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SW Ohio

I had the opportunity to go to the Big Show this weekend and speak about growing watermelons. Bill Neptune, Dave Cantrell, and Margaret Martin helped me out by sitting up on stage with me and answering questions. Judging from the feedback I got, we should have quite a few new melon growers. Also, watermelon is the featured veggie this year so extra prize money from the GPC is going to happen! Exciting stuff and a huge thank you to Margaret, Dave and Bill for helping me out! A big shout out to Chris Kent for giving me permission to use his melon pacer in my presentation and Marvin Mitchell and Frank Mudd for allowing me to pick their brains on the best way to do the presentation.

3/23/2015 7:25:13 AM

formerly RGG

I would love to have heard your presentation Susan. Is there a video I can download or view ? By the way, what is a melon pacer ? It is always refreshing to hear of new interest in our hobby. It has been very slow on here and I sometimes fear that interest may be waning. I would bet there are ten times or more pumpkin growers as watermelon growers on this site and there is great opportunity of expansion into the pumpkin growing community population with the help of active growing enthusiasts like you.

3/23/2015 8:07:02 AM

formerly RGG

Oh and with the help of people like David Cantrell, who is doing a most excellent job of promoting the giant growing hobby as a whole and is also doing meaningful experiments into areas like breeding and hydroponics.My hat is always off to Brother Dave.

3/23/2015 8:12:49 AM

SW Ohio

I don't know of any video of the program. All I have is my power point presentation but I would be happy to email that to you if you'd like.
Yes it really would be great if we could draw more growers into trying watermelons.

3/23/2015 8:37:15 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Sue is very lucky to be a part of a group which places a high priority on giant watermelons. The SOGPG is very happy to promote the hobby and is very proud to have weighed the world record AND have Sue break the state record at our weigh-off. We love ya Sue!

3/23/2015 9:33:02 PM

formerly RGG

That would be wonderful Susan. I always want to learn more about growing. My email: coolvol@comcast.net

3/23/2015 9:33:40 PM

Frankfort Ohio

I better get that email also sue : )

3/23/2015 11:19:32 PM

SW Ohio

Bart Toftness has graciously offered to post the .pdf version of my presentation on the Team Pumpkin website. This way, you won't have to use space on your computer to see the presentation.

To find it, go to www.team-pumpkin.org and on the left side scroll down until you see presentations. Mine should be the very last one posted.

Keep in mind that my program is simply what "I" do. There were 3 other melon growers on the stage with me and while we do some things alike....we do not all grow exactly the same way. The point I wanted to get across to the growers in the audience was that you need to consider your soil type, your weather, etc...when you are deciding how much you need to water or spray or fertilize. There is no one size fits all and that was very obvious to the audience members as Bill, Dave, Margaret and I discussed the presentation.

3/24/2015 8:41:25 PM

Muddy Waters

Sorry I missed it Susan It was nice talking with you at the awards.Thanks for introducing me to Ken.He is much younger then I thought.Seems like a very nice guy.Im not growing melons this year.I have Pumpkin FEVER!!!LOL

3/24/2015 8:48:33 PM

Grant, AL

Can I get that email as well Mrs. Barber? danjenben4@hotmail.com

3/25/2015 11:49:33 PM

formerly RGG

Charles, please find it here: "To find it, go to www.team-pumpkin.org and on the left side scroll down until you see presentations." Susan's is the last or newest one.

3/26/2015 7:34:05 AM

formerly RGG

Sue, I have viewed your presentation and am delighted with it. It is very informative and thorough. I think the information you provide will help me to grow a new personal best in 2015 if I am able to not have too big a problem with groundhogs eating everything again.Thank you, thank you, thank you.

3/26/2015 7:44:15 AM

Grant, AL

Thank you Dennis! Good luck with your growing this year. I am sure we will have another "newbie" question for yall soon though. Really done alot of research on growing these big melons and we have really worked on our soil. We are super excited about this year. Thanks again for all of the helpful advice.

3/26/2015 9:33:37 AM