Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 444 Entries. Friday, January 1 View Page Be sure though your posting skills haven't diminished. Friday, January 1 View Page Oops.. I let last years diary jump into this years... Good Times in 2010 . Friday, January 1 View Page After doing some research for the even number lots in the upcoming PNWGPG seed auction, I have been humbled by the progeny trees that some of the seeds have. Some of the seeds have produced multiple 14 and 15 hundred pounders. The amount of seeds of 1600+ sure has increased a lot. Does that mean my pumpkin weights will go up this year? Not sure that I have the ammo to get one of these seeds. But, as long as I keep the mole problem down, I have a shot of winning a weigh-off in 2010. LOL Monday, January 11 View Page I have been unable to work on my soil this year, except for the cover crop in my small backyard patch. That's okay though because I have good Karma and plenty of good dirt. I have a top secret weapon this year that I will test out in at least one of my spots. Monday, January 11 View Page Unfortunately, due to severe unknown pain in my left hand/wrist, I am left wondering if I will even get better before the season starts. I am praying that these 2 mri's that I get on weds. show something! Monday, January 11 View Page I keep a positive attitude though. And I say '80 days' until my seed starting! Monday, January 11 View Page Dog Gone Mole. Eating all the worms! Did Manure Man send you? Take me to your leader. Monday, January 11 View Page The only thing that 'AVITAR' in 3-d totally lacked, ... Was a Big Pumpkin. LOL Seriously! Monday, January 11 View Page I have decided to grow 'The Dark Horse' again this year. I am the only one who knows what this seed is. And as far as I know I am the only one around that is growing this seed. I only have 1 and its not famous. Monday, January 11 View Page Not a drop of snow here this year. Last year we got 18" at one point. I still have hope that it will snow again this year! Tuesday, January 12 View Page Manure Man. Your recent posts have not shown up on the BigPumpkins servers, yet. So I cannot yet see what I have to counter-attack to. So here's a preemptive attack and expect a couter-attack later. Just try and dig yourself out of this one. I can't wait untill you get home. LOL Tuesday, January 12 View Page Oops... Manure Man broke his phone today stepping of the tractor (while he was pushing a pile of manure). Figures. That kind of stuff is typical when you are the Farm Boss and you are horsing around. ... And by the way M.M., I am the most hard core moutain biker you have ever seen. Ever heard of a little mountain called everest? I thought not, check it out. Tuesday, January 12 View Page Check out Manure Man this week on the Food Networks new hit TV show, 'The worst cooks in America', where they will feature his 'Manure and Hominy Grit Stew'. They don't understand that we spray the stew on our pumpkins and we don't eat the stew or recomend it. LOL Tuesday, January 12 View Page Trust me, its perfectly safe and they eat it in like 5 countries Tuesday, January 12 View Page Cindy, just wanted to let you know. I tried to access the folder in your pumpkin diary, however it was marked as, TOP SECRET!... I will want know all the secrets at the spring meeting. P.S. Please tell me how to beat Ron this year if you know any tips. Last year he got me by 9 pounds and a split.(LOL) MONSTER GROWER OUT!!! Wednesday, January 13 View Page Hey Manure Man! Do you really think it surprises me that you would submit a photo so inappropriate that even big pumpkins would deny you yo. Wednesday, January 13 View Page C'mon bro, please stop sending in pictures of your nasty stump rot!. LOL Wednesday, January 13 View Page Manure Man. Next time that you post make sure that it actually is rendered online so that the rest of us can see it. Some of us are too busy to just surf old diary's with no new info. LOL. P.S. The new year has started so now we can place are bet for next year. Please call my assistant so that you can set up a time to talk to me. - The Redmond Pumpkin Growing Champ... aka MONSTER GROWER Thursday, January 14 View Page I have recruited The Undertaker and Paul Berer to pay a visit to Manure Man's patch in 2010! I figure one elbow drop to his biggest pumpkin and they will have earned there pay! Friday, January 15 View Page The soil heating cables do concern me a bit. I'll admit it. So I have started construction of a large 3/4 acre 'Biodome'. The plants should be comfortable in it. Now i'm just gonna have to wait and see if Pauly Shore and the chicks show up. Saturday, January 23 View Page Manure Man. How is a plastic Elk supposed to scare me? Does it have a private stash of 898 seeds? Have fun walking behind that thing with a shovel. And then shipping it down from Alaska, please ship me some Salmon also. Saturday, January 23 View Page Manure Man. As far as the tracks in your cover crop... I have been riding Honda in your patch. Those are not deer tracks. Monday, February 8 View Page This will be my main patch for the 2010 year. I figure that I can get 3 big 750 square foot plants in here. I will bring many yards of my soil from my old pumpkin garden on the road to here. (The forground is where I grew my 1182 last year) Monday, February 8 View Page My backyard patch with the cover crop from Sumner Animal Grub! Monday, February 8 View Page We have been hanging out! Monday, February 8 View Page They are my friends! Monday, February 8 View Page Pig Crazy Dog! Mr. Zoos! Monday, February 8 View Page I Threw these Pines into 45 Gallon pots the other day. The weather here has been record warm. November was Record cold. Go Figure. Monday, February 8 View Page Hey Manure Man... Do you still do that John Stamos Impersonation at superbowl? Or is it Chuck Norris? Hmmm. Tuesday, February 16 View Page Why does the stupid man touch the stink bug with his bare hand? Friday, February 19 View Page Hey Boom Boom!, You got your plants in the ground yet? Monday, February 22 View Page So... It Seems as though things are starting to warm up a little bit huh? The last week of full sun. These pictures from a few days ago. ... Wanna talk s3ctr3ts. Okay... Riddle me this, Riddle me that. Whats up with 'Da Quiz' and where is he at... What is he doing? I want to know, so I can place near him, at the next Pumpkin show! LOL Tuesday, February 23 View Page The future subsoil in my new main patch. Lots of worms when I dug down... Thanks to 'The Quiz'. Your posts brightened the day. I just want to be there this year to see you go heavy and win it all! Tuesday, February 23 View Page The doctor told me today he thinks that he can help me. But, I need surgery in both elbows and my left hand. The Mri is very uncomfortable for this particular kind of exam... But this is all very good news! Thank God. Peace and good luck to all growers in 2010! This decade will see more than pumpkin weights rise. Ryan Tuesday, February 23 View Page What!!! Manure Man has been Monkeying around in my patch? Whats that? He's been soil testing for my secret UW ammendment. Okay, I will admit it, my secret ammendemnt is AC/DC music at 300 decibals. LOL... I got a 3.9 in Environmental Science of Compost at UW. 2 people in the class got A's (me and another gal) and the rest of the clas got D's or F's. Go figure Tuesday, February 23 View Page In the shadows of the day Tuesday, February 23 View Page Through the woods I see a sign. Tuesday, February 23 View Page My best tomato last year was a 'Brandywine'. Wednesday, February 24 View Page And Yes. My secret weapon IS some kind of exotic manure! Wednesday, February 24 View Page nursery picture from this same day back in 2007. 