Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 106 Entries. Friday, April 17 View Page The patch is ready and the seed is in! I would like to have other giant pumpkin growers in the Sacramento area start a growers diary at my site. Follow my progress or start your own growers diary at http://www.midnightgardenerblog.com/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl Saturday, April 18 View Page I was contacted by Alan Gibson today and he offered me a few more seeds. Thanks Alan, you rock man! http://www.midnightgardenerblog.com/forum Saturday, April 25 View Page Alan, I received your package yesterday. Thanks a million for the seeds. The 1462 poked its head out of the ground yesterday. Houston, we have ignition. http://www.midnightgardenerblog.com/forum/m-1237731981/ Saturday, May 2 View Page 1462 Gibson is up. Pic taken on 04/25/09 Saturday, May 2 View Page 1462 Gibson 05/01/09 Saturday, May 2 View Page 1462 Gibson 04/25/09 Saturday, May 23 View Page The gibson 1462 finally started to vine and the vine is running towards the yard. I put a stake in the ground to turn it and will keep putting stakes in until I get it turned 180 degrees. You can see more pics of the plant here: http://www.midnightgardenerblog.com/forum/m-1237731981/s-all/ Sunday, May 24 View Page 1462 Gibson at 30 days. Sunday, May 24 View Page Second turn to get the vine to run towards the garden and away from the yard. The next challenge is going to be getting the vine on the ground. Monday, May 25 View Page Third turn of the main vine. Bt the looks of things I may only have to turn it once more. Monday, May 25 View Page The Gibson 1462 is growing like a champ. Wednesday, May 27 View Page Gibson 1462, the vine is finally going away from the yard and starting to lay dow. I am going to let it go for about 5 feet and then turn it again. At the rate the vine is growing that will be in about 8 or 9 days. Wednesday, May 27 View Page Gibson 1462 Wednesday, May 27 View Page Gibson 1462 Wednesday, May 27 View Page Gibson 1462 Sunday, May 31 View Page Gibson 1462 - The plant developed several vines. I cut all but two of them off. The one on the left is the main vine. Sunday, May 31 View Page This is why I am keeping two vines for now. This is the main vine and it is pretty twisted. In case it breaks I'll have a backup vine. Sunday, May 31 View Page I fed it today with an entire bag of the Miracle Grow and 3 tablespoons of the Super Bloom in the Miracle Grow hose feeder. Sunday, May 31 View Page The main vine is out to aprox 6 feet now. Wednesday, June 3 View Page Gibson 1462 growing like a champ. At the rate it's going i will probably run out of space! Wednesday, June 3 View Page Now one of the secondary vines from the main is heading towards the yard. Decision time again. Saturday, June 6 View Page First male flower on the 1462 Gibson. Saturday, June 6 View Page First pumpkin on the 1462 Gibson. Saturday, June 6 View Page I got the secondary vine that was growing towards the yard turned into the garden. I am really happy with this plant so far as it has exceeded all of my expectations. Now if I only had three times as much space to grow it in. Sunday, June 7 View Page I started next years new giant pumpkin patch yesterday. i put two gallons of Roundup on the grass. When it is good and dead I am going to plant corn in it this year and from next year on it will be the new home of the giant pumpkins. The patch measures 460 square feet. Sunday, June 7 View Page I found another pumpkin this morning, this one is on the right vine (next picture), picture of the pumpkin I posted yesterday is on the left vine. Sunday, June 7 View Page Gibson 1462. I have one pumpkin on each vine, I am going to let them go and the one that does the best will be the keeper. Sunday, June 7 View Page Bee doing its job on the male flower. Thursday, June 11 View Page Gibson 1462. This plant has exceeded all my expectations so far. It is actually outgrowing its patch. I am going to have to cut the end of the vines as the vines are about three feet from the edge of the patch. I have at least ten pumpkins on all of the vines. I am going to let them all get pollinated and then keep the best one. Thursday, June 11 View Page Gibson 1462 Thursday, June 11 View Page Gibson 1462 Thursday, June 11 View Page The grass is dieing fast after I put the roundup on it. This is going to be next years AG patch. It should be dead enough by Sunday, at that time I will till it in, put composted manure and compost in it and till that in and then fence it and run the drip then plant corn in it this year. Saturday, June 13 View Page Started work on the new patch for next years pumpkin. The grass was pretty dead after all the roundup I put on it. I tilled it all in... Saturday, June 13 View Page Added several bags of compost and composted cow manure... Saturday, June 13 View Page Put up a fence to keep the dogs out... Saturday, June 13 View Page And put in most of the irrigation for the corn that will be going in it this year. Saturday, June 13 View Page Pruned several side vines off of the Gibson 1462 today, pre prune... Saturday, June 13 View Page Post prune. Saturday, June 20 View Page Gibson 1462 