Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 139 Entries. Sunday, April 20 View Page After close and careful consideration of Mickey's patch, I think I know what will push me into the 4 digit league;) Sunday, April 20 View Page Good help, Good seed, Good soil...seems pretty basic;) Sunday, April 20 View Page Seeds slipped into the growth chamber last night...let the fun begin. Starting one Squash=0, and five Pumkins=1,4,5,6,7. Monday, April 21 View Page 48 hrs.later...Squash 0 has started, and 0(f) & 1 pumpkins. Sunday, April 27 View Page One week since seeds saw moisture...starting lineup is...1010 Frantz.. Sunday, April 27 View Page 800 Niely... Sunday, April 27 View Page sorry that's 800 NEILY...(sorry Wil) Sunday, April 27 View Page 901 Frantz... Sunday, April 27 View Page 901 Frantz... Sunday, April 27 View Page 901 Seals... Sunday, April 27 View Page 1010 Seals (previous was 901 Seals/Frantz) Sunday, April 27 View Page This years starting line-up...see what the future holds;) Friday, May 2 View Page 1010 Frantz...gota go in this weekend or the laundry room will be taken over;) Friday, May 2 View Page 800 Neily is also very aggresive, 1000lbs of green would be nice too;) Sunday, May 4 View Page Pre-patch prep. Would have like the rye up a little taller but , oh well...gota go. Sunday, May 4 View Page Westerly view, five plants going in today. Sunday, May 4 View Page 901 Frantz...note to self, if you got great seeds don't start them so dag-gone early. Sunday, May 4 View Page 1010 Seals Sunday, May 4 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran...(probduced 800lber and 665lber last year on same plant, thought i'd make space again in '08) Sunday, May 4 View Page Gonna try not to favor this one...gonna be hard, some prety good genetics backing this one up. Sunday, May 4 View Page 800 Neily. Not the biggest squash fan but thought I needed a little 'down home' in my patch, thanks Wil;) Sunday, May 4 View Page Gonna leave the outer perimeter of rye for weed control for another week or so. Sunday, May 4 View Page I'm "all in"...Nitro smell a little strong in greenhouses, no canaries here just crossed fingers;) Monday, May 5 View Page Didn't gas 'em...nice:) No heating cables here, hope the sun provides some grow power for the next couple of weeks. Who knows, I might be able to catch you yet Mr. T;) Saturday, May 10 View Page 800 Neily, one of the better ones coping with my 'negligence':(too hot in the house, too cool out...sucks. Saturday, May 10 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran...suffer.... Saturday, May 10 View Page 901 Frantz...suffering too. Just too hot in houses. Saturday, May 10 View Page 1010 Frantz, Got nailed too. Over 20 degrees, sides gotta stay open. Saturday, May 10 View Page 1010 Seals, bounceing back a bit with a little water and time. Friday, May 16 View Page 1010 seals bouncing back after abuse. Friday, May 16 View Page 1010 Frantz. New growth seams o.k. First few leave show 'heat battery' signs though. Friday, May 16 View Page Sorry, this is the 1010 Frantz...and you felt bad Mr. T what you did to you...grrrr. Friday, May 16 View Page 1010 Seals doing o.k...considering. Friday, May 16 View Page 901 Seals...I like the genetics on this on...and the growth so far. Friday, May 16 View Page 800 Neily doing well despite cold and my abuse. Tuesday, May 20 View Page Decided against a replant of the 800 Neily (was growing straight up) Gave her the 'wishbone' treatment instead...hope it works. Tuesday, May 20 View Page Same thing was happening to the 901 Frantz...Some gentle encouragement needed. Tuesday, May 20 View Page Going for a vitamin B shot after laying this fat one over...hard on my nerves;) Friday, May 30 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran. Lagging a bit this year. Maybe just doesn't like the wild fluxes in temperature. We'll see what this warmer week brings Friday, May 30 View Page 1010 Seals. Like the genetics on this one but i think might ribbon vine with the cool temps. Can't open greenhouses, can't close greenhouses...messed up spring...grr. Friday, May 30 View Page 901 Frantz. doing o.k considering our temps. Roots on most have barely exceeding drip line of first few leaves. Hopefully better days ahead Friday, May 30 View Page 1010 Frantz. Starting to vine out, but have lost some leaves with the temperature swings. Vine not as thick as the 901 but it's still early in the race. Friday, May 30 View Page 800 Neily. Guess squash is a 'cool' season crop. Maybe my 'East coast plant' is liking our 'east coast weather'. Temperature for the last 2 nights have been 3-5 