Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 1063 Entries. Sunday, January 6 View Page Planted the 6.52 la rue 5 days ago! Planted it when the cots were still in the seed but just coming out. Very slow to start off but now I’m seeing a bit of a speed up   Friday, January 18 View Page 6.52 la rue is doing great! The ph a few days ago was sky high so I had to empty all the water and refill the bucket with plain water. She’s already looking much better. Really starting to grow now. I hope to get a tomato before mid February   Friday, January 18 View Page Some nice roots developing!   Monday, January 21 View Page I will be headed to green bay for the big show in March! Excited to meet everyone that I’ve talked to on BP   Wednesday, January 23 View Page Every few days I am giving the 6.52 la rue some jacks classic. About a tablespoon.   Sunday, January 27 View Page Went snowboarding today in NH. Blizzard conditions during the afternoon. I will post pics tomorrow. Took a tramway up. Don’t you just love getting motion sickness? Ugh it sucks   Monday, January 28 View Page Well . Now I’m caught with a little bit of the flu. That’s great! I do believe yesterday’s motion sickness was separate from this. Much more symptoms with this flu. Hopefully it goes away soon! :)   Tuesday, February 5 View Page Giant tomato update! 6.52 la rue is doing great. I’m liking the color on it. The LED light is really doing its job. I’m hoping to get a tomato pollinated by February 15th. I don’t see any yet but Hopefully within the next 5 days I see one   Tuesday, February 5 View Page I’m impressed with the roots on the giant tomato. It’s really amazing what hydroponics can do   Tuesday, February 5 View Page Cherry tomato doing great! Very stiff plant. Nice thick stem. I’m liking the color   Tuesday, February 5 View Page Second cherry tomato is doing great also. So far everything is growing good   Sunday, February 10 View Page Giant tomato is doing great! She is getting tall. The issue I had last year now that I remember it’s this seed is the flowers. The genetics don’t seem to want to produce for some reason. I do see 1 flower in there that’s pretty small. Hopefully I pollinate by February 20-25. Not much time for the indoor winter tomato challenge but I will be happy to just get a tomato.   Sunday, February 10 View Page Almost killed her. Bucket was half full when I checked it, it was full two days ago. Good thing the roots we’re still moist. Drinking a lot!   Friday, February 22 View Page Giant tomato update! She is doing great in the hydroponics. Very bushy plant. This plant does have trouble with producing flowers. It’s gotta be the genetics but I’ve got two singles that will be opening in a few days, Winter challenge ends March 20th, I feel I should have just enough time to get a decent tomato if these pollinations take.   Friday, February 22 View Page Picture with out the light on   Friday, February 22 View Page Here are the two single blossoms. Definitely should be opening in the next 2-4 days. I will choose the best looking one.   Friday, February 22 View Page Hard to see but the roots are now in the entire bucket. Very hard to fertilize the plant. I have to take it out and it’s very very heavy and mix all the ferts. Feeding every 3 days with some kelp and some jacks classic 20, 20, 20   Friday, February 22 View Page Really liking the overall health on the plant   Sunday, February 24 View Page Giant tomato blossoms are opening! Now I will have to choose the best looking one soon.   Friday, March 1 View Page Tomato plant is doing good. is 3 feet tall. Very happy with it. Drinking about a gallon of water a day now. The pedals on the flowers are not falling off yet so I think I am not going to get a very big tomato in time for the winter comp which sucks but I will still be growing the plant   Tuesday, March 5 View Page I’ve finally got a tomato growing on my giant tomato plant. Too late for the Winter grow challenge but I will keep it growing anyway. I’ve got another tomato right beside it that may be bigger but still has pedals on it so I will see how they both do and then choose one.   Tuesday, March 5 View Page Other tomato   Tuesday, March 5 View Page Giant Tomato plant.   