Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 13 Entries. Wednesday, April 23 View Page Hi, My name is Joe and I'm a Pumpkin addict.. It's been a lon winter here in Minnesota and the Lakes Just are shedding their final coat of ice. My patch is located in Hutchinson Minnesota on an old farmstead. Most Minnesotans have cabins up North but we ended up just 45 miles west of our home in Chaska Minnesota. My wife Theresa and I and our dog Wally enjoy weekends there and it's close enough to run to to tend the patch depending on the situation. This is my 3rd year growing. 598, 757 and ??? Enjoy the hobby immensely and look forward to 2008!!!! Friday, May 2 View Page Spring has sprung.. Not so fast says Wally.. "I think there's still ice out here.... What the Hay, It's almost May.... Only in Minnesota I guess.... Friday, May 2 View Page So Wally says, Looks good from over here.. Shouldn't be too much longer.. Friday, May 2 View Page If Wally keeps pulling ice out of the Lake this will go even faster!!!!!!!!!! Friday, May 2 View Page So, Today is May 2nd, 2008. The Spring will just not start up and we are anxiously waiting to get in the garden.. Snow last weekend and again 40's for a high again this weekend.... Ugh, We'll get going soon enough I guess... Farmer Edwin is supposed to cover the patch with some poo but it's been so wet even he's been delayed!! Thursday, June 12 View Page So, I'm so completely burned out. I know not what to do.. Rain, Rain, rain... I do have 4 plants in the ground, Under hoop houses with open ends, Soaker hoses run through. Rest of garden is planted and it rains and rains and rains.. More to come... That's just my update as I've completely neglected my diary and my pumpkins... How to reenergize? Maybe a little sun.. Only 2 days in the 80's so far this year, Seasonal Distress disorder perhaps? Tomorrow is Friday, Can't wait for the weekend!! Monday, July 21 View Page Holy neglected Diary Batman.... So, July 21st.. 4 plants.. All battered and bruised. Only 1 set. 1 flat vine that split nicely but now something is going on with my main vines not throwing secondaries?? Not looking good.... Monday, July 21 View Page Theories abound from Bacterial Wilt, Too much water? Warrior T, Heat, Too much Seaweed, Some sort of curse? Monday, July 21 View Page Here's what we have pollinated around the 14th of July... There were others that haven't made it that were in good positions... Oh oh, Another year of losing to Doug? Wednesday, August 20 View Page Holy crap, Summer is almost over.. Seriously thinking about my layout for the garden next year as it again becomes apparent that I can't space tomato's very well at all. Busy canning Pickles, Dilly Beans, this weekend it will be Pickled Beets and Round 2 of Salsa.. Vacation was great and these crappies made great fertilizer. Wednesday, August 20 View Page Since I've had so much extra time in the patch as I basically have 1 plant left I get to spend more time chasing the elusive Walleye. Here's a couple 3-4 pounders caught in Lake Reno.. Doug, You listening? Wednesday, August 20 View Page So Here's the summer summary, Apparently I've been in a burnout state with pumpkins but have not been neglecting them.. Spring lasted late into May and here it is the 20th of August and the Pumpkins are just kicking it into gear.. I'm not even sure of the dates of pollination, Just that I have 2 contenders on the SAME plant!! See what you'll do when you lose 3 others.. I obviously have neglected taking photos as well, Hmmm, Going to visit the patch tonight and will bring the camera. Stay tuned I guess. Might even break 200 OTT on 1 or the other plant but with Frost as early as Sept 7th it just doesn't feel like it's my year... Wednesday, August 20 View Page My wife Theresa is turning 40 on the 11th of September and I'm throwing her a big bash on Saturday the 6th. Hired the food in so I can focus on having fun and making sure Theresa doesn't get too tired, She is old after all! So, Lots of work to do to prepare for that..