Saturday, June 20 View Page Gibson 1462 Saturday, June 20 View Page Gibson 1462 Saturday, June 20 View Page Gibson 1462 female one week after pollination ( x with self) Saturday, June 20 View Page Gibson 1462 female number 2 one week after pollination (x with self). Both pumpkins are about the size of a large softball. The one that is the largest as of next weekend will be the keeper. Saturday, June 20 View Page Next years AG patch. I finished the dripp irrigation, the corn has all sprouted and I also put in 6 crook neck squash which have sprouted. Sunday, July 5 View Page Gibson 1462 - 07/05/09 Sunday, July 5 View Page Note to self; Do not plant melons in your giant pumpkin patch! Sunday, July 5 View Page This is female "a". It has a stem split where the stem meets the vine. I can't get myself to pull it! Its estimated weight is 44 pounds. Sunday, July 5 View Page This is female "b". it is on the same plant as female "a". Its estimated weight is 55 pounds. The plant was fertilized yesterday with 1 bag of miracle grow. Sunday, July 5 View Page This is next years giant pumpkin patch. This is sweet corn and crookneck squash. Saturday, July 11 View Page Gibson 1462 female "a". Estimated weight 87 pounds. Saturday, July 11 View Page Gibson 1462 female "b". Estimated weight 110 pounds. Saturday, July 18 View Page Gibson 1462 female "a". Estimated weight is 114 pounds. This pumpkin actually looks bigger than the female "b" but measures out smaller. Saturday, July 18 View Page Gibson 1462 female "b". Estimated weight is 157 pounds. Sunday, July 19 View Page Gibson 1462 female "a". Front to back = 50 inches. Side to side = 48 inches. Circumference = 80 inches. Over the top = 178 inches. Total estimated weight = 129 pounds. Sunday, July 19 View Page Gibson 1462 female "b". Front to back = 58 inches. Side to side = 56 inches. Circumference = 84 inches. Over the top = 198 inches. Total estimated weight = 173 pounds. Saturday, July 25 View Page Gibson 1462 female "a". fb - 53 ss - 51 cir - 80 ott - 184 Estimated weight 142 pounds. Saturday, July 25 View Page Gibson 1462 female "b". fb - 60 ss - 59 cir - 84 ott - 203 Estimated weight 186 pounds Saturday, July 25 View Page Gibson 1462 female "b". fb - 60 ss - 59 cir - 84 ott - 203 Estimated weight 186 pounds Saturday, July 25 View Page Gibson 1462 plant - 07/25/09 Saturday, August 1 View Page Gibson 1462 female "a". Front to back = 56 inches. Side to side = 52 inches. Circumference = 87 inches. Over the top = 195 inches. Total estimated weight = 166 pounds. Saturday, August 1 View Page Gibson 1462 Female "a". Saturday, August 1 View Page Gibson 1462 female "b". Front to back = 63 inches. Side to side = 60 inches. Circumference = 98 inches. Over the top = 221 inches. Total estimated weight = 235 pounds. Saturday, August 1 View Page Gibson 1462 female "b". Saturday, August 8 View Page Gibson 1462 female "a". FB - 56" SS - 57" Cir - 86" OTT - 169" Total Estimated Weight = 173 LBS Saturday, August 8 View Page Gibson 1462 female "b". FB - 66" SS - 63" Cir - 98" OTT - 227" Total Estimated Weight = 253 LBS Tuesday, August 25 View Page Gibson 1462 female "a" - Estimated weight 215 pounds. Tuesday, August 25 View Page Gibson 1462 female "b" - Estimated weight 282 pounds. Tuesday, August 25 View Page Gibson 1462 youtube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcg6WgTYPHU Sunday, September 6 View Page Gibson 1462. Female "a" on the left, estimated weight is 191 pounds. Female "b" on the right, estimated weight is 298 pounds. Sunday, September 6 View Page Gibson 1462. The vine started dieing about a month ago. i am not sure why but both pumpkins seem to still be growing albeit slowly. Sunday, September 6 View Page Gibson 1462, closer look at dead vines. There is live stuff at the base of the plant and one very small live part behind the two pumpkins. I am not really sure what caused this. I noticed it starting about a month and a half ago. I thought it was because I was fertilizing too much, now I am not sure. It may be from downy mildew as the watermelons that are on the right side of the pumpkins got heavily infested with it. Oh well, there is always next year! Sunday, September 6 View Page Edit to last post...Female "a" estimated weight is 230 pounds, not 191 pounds. Saturday, September 12 View Page This is what took my pumpkin patch down. This is the watermelon I planted in my patch (won't be doing that next year). It's infected with downy mildew. The growth on both pumpkins has stopped. I taped both of them this morning and zich, nada, nothing. Here's to next year! Saturday, September 12 View Page This is the front side of one of the AG leaves that is infected with downy mildew. Saturday, September 12 View Page This is the back side of the same leaf. You can see the disease vector here, aphids and whiteflys. Saturday, September 12 View Page Here's to all of you (and your little helpers). Good luck in 2010! Sunday, September 27 View Page Boa Vista Orchards, Apple Hill California. I think I should send them a copy of Don's book. These are some small pumpkins! Sunday, September 27 View Page High Hill Ranch, Apple Hill California. This is a wolf. There was a wolf rescue outfit there asking