degrees...yuck! Saturday, June 7 View Page 1010. What a battle. I realy want this plant to fly but the 'year of extremes' is out to get me. It's either too hot, too cold, too windy...grrr. Plant definitely looks stunted now. I hope it gets use to the abuse of the spring of '08. Saturday, June 7 View Page 1010 seals starting to show a little promise. starting to vine. Saturday, June 7 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran also starting to come around...slowly. Saturday, June 7 View Page 800 Neily probably the best plant so far now. Vine is laying out 9-10" a day and currently lays at about 6'. Must have some east coast toughness built in;) Saturday, June 7 View Page (Bravo sug. 2ml/ga) Saturday, June 7 View Page (Admire 6-10ml/1000sq ft.) Thursday, June 12 View Page 1010 Frantz starting to wake up a bit. Put out about 6" last night. Thursday, June 12 View Page 1010 Seals also starting to come alive. Main vine is around 5' and putting on 6" a day. These may have been putting energy to the roots first...we'll see, not giving up on them, genetics are too good. Thursday, June 12 View Page 901 Frantz, main is close to 7'...staring to run:) Thursday, June 12 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran also starting to run. Sits at 6.5'. Oddly enough...I can see the first pumpkin on a side vine...(no, i'm not pollinating this time Mr.T)...I'm going 'Main and One' this year;) Thursday, June 12 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran also starting to run. Sits at 6.5'. Oddly enough...I can see the first pumpkin on a side vine...(no, i'm not pollinating this time Mr.T)...I'm going 'Main and One' this year;) Thursday, June 12 View Page And ah yes my east coast Juggernaught...The 800 Neily continues to thrive. Vines out about 10' and first squash is ready to drop...vine grew 13" in 24 hrs...easy plant to watch:) Saturday, June 14 View Page Started to put up new poly based windbreaks...I'll try for 1 section per day. Tuesday, June 17 View Page Mission complete. 65% screen up except for far east side. Bhaskaran and 901 Frantz in foreground (7-8'mains). 1010 Frantz and 1010 Seals in background (6-7'mains). Tuesday, June 17 View Page Crazy wind today is pushing the 800 Neily around a bit...but she probably likes it;) Vine is out about 12' with the first female a couple days away from opening at 9'(probably will wait for second one though) Tuesday, June 17 View Page Ready to rumble...bring on the heat!:) Monday, June 23 View Page 1010 Seals @ 9ft. Should have sets by July 1st. Main growing 8"/day. Monday, June 23 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran and 901 Frantz (left to right). 10-12 foot main respectively. Should have sets by July 1st. Mains growing 8"/day. Monday, June 23 View Page 800 Neily. Mains out about 14' and 2nd female has dropped @ 13.5'. Will probably see what this one can do. Monday, June 23 View Page Unfortunately I think in trying to compensate for my extremly low calcium i've overdone my dolomitic lime application. Plants seem to be throwing smaller secondaries than normal. Looks like a nutrient deficiency but it's not...ph is between 7.5 and 8...maybe with the sandy soil and some heavy rain it'll come back down. Thursday, June 26 View Page 800 Neily looking good for July 1st set. 24-25'across the base, mains out about 15'. Saw 1st dead cuc. beatles today, and first SVB 2 days ago (seems a little backwards, oh well). Thursday, June 26 View Page 800 Neily looking good for July 1st set. 24-25'across the base, mains out about 15'. Saw 1st dead cuc. beatles today, and first SVB 2 days ago (seems a little backwards, oh well). Pumpkins should be ready the following week around the 7th to 10...I hope. Thursday, June 26 View Page Would like to take this female @12-13'. Not crazy about the positioning (growing over vine) but a few warm days and a lengthening stock that will change...vine looks o.k though;) Sunday, June 29 View Page Pollonated a side and Main 800 Neily today @ around 13'. (crossed on self due to lack of options;) Stem on main was 'weeping' a little...too early for that. May take one further out. Sunday, June 29 View Page Pollonated Bhaskaran on main @ around 10'. Lobes were a little deformed may take another on this one as well. Sunday, July 6 View Page 1010 Frantz & 1010 Butler. Sunday, July 6 View Page 901 Frantz & 974.5 Bhaskaran in rear. Sunday, July 6 View Page 800 Neily across the back. 3 sets now on this plant. One on side vine and 2 on main. Sunday, July 6 View Page Day 1 Aug.6...16 ft. out on main. Nice 5 lober, hope it takes. Sunday, July 6 View Page 800 Neily side vine @ day 6, will cull