Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 296 Entries. Sunday, January 8 View Page Test to see if turning phone straightened the picture. Sick of winter   Thursday, January 12 View Page My view for the winter, separating big rocks from little rocks   Sunday, January 15 View Page Bought a reptibator incubator off amazon for germination, came all busted up, built a new box cant wait to try it out. Practice, practice, practice! I got some great seeds i want to get in the patch this year!   Sunday, January 15 View Page So the gvgo auction went nice today got me a 2624 hopefully it makes it to me safe and sound! Most ive ever spent on a seed   Sunday, January 22 View Page On vacation in cancun, and I get a massage, this one caught my eye. But think iam going with the back, neck, and shoulders   Saturday, January 28 View Page Very nice bubble sitting in the kitchen when I got home from Cancun, thanks SNGPG, 2 out of the 4 going in the patch are here for sure!   Saturday, February 4 View Page Hauling dirt this morning, need me some overtime   Monday, February 6 View Page So beautiful   Sunday, February 12 View Page Didn't like the reptile incubator, so more brainstorming, plug in thermostat, heat mat and overhead light. Get it dialed in then organize the wiring and give it a test   Sunday, February 12 View Page Hope this brings the sucess rate closer to 100%   Sunday, February 12 View Page Iam liking this, see how well it holds its Temps. Thermostat is set for a 86, got 10 seeds soaking. We will see what happens!   Thursday, February 16 View Page 9 out of 10, do another 10 this weekend   Sunday, February 19 View Page Practicing!   Sunday, February 19 View Page Time to start the next 10, had to get on YouTube after I put the 1st air pot together wrong   Sunday, February 19 View Page 2 with the x are from my 1137, others are from my 1734x2145, that didn't make the scale, no sanding just soaking for a few hrs, then into the cooler or chamber   Sunday, February 19 View Page Wish there was away to edit post, here's the pic   Sunday, February 19 View Page 1st of about 12, going in the screen house. Bet I had 300ft of drop cords running around   Thursday, February 23 View Page Round 2 with the cooler germination, sucess! 10 for 10! Dropped the temp downtown 85. Do another 10 in another week   Thursday, February 23 View Page 1st test doing alright all 9 still alive, seem to like the bags a little bit better. Raising the lights a little bit higher had a leaf scolding   Saturday, February 25 View Page Winter is back, so no wiring this weekend, was able to grab a soil sample the other day. And hopefully got the last of my outlets and wire today at menards.   Friday, March 3 View Page Damn auctions! Cashing in the change can after winning a 2145 this week. My name is Pete I spent way more than I probably should have this auction season. That was the 1st step admitting I have a problem   Saturday, March 4 View Page Dad running the pumpkin booth in Anamosa   Thursday, March 9 View Page Well that's going in the patch this year! Thanks Matt, made it safe and sound!   Sunday, March 12 View Page Test time results   Sunday, March 12 View Page Pots removed   Sunday, March 12 View Page Air pots, the one the right I put together backwards. Love how easily they came apart, but the plants were smaller   Sunday, March 12 View Page Air pots, the one the right I put together backwards. Love how easily they came apart, but the plants were smaller   Sunday, March 12 View Page 1 gallon   Sunday, March 12 View Page Winner 2 gallon grow bags!   Tuesday, March 14 View Page East bound and down this time tomorrow!   Friday, March 17 View Page Ready for a good weekend!   Friday, March 17 View Page And we're off!   