1466666666667 Thursday, February 25 View Page 'Fish & Poo' from Monterrey labs. I will pick some up and for ya Quiz... The exotic manure is aged and plentiful but it comes from a secret location that only I know of. And I have not used it before. have to talk about it and I'll explain... Friday, February 26 View Page The Bio-Dome has been fully completed. Manure Man has been put into a scramble. What should he do? ...He needs to come with me to Snohomish, where the answers to the start of the season begin. Tomorrow, I start the plan for the takeover of the pumpkin growing universe. LoL Friday, February 26 View Page Boom Boom. I need some Sequash advise. I heard they grows 'em big in Sequim. The champ lives there! Maybe I could trouble for a couple of seeds? M.G. Out! Tuesday, March 2 View Page Today I planted the 1467 Perham. My most prized and valuable seed. I got it from the PNWGPG seed dist. I am growing this for a special purpose. To Growz 'em big like the Biz someday! Tuesday, March 2 View Page I am going to be attending the IGVGC in Niagara falls! Tuesday, March 2 View Page Patch pic. tommorrow! MONSTER GROWER OUT! Thursday, March 4 View Page Manure Man is bummed that he can't go to Niagra. We booked the trip a long time ago. But life happens. Like new babies. Congrats Manure Man. Will it be a boy or girl? Don't Worry, Manure Man. This will be your chance to spread those green pellets in my pumpkin patch. LOL Please leave the 5 gallon spayer at home M.G. Tuesday, March 16 View Page All forked up! Tuesday, March 16 View Page Added 1 wheel-barrel load of the last of my oldest compost. Tuesday, March 16 View Page This is the introduction of the orange Wheel-barrel in my patch. LOL Tuesday, March 16 View Page I Spread some shovel fulls of dried chicken manure pellets with calcium in them. Today I Planted the 323 Van Hook. (1370 Rose x 998 Pukos). If was in a 1 gallon can. Tuesday, March 16 View Page The 323 was in a 1 gallon can and started about 2 weeks ago. Tuesday, March 16 View Page Niagara Falls was really fun. I met a lot of great growers there! Wednesday, March 17 View Page I think that it is early too but that is how I roll. LOL Wednesday, March 17 View Page I will try to bring a pumpkin to the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe. It is an early fair. And... Cindy, I talked to a bunch of growers that don't use heating cables. It was refreshing, since I don't have any. LOL Good job with your soil and your seeds.. I will still hydrate my main seeds 2 days after the meeting. 1182 Out! Wednesday, March 17 View Page 323 Wednesday, March 17 View Page Sawing, digging, and clipping! Wednesday, March 17 View Page Trust me its in there. LOL Friday, March 19 View Page This years line up will include the 1467 Perham, 1255 Van Kooten, 1209.7 Kuhn, 1568 Connolly, 1354.5 Young. I will plant them in about a month. Saturday, March 20 View Page Today I planted the 920 Perham. Will go to Snohomish for supplies Monday morning. Getting up early. Monday, March 22 View Page 920 Perham. My only early season fair start left. But it's a good heathly one. Monday, March 22 View Page Of course I meant healthy. I still may be able to grow on this spot this year if the county doesn't start the side walk project until next year. Otherwise, I will reclaim the soil next week and put it in my new patches. Monday, March 22 View Page 920 Thursday, March 25 View Page Yesterday at 2 pm it was 102 degrees in the greenhouse. With one side open. I got the temp down to 92 and the 920 perked up. Its still growing very well. Thursday, March 25 View Page Today I started my main lineup in 2 gallon cans. Another season begins. Thursday, March 25 View Page My main lineup remains as previously stated, accept for the addition of the 943.5 Jacobus *. Friday, April 2 View Page The 1354.5 Young,1568 Connolly,1467 Perham, and 1255 Van Kooten all popped up yesterday. Manure Man has 1 of his 825's up looking good. I am thinking about confiscating it since he put it in with my starts. Saturday, April 3 View Page Today I will construct all of my greenhouses. This way I won't have to do the work later. I will be having 4 surgery's monday morning, 1 elbow, 2wrist, 1 hand. I will be sort of the bionic man. If I croak, please bury me with my felco's and sprinkle in some Mycorrizae. LOL Plant Pics coming soon... Stay tuned.. Sunday, April 4 View Page With the beefed up shocks on the truck, you could hardly even tell that it had over 3,000 lbs. in the back! LOL Monday, April 5 View Page 1354.5 Monday, April 5 View Page 1255 Monday, April 5 View Page 1568 Monday, April 5 View Page brought in some soil from my old patch. Monday, April 5 View Page still have a lot more to move! Monday, April 5 View Page 825 Manure Man. LOL Tuesday, April 6 View Page Back on track for Sept. 10th , Tuesday, April 6 View Page cover crop looking good Tuesday, April 6 View Page flowers are blooming! Tuesday, April 6 View Page The main vine spot. Tuesday, April 6 View Page Acer Palmatum dis. 'Octopus' Wednesday, April 7 View Page 1467 on the 5th Wednesday, April 7 View Page The 825 Manure Man's have been popping up everywhere! Wednesday, April 7 View Page yesterday I received loads of horse manure and shavings. This eventually breaks down very nicely indeed, into pumpkin soil. Wednesday, April 7 View Page untill then I'll heal in trees into it. Wednesday, April 7 View Page It was a good load this year. Wednesday, April 7 View Page Something weird is up. Yesterday Manure Man's odometer hit all 333's. Wednesday, April 7 View Page Here is Manure Man probably saying, "Hey, aren't you the guy who ran into my 825 with your tractor blade and then drug it out of the patch and dropped it last year"? LOL Wednesday, April 7 View Page sky's the limit this year. bring it on. LOL Friday, April 9 View Page Manure Man drives Orange! Here he is driving my tractor over to plant his seeds in 1 gallon pots. Which he conveniently left in my office. Friday, April 9 View Page Part 1 of the 'Adventures of Josh Ventures'. LOL Thursday, April 15 View Page Manure Man's 1316 Harp popped up yesterday and he has already started throwing around pizza bets. Josh, this year I am really hungry. Thursday, April 15 View Page Current status. The 2 gallons are my main seeds. The 1's are my backups and Manure Man's seeds. Thursday, April 15 View Page right 1568. left 1354.5 Thursday, April 15 View Page 1255 Thursday, April 15 View Page 1467 Thursday, April 15 View Page Josh won this seed at the spring seminar. Popped up yesterday. Thursday, April 15 View Page also up Thursday, April 15 View Page Got about 3/4 of the dirt moved into my new patch. Thursday, April 15 View Page Looking good! Get more hauled in and then backhoe it into the subsoil and then till in 2 weeks. How we Do! Oh yea... and don't forget to come down to the Spring fair this Saturday as I will be at the PNWGPG pumpkin booth. Monster Grower Out! Friday, April 16 View Page Oh ya and one of the 943.5 Jacobus sqaush popped up today! Friday, April 16 View Page Manure Man busted out his fire fighter Hat today! He's looking to have a great year. He does need to till his cover crop pretty bad. Other than that its all systems go at Faith Farm. I just hope he doesn't grow a bigger pumpkin than me this year. I am going to go into this year with the same attitude as last year. He doesn't have a chance to beat me. Haha Friday, April 16 View Page Send out the Message Friday, April 16 View Page All right, lets see how that cover crops doing. (The brick in the last photo was a compressed fiber of some sort that Josh brought back from Georgia. I will hydrate it to inflate it and them start my tomato/pepper seeds in it) Friday, April 16 View Page I thought it was supposed to be knee high by the forth of July. Geeze! Friday, April 16 View Page Here he is saying, "Thats