Tuesday, March 5 View Page Pretty big leaf on the tomato plant. Been giving it some Alaskan kelp   Thursday, March 7 View Page Giant tomato doing good. Have to cut one off tomorrow. Both of them took. Too bad the Winter challenge ends March 20th. Won’t have anything big for the competition so I will leave the tomato on to grow.   Friday, March 8 View Page Giant tomato has been chosen! Cut off the other one. I like this one a lot. Nice and round. Looks like a beefy one. :)   Friday, March 8 View Page Started some Northern giant cabbage and some Cornish giant cabbage! I heard your supposed to start them early for planting in the spring. I will plant them outside in early May.   Friday, March 8 View Page Love this stuff. Seeds germinate very fast.   Friday, March 8 View Page Gotta keep em nice and warm   Saturday, March 9 View Page Here is a picture of the roots on the giant tomato plant. They are now filling the entire bucket. :)   Saturday, March 9 View Page   Saturday, March 9 View Page Official 2019 Giant Pumpkin Lineup. Hopefully I can get one to the scales!   Saturday, March 9 View Page Well there was a big snowstorm here last week. Hoop houses are absolutely wrecked! Bent poles. Lots just came apart. This year I will be going pvc for hoop houses. No way I have the patience to rebuild these   Saturday, March 9 View Page Wrecked.....   Saturday, March 9 View Page To start prepping for the season I sliced open the the top of this rain barrel. This is where the “good stuff” will go!   Sunday, March 10 View Page Some splitting happening on my giant tomato now. Hope it does not get worse   Sunday, March 10 View Page Will be starting these seeds Mid April. Looking forward to it.   Monday, March 11 View Page Giant tomato is currently 6 days old. Happy on how it’s growing so far.   Monday, March 11 View Page Giant cabbage popping! Germinated within 1 day   Wednesday, March 13 View Page My Carolina Reaper seeds have been delivered! I’m pumped to be growing these. Last year the plants sucked since I bought live plants. Starting by seed is the way to go. These take a long time to germinate but with my Rock wool method on a heated mat they should not take too too long!   Wednesday, March 13 View Page WOW! the seeds were hot! Touched my tong. Oof! Was not expecting that   Thursday, March 14 View Page Giant Tomato is down! Damn it! Very disappointed. The tomato was forming these weird brown spots. So we’re the leaves. And the area with the brown spots is soft. I have no idea what caused it but that sucks! Ugh. I was happy on how the plant grew and how big I got it. Oh well. Pumpkins will be in the grow tent soon. Better not be saying the pumpkin is down this year again!   Thursday, March 14 View Page Plant   Thursday, March 14 View Page Time to pull the plant   Thursday, March 14 View Page Roots were healthy   Thursday, March 14 View Page   Thursday, March 14 View Page I am excited to go to Green Bay! Flying out tomorrow at 7:15 AM. gotta get up early. Flying into Minneapolis then driving to Green Bay from there since there are no direct flights. Should be great! Really looking forward to meeting everyone.   Friday, March 15 View Page Ready to board!   Friday, March 15 View Page Cool clouds!   Friday, March 15 View Page Landing in Minneapolis!   Friday, March 15 View Page Landed!   Friday, March 15 View Page Very flat out here. Pretty cool.now a 4 hour drive to Green Bay! pictures were sideways on last two entries because I could not submit them through the app.   Friday, March 15 View Page I have arrived! Very excited for this. Listening to pumpkin 101! Nice place at Lambou field. Very nice show so far!   Friday, March 15 View Page Very nice stadium   Friday, March 15 View Page May go on a stadium tour tomorrow if I can squeeze it in   Saturday, March 16 View Page Listening to Steve Geddes talking about his techniques! Very good speaker.   Saturday, March 16 View Page Listening to Steve Delates talk about his growing season!   Saturday, March 16 View Page The Wizz Talkin! Wooo   Saturday, March 16 View Page Todd Kline Handing out an award. What a great guy he is   Saturday, March 16 View Page Joe Jutras with the Trifecta award!   Saturday, March 16 View Page James hazeltine getting his award!   Saturday, March 16 View Page Nice Ron!   Saturday, March 16 View Page Josiah Brandt getting his award. Lots of awards being handed out tonight!   