park, WI

LOL Eddy thats funny stuff.

Just last night i was reflecting on life and came to the conclusion that there are only two ways I can truly get away from everything in this hectic world. One of them is losing myself in the patch. Take away this hobby and I'd be left with total system meltdown, due to dealing the stress of everyday life. Perhaps you and I view the benefits of this hobby differently, but i doubt it. Everyone who does this does it for its pure enjoyment. How could you give that up?

11/4/2004 9:13:26 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

DONT GROW AND I WILL TAKE YOUR PATCH....I agree with Joe...Our patches our one part of our lifes we feel we have control of...Some Patches are in more control then others. April just happened to get tangled up with this great bunch of people. Some of whom I even call friends :). Now she is at a crossroad. Is this Shannon's hobby or Our hobby? I like to think it is Our hobby.

11/4/2004 9:21:24 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hang in there April!!!..I went 2 years before I saw a pumpkin...We can't stop what mother nature is gonna throw at us all we can do is be as ready and prepared that she might give us good weather...Still alot to learn in NJ...
Grow em Big! Chuck

11/4/2004 9:53:41 AM

North Ga

I took this season off and will not do it again! I miss being out in my patch sooooooo much!! It's not only about the end result but everything in between. Preparing the soil, Planting the "magic seed" to nurture throughout the growing season. Taking time to talk to my friends on this site about pumpkin growing. Doing my best! I envy all you growers that stuck it out yet another season. I will be back in the swing next spring. (I can vouch for Chuck! He is a trooper!!
Pappy PB 537

11/4/2004 10:36:27 AM

Choctaw, OK

Hey april.

I will give you some good Neuville seeds so you can beat your hubby again. LOL. It wouldnt be the same if you didnt grow again. Once you start, its hard to stop. sounds like a drug?

case

11/4/2004 12:57:44 PM

Mulino, Oregon

April, you are one of the refreshing reasons that many people grow these pumpkins. If it weren't for the people I've met during this whole process, I don't know if I'd still go through all the hassles. What else can you do that completely destroys your entire vacation schedule in the Summer but significantly makes your entire winter much more interesting. Maybe you mean you are just done growing pumpkins and want to concentrate on Squash! You (and Shannon) are always welcome to any of my seeds and I consider it an honor that you are willing to plant them. Keep your chin up and your finger nails dirty. Sure there are always setbacks, but we'll always have Niagara!

Jim

11/4/2004 3:13:02 PM

Massillon, Ohio

Shannon, your quote is priceless: "Now she is at a crossroad. Is this Shannon's hobby or Our hobby? I like to think it is Our hobby. "

i think the hardest thing about getting married will be growing at the same location as nick. mine here and his 10 miles away is good. someday it will be 'ours'...so i enjoy seeing the pictures on here of all the husband / wife teams and of course when i see the wives kicking butt. GO APRIL !! dont quit on us girls now.

11/4/2004 4:22:34 PM

Amherst, WI

Don't hang it up, April. I bet you are gonna have a great season next year.

11/4/2004 8:16:10 PM

Whidbey Island

I really was tired this year, didn't want to grow one, but my kids gave me a nice thermostat for the plastic greenhouse, so I kinda had to make a stab at it. Well, I got a PB of 823#. You never know......

11/5/2004 12:15:58 AM

Chippewa Falls, WI

I truely want to thank everyone one of you for the great feedback & support.... WOW. I might have had too high of Expectations and should greatly appreciate what I did accomplish.And appreciate the wonderful support my husband and friends like you have given me.

Thanks You SOOOO MUCh and I will be taking on another year!

Jim- I will be taking you up on that offer :)

April

11/6/2004 8:14:19 PM

[email protected]

That's the spirit April. Go get 'em!

11/6/2004 9:10:54 PM

ontario

hmmmmmmmmmm......poor Shannon LOL.......:0)

11/6/2004 10:12:25 PM