when i'm sure mains have set...I like the shape though and it's growth is not disappointing either;) Sunday, July 6 View Page 800 Neily @ day 6. Out 13.5' on Main. Has a small crack on stem so i may cull if one @ 16' takes. Sunday, July 6 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran @ 5 days. 11 ft out...will cull if set at 13 ft. takes. Monday, July 7 View Page pollinated 901 Frantz (f) X 1010 seals (m) @ 14ft out on main today. Monday, July 7 View Page Pollinated 1010 Frantz (f) X 1010 Seals (m) @ 12 ft out on main vine today Monday, July 7 View Page Pollinated 2nd 974.5 Bhaskaran (f) X 901 Frantz @ 14 ft out on main today. All pollination were done around noon in 30+ degree temps. If any take i'll be supprised...but delighted;) Thursday, July 10 View Page Day 5 for 800 Neily set 16' out on main. Cut side vine off yesterday (thanks for the moral support Mr. T;) Thursday, July 10 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran-29" circ. @ day 10. Thursday, July 10 View Page And still the 'pride of the patch'...800 Neily measuring in @ 35" on day 10. Put on 5" in 24 hrs. Have to make some decisions soon which one on main to keep. In 5 days someone will get the axe. Thursday, July 10 View Page 800 Neily. 35" @ day 10. Sunday, July 13 View Page 1010 Seals. Looks like the hot weather set took. Size of softball. Sunday, July 13 View Page 901 Frantz. @ day 6=softball. Sunday, July 13 View Page 1010 Frantz=30.5" @ day 12. Sunday, July 13 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran = 41" circ. @ day 13. Sunday, July 13 View Page Oh yeah, almost forgot...800 Neily @ day 13 is 49" circ.;) Sunday, July 13 View Page Sideview of 800 Neily @ day 13...Another @ 16 ft is still on...wait till this slows a bit. Tuesday, July 15 View Page And then there was one. All eggs in one basket on the 800 Neily now...and this 'basket's on the move. Day 15 circumference is 60"...Dang;)! Thursday, July 17 View Page Bhaskaran =55.5" circ...growing steady 3-3.5"/day. 800 Neily =71"circ.50"ss/48fb=169ott...good girl;) Friday, July 18 View Page 901 Frantz=28"circ. 1010 Frantz=49"circ. 974 Bhaskaran=59.5"circ. 800 Neily=77"circ. Saturday, July 19 View Page 901 seals= 28.5 (yesterday must have been a mis-read).... 1010 Frantz=53.5" circ (looks like she starting to pick up. Bhaskaran=63.5" circ.(gonna be a little shy of 1000k bench) 800 Neily=82.5'circ/192 ott.(should be a nice day 20)...I've heard from a reliable source that the growth of this one may be 'up front'...100 more ga. today with micronutrient (lettin' it ride;) Saturday, July 19 View Page Previous was "901 FRANTZ" Sunday, July 20 View Page 1010 Frantz=58.5" circ @ day 19. Sunday, July 20 View Page Bhaskaran=68.5" @ day 20. Starting to pick up a little steam. did 5" last night. Sunday, July 20 View Page And with 29" leaves..... Sunday, July 20 View Page And a 28' spread across her back... Sunday, July 20 View Page My favorite 'East coaster' in the patch is rising like Grammy's bread in Weymouth Falls;) Sunday, July 20 View Page 800 Neily @ day 20 has a 88.5" circ. and a 202 ott. Sunday, July 20 View Page After 100 ga. of water yesterday, and an 'un-called for' inch of rain last night...the next couple of day will probably test her resolve to stay together...fun fruit to watch though:) Tuesday, July 22 View Page 901 Seals =39"circ. Bhaskaran=74"circ. 1010 Seals=35.5" circ. 800 Neily=99"circ.224ott. Thursday, July 24 View Page Bhaskaran doing a small 3"'s the last couple of days. The 1010 Frantz has now picked up and is probably the third largest and is also doing around 3"/day. The cooler nights have slowed all fruit including the 800 Neily which is doing 3"+ per day. Hopefully warmer weather will return soon. Friday, July 25 View Page 901 Frantz doing 3" per day. Friday, July 25 View Page 1010 Frantz doing 3" per day. Friday, July 25 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran doing 3+ inches per day. Friday, July 25 View Page And...........Not bad for a 25 day old fruit;)....800 Neily doing 3+ inches per day. Friday, July 25 View Page Side shot of 800 Neily. Currently sits at 247" ott. Friday, July 25 View Page sorry this was the side shot @ 247" ott. Saturday, July 26 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran and 1010 Frantz now are my "go to" pumpkins. Bhaskaran has 89" circ. while the 1010 Frantz is a close second. The 800 Neily has slowed a bit with the cool wet weather and has developed 2 small splits in the back. hopefully nothing too deep but I knew this growth was way out of whack...time will tell. Wednesday, July 30 View Page 1010 Seals=65"circ @ day 18. Wednesday, July 30 View Page 901 Frantz = 74.5" circ. @ day 18. Wednesday, July 30 View Page 1010 Frantz = 90.5" circ. @ day 29 Wednesday, July 30 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran @ day 30 = 97" circ. Wednesday, July 30 View Page And although the 800 Neily been a fun ride so far...the ride continues:) Although not very high, at day 30 this globe of glee has a 131" circumference and an ott of 286.5 (pushing 500lbs)...not bad for a months growth;) Wednesday, July 30 View Page Side shot @ 30 and 286.5 ott. Putting on a steady 30-35lbs per day...we'll see if she hold together with the rain and humidity. Wednesday, July 30 View Page Mis-calculation. 