what a 75 pound bag of winter rye seeds will do for ya"! Friday, April 16 View Page He's got Deer bedding down in the stuff for heaven's sake! Friday, April 16 View Page My garden is looking good too. The soil is now raised up about 18". Ready for a final till. I didn't expect that much of it to be bought in. Jack, if there's any more I may need some help building a retainng wall aroung it! J/K Lol Friday, April 16 View Page Next time you see my patch, there will be 3 plants in here. I came to the realization this year that I may finally need to get me a pare of them "Patch Shoes". Maybe some Nike Jordan's with 1/2" ply wood. ;) Friday, April 16 View Page Planted the 1354.5 outside today in a mini greenhouse, same as last year. Threw in some organic fertilizer mixture with Fungi and bacteria and also added some dried chicken manure pellets with calcium. Monday, April 19 View Page Thanks to my uncle Jim from Spokane for tilling the patch for me yesterday. Monday, April 19 View Page Spring is here in Redmond. Things are blooming, like this Rhody 'Baden Baden'. Monday, April 19 View Page I have my three pumpkin hoop houses up and ready. Forground -1467 Perham, Left -1354.5 Young, Right -1255 van Kooten. Today I sent the 1568 Connolly with Manure Man up the hill to his place and he said that he would plant it today. I plan to make the 943.5 Jacobus 09 green Squash my fourth plant. After I till my backyard patch I will plant it back there. Monday, April 19 View Page 1467 Perham Monday, April 19 View Page 1255 van Kooten planted outside today, (the 1467 was also). Monday, April 19 View Page 1354.5 Young. Looking great. planted a couple days ago. Monday, April 19 View Page Another view. Looking forward to the season. Good luck to everyone. Ryan Thursday, April 22 View Page This secret UW amendment stuff down south has been getting me a little bit nervous. I wonder if it helps the plants grow faster, or if it just generally helps the plants to grow bigger pumpkins. I wonder... What would I do if I had a secret amendment like this... Well, I would present it to congress I guess. Lol Monday, April 26 View Page Went up the hill to Manure Man's this morning. He has been steppin' it up a little bit this year. His patch looks good, all mowed off. Monday, April 26 View Page Josh, I'll bring up the back-hoe. Call my assistant and make an appointment to speak with me. Monday, April 26 View Page Left 500 Boyce, Right 1568 Connolly Monday, April 26 View Page 1568 Connolly up the hill... Monday, April 26 View Page Also up the hill at Faith Farms. Manure Man's top secret pumpkin project for 2010. The 500 Boyce. He has tried several times to turn his garden into a no picture zone. I was able to snap these photo's today in a covert operation. Monday, April 26 View Page 1355 Monday, April 26 View Page 1316 Thursday, April 29 View Page Day before Yesterday I fed all the main plants with 'Fish and Poo' from Monterrey labs. The Puyallup Fair pumpkin bunker is looking good. It also had some weeds it in that had germed so I brushed them out. I plan to till and plant the 943.5* Jacobus 09 tommorrow. Monster Grower Out!!! Sunday, May 2 View Page Yesterday I decided to get on the back-hoe. Here is my backyard patch before. Sunday, May 2 View Page once I dug up the patch I decided to extend it. The more grass that I turned the better I felt. Sunday, May 2 View Page I made kind of a chunky mess. I will get the green squash planted probably tommorrow and then have the soil for the rest of the patch done sometime in the next 2 weeks, while the plant is still small. Sunday, May 2 View Page I am so happy with the newest addition to my patch. The portable metal tri-pod sprinklers! I just got a bunch of them and I already like them. No Josh you can't borrow one , lol. Tuesday, May 4 View Page Today, there was dark clouds and sun. At one point, I opened the greenhouse over the 1255 on 1 side. I almost did the other two, but then it started raining hard and I saw a few drops of snow. Craziness. I have been getting a lot of wind this year. Tuesday, May 4 View Page 1354.5 Young today. Doing well. Tuesday, May 4 View Page 1467 Perham. Planted in the same spot as my 1182 from last year. Also doing well. Tuesday, May 4 View Page 1255 Van Kooten looking good! Its real green. Tuesday, May 4 View Page Remember Josh, you must deliver me that 1019 Grande seed immediately! Lol Thursday, May 6 View Page Today I unfortunately realized that the 1467 was not going to make it. It had been slumping for a couple of days. After I pulled it today I noticed that it had been attacked by maggot's or something and they had chewed through the stem. Thursday, May 6 View Page In steps the 943.5 Jacobus Green Squash. Thursday, May 6 View Page Another shot. Thursday, May 6 View Page The 1354.5 is looking GREAT!. Also the 1255 looks very good. The weather is supposed to turned around tomorrow! Lets go sun. Friday, May 7 View Page Manure Man, I have a plan, To take you out, and that's no doubt! Friday, May 7 View Page Josh, are you sure that deer wasn't nesting on one of your pumpkins through the cold weather? Saturday, May 8 View Page 500 Boyce Saturday, May 8 View Page 500 Boyce Saturday, May 8 View Page Planted the 890 Ewing in case one of the other plants bites it! And because it went 20% heavy for me last year. Saturday, May 8 View Page Here's Manure Man's new toy. We call it 'the ripper'! Monday, May 10 View Page 1354.5 today. Monday, May 10 View Page Here is little Sweet Pea. We took here for a walk. That dog sure compacts the soil Josh, we my need to make her some patch shoes. Lol Tuesday, May 11 View Page Manure Man, while your out of town I've been going up and getting your mail. I want to ask you a question though... Tuesday, May 11 View Page today I bladed out the backyard patch with the tractor. I brought about 1/4 of the dirt back there that I need to. Even though I am real busy tomorrow, I will try and get things done and plat the last pumpkin. I can't believe that i'm this late. Late Late Late Late Late, Phooey. Ha Tuesday, May 11 View Page Also tomorrow I will plant the Long Gourd seeds. They are K. Starr seeds from Oregon. I won them as a door prize with a lot of other good seeds from the PGVG last year at the co-hosted spring meeting in Oregon. Also, shout out to my friends growing and posting, Harbor Grower, Cindy in Little Rock, C.R.B Pumpkins, and rdRooster. Good luck, God Bless, and Great Growing! Friday, May 14 View Page Finally Got the backyard planted this year. Way behind last year. But the weather is good now. Friday, May 14 View Page 1297 Ghaye. Put out today. This plant is a hopeful pollinator and producer! Saturday, May 15 View Page One cap full per 2 gallon. I applied 1 1/2 gallons between all the plants today at 9:30 am. Tuesday, May 18 View Page 1354.5 Young today. Its a really good growing plant. Tuesday, May 18 View Page 1354.5. Just before I annihilated the weeds in the greenhouse with the hoe. I gave all the plants a light foliar of fish&poo today. hitting the under sides of the leaves. Tuesday, May 18 View Page Another shot. Wednesday, May 19 View Page Got everything Battened down before the big storm of 2010 blew through here. I weeded most of this patch the next day. Thursday, May 20 View Page I was talking to someone and then I saw this one had started flapping in the air. Never the less, with all of the wind that we've had this year, and all the talk of wind from fellow growers, I took serious precautions and cut no corners! Thursday, May 20 View Page I threw these Turban Squash seeds in the zip last week. Opened it today and it had worked nicely. Sunday, May 23 View Page Thanks to Neal Leland for the Giant regular pumpkin seeds he gave me at the spring meeting. They popped up nicely, started