for money. Friday, October 2 View Page The l.ifting crew. Friday, October 2 View Page Gibson 1462. Ready for the Ek Grove Pumpkin Festival in the morning. It took five of use to carry the thing. It tapes at 300 pounds. I suspect it's going to go heavy. Friday, October 2 View Page Gibson 1462 - 10/02/09 Friday, October 2 View Page Gibson 1462 - 10/02/09 - This is the bigger of my two Gibsons. I decided to leave the small one at home. Friday, October 2 View Page Gibson 1462 - 10/02/09. This is the larger od the two off of the same plant. Saturday, October 3 View Page Introducing the Clark 309.5 09. Gibson 1462 x self. Finished 43rd out of fifty entries and missed $50.00 mystery spot by one place. Alan, thanks again for the fine seed. Saturday, October 3 View Page Hanging with the winner, Reuben Frias. Seemed like the seed that a lot of the bigs one were coming from was the 991 Urena. Leonardo helped Reuben with his big one. Saturday, October 3 View Page Pete Glasier measuring pumpkins. This is one classy guy. Sunday, October 4 View Page I am so done with no pesticides/fungicides. I was cleaning out the patch this morning and found this. This is the main stem where it met the hill. It stunk something awful. From the looks of it this was caused by some type of rot. If you look closely you can see a white fungus inside the hole. Sunday, October 4 View Page Another pic of the rotted stem. Sunday, October 4 View Page Aphid infestation...I'll nuke it if that's what it takes next year! Sunday, October 4 View Page Another aphid pic. Sunday, October 4 View Page Top three Elk Grove pumpkins. From right to left... 1st place Ruben Frias 1467.5 pounds 2nd place Eric Carlson 1398.5 pounds 3rd place pete Glasier 1378 pounds Sunday, October 4 View Page So I took my wife with me yesterday to the weigh offs. She was less that enthused. Then we got there and her attitude changed...boy did it change!. She wants to start growing next year. Good thing I made a spot this summer for a new patch. Looks like all other veggies get put on hold though. Oh well, ya got to do what ya got to do! Sunday, October 4 View Page This is the pumpkin that did not get weighed. It taped at 200 pounds. It had good wall thickness. Sunday, October 4 View Page A closeup, inside view of the 200 pounder. The seeds were starting to sprout. Sunday, October 4 View Page Here you can see the sprouts and the amount of seeds I got out of the 200 pounder. There were a lot more taht were sprouted than not. There was also a whole lot of water in the pumpkin. Sunday, October 11 View Page I started getting the patch ready yesterday for next year. I would like to thank Brad and Sophie from Silver Creek Farm in Newcastle, Ca for the manure. This truck load did one of the patches, I will be getting another truck load for the other patch next week. This is horse manure. And youv'e probably heard the expression "a steaming pile of shit" well the pile this came from was so hot from composting that when Brad started loading it it was steaming something fierce! Sunday, October 11 View Page I wasn't going to use this spot next year for giant pumpkins but the wife wants to try it after going to the Elk grove pumpkin festival. This is the patch after I cleared it out. The pumpkin is my 200 pounder. I chopped it up and it's underneath all the manure in the next pic. Sunday, October 11 View Page This is the patch after putting a truck load of horse manure on it. Thanks again to Brad and Sophie from Silver Creek Farm for the manure. I brought them some seeds from the 200 pounder and Brad offered me a spot on his farm to grow next year. How cool is that?! http://www.silvercreekboarding.com Sunday, October 11 View Page Win a T-Tape starter kit. See my blog at http://www.midnightgardenerblog.com/forum/m-1255306100/ for details. Win $25.00 PayPal cash. See my blog at http://www.midnightgardenerblog.com/forum/m-1255304986/ Win 50 atlantic giant seeds. See my blog at http://www.midnightgardenerblog.com/forum/m-1255188258/ Monday, October 12 View Page Win a free web site. Find out how here; http://www.midnightgardenerblog.com/forum/m-1255351473/ Wednesday, October 21 View Page Elk Grove Weigh Off Board - 10/03/09 Wednesday, October 21 View Page Elk Grove Weigh Off - 10/03/09 Sunday, November 8 View Page This will be the wifes patch next year. Right now it has beets, carrots, spinach, radish, snow peas, and collard greens growing in it. I also threw in the remains of my 300 pound pumpkin, some rotting pears and some rotten watermelns and casaba melons. Sunday, November 8 View Page The remains of my 300 pounder before it went into the wifes patch. These things rot fast once you cut them. Sunday, November 8 View Page This is my patch for next year. So far I have added a truck load of partially composted horse manure then planted rye grass in it. Near the back are several plants that sprouted from the seeds of the 200 pound pumpkin that got tilled in. They are growing pretty well. Near the right of the picure, those are collard greens. Monday, December 7 View Page This is perennial rye that I planted as a cover crop on 10/17/09. I also spread some mycorrhizae in the dirt. The stuff is growing like mad.