Saturday, March 16 View Page Ian and Stuart Patton getting there award   Sunday, March 17 View Page What an amazing time I had at the BIG SHOW. It was an amazing experience that I got to have. I got to meet people that I’ve only talked to online. When you get to meet them in person it’s just a great moment. I loved listening to growers talk about there season. I really learned a lot at this event. I didn’t know how many people actually looked at my diary. Now it’s time to get my patch ready for the 2019 season. I’m getting excited! It’s time to rock and roll and get a pumpkin to the scales!   Monday, March 18 View Page I am home! A few of my Carolina reaper seeds that I started 4 days ago are already starting to pop roots. This wool stuff works amazing!   Tuesday, March 19 View Page Hard to tell but the new patch really looks like crap. Got an excavator coming March 30th. Going to tear up all the roots, make the soil deep. Really dig down there. Compost will go in after.   Wednesday, March 20 View Page Covered up part of my new pumpkin patch. Why? Supposed to rain 1-2 inches on Friday. My patch is already soaked, I can’t afford to let it get more wet. It’s March 20th! May seem like a lot of time but with a new patch like this I don’t have much time. When the excavator comes in March 30th it can’t be wet. I gotta try to dry it out. Where the big rock is I couldn’t cover that area since the rock is there. I also ran out of plastic. Down on the far end there is a lot of brush so I can’t cover that. Besides all the brush there takes in the water so it’s dryer down there. I’m happy that I covered most of it. Now I just have to hope it dries out well.   Wednesday, March 20 View Page Just ordered 7 yards of compost. Will spread it after the patch gets excavated on the 30th! Will have to carry it by wheelbarrow to the front of the house all the way to the back. Fun times!   Wednesday, March 20 View Page Hard to tell from the pic but just looking at the old patch it looks diseased! Very dark soil and very muddy. Does not even have full sun right now. New patch has full sun now :)   Wednesday, March 20 View Page Organizing the giant pumpkin supplies for the season ahead!!   Wednesday, March 20 View Page Cleaning out my squash vine Borer traps and I found a set of eggs! Ugh! Get outta there! Off they go into the toilet   Thursday, March 21 View Page Nice job nursery!! I told them to dump the compost on a blue tarp. I never had a blue tarp so I put a brown one out. And what do I get next? No delivery. Seriously??? If you see 1 tarp lying down in front of my house and no other tarps wouldn’t you just dump it on the ONLY TARP? Absolute BS! Now I have to call them. Never ordering from these people again   Sunday, March 24 View Page Nice day today. Spring is here! Temps near 60 and full sunshine. Still a little wet but workable. Gotta get the rocks out of the patch! Was blowing the leaves off this morning.   Sunday, March 24 View Page Gotta get the leafs out in the brush area too. Blower ran out of gas and I am out so I will have to rake them   Sunday, March 24 View Page With all this brush it’s hard to rake the leafs   Sunday, March 24 View Page Soil is drying out really good. Looks really good   Sunday, March 24 View Page Hard to tell but the soil is lighter where the grass was. Going to add a lot of compost in that area   Sunday, March 24 View Page This rock will be outta here next weekend!   Sunday, March 24 View Page I believe I have reached the bottom of the rock. I will let the excavator do the rest   Sunday, March 24 View Page Potted up two Carolina Reapers today. They were ready to be potted. Didn’t have any plastic pots so I used cups. Drilled a hole on the bottom. They germinated fast in the wool!   Sunday, March 24 View Page Still have a lot to plant. Not quite ready to be potted up though. A few more days and I will pot em up. The wool is made for hydroponics but you can use them for planting in soil too. Roots will go right through.   