in pots outside. Here they are on the way to Grandma's. She called me last week and said that she had room this year! Sunday, May 23 View Page 943.5 Jacobus this morning. Sunday, May 23 View Page 943.5 this evening. Starting to grow fo show. Sunday, May 23 View Page The neighbor's pumpkins this year. The two closest plants are wyatt's wonder's. Sunday, May 23 View Page 1255 van Kooten. Starting to come around. Looking like a single vine and potentially a keeper. Sunday, May 23 View Page I planted the 890 Ewing in front of the 1255 as a backup just in case. It has grown well since going in the patch. I am never planting one of my seeds as a back-up again. It will be tough for me to pull this one. However, I think that I will. Sunday, May 23 View Page The stump of the 1354.5 Young this morning. Keep your eyes on the tendril. Sunday, May 23 View Page This evening it appears the tendril reached out and wrapped around a leaf today. I guess I'll cut it of tomorrow. Sunday, May 23 View Page Another shot Sunday, May 23 View Page The Main vine tip on the 1354.5. I planted this start the earliest of all and its my best. The reason the 1354.5 was chosen to plant first was because of the triangular shape of the new leaves. This was different than the rounded shape of the first leaves on my other starts. The 1354.5 stood out among the rest. I just liked the look of it. It is on pace to be a beautiful plant. Tuesday, May 25 View Page Cindy, take Don's advise and pull the double vine out of the ground. Replacing with a healthy 1191 Barker is a great option! Tuesday, May 25 View Page We don't like to pass those double vine genetics on for future growers to have problems with. Tuesday, May 25 View Page Today I pulled the 1297 Ghaye due to transplant shock. Sorry Joes, but I do still have 2 of those 1058 Ghaye seeds left you so nicely sent me. I plan to grow one of those next year. Tuesday, May 25 View Page The 890 Ewing is kicking it in the backyard patch now, about 1 month behind last year due to weather. But last year my dog ripped up half of the plant. So tomorrow I will put up a fence. It has really grown nicely since I put it out. I dug around it and checked to make sure the 1255 van Kooten's roots hadn't snarled up with it yet. Then I gently scooped the plant out of the ground and carried it 100 yards to the back yard. I gave it some B-1 start. Tuesday, May 25 View Page Then a couple hours later I realized that I had transplanted it in the wrong direction... So I carried out the process again....#$%^ Tuesday, May 25 View Page Oh yea. So anyway the 1255 has made the final cut. Final 2010 lineup. 825 manure man. 825 manure man. ... Ha Ha Tuesday, May 25 View Page I meant my final lineup is, 1255 van Kooten, 943.5 Jacobus*, 890 Ewing, 1354.5 Young Wednesday, May 26 View Page I think union hill just erupted. Lol I don't know what is going on up the hill. J, I hope that this stupid rain goes away. If it gets any worse I'll bring my snorkel gear up. Wednesday, May 26 View Page The 1255 van Kooten today. I foliar and root drenched with a light solution of 'Fish and Poop' Today. Wednesday, May 26 View Page I trimmed the bottom leaf off of the 1255 today and staked it down. Wednesday, May 26 View Page After I finished with it today. Wednesday, May 26 View Page Same thing for the 1354.5 Young. Wednesday, May 26 View Page Closer up! Wednesday, May 26 View Page Same routine for the 943.5 Jacobus. Fertilize, till around. and secure. Lol Wednesday, May 26 View Page Here it is secured Wednesday, May 26 View Page Here's the 890 Ewing 08 that I transplanted to the backyard patch. This is the new Puyallup Fair Pumpkin Bunker. Lol. Still haven't fence it yet! Wednesday, May 26 View Page A closer look at the 890 Ewing 08 1 day after transplant. Wednesday, May 26 View Page Somebody brought me this picture from the Seattle Times last year. I pinned it up in my office. Friday, May 28 View Page Went up to Faith Farms today. Josh remember, Never question may order at ixtapa. Friday, May 28 View Page Manure man got stuck for a second but maneuvered his way out. I recommended he scooped from the top of the pile as it was a little wet down there. Friday, May 28 View Page Here he is blading out a manure road. Friday, May 28 View Page The good stuff. There must have been a million worms in that bucket. Friday, May 28 View Page Today we conducted the Western Union Hill AG Recovery & Rescue Operation. Also known as the W.U.A.R.R.O. Here the tractor is seen moving in quickly to save some plants. Friday, May 28 View Page Its wet. Friday, May 28 View Page before recovery Friday, May 28 View Page After the rescue operation. Delta 2 out. Friday, May 28 View Page The baby horse at Faith Farm is looking good. Weird looking blue eyes and all! The moms in the middle and Josh's Genuine Draft Horse is on the right. The draft horse is rad. Saturday, May 29 View Page Everyone say good by to my plants in June and some or all of July. I will be a hosting site at the PNWGPG patch tour this year. Details to come in the next few weeks. Its going to be a really cool tour this year. There will be free manure giveaways at Manure Man's. (Just bring your truck). And Much More... Grow 'em Big Saturday, May 29 View Page P.S. Ron B, I need pictures soon or I am going to have to take a look at your plants or something. Same goes for Little Rock and Olympia Lol Good luck and talk to ya soon. Ryan Sunday, May 30 View Page Wow! Olympia came through with some really nice pictures! It is really cold up here in Redmond this morning. I may have to make a hoop house expansion also. Last year I took them down by may 20th. I have checked the 10 day forecast every day now for as long as I can remember. I just can't believe this weather. Monday, May 31 View Page Today I noticed that the 1255 had thrown a double vine. Since I am out of backups I will try to cut it back to a secondary and get at least something out of it. Wednesday, June 2 View Page Today I have decided to write this poem about my feelings this season. -Prolonged no sun, slow growth, double vine double vine,... From Corn seed maggots to little green bugs, but amazingly this year no sign of slugs... From transplant shock to the cold cold cold... But at least 1 plant is still looking bold. weeds weeds and more weeds but still holding hope for good weather so no growth impedes. LOL Wednesday, June 2 View Page Shane, your plants look great. Especially the 1355 Thursday, June 3 View Page I have been frustrated as my phone has not been able to transfer my pictures to my computer for 4-5 days. So no pictures. But I will do the diary for the last couple days without. Thursday, June 3 View Page The 1354.5 Young is about 1 foot longer than any of Ron's plants. Lol Thursday, June 3 View Page By foot I meant size 11 Thursday, June 3 View Page Actually the 1354.5 is around 5' out and I already pinched a tertiary of a side vine yesterday. P.Ps. don't tell Sumner. Lol Thursday, June 3 View Page The rest of my plants are all slowsive my brosive... But, luckily Rollie called and gave me some tips for next year and offered to bring by one of his 568 's for me thats still in a pot. Thanks a lot to Rollie K. as he has helped me out a lot over the last few years. He called yesterday about 2 hours after I had noticed that the 890 Ewing had also thrown a double vine. And I am out of backups... Thursday, June 3 View Page Also I have been keeping an eye out on a couple of faded leaves on the 1354.5. I noticed yesterday that it had a green leaf hopper on it. Sitting on the tip of the biggest mature leaf. Luckily I called in Billy the exterminator from Vex-con. Or I used the squish 'em with your thumb and forefinger method. I can't remember. Thursday, June 3 View Page Hopefully I can get picture of the