Saturday, March 18 View Page Steve Connolly excellent speech   Saturday, March 18 View Page Milan Lukes, kid is pretty smart for a 14 year old. Great   Saturday, March 18 View Page Joe Ailts talking plant hormones   Saturday, March 18 View Page Matt Brungard plant sap testing   Saturday, March 18 View Page Mike rookie talk   Saturday, March 18 View Page Skype with Mathias   Saturday, March 18 View Page Don asking some pretty good questions   Saturday, March 18 View Page Grower of the year   Sunday, March 19 View Page Dave with his Hall of fame plaque   Sunday, March 19 View Page That Ron Wallace guy, I can not get over how nice of guy he is. Can't wait to place another order with him   Sunday, March 19 View Page Drive by photo, 15 dollar parking nah   Tuesday, March 28 View Page Currently working 11-12 hr days 95 miles away hope we get a little closers soon, this is the beast I get to try this week, CAT 988K with a 12 and a 1/2 yard bucket.   Sunday, April 2 View Page More grocery shopping, forgot to get human food again so looks like spagettios for supper   Sunday, April 2 View Page Got another 4 ft 4 bulb t5 light, now I can spread the plants out, have one more 2 ft 4 bulb I can add to the line if I need to   Saturday, April 8 View Page Shopping list complete! Over 1700# to hopefully get tilled in tomorrow   Saturday, April 8 View Page Call me crazy, but I will let be able to monitor pumpkins from work this year!   Saturday, April 8 View Page Yes Dan C. You know who your are, I will be watching! LMAO x 10   Sunday, April 9 View Page Every pole has electricity! Took the broad fork to the spots I walked, she's still pretty soft. Did not get my amendments in today wind gust were consistently over 20mph. Want to do the patch not the neighbors yard.   Sunday, April 9 View Page She insisted on helping   Sunday, April 9 View Page Went ahead and started watermelon   Saturday, April 15 View Page Camera works! cooler is getting peat pots warmed up, soak seeds in a little while. Watermelon are up   Saturday, April 15 View Page Seeds that are soaking- 2624 Willemijns, 1872 Willemijns, 2095 Willemijns, 2261.5 Wallace, 2075.5 and 1944 Connolly, 2145 McMullen, and 1137.5 Caspers. 2 $$$$ seeds are guaranteed spots as long as they germinate.   Saturday, April 15 View Page 1400# of amendments take awhile in a 85# spreader, getting a better one next year still have a few hundred # to get in really wish this storm could have waited till it was tilled in   Sunday, April 16 View Page 3.5 inches of rain last night, hope I didn't lose to much of what I had on. On a good note I can check my Temps on germination chamber on my phone from anywhere. Little bit less stress   Tuesday, April 18 View Page I see green!   Thursday, April 20 View Page All transplanted! 1944 Connolly, and the 1872 Willemijns were no shows. Watermelons on the left, got 350 Kent, 302 Kent, 209 barber, and 3 of my 152's   Thursday, April 20 View Page If I were to guess just looking at 3 day old plants my lineup would be 2261.5 wallace, 2624 Willemijns, 2095 Willemijns, and of course 2145 McMullen see what the next few weeks have in store   Saturday, April 22 View Page Besides some perlite, officially amended, till in in a little while   Sunday, April 23 View Page Out of the basement and getting some fresh air!   Sunday, April 23 View Page The one and only time I plan on tilling this year   Sunday, April 23 View Page Raised walkway, need more cinder blocks, patch divided by 4 equal areas. 1 pumpkin plant and a watermelon in each section   Wednesday, April 26 View Page I talk to them when I'm bored at work, sometimes I think they wave back at the camera   Saturday, April 29 View Page Wanted to get these done and out last weekend, but I am extremely busy and the weather hates me, rainy and windy today. Bought some soil heating cables today as well hopefully drugs up enough can get them out next few days and get pumpkins out next weekend   Saturday, April 29 View Page Time to have a Wisconsin adult beverage   Saturday, April 29 View Page Foundation solar vents, they close at 40°f, they were cheap see if they work   Saturday, April 29 View Page Babies went in the dirt 2 weeks ago tonight, left to right 2261, 2145,2095,2075,2624, and 1137.5   Sunday, April 30 View Page All done, now give me some nicer weather please. Patch is to wet to mess with today   Friday, May 5 View Page Hoops been out a few days soil is a little warmer going to add cables tomorrow, plants out on Sunday. Weather is finally cooperating. Walkway is all done   Friday, May 5 View Page It's time!   