Sunday, March 24 View Page Cherry tomatoes are doing great! Taking a long time for the tomatoes to turn red. Not sure why   Sunday, March 24 View Page Renting this bad boy next weekend! It’s cheaper than hiring someone which would be like 700 bucks. This is 289 for a day. Not bad at all. It can get the job done as well. Will probably have to push the rock out of the patch. Should be great! It can dig down 4 feet. I’m excited   Monday, March 25 View Page Renting this bad ass on Saturday instead! Thing is a beast. Will really get the job done!! Now I can put the compost in the patch easier!   Monday, March 25 View Page   Tuesday, March 26 View Page Gotta plant one of my clones that I took off the 6.52 la rue! Nice roots! Took about 2 weeks   Tuesday, March 26 View Page Stuck her in a plastic cup. That’s all I had. When I see the roots touching the outer edge of the cup I will transplant her into a bigger pot. Gotta admit this cloning thing is pretty cool! First time doing it. I will plant her out in my garden in May   Tuesday, March 26 View Page I have placed my Carolina reapers that I planted on my heat mat. Planted more today. Definitely slow peppers so I think the mat will help. The LED light is getting mostly used by the cabbages and big cherry tomatoes. I would place the peppers in there but there is no room   Wednesday, March 27 View Page Not sure what’s going on here. My 6.52 clone is wilting very badly. Just planted it yesterday. Cup is moist very well. Hopefully it comes out of it   Wednesday, March 27 View Page May of been to hot in there. 82 degrees it was. Got the fan on full blast now   Friday, March 29 View Page Tomorrow is the day! Bringing the big tractor in with the bucket and the back hoe! Some showers today but that shouldn’t amount to much so I should be all good. Sunday it’s going to rain and tomorrow will be cloudy. Timing is good   Saturday, March 30 View Page Today is the day :)   Saturday, March 30 View Page 6.52 clone is back up and growing well! Roots are spreading good now. You can see them if you look closely.   Saturday, March 30 View Page Looks like the leafs may of shrunk a little. Maybe it’s just my imagination   Saturday, March 30 View Page Getting some cherry tomatoes that are turning red on one of my hydro plants!   Saturday, March 30 View Page Unloading her!   Saturday, March 30 View Page Coming along great!   Saturday, March 30 View Page Let’s loosen the soil!   Saturday, March 30 View Page Holy shit that’s a lot of clay! Getting rid of this   Saturday, March 30 View Page I love this thing! Does such a good job getting the soil deep!   Saturday, March 30 View Page   Saturday, March 30 View Page Compost is going in!   Saturday, March 30 View Page Moving the compost in! Got the patch all turned over   Saturday, March 30 View Page What an awesome day today! I got what I needed to do DONE! I dug a few feet deep down in my new patch. I got all the rocks out. I will take a pic of that big one I got out tomorrow! I brought the compost over and spreaded it out well. This new patch should be great! No more compacted soil! Those roots should go down a few feet with the soil like that. Everything is coming together. The machine was pretty simple to operate. It was a beast! Next step is to flatten it out a bit and till the patch to get the compost in there. There is some clay in there but not much. Much better than I thought. This season already feels different. 1 month until planting! LETS GO!!!!   Saturday, March 30 View Page Loved this machine!   Saturday, March 30 View Page It got pretty simple to operate. Didn’t take long at all   Saturday, March 30 View Page Don’t you just love the smell of fresh compost?   Sunday, March 31 View Page Here is a pic of that rock! It was pretty big. Had to push it into the woods. If it was a pumpkin I would say around 300 pounds. I’m happy I got it out. No longer in the way of the plants   Sunday, March 31 View Page Here in this 50 gallon tub is where my Ferts will be going. I was going to put it on the side of my patch but that definitely was not going to work out. To far away. Right behind the white fence is perfect!   Monday, April 1 View Page My brother has the flu, 102.5 fever! Pray for me that I don’t get it!   Monday, April 1 View Page Got this. As you know school is where millions of germs are. All over desks etc.   Monday, April 1 View Page Spreading the rest of the compost today after school. Not much left. Got most of it with the tractor. Low 40s today with sunshine. Gotta be out of the house as much as possible!   