leafhopper damage uploaded sometime. I talked with a lot of good growers at Niagara about pests and learned quite a bit. Still though, I try to keep it all organic in the patch! Friday, June 4 View Page Foliar and root drenched the 1354.5 today. Hit it with a little Calcium and Liquid seaweed. All three of my other plants are double vines. Friday, June 4 View Page The 1354.5 Young is over 5 feet, buried, and has a pumpkin on the tip of the main that I noticed today. I'll cull that one but probably set one of the next ones. Saturday, June 5 View Page Finally, today we had a sunny and beautiful day!. The 1354.5 Young came out of the greenhouse today. It's about 6' long. I put up a 2-3 foot high wire rabbit fence around it. Sunday, June 6 View Page Boom Boom. Your fans are weighting for you to post. They are saying, "We want Edgar, We want Edgar"! Sunday, June 6 View Page There could be a monster in the Harbor this year it looks like. Lol Sunday, June 6 View Page The Biz's 1019's and 1385 look rad! Sunday, June 6 View Page Today the first male flower of the year opened on the 1354.5 Young. I also culled a 5 lober at about 5' out on the main today. Wednesday, June 9 View Page Shane, after you see the size of the pumpkins on your plants this year... You will realize that you don't even necessarily need to place wires in your soil. Its all about timing. The 1467 your growing has gotten a lot of nitrogen and looks really good. Now that its out of the house, It will shoot out like crazy. You will be pollinating by the 1rst week of july. Let me know your foliar feeding schedule if you don't mind. Ryan Wednesday, June 9 View Page Pictures of all of my plants tomorrow. Thursday, June 10 View Page The 943.5 Jacobus* is starting to grow nicely after Stan P. emailed me to up the water little on the double vines. He Knows JACK! Lol Thursday, June 10 View Page Here's the 1255 that double vined. I cut it back to a nice secondary. Thanks to Jim S. for the timely advise on that one. I also cut of 2 nice side vines to encourage this new main vine. Thursday, June 10 View Page My neighbors planrs. The two closet are Wyatt's Wonder's and the rest are field pumpkins. Thursday, June 10 View Page And here's my own 890 that has flat out ribbon vined on me. Thursday, June 10 View Page Here the 1354.5 Young today! Thursday, June 10 View Page The stump. I have a full foliage arsenal on hand. I just picked up, 1 gallon Maxi crop kelp, 1 package Maxi crop soluble Kelp Powder. I use all of this stuff very lighty. I have noticed the Maxicrop Kelp stinks a lot more than the Kelp that I have used in the past. Thursday, June 10 View Page Hers the next pick of the 1345.5. Sorry the stump picture was to many megabytes Friday, June 11 View Page The 943.5 Jacobus* is not a double vine and has started to grow! Maybe I will have a green sqaush in the patch this year! Monday, June 14 View Page Busted out the Simplici-tea brewer and gave the plants some compoest tea. first application was a simple brew. Just 1 cup simplici-tea compost and about a 1/2 cup of there food source. I plan to use a little bit of soluble kelp and sometimes fish with by brews as the season goes on. Monday, June 14 View Page Little Rock. I measured the 1354.5 for you guys today! I have never measured any of my vines before. It was closing in on 9' this afternoon... ;) Monster Grower Out!!! Monday, June 14 View Page Oops, Here's the picture of the compost tea... Thursday, June 17 View Page After seeing the 2 deer in the patch yesterday, I promptly stuck a lawn chair over the tip of the main on the 1354.5. Then I surrounded it with wire fencing. Thursday, June 17 View Page Zoos walked through the hoop in the backyard patch today and smashed up the 890 Ewing. I planted 5 rows of 'Early Sunglow' Sweet Corn back there today. I left the 890 Ewing and will use it to grow a few nice display pumpkins. Sunday, June 20 View Page Thanks to Kip from Simplici-tea.com for pulling over the 200 Gallon compost tea brewer trailer. He said this brew had some molasses and some fish, among some other stuff. I got on the sprayer and nailed a ton of trees and of course the precious. LOL That thing is the coolest sprayer that I have ever seen. I mean it can spray anything! Wednesday, June 23 View Page I put a 2 foot high fence around the 1354.5 Young last week. I tell people its a rabbit fence... But, really its a people fence. Don't even think about walking in my patch now. Wednesday, June 23 View Page Waiting for conformation from our guest speaker any day. I Will announce the patch tour date in a few days and send it out in email. I'm trying to line up something kinda special for this year. Wednesday, June 23 View Page The 1354.5 Seed packet looks good hanging from my rear view mirror. Wednesday, June 23 View Page At the stop light on the way home I looked back notice this Metallic Green Beetle was kickin' it along for the ride. It made it the whole way. Wednesday, June 23 View Page Here's my new old Kubota Tractor. It has shortened axle's so that it can fit between the rows of trees for tilling. Also it has this field mower attachment. There is another wheel the fits onto the field mower. One of my favorite songs on the radio is the, She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy Techno Remix. Its from a local artist and its hilarious. Lol Wednesday, June 23 View Page 2010... Building a Dynasty... Live it up. Wednesday, June 23 View Page Grows 'm Bigger Wednesday, June 23 View Page John Stamos Out! Thursday, June 24 View Page After I saw the green beetle yesterday I decided to look up a picture of a Squash Vine Borer. Thursday, June 24 View Page Yesterday I planted 8 tomato plants (Early Girl, Stupice, Sweet 100, orange cherry heirloom, Isis Candy, and Mr. T). When I was watering them today I noticed one of them had a S.V.B. on it! I sure was glad that I had looked them up so I could identify it. The only problem is that I squished it before I had the idea to bring it over and release it up the hill to Manure Man's Plants. Lol Friday, June 25 View Page oops... that wasn't a squash vine borer because it had red wings. But don't worry Ron I still took the batteries out. After it chewed holes in Manure Man's leaves. ;) Sunday, June 27 View Page Confirmed Weasel siting in the patch today. My brother spotted it running outside my people fence. Lol. Which is now also a Weasel fence. It Turns out that I am the only one that has not gotten to see the weasel. But, I did see a Bobcat earlier this year and that was pretty cool. Plus there's no misidentifying a weasel because everybody's has seen the movie Kindergarten Cop with Arnold. Lol Sunday, June 27 View Page Sheriff Edgar stopped by today to give Zoos a ticket for puling up my corn. But he let him off with just a warning because they are both Pumpkin Dogs. Lol Monday, June 28 View Page Got one ready to pollinate at around 12' on the precious. It should open in the morning. Monday, June 28 View Page (Team Stamos) Out! Lol Tuesday, June 29 View Page 1354.5 Young x 1255 van Kooten. Roughly 12' today. Tuesday, June 29 View Page From the side Tuesday, June 29 View Page Monster Grower in Snohomish County... Tuesday, June 29 View Page Let the h2o flow... Tuesday, June 29 View Page Hit me with the Flava. Tuesday, June 29 View Page The view out over East Duvall Tuesday, June 29 View Page H20 fo show Tuesday, June 29 View Page H2O FO SHOW Wednesday, June 30 View Page Yesterday I foliar fed all the plants with 0-10-10 Alaska fish. I used a backpack sprayer for this for the first time and it worked great. Wednesday, June 30 View Page More compost tea started today. This time I added a pinch of soluble kelp at the beginning. Haven't heard from Manure Man, so its been nice and quiet around the farm. Lol Wednesday, June 