Friday, May 5 View Page Some of my genetics for some friends   Saturday, May 6 View Page So several years ago I was in a movie, for 5 seconds. Showing alba before we get to work. The movie is "MEGAFAULT" starring Brittany Murphy, and Eriq LaSalle. I am running my loader, loading haul trucks at the beginning   Saturday, May 6 View Page Got some work done, ready to put them out tomorrow   Sunday, May 7 View Page 2261 is outside and has my camera on it!   Sunday, May 7 View Page 2624, had really nice roots, think the transplant went ok   Sunday, May 7 View Page 2145   Sunday, May 7 View Page Previous was 2095, they all look alike at this age, this is 2145   Saturday, May 13 View Page Was hoping to get this on today, but the 7-9 mph wind I read yesterday for today, apparently is 17 mph now. Son of a   Saturday, May 13 View Page Can't find my daughter, got to be around somewhere, 25 mph gust now. Not very happy. Putting zip ties every8 ft in the seams to keep seam failures to a minimum. 87 ft took 700 zip ties last august   Saturday, May 13 View Page Mother nature let the wind die down at 7 pm, 4 bud lights, some beat up finger tips and 3 hrs later the screen is up! Now for a shower and bed. And tomorrow's Turkey hunt is cancelled   Sunday, May 14 View Page And it's up!   Sunday, May 14 View Page 15 mph wind, and i can now let them enjoy some no hoop house time   Sunday, May 14 View Page Watermelons are in the fround!, 152.5 Caspers x 2, 209 Barber, and 302 kent   Tuesday, May 16 View Page Strong winds all day, screen house held up nicely! 2624, 9 days in the ground   Tuesday, May 16 View Page 2145, 9 days in ground   Tuesday, May 16 View Page 2095, 9 days in the ground, i think it's going to be the 1st one to lay down   Tuesday, May 16 View Page 2261, 9 days in ground, my smallest plant hopefully it takes off soon, my 2075 was similar in slow growth   Wednesday, May 17 View Page Another test I don't want   Wednesday, May 17 View Page Had strong winds, couple houses down had a tree land on the roof. Screen house survived this test and apparently they are safe and sound according to the camera. Even had some hail   Friday, May 19 View Page Nice package from Drip Depot, WiFi controlled valve so I can hit the misters from work on them hot days   Friday, May 19 View Page Can't wait till these are on the ground, cooler temps, double the bamboo criss cross up to make the transition go a little smoother   Sunday, May 21 View Page Getting tired of this crappy weather, 43 when I go to work and I have no choice need to blankets off at 4 am because it's going to get in the 70's   Saturday, May 27 View Page Little fresh air before yet more rain   Monday, May 29 View Page New camera view, for rest of the summer   Monday, May 29 View Page This wire caddy is making drip tape a breeze!   Monday, May 29 View Page 2624, 2145, 30-35mph winds outside, 5-10 in here   Monday, May 29 View Page 2095, 2261   Wednesday, May 31 View Page Well lost 2 out of 4 watermelons, according to all the flys in the Screen house I think they're to blame.   Sunday, June 4 View Page To hot today for this stress   Sunday, June 4 View Page It works, misters controlled via phone!   Sunday, June 4 View Page 1 more line from the injector to the drip tape and she will be done   Sunday, June 4 View Page Should stay nice out of weather   Sunday, June 4 View Page 2624, 2145. Been hot last couple days been dealing with some leaf scorching finally getting some sidelines going   Sunday, June 4 View Page 2095, 2261   Friday, June 9 View Page Injector is hooked up!:)   Friday, June 9 View Page We had a visitor   Friday, June 9 View Page We had a visitor   Friday, June 9 View Page This camera has really came in handy at work, can tell when the misters haven't been on when I thought they should have, got that setting straight out.one more week then better cell signal   Friday, June 9 View Page Get caught up on vine burying tomorrow   Sunday, June 11 View Page Got some things done this week, including burnt. All plumbing is up and trying to get the misting schedule dialed in   Sunday, June 11 View Page 2624, just shy of 2 months after germination   Sunday, June 11 View Page 2145, probably my best all round plant   Sunday, June 11 View Page 2095 Willemijns   Sunday, June 11 View Page 2261, might be a July pollination, been picking up little more here lately. #Runt   Sunday, June 11 View Page New toy, seen a bunch of the cool kids had it and really liked it . So here we go!   