Monday, April 1 View Page Spreaded 2 bags of gypsum down in the patch. I did the lime in the fall   Tuesday, April 2 View Page With my weather looking like garbage in the coming weeks I definitely need to crank out some work in the patch. Not many dry days there so I have to get going. Hard to work the patch when it’s wet   Tuesday, April 2 View Page Ugh   Tuesday, April 2 View Page Tilled the patch up today! Two bags of gypsum in there and two bags of lime. Compost is all in. I’m really happy with it! Next step is to get some amendments in a few weeks and add those to the patch and then till it again. Hoop houses go up mid April to Warm the soil so I can plant May 1st!   Tuesday, April 2 View Page Another pic   Thursday, April 4 View Page Gave the patch another till. Trying to get as deep as possible. Dug with my hand and I can get down pretty deep. Excited for the season!   Thursday, April 4 View Page   Thursday, April 4 View Page   Thursday, April 4 View Page Giant cabbages are growing well! Really liking the LED light   Thursday, April 4 View Page Carolina reapers are slow. Once they get that first true leaf they should speed up.   Thursday, April 4 View Page Cherry tomatoes are growing nice! Got some nice ones they taste very good on the first plant. Second plant they are not red yet   Thursday, April 4 View Page 6.52 la rue clone is really starting to grow some nice roots. Will have to transplant soon   Thursday, April 4 View Page I’m looking at last years diary when I had my hoop houses up. My goodness I was freakin late. Got them up April 28th as well with the heating cables. I planted may 1st. This year I will have them up by April 15th-16th. Gotta warm the soil good.   Saturday, April 6 View Page Easily the scariest moment of my life by a long shot. I am snow boarding at sugarbush mountain in VT. The fog is unbelievable. I will post pics after. I am waiting to go down with friends. We can’t see 10 feet in front of us. We suddenly here a VERY LOUD RUMBLING noise. I start to panic. This was the loudest noise I have ever heard. The thing about this is it kept getting closer and closer which meant the noise got louder and louder, It was coming right towards us. I freeze up and literally feel like this is it for us. This thing was LOUD! It lasted about 30 seconds. The noise finally fades away and I am like “what the hell was that! “ I immediately think a close call with a plane. It was very foggy! Someone said they saw fighter jets on the bottom of the mountain. So I think it was fighter jets but I do think that they did not mean to be that close even with the technology they have. I can’t explain how frightening the noise was. Literally thought I was going to die! I was just in a state of mind that was unexplainable. Literally froze up. So that was the story folks. I now feel like I know what it feels like to be in a shooting for example. So scary. It was just unreal. Never had that feeling before   Saturday, April 6 View Page This is how foggy it was. Just unreal. Now imagine a very loud plane engine sound coming right towards you in this. You feel trapped   Saturday, April 6 View Page Another fog picture   Saturday, April 6 View Page   Saturday, April 6 View Page Overall the boarding was nice today. I enjoyed it!   Sunday, April 7 View Page Hitting the slopes for another day of boarding! Last day of the season   Sunday, April 7 View Page Views are alright today. Much better then yesterday where there was zero visibility   Sunday, April 7 View Page Very cool!   Sunday, April 7 View Page Gorgeous   Sunday, April 7 View Page Clearing up a bit more   Monday, April 8 View Page Building hoop houses this upcoming weekend for the patch. I want to make them around 5 feet tall. Making them out of PVC pipe   Monday, April 8 View Page WOWWWWWWWW   Monday, April 8 View Page Transplanted the 6.52 la rue clone. Needed a bigger pot badly. Didn’t have a smaller one so this was the only option. When I plant it outside I will cut this pot.   