30 View Page The 943.5 Jacobus* is doing well. 7 feet out and It has a female at 6 feet. Too close for me. However it is looking like I will have a nice green squash this year. It is a noticeably aggressive plant. Wednesday, June 30 View Page After taking the Tree Doctor's advise and cutting the 1255 back to a near secondary. The 1255 van Kooten is about 8' out and looking good. I think my dad has picked this plant as his favorite. It has big dark green leaves. Wednesday, June 30 View Page Message to Manure Man.... Recent spy satellite video has seen activity in your plants as of noon Sunday. Friday, July 2 View Page 1354.5 Young x self, 5 lobes, 14 feet, In The Courtyard With The Candlestick. Saturday, July 3 View Page MANURE MAN! That was NOT WEEDS that you pulled up around my 890 Ewing 08, THAT WAS MY 'Early Sunglow' Sweet Corn!!! Your karma level as been raised to ORANGE ALERT Status. P.S. The ONLY Drones that you have brought down out of the sky are the ones that I have MEANT for you to shoot down. Tuesday, July 6 View Page Okay so... Bummer day in the patch today but not a catastrophe. The female at 10' on the 943.5* had a secondary attached to the stem of the pumpkin! The stem looked like a ribbon vine. I have never seen that one before. Luckily the 943.5 has been putting out nice 5 lobers so I will wait for the next one to pop up on the main. I am however concerned that I am going on a salmon fishing trip to Nootka Bay Sound in Canada July 17-21st and I may have to have Manure Man help in case something needs pollinating. Yikes. Tuesday, July 6 View Page No stellar 10 day measurements here. But the 1354.5 Young is looking to be one of the best plants that I have ever grown. 2 pollinated on the main vine already. The plant is huge and aggressive. Wednesday, July 7 View Page Happy Birthday to Edgar!!! The Pumpkin Guard Dog. Happy Happy Birthday. Wednesday, July 7 View Page 90 Degrees in Redmond today. Hottest day of the year so far. The main vine after the 2 pumpkins I pollinated had really frumpy leaves today... Delta 2 Out ;/ Friday, July 9 View Page 1354.5 Young x self. 5 lobes. 16 feet? 3rd one set on the main. Sunday, July 11 View Page 943.5 Jacobus* x self pollinated today on a secondary. 5 lobes. Monday, July 12 View Page 943.5 Jacobus*x self left side vine. 5 lobe. Won't keep this one but just in case. The main vine appears to have a squash abut a week away from pollination. Monday, July 12 View Page Culled the first pollination on the 1354.5. The 3rd one looks like it may be the keeper. Monday, July 12 View Page I have seen nothing but 5 lobers this year in my patch. Strange Monday, July 12 View Page I have zero preference between a 4 or 5 lobe pumpkin. Monday, July 12 View Page I will DEFINATELY grow the 943.5 again next year. It has really long stems on the fruit. Very round squash baby's. The plant is 1 month behind my plants from last season, but its extremely aggressive and it is green and awesome. Tuesday, July 13 View Page 1354.5 Young x 1255 van Kooten. technically speaking this was a 6 lobe flower. But.. since I didn't have my camera I will describe it as it appeared... a 5.5 Lober Monday, July 26 View Page I'm fresh back from Nootka Sound in Canada. I caught 4 king salmon. My plants look good. Manure Man did an excellent job with vine burying and pollination. Thanks to my dad for helping with the h2o. Monday, July 26 View Page Manure Man, in the future please do not use the cut off bamboo stakes in my patch, they are hard to find. They were no big deal to remove. And really, you did an awesome job. It was like a million times better than anything that I had expected. Monday, July 26 View Page All Plants culled down to 1 pumpkin/squash today. 1354.5 Young self pollinated on 7-9. third pollination on that plant. The 943.5 Jacobus pollinated on 7-18. Also the 3rd pollination, (first one one the main). And finally the 1255 van Kooten x 1354.5 Young pollinated on 7-19. Also the third pollination on that plant. Delta 2 out! Tuesday, July 27 View Page In case anyone is wondering why they haven't heard from Manure Man lately... I'll let you in on a little secret... MANURE MAN'S BEEN KIDNAPPED BY ALIENS. LOL Tuesday, July 27 View Page After a long and hard search. And endless hours and hours spent digging through the basement of the Seattle Library, I had finally found it. I had finally revealed the identity of NEMATODE's arch nemasis... ... Tuesday, July 27 View Page NAMETAG Tuesday, July 27 View Page ;} Saturday, July 31 View Page 1166 Emmons x 1255 van Kooten. Saturday, July 31 View Page So we had the last stop of the patch tour at my place. I busted out the sign again for the 2010 season to get into the spirit! Saturday, July 31 View Page Now on to other business. I tried to get by with using old compost this year. I let my compost dry out over the winter in the garage. I probably killed most of the billions of mirobes in my compost. Here is a shot of my tea. The round things are flagellates. When Compared to other tea's (like C.R.B. pumpkins) my tea had way less activity and way less bacteria. Go Figure. But I may never here the end of it as my tea was the butt of more than a few jokes. Lol Saturday, July 31 View Page What else can I say but thanks again to Simplici-tea and Tad is awesome for helping us growers out. Saturday, July 31 View Page My 'early sunglow' regular sweetcorn is doing well with all the good weather lately! Sunday, August 1 View Page 890 Ewing after I pruned a lot of tertiaries off of it. Sunday, August 1 View Page BIG WHITE. Year 3 Sunday, August 1 View Page 890 Ewing x open Sunday, August 1 View Page Here is where the ribbon vine surgery was performed. Sunday, August 1 View Page 1255 van Kooten Sunday, August 1 View Page 1255 van Kooten x 1354.5 Young. Day 13 Sunday, August 1 View Page Here is the stem side and I meant Day 12. Sunday, August 1 View Page 943.5 Jacobus* x self. Day 13 Sunday, August 1 View Page Bam! Sunday, August 1 View Page 1354.5 Young Sunday, August 1 View Page Leaves are big on this one. Sunday, August 1 View Page Stump is big on this one. Sunday, August 1 View Page 1354.5 Young x self. Day 23 Sunday, August 1 View Page Blossom end Sunday, August 1 View Page Stem side. Sunday, August 1 View Page Its all smiles around here this time of year. M.G. Out!!! Monday, August 2 View Page Here's Manure Man's only nice plant this year. The 1166 Emmons. And it is a nice plant. Monday, August 2 View Page It was awesome getting to look at the compost tea's under the microscope. Simplici-tea.com really came through with a great presentation. Thanks so much to them for coming out to our patch tour! Tuesday, August 3 View Page I measured the leaf on the 1354.5 Young that I showed a picture of with the Pepsi can. It is 30" across. That's a new pb for me in leaf size. Lol Monday, August 16 View Page Alert! Deer in the patch this morning. I went after him like I was running track. This picture is right before he bent down and bit a leaf. Monday, August 16 View Page I should have taken a pic of the giant cage that Manure Man brought the deer down in, but I forgot. J/K Lol Monday, August 16 View Page The blossom split on the 1255 right after I noticed it. Wednesday, August 18 View Page Ladies and gentlemen boys and girls, welcome back into my world. A world shrouded with mystery and intrigue. And other stuff. Here is a picture of the start of the new pumpkin lifting tri-pod I am building. You may call it over-kill. I call it playing it safe. Wednesday, August 18 View Page Here it is again after I got the first leg of the tri-pod jockeyed into position. Wednesday, August 18 View Page Current Patch pic Wednesday, August 18 View Page 1255 van Kooten x 1354.5 young Wednesday, August 18 View Page 1354.5 Young x self. Day 40 