Sunday, June 11 View Page Paton pot method, went through 70 pots today, probably could have done a few more. Peat is a pain in the $%#@ to soak. 90° didn't help me either   Sunday, June 18 View Page Pollinated 2145 x 2624, (Only 1 male available). Pollinated 2095.5 x 2145 (3 males) both were 6 lobes. Finally have a cool day to get things caught up and I've been fighting a stomach flu for 3 days, which requires frequent visits to the bathroom. Hope I can get something done today   Sunday, June 18 View Page 2624, pollinating on Tuesday (I think)   Sunday, June 18 View Page 2145, pollinated this morning with 2624, not sure it will take. Forgot to shut my misters off   Sunday, June 18 View Page 2095.5, pollinated with 2145 this morning, same scenario on misters   Sunday, June 18 View Page 2261   Sunday, June 18 View Page Pots seem to be doing trick, lots of roots coming out of the ones I did last week. Used 205 so far, been doing every other node because pots are expensive, and I am stretched for time   Monday, June 19 View Page Screen houses not only protect from bugs, critters, wind and hail, but Apple trees as well! No damage, other than robbing from the short amount of time I get out there each night   Tuesday, June 20 View Page Just pollinated a disappointing 4 lobe 2624 with 2145, wanted to go with 2261, but males weren't showing up today. And yes it was done at 4 am   Wednesday, June 21 View Page Airforce One, just so happen to be working by the Cedar Rapids airport at the moment. Didn't stick around for the convoy to slow me down, patch work needed 74 miles away   Friday, June 23 View Page WTF, on top of vine burying, should be close to 4000 zip ties to fix this mess. Had to be close to 80 mph winds. Bent my metal pipes on the ends   Friday, June 23 View Page Got 2 days to get this end up, then the wind will bother them   Saturday, June 24 View Page 1400 zip ties so far, got 200 left, then need to go get more hopefully closed up by 3   Sunday, June 25 View Page Together again, plant protection is a must   Sunday, June 25 View Page 2360 zip ties in 20 + hrs of repair. In 20 mph winds   Sunday, June 25 View Page 2261 pollinating with 2624 in the morning   Sunday, June 25 View Page 2624 1st pollination might have not taken are temps have been all over the place, screen saved this one for sure 70 mph head on   Sunday, June 25 View Page 2145 x 2624 6 DAP   Sunday, June 25 View Page 2095.5 x 2145 6 DAP   Monday, June 26 View Page 2261 x2145 5 lobe, 2095 #2, 2145 #2 both 5 lines. Cool temps fingers crossed   Wednesday, June 28 View Page 2624 x 2261 4 lobe, slight deform on one lobe. 3 males ful of pollen. Storms coming, praying for a zip ties free weekend   Wednesday, June 28 View Page I am about to go completely bald real soon, 24 hrs last weekend and at least another 20 this weekend   Friday, June 30 View Page So getting tired of this s&$%, bought another 2600, zip ties. And a bunch of rope to help from parachuting. If my plants didn't look so good after getting hit 4 times in the past week with 60+ mph winds, I'd say the he'll with it. But got to protect them!   Friday, June 30 View Page 8 zip ties in, and of course here comes a small storm with wind. I may have a heart attack yet this summer   Tuesday, July 4 View Page Getting sick of zip ties, 4800ish in the past 2 weeks, but plants are great!   