Monday, April 8 View Page Giant cabbages and reapers are Doing really good! Grew a lot when I was away   Monday, April 8 View Page Reapers   Monday, April 8 View Page Patch is soaked. Two more days of rain. Friday night rain and next Monday also. Adding amendments next Monday in the rain I guess. Gotta till them in. That will be hard   Monday, April 8 View Page No more small hoop houses. Stepping it up a level this year! Building two greenhouses I will call them. About 8 feet tall. I want to get a good head start. I will take them down in the beginning of June, Biggest concern is keeping the plant cool but my plan is to get two fans and attach them to each side in the two of the greenhouses. I may even try to be able to let the sides open. Of course I will make the greenhouse more sturdy. Next week the real construction begins. I’ve only got two heating cables, one for each greenhouse but they should do the trick where the stump is. Let’s go!!   Wednesday, April 10 View Page Finally some sun today! Been a few days. Sadly Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, will all be cloudy and some rain Monday. Stupid spring   Thursday, April 11 View Page Damn it. My tillers plate cracked. Hit a rock or something. There goes a few hundred bucks. Got this thing for a good deal. That’s a big issue. No longer can use it. Would be a very expensive fix! She’s done! not sure what to do   Friday, April 12 View Page More tiller pics of the crack   Friday, April 12 View Page   Friday, April 12 View Page Let’s see if some welders can fix her up! I’m really hoping they can do something   Friday, April 12 View Page Great news! They can FIX it! Just gotta take the parts off from the machine. Woo hoooooo   Friday, April 12 View Page Should have the tiller all ready to sometime next week. Very happy they can fix it.   Friday, April 12 View Page Seeds get started Monday! Woody is germinating them for me and then once they pop I will take over and stick them under my LED light. That light works great. My practice 1275 loved that light. Hopefully these do the same. Should have them under there by Thursday of next week. Backups will be woodys big one that he lost last year. Not sure why I would need those unless something very bad happened to these plants   Saturday, April 13 View Page damn it. Looks like the tiller may not be able to get fixed. That sucks! The guy said it would be hard but will give it a try. Ugh. I’m screwed   Sunday, April 14 View Page At the SNEGPG spring seminar. Grow em big!!   Sunday, April 14 View Page ITS GO TIME! Today was a very busy day for me. Went to the SNEGPG seminar. That was amazing. Got home and got right to work on spreading my amendments down. 1 bag of kelp and 1 bag of humic. Smell is absolutely amazing. The soil is literally yellow. Made sure to add a bit extra where the plants will be planted. :) then I got to work on one of the frames for the greenhouses I will call it. Making sure it’s all sturdy. That went well. I will be away tomorrow and Tuesday and Wednesday I will be going on a collage tour. Work starts back up on Thursday. Will get the second frame up on the other greenhouse and hopefully finish all of them so I can get those heating cables in by Friday. Woody starts the plants tomorrow. When the cots pop I will take over and put them under my LED light. Right now I am on track for planting May 1st. GROW EM BIG! I’m serious this year.   Sunday, April 14 View Page Picked up these. I won the sea mix which was cool also got the starter packs. Ron you are awesome. Root shield to bury vines with as well. Will be using Marks special tea as well. Some other ferts as well that are not in here. I’m ready.   Monday, April 15 View Page First thunderstorm of the year moving through! Very heavy rain. This is great! Will wash all my amendments in the patch. Perfect :)   Monday, April 15 View Page Taking a nice trip to NYC! Seeing the botanical gardens tomorrow   Monday, April 15 View Page The city that never sleeps   Monday, April 15 View Page Love this pic of NYC. Clouds make it so cool. :)   Tuesday, April 16 View Page New York botanical gardens!   Tuesday, April 16 View Page Lots of tropical plants!   Tuesday, April 16 View Page Gorgeous   Tuesday, April 16 View Page .   Tuesday, April 16 View Page Cactus!   Tuesday, April 16 View Page Cool ones!   Tuesday, April 16 View Page So cool   Tuesday, April 16 View Page Some gorgeous daffodils!   Tuesday, April 16 View Page Gorgeous cherry blossom tree!   