Wednesday, August 18 View Page Here's another shot. Just Gotta have something orange in the patch! Wednesday, August 18 View Page Here is a picture of a green squash. This is my small one! Wednesday, August 18 View Page J/K lol Wednesday, August 18 View Page Here's another shot of the 943.5 Jacobus*. Wednesday, August 18 View Page The backyard patch is doing well. The 'early Sunglow' sweetcorn is doing great. It claimed on the package to only get 4.5 feet tall. Its all ready well over 6 feet. You know how I do... Lol Wednesday, August 18 View Page 890 Ewing x open. Undisclosed day... Wednesday, August 18 View Page Stem Side Wednesday, August 18 View Page Here's the stem on the 943.5 Jacobus green squash. The Current feeding schedule for all the plants is SIMPLICI-TEA, plain water next day, 0-10-10 Alaska fish next day... Plain water next day... Liquid and a little powdered seaweed the next day, Plain Water Next Day, Uncle Shorty's worm tea the next day. Wednesday, August 18 View Page I'm not calling you out. But again... What would the world be without POSTER'S? A LOT OF REALLY PLAIN WALLS. Wednesday, August 25 View Page Here is a photo of the giant tendril vine that grew on the 1354.5 Wednesday, August 25 View Page 8.9 Manure Man Wednesday, August 25 View Page 1354.5 Young Wednesday, August 25 View Page Today was the most beautiful day of the year in Seattle. Still rocking my 1354.5 Young seed packet on my rear view :} Wednesday, August 25 View Page 943.5* Jacobus x self Wednesday, August 25 View Page 1255 van Kooten x 1354.5 Young. Day Whatever Thursday, August 26 View Page Howdy Thursday, August 26 View Page Went to Voodoo doughnuts in Portland this weekend and took the Man vs. Food challenge. Actually it was more like Monster Grower vs. Food. Delicious Thursday, September 2 View Page Yesterday I went out to the Evergreen state fair and saw this nice long gourd in front of the first building. Thursday, September 2 View Page I came across a pig named MONSTER.He was just a little monster but I am sure he is well on his way! Thursday, September 2 View Page The kids award display Thursday, September 2 View Page I had a good day. I spent part of the afternoon at The Farm at Swans Trail eating lunch with the Everett gosphel mission and making the final preparations for our weigh-off on the 26th. Friday, September 3 View Page 943.5 Jacobus x self. Day 45 OTT 310" Est. 629 lbs. Friday, September 3 View Page It is a beautiful thing Man. Friday, September 3 View Page Hers the 943.5 plant Friday, September 3 View Page 1354.5 Young x self Day 56 OTT 283" 482 lbs... Its a real beauty Friday, September 3 View Page 1354.5 Plant Friday, September 3 View Page 1255 van Kooten x 1354.5 Young day 43. OTT 314" Est. 653 lbs. Friday, September 3 View Page What a Beaut Friday, September 3 View Page The 1255 plant Friday, September 3 View Page My home pc crashed a month ago so my posting has been mildly affected lol. Saturday, September 11 View Page Lets play a game of MONSTER MAY I... Saturday, September 11 View Page MONSTER MAY I SEE A PICTURE of the 943.5* x self? Saturday, September 11 View Page NO! Saturday, September 11 View Page ALRIGHT, MONSTER MAY I PLEASE SEE A PICTURE OF THE 943.5* x self Saturday, September 11 View Page Okay Dokay Saturday, September 11 View Page MONSTER MAY I PLEASE SEE A PICTURE OF THE WHOLE THING! Saturday, September 11 View Page YAYAA! Saturday, September 11 View Page MONSTER MAY I PLEASE SEE A PICTURE OF THE 1354.5 X SELF? Saturday, September 11 View Page I'LL THINK ABOUT IT! Saturday, September 11 View Page I'LL THINK ABOUT IT! Saturday, September 11 View Page jEFF tHAT sTEMS nOT sO sMALL nOW... lOL Saturday, September 11 View Page 1354.5 X SELF Saturday, September 11 View Page MONSTER MAY I PLEASE SEE A PICTURE OF YOUR 1255 X 1354.5 MONSTER? Saturday, September 11 View Page SINCE YOU ASKED SO NICELY! Saturday, September 11 View Page hAVE YOU SEEN YOUR MONSTER TRUCK TIRE LATELY? Saturday, September 11 View Page cURENTLY EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM 44 psi RATING. sTAND BACK OR YOU COULD BE INJURED. LOL Saturday, September 11 View Page MONSTER MAY I SEE A PICTURE OF THE 890 EWING X OPEN? Saturday, September 11 View Page aBSOLUTELY NOT! Saturday, September 11 View Page MONSTER GROWER OUT! Monday, September 20 View Page Here is our PNWGPG president while we were at the fair booth saturday. We were lucky to get to be there when Russ Leno carved up this masterpiece! Nice pumpkin Jeff! Monday, September 20 View Page I stopped by the Prez's patch and I took a peek at this years 'Washington Ice'. Lol Wednesday, September 22 View Page Here's the precious 3 days ago. It is made of concrete and thumps heavy. You are scared of it... Wednesday, September 22 View Page Good Luck to everyone in the PGVG at the Seaside Weigh-off in Oregon this saturday. I wish I could make it down there, I LOVE SEASIDE!!! So many video manes and crusty pups its hard to choose. I am also really good at bumper cars. Wednesday, September 22 View Page Please come out and support your local community farm this Sunday as the PNWGPG presents our 2010 Farm at Swans Trail enormous pumpkin weigh-off. Please bring your enormous pumpkins and a positive attitude. The Farm is looking great and everything is in full swing. See you all there. Monster Grower Out! ;) Wednesday, September 22 View Page Of course I meant Video Games not Video Mames. Lol Thursday, September 23 View Page Strange Phenomenon! Thursday, September 23 View Page Yes Deere, thats my pumpkin patch! Thursday, September 23 View Page Mosey on Fella's, nothing to see here! Thursday, September 23 View Page Manure Man is caught up in my web! He can't talk right now. He's still busy pollinating pumpkins! Lol Thursday, September 23 View Page Here he is you can barely see him in there. Will I let him out for the Weigh-offs? We shall see....... Thursday, September 30 View Page Dedicating this weigh-off season to my good friend Don Jordan. Hang in there buddy. Get Well. God Bless. Thursday, September 30 View Page Cindy, Please except my sincerest apologies for my lack of pix lately. It seems as though I have misplaced the Batteries that go to my Sony Camera. I may even have to go Radio Shack and get a NEW CHARGER. oH, WO IS ME. Thursday, September 30 View Page Just like last year, right on time... My dog gone fruits have all started to regress. My measurments for this week were all around 20 inches less than my last posts. Dang, Dang, Dang... Thursday, October 14 View Page Oh no... Ron B's posting so i'd better get to crackin' on my diary... Thursday, October 14 View Page Lets start out with the good stuff first. Here are the rest of Manure Man's crosses for 2010. The long yellow ones are of his 825 Thursday, October 14 View Page Here is my right foot for a size reference! Thursday, October 14 View Page A couple weeks ago, We had a weigh-off at The Farm in Snohomish. The weather turned out fine! Thursday, October 14 View Page Took home 4th place. Here's the 797 Ewing 2010 (1354.5 Young x Self) 22.1% Heavy!!! I think everyone knows what I'll be pollinating most of my crosses with next year! Orange and heavy. Thursday, October 14 View Page Actually its still on display at the Farm until Halloween. But you know what I mean. And It had a very flat bottom! Thursday, October 14 View Page The next weigh-off that I brought pumpkins to was THE BIG SHOW!!! Great time all around this year and my hat off to the fine people at Central Thursday, October 14 View Page I hauled 2 beasts over there this year! Heres me with Pete from the Market getting ready to off-load. Thursday, October 14 View Page Here's the fruit that I brought off the 943.5* Jacobus Thursday, October 14 View Page Three of our four Snohomish County Master Gardener Judges. Richelle was the other and she took most of these pictures. Thank you all so much. You all did a superb and outstanding job representing our club. Thursday, October 14 View Page Quite a nice line-up this year and an awesome event! Thursday, October 14 View Page Geneva Emmons had an absolutely fabulous Giant Pear Gourd! Thursday, October 14 View Page A couple of real nice Long G's Thursday, October 14 View Page Another Shot of the lineup. Thursday, October 14 View Page The Prez. with Geoff G. and Steve R. . Thanks to you guys for all the help. Also big thanks to the Perhams for all of there support over the years. This event was no exception. Thank you!!! And thanks too Boom Boom and Linda Popp and Mike at the Market! And many others! Thursday, October 14 View Page Gotta mention that the master was there! Thursday, October 14 View Page SCARY!!! Thursday, October 14 View Page Here's the lifting crew the night before at my place! Thursday, October 14 View Page 989 Ewing-Venters 2010. (943.5* Jacobus x self) It was a beast. 