Sunday, July 9 View Page 2095 Willemijns x 2145 McMullen 3 weeks   Sunday, July 9 View Page 2145 McMullen x 2624 Willemijns 3 weeks   Sunday, July 9 View Page 2624 Willemijns x 2261 Wallace   Sunday, July 9 View Page 2261 Wallace x 2624 Willemijns   Sunday, July 9 View Page It was hot today bibs were soaked! Between being sick, patch repairs, patch plant work, and gum surgery I am down 20 lbs the past month.another 15 would be great   Monday, July 10 View Page And just like that more zip ties, F U mother nature   Monday, July 10 View Page Getting to be a normal part of my week, new screen next year with some modifications   Tuesday, July 11 View Page Iam going to scream!!!@!@@%%^^^*&***#@   Wednesday, July 12 View Page 70mph for the past 40 min, don't want to look   Wednesday, July 12 View Page 1400 ft if rope kept the screen from getting any worse, need to fix a pic pipe, push some pipes back in place, and brace my 4x4 suports. Thought for sure it would be shredded or leveled. Now to work on 1.5 hrs of sleep   Sunday, July 16 View Page Fitting made sure I used zip ties to hang it   Sunday, July 16 View Page This is just one corner , I have ropes every where! Another 1200 zip ties this weekend. Hope I can get a break   Sunday, July 16 View Page 2145 x 2624, up 235# since last sun!   Sunday, July 16 View Page 2095 x 2145 up 185 # since last sun   Sunday, July 16 View Page 2261 x 2624 20 DAP   Sunday, July 16 View Page 2624 x 2261 18 DAP   Sunday, July 16 View Page I told her camera sideways for diary, but beautiful either ways!   Wednesday, July 19 View Page Better get on Amazon and get some more zip ties coming   Wednesday, July 19 View Page Spent a hr and 20 minutes holding my parachute in a down pour, worst storm season I have dealt with ever   Thursday, July 20 View Page Registered a pumpkin for the Iowa State fair this year, see what happens last year I had 2 that need a scale in August because of plant loss, really wanting to get the full potential out of them. See what happens!   Friday, July 21 View Page Just got hailed on standing outside the patch in another storm, ran in the patch and got soaked with a mist instead, I need a vacation!   Sunday, July 23 View Page 2624 Willemijns x 2261 Wallace, 25 DAP estimated 188 lbs   Sunday, July 23 View Page 2261 Wallace x 2624 Willemijns 27 DAP estimated 289 lbs   Sunday, July 23 View Page 2145 McMullen x 2624 Willemijns 35 DAP estimated 624 lbs   Sunday, July 23 View Page 2095 Willemijns x 2145 McMullen 35 DAP estimated 514 lbs   Sunday, July 30 View Page 2145 McMullen x 2624 Willemijns, estimated at 823 on the app that needs a update, or 848 on the new chart   Sunday, July 30 View Page 2095 Willemijns x 2145 McMullen estimated at 687 new chart   Sunday, July 30 View Page 2261 Wallace x 2624 Willemijns estimated at 518 new chart   Sunday, July 30 View Page 2624 Willemijns x 2261 Wallace estimated at 396   Sunday, July 30 View Page 2624 Willemijns x 2261 Wallace estimated at 396   Sunday, August 6 View Page 2145, 4 digits   Sunday, August 6 View Page 2095, little slow this week, 840 est   Sunday, August 6 View Page 2261, est 720, love this pumpkin, love this plant, going to be impressive 8 weeks from now   Sunday, August 6 View Page 2624, est 611, finally got caught up on this plant, so much new growth, crushed old growth hopefully it will help with disease need the air movement   Sunday, August 6 View Page Main on 2262   Sunday, August 6 View Page Main on 2095, littlest main   Sunday, August 6 View Page Main on 264   Sunday, August 6 View Page Main on 2145, one little drip spot caught it pretty early, probably should have tped these before the 4th beer sorry for typos   Sunday, August 6 View Page 2145 circumference   Tuesday, August 8 View Page Not bad for couple nights in the low 50's just under 4" on the circumference in growth   Wednesday, August 9 View Page 2261 taping 804, he s our #3, but bet he's #1 At the end, what a beautiful pumpkin!   Saturday, August 12 View Page Great patch tour in Wisconsin today! Gro Gary Gro, fu mother nature   Sunday, August 13 View Page Wish I could have enjoyed the open bar, darn 3 hr drive. Next Screen house blowout repair is sponsored by Garry Gantner! Thanks Garry! And thank you to the Wisconsin club for letting this Iowan feel like part of the Family!   