1010 Seals and 901 Frantz are 23 days. Monday, August 4 View Page 901 Frantz doing 4-5"/day. Monday, August 4 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran doing 2-3" per day circ. Monday, August 4 View Page 800 Neily going into a 'little' pancake...it is growing though so that's o.k;) Monday, August 4 View Page 800 Neily @ day 35 starting to 'cantelope' a bit...circ=146" with an ott of 310"...guess I'd cantelope a bit too;) Friday, August 8 View Page 901 Frantz = 105" circ. Friday, August 8 View Page 974.5 Bhaskaran = 113"circ./270 ott. Friday, August 8 View Page "The Buick" (doesn't really look that big in person, kinda flat now) I can't see the growth anymore but the tape is honest. Day 39=158"cir. and has an ott of 330". No crazy jumps in growth but hoping it will tic along for another month or so...I may have someone to take to the dance';) Friday, August 8 View Page Stock shot. Not the biggest stock but something must be going through it:) Friday, August 8 View Page Side shot of 800 Neily. I'll take a day 40 measurement tomorrow to see what the day over day increase is. Saturday, August 9 View Page 800 Neily @ 40 days. 160.5" circ. ott of 333". Cooler nights may be a challenge, but this fillys' got to go over 1k or it'll 'blow' tryin';) Not very high (fb and ss kinda small) so it'll be iteresting to see the weight if it makes it to the scale. Wednesday, August 13 View Page Well, it's been a fun ride but I think this rides gonna end sooner than later for the 800 Neily. 5 nights of cold, followed by a bunch of rain couldn't stop this thing...but doing 7" last night ott broke her back:( Dill ring became pronounced 3-4 days ago and the deep rib...well...i don't have to say anymore. @ day 44 the circumference is 169" and has an ott of 347". Not the biggest for sure but it's the best i've done. I'll cut it off as soon as it slows to 1/2"/day to salvage seeds. The patch will see green again next year, it's been a great ride:) Thursday, August 14 View Page The two cutest pumpkins in the patch, Brook and the 974.5 Bhaskaran...one of them weighs around 500lbs;) Thursday, August 14 View Page 901 Frantz measuring 120" circ. and has an ott of around 250. Thursday, August 14 View Page And no, this is not the backside of the incredible Hulk...I'm the only a$$ in this patch;) Blew it! Ah well, i'll bet my patch will see more green next year. Thursday, August 14 View Page Totally sound everywhere else...still puttine on "'s and weight, but her day are numbered. Thursday, August 14 View Page Day 45 the 800 Neily has a circumference of 170" and an ott of 350". This squash never stopped growing and i just think she was an unfortunate victim of circumstance...this girl was going after a record;)...maybe next year. Monday, August 18 View Page 901 Frantz=127" circ. 974.5 Bhaskaran=121.2"circ. 800 Neily (still pluggin' along despite crack) 174"circ. 358" ott. Will cut and hopefully weigh when it slows to 1/2" per day. Tuesday, August 19 View Page 901 Frantz. 128.5 circ.-291"ott. Tuesday, August 19 View Page Coulda', woulda ', shoulda'...800 Neily @ day 50= 174.5" circ. 360"ott. Split is still coverd with latex. Would really like to see this go over 1000;) Saturday, August 23 View Page Well, Meet the 962 Jarvis...(by estimation anyway) The 800 Neily has been 'sliced and diced'. Started to go soft in the front and didn't want pumpkin puke everwhere. Dill ring and a deep centre rib was the reason for her demise i believe. Final measurements @ day 54 were 175.5"circumference, 96"ss, 87 fb. seed count was good, but some had appearance of a non-viable tip. Thanks to Will Neily for the great seed, it was a fun ride while it lasted. There'll be more than one 'green egg' in my basket next year;) Sunday, September 14 View Page Although 'sacrificed' to try and heal my squash, the 1010 Seals has performed very well. Sunday, September 14 View Page 1010 seals pushing 700 Sunday, September 14 View Page 901 Frantz pushing 800lbs