12% Heavy!!! Joshed helped with this plant a bunch mid-season so he deserves some of the credit for this one. All in All a really easy plant to grow! Thanks again Caleb! Thursday, October 14 View Page They ruled the 989 Ewing 2010 a pumpkin so I weighed it as an exhibition. But, the weight is official and the fruit was solid! Big Stem on that sucker. Thursday, October 14 View Page The 32 inch wide leaf off the 943.5* Jacobus was huge!!! Thursday, October 14 View Page Lots and Lots of good stuff to eat at Central Market! In fact, i'm going there to have pizza this afternoon! Thursday, October 14 View Page Nice Field Kins there this year! Thursday, October 14 View Page Here's Jake van Kooten with his 2010 Howard Dill Award Winner. It was 928.5 lbs. and grown off of the 1236 Harp! Thursday, October 14 View Page Heres the other Beast that I brought all harnessed up and ready to go. Thursday, October 14 View Page 1087.5 Ewing 2010 (1255 van Kooten x 1354.5 Young) Est 1019 7% Heavy. With one more weigh-off left down in Oregon this Year, as far as I know, unofficially, this was the 4th heaviest pumpkin grown in the state of Washington this year, with only Jack Larue and Joel Holland growing heavier ones than me! Next year I will be back to growing and I hope to have a new PB. Thursday, October 14 View Page Here's a shot of The Guru with his 1rst place 1286! Great job Brett! Saturday, October 23 View Page The PNWGPG Seed auction will be held on 12-12-2010. See ya all there!!! Sunday, October 31 View Page Here's the 989 Ewing/Venters 2010 before carving back at itz home. Sunday, October 31 View Page It had a moderate seed count. Nicely thick walled. Sunday, October 31 View Page Here's Manure Man hard at work at his REAL job. Lol Sunday, October 31 View Page Needless to say... We draw massive amounts of attention this time of year in the neighborhood. Sunday, October 31 View Page Here's me carving out the hair. Sunday, October 31 View Page Here's Manure Man reprezenting Growz'em Big! Sunday, October 31 View Page He's calls it Ryan's Monster. It is eating two of the turban Squash that I grew this year. Sunday, October 31 View Page Here's the official MUG SHOT. Happy Halloween to ALL of my big pumpkin friends. M.G. Out! Wednesday, November 3 View Page Happy Birthday Boom Boom. This is the only pug that I have seen that's more iced out than Edgar. Lol Tuesday, November 9 View Page I can't resist. Here's another picture of the 1087.5 Ewing at Central Market Weigh-off. And yes Brett Hester it had a very small internal cavity! :) Tuesday, November 9 View Page Went over to Central Market a few weeks ago to take some night pix! Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here's a blurry picture of my 1087.5 in the Mill Creek Central Market produce section. They said that they had tons of people taking pictures of it. It was well loved. They also said that they had people asking them if they could buy it. Of course my Big Pumpkins are not for sale! :) Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here's a picture of the 989 Ewing/Venters that I really like! Tuesday, November 9 View Page I'm famous in Mill Creek. Lol Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here's the seed cavity inside the 1087.5 Ewing 2010. It was very narrow and the walls were very thick. Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here's another shot inside of the 1087.5 Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here is a picture of a leaf blade hanging from a spider web strand. Signifying good luck to all pumpkin growers and Fall has finally come. Tuesday, November 9 View Page My neighbors field Kins. He said that he grew 19 pumpkins on one plant this year. It was a good year for field pumpkins here. Tuesday, November 9 View Page Manure Man claims this is the best stuff. Black Gold he calls it. Fools gold I call it! Lol Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here's a close up of Manure Man's soil so all of you pumpkin hounds can do a visual soil test! Tuesday, November 9 View Page Now here's a picture of my main dirt this next year which I am working on. Tilling in grass and leaves. I still need to add a bunch more and then till once more before winter. Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here is a shot of my dirt close up for your visual soil test! Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here's the 1087.5 cut up in the composter behind the store. The walls were nice and thick as I have mentioned. Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here's a shot of the inside of Bret Brown's 1100.5 lbs. new Idaho state record! Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here's a shot inside of Rick Maggi's 1094. It was very thick inside. Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here's another shot inside Rick's Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here's the last shot of Rick's 1094 Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here's a look inside of the 797 Ewing 2010 22% heavy baby yea. Lol Grown off of the 1354.5 Young and self pollinated. Voted Prettiest AG in Snohomish! Tuesday, November 9 View Page The 797 was solid brother! And it had nice seeds. Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here are the Mario Mushrooms again this year. Tuesday, November 9 View Page Here's my patch as of a few days ago. Tuesday, November 9 View Page this was one of those falls in the PNW when all of the trees are just fabulously beautiful. (acer p. 'Tamukeyama') MONSTER GROWER OUT!!! Saturday, November 20 View Page Manure Man... Long time no manure. Wondering what I did with the last of your 825 Venters seeds Huh? Well lets just say the boys are eating good around here. Saturday, November 20 View Page I passed by the Little Rock sign on I-5 the other day. I was in a hurry, but I did scatter some 989 seeds along the side of the highway. There should be squash popping up all over there next spring. :) Monday, December 20 View Page Merry Christmas and Happy New year to ----->ALL Big Pumpkin Growers. Wishing you all the best in 2011. Monday, December 20 View Page Got my x-mas tree put up. It has a Tractor on the top. Monday, December 20 View Page Want to win this tug of war! Monday, December 20 View Page You have to know how to apply a proper, Head Lock. Lol Monday, December 20 View Page Here's my seat at the Hawks game yesterday. I sat right behind the 2 guys with crazy hair and Mr. and Mrs. Seahawk. Lol It was a motley crew for sure. Thursday, December 30 View Page Dog gone it. I accidentally triple posted those photo's. They are of a waterfall in Duvall we built and planted last year. Dang Dang Dang. Friday, December 31 View Page The battle is over and you are finished.