Sunday, August 13 View Page 2624 Willemijns right around 800   Sunday, August 13 View Page 2261, 900 range my best plant   Sunday, August 13 View Page 2261 beautiful main vine   Sunday, August 13 View Page 2095 Willemijns 4 digits tomorrow, darn cool temps   Sunday, August 13 View Page 2145 front view   Sunday, August 13 View Page Rear view, 178.5" circumference tonight   Sunday, August 13 View Page Side view   Sunday, August 20 View Page PumpkinmanDan, Dan Boelman 1st place state fair pumpkin. Happy he got his goal! Now for my goals!   Sunday, August 20 View Page 2145 rear, surpassed my personal best on gpc chart, doonh 22 lbs a day on a cloudy week!   Sunday, August 20 View Page 2145 front, am i doing this right Qtip? With child placement   Sunday, August 20 View Page 2095, in the 4 digit range   Sunday, August 20 View Page 2261, 4 didgits, love this plant!   Sunday, August 20 View Page 2624, right at 900, plant has some issues, but still growing!   Sunday, August 20 View Page 30" fan pointed on some ozzing, one of 19 fans on 24-7   Wednesday, August 23 View Page Had to add more hard surface under the 2145 tonight out growing the concrete board. Gave me 3" today, and highs in 70"s lows in 50's, skin shoes signs of a lot of potential growth yet to come!   Saturday, August 26 View Page Great patch tour up north in Minnesota, thanks Scott! beautiful setup!   Sunday, August 27 View Page Washing and bleaching sheets on this cloudy morning. They look pretty!   Sunday, August 27 View Page Raining, iam suppose to be measuring, all still growing as of Friday!   Sunday, August 27 View Page Out with the white, in with the blue! Going to miss my duramax, just tired of things rusting away   Sunday, August 27 View Page 2" of rain in 1.5 hrs, might be a good thing if sun doesn't come out to strong tomorrow. This is the big wet 2145, from a side I haven't shown yet   Monday, August 28 View Page 5" since Friday playing with big boys now! Please pumpkin God if 1 of my 4 will make it please let it be this one!   Tuesday, August 29 View Page Think that's it for tissue testing for the year, going to do twice as many next year   Saturday, September 2 View Page New pumpkin/firewood hauler! Coming to a weighoff near you?   Saturday, September 2 View Page Held camera sideways for this one   Saturday, September 2 View Page The prettiest and healthiest main I have ever had heading into the final month   Sunday, September 3 View Page 2624, lot of main vine dripping he s going to get cut 1st, still growing   Sunday, September 3 View Page 2261, best plant in the patch still, lots of pink, and green should go heavy   Sunday, September 3 View Page 2095, white green and looks like he s on steroids   Sunday, September 3 View Page 2145, I wish I could get a picture that shows the true size, she's big!   Sunday, September 3 View Page Other side   Monday, September 4 View Page See if this makes any difference tomorrow night with low 40's, if it does I'll get another one to prepare for 30's. May spend some money on a 100' x 100' tarp next year. But for now it is what it is!   Monday, September 4 View Page Looks angry   Monday, September 4 View Page Supper time!   Tuesday, September 5 View Page Upgraded lifting Rings, thanks Lee! Hope I give it a good test this year!   Tuesday, September 5 View Page Like what I see! No critters! Dry! And not to much room !   Tuesday, September 5 View Page Yes!!!   Saturday, September 9 View Page Watermelons are getting kicked out of the big house next year going to build a minny screenhouse for them out of the old screen. Way to messy in my corners   Sunday, September 10 View Page 2145, still growing! Slowly   Sunday, September 10 View Page 2095 still alive   Sunday, September 10 View Page 2261   Sunday, September 10 View Page 2624   Tuesday, September 12 View Page Fitting for this season!   Friday, September 15 View Page My 4:15 am check! Caught a mouse, all is good   Friday, September 15 View Page Ready to load   Friday, September 15 View Page Ready for Cedarburg!   Saturday, September 16 View Page Toad sitting on the main of the 2261, eat away friend! We're cutting this one last   Saturday, September 16 View Page She went lite, but she's official, my 2624 is now the 1048 Caspers. 3 more to go!   Sunday, September 17 View Page Still growing!   Monday, September 25 View Page Well this little hot spell did it's toll, cut a 2 ft section out of the main of the 2145. 5 ft before stem . Seems health from cut to the pumpkin. And looks like my best main vine, best plant, the 2261 is officially harvested. Hope I found this quick enough it will make it 5 days, shpuld vine was still green, just squishy. 2095, just became the stillwater pumpkin   Wednesday, September 27 View Page Not bad for winging it off Ricks picture and Garrys dimensions 60 x 60 will work for 2 out of last 3, might have to make one 72 x 72. God these better make it!   Wednesday, September 27 View Page And 2" of insulation!   Wednesday, September 27 View Page All that work and it's touch narrower by the tailgate, guess I'll just use the trailer, damn it   Thursday, September 28 View Page 2261, ready for Bloomfield on Saturday, was hoping for more with this one one little spot the size of a quater last Thursday on the main killed it 7 ft past the stem, she was still green and appeared good, but squishy, and amputation showed it was not going to last   Friday, September 29 View Page Strapped and ready!   Saturday, September 30 View Page Fun day in Bloomfield, highest finish 3rd place, and 2nd biggest pumpkin i ever grew at 1261, 16.5 lbs shy of my personal best, which should be shattered next week by a lot, and I mean a lot. As long as it gets there of course, oh this is going to be the longest 6 days of the year   Sunday, October 1 View Page Last 2 pallets are ready 6'x 6' for next week, 5'x5' for stillwater hopefully I didn't build for nothing. Just need to add the 2" insulation board   Sunday, October 1 View Page 2145 down to final 5 days in patch!   Sunday, October 1 View Page Side view   Sunday, October 1 View Page Stem end   Sunday, October 1 View Page Other Side   Sunday, October 1 View Page 2095, 12 days left   Sunday, October 1 View Page Veins and green stem end   Tuesday, October 3 View Page Picking the last 2 pumpkins tomorrow, 2-3" of rain starting Thursday afternoon through Friday night is the reason.maybe start getting patch cleanup sunday   Wednesday, October 4 View Page It's time! 6' ladder   Wednesday, October 4 View Page Tracked skidloader was nice! And only cost me a 18 pack of Coors light!   Wednesday, October 4 View Page Now hopefully they suck for awhile!   Thursday, October 5 View Page Checking the pumpkins is so much easier when they're in the garage!   Friday, October 6 View Page Playing with my RPM's in the loader, thinking boy it would be nice to see these numbers on scale tomorrow!   Saturday, October 7 View Page What a great day!   Saturday, October 7 View Page 1587 Caspers, 5th largest pumpkin in Iowa history to reach a scale!   Saturday, October 7 View Page Kevin Walsh having a little fun, thought I should have a zip tie hat for my zip tie house, I mean screen house   Saturday, October 7 View Page Receiving the "Pride of Iowa" award seen a lot of growers get this over the years, finally have my chance to enjoy it.   Sunday, October 8 View Page John Barlow was nice of enough to let my dad borrow his state record 257 lb watermelon to display at some farmer markets coming up, was lucky it fit on the same pallet as my dad's giant pumpkin   Tuesday, October 10 View Page Made the Cedar Rapids Gazette, yes I was praying 2% heavy, but went 2% the other direction   Wednesday, October 11 View Page Stillwater pumpkin double checking measurements on pallet, hope it ain't loosing to much weight, been in garage a week, tapes over 1300, need 1152 for 4,000 club!   Wednesday, October 11 View Page Stem end she's not really sucking much water, but main and all vines are still firm, trimmed 6 " off one section of main on Sunday, and it was pretty wet.   Wednesday, October 11 View Page 5x5 ft pallet, she better hit my goal, -5% ok -8% ok -12% I don't want to see   Saturday, October 14 View Page With 1237 lbs, I earned my jacket with a total of 4085 on best 3, super happy   Saturday, October 14 View Page Alba's monster watermelon, weighs as much as her!   Saturday, October 14 View Page Grower picture with winner, Pete vanderweilen   Sunday, October 15 View Page 4 for 4   Thursday, October 19 View Page Replacing patch soil, got some great Wisconsin virgin soil! May have gone a little to deep   Friday, October 20 View Page The trio, dads got my little one   Friday, October 20 View Page My progress board, every pumpkin I be gotten to scale since I got back in to growing in 2008. The numbers are getting bigger! Have a feeling the next column may see 1 or 2, over 2000. Just hope it doesn't make me wait till 3500 is the cool kids club   Saturday, October 21 View Page All cleaned out and raked, spread the rest of the peat moss I didn't get into pots. Spread some mustard seed but doubt it gets to flower before it freezes. Seed what happens really want to broad fork the whole patch before the hard freeze comes and stays   Sunday, October 29 View Page My 1048, dad carved it up, it's been all over at farmer markets, even made front page of local paper   Sunday, October 29 View Page Lot of seeds had sprouted, was weighed Sept 16, seeds ate huge just like it's mommas seed   Sunday, October 29 View Page Seed retrieval out of 1587, looked ok wasn't as thick on stem as I thought it would be   Sunday, October 29 View Page Inside   Sunday, October 29 View Page Alba had a marker, didn't have clue she had my artistic ability   Sunday, October 29 View Page More art!   Sunday, October 29 View Page Good seed count, all known tip with white ends, will test in a few weeks   Sunday, October 29 View Page T- rex   Sunday, October 29 View Page 1048 (2624×2261)on left, 1587 (2145×2624) on right   Sunday, November 5 View Page Seed retrieval on the 1261, had a fair amount. Wasn't real thick on stem end   Sunday, November 5 View Page Seed retrieval on 1237, it had a lot!   Sunday, November 5 View Page Seeds everywhere! 2095 Willemijns x 2145 McMullen   Sunday, November 5 View Page 1587 top right, 1237 bottom left, 1261 bottom right, 1048 had 102 seeds ( I think). Will be donating a bunch to a few clubs for seed packets, and fund raising   Sunday, November 12 View Page Screen is off   Sunday, November 12 View Page Now I need to think, spend money and start fresh? Or look at zip ties another year? Got some improvements i am going to do to help secure everything better. Decisions decisions decisions   Sunday, November 12 View Page Got these straighten back out, (after picture) a normal summer next year would be wonderful 12+ 60-85 mph wind storms was a bit much   Sunday, November 12 View Page Finally got broad forking starting, started with planting sites just in case winter decided to be a SOB and come to early. 16" and you can tell i did it last year to, much easier this time round   Monday, November 13 View Page At least a half hour every night till all 3900 sq ft is done!   Wednesday, November 15 View Page Well got my seed labels back from vistaprint, and for some reason I picked green for my 1587. Time for a reorder. Don't want people thinking it's a squash   Friday, November 17 View Page In charge of handling the Midwest giant pumpkin growers auction. Lot of work, but getting easier! Thankful I have made some great friends by joining clubs, and going to GPC big shows! Wish I wasn't so damn shy   Saturday, November 18 View Page And so winter is officially here!   Thursday, November 23 View Page Just got done working this fork for a couple hours, now my belly is ready for the other fork! And a nap!   Saturday, November 25 View Page Good shape for being picked 2 months ago, may have to grow 3 of my own seeds next year   Saturday, November 25 View Page 6" floor, 2 months later, my 1261   Saturday, November 25 View Page That would be a load!   Sunday, December 3 View Page Finally done with the broad fork!   Tuesday, December 26 View Page Off all week so a trip to farmtek, more airflow for the screen house . 5° degrees for a high today, ready for spring