Tuesday, April 16 View Page This is a gorgeous tree   Tuesday, April 16 View Page Wow. It’s huge   Tuesday, April 16 View Page my Prayers are with Paris   Wednesday, April 17 View Page Had a great time in NY. botanical gardens was awesome! I am back home and my cabbages are doing really good, much bigger than last year at this time, I like that. Getting beefy   Wednesday, April 17 View Page Carolina reapers are speeding up   Wednesday, April 17 View Page Good morning. Lots of work on tap for today in the patch. Going to try to get both greenhouses up and put the heating cables in. I will update through out the day! Sunshine and 60 today   Wednesday, April 17 View Page Since I don’t have a tiller I’ve gotta loosen the soil up with a fork. Luckily I did till it before the tiller broke so it’s pretty loose and because of the excavator. Probably going to rent a tiller for the part outside of the greenhouse area. Still got time for that.   Wednesday, April 17 View Page Just got a call from Woody. All of the seeds popped a root! Here is the thing. The 1911s had an inch and a half root he said. Other ones had a quarter of an inch root. Oh boy here we go. Those 1911s are aggressive!   Wednesday, April 17 View Page 1 set of Heating cables are in! Let’s add some pumpkin pro to the pit. Yumm!   Wednesday, April 17 View Page You can never add to much pumpkin pro. I want those roots moving fast and to EXPLODE!   Wednesday, April 17 View Page Starting to come along!!   Wednesday, April 17 View Page Second hoop house will be done tomorrow   Wednesday, April 17 View Page Starting the 384.5 terry bushel gourd! Going to soak it for a little while   Thursday, April 18 View Page Bad news! 1 set of heating cables does not work. That’s not good. Looks like it may be burnt out. Lots of wires not connected in the thermostat. These ones are brand new too   Thursday, April 18 View Page I remember that I think I had issues with these last year on the 1791. Maybe that’s why it was so slow.   Thursday, April 18 View Page Woody to the rescue on those heating cables. Thanks Woody!   Thursday, April 18 View Page Greenhouses are up! Just need to do a few more small things then I am done. Heating cables are in and on! Gotta get the soil nice and warm. Some of you were wondering about wind, I’m not worried, I have covered the sides with soil. Very sturdy. My backyard does not get much wind either. Overall I am very happy on how they are turning out! Now I don’t have the crouch down low in the small ones. i tested a small heater and it gets nice and toasty in there, got to 64 and the outside temp is 48. It’s go time!   Thursday, April 18 View Page Grow em big!!   Thursday, April 18 View Page Looking forward to planting May 1st   Friday, April 19 View Page Its a windy one today. Clips came off on a greenhouse so the entire side opened. Need to evaluate that.   Friday, April 19 View Page Bad news. I have to make a lot of adjustments on just the first greenhouse I made. I have 5 pvc going across. But no top going across. This wind is killing it!!! The second hoop house is doing fine in the wind! No defects at all because there is more support. I have to take this one apart and make it like the second. Damn it wind!!!!!   Friday, April 19 View Page These damn clips came off on the door. This would happen on the other one too. I have to fix this some how as well.   Friday, April 19 View Page Extremely frustrated r   Friday, April 19 View Page Every single pvc is broken. I’m going to have to build a small hoop house.   Friday, April 19 View Page One of the most frustrating days of my life. Woke up this morning. I thought it was going to be a normal day. Mother Nature starting cooking up some nasty winds. That’s when I knew a really bad day was coming. I had to rebuilt my greenhouses into small hoop houses. I will admit. Those would be freakin awesome if they worked, nice and tall and big so the plants have a ton of room to grow in. Not anymore. You can’t build those out of PVC! YOU JUST CANT!! So I took those apart, I was ferrous. Sooooo freakin frustrated! Throwing shit around. So I spent the day building small hoops out of the PVC I could save. Plastic is a bit flimsy. I tried my best to get it as tight as possible but it was hard, plants should do fine in those, just need to get the ends in and I am all good. Spending three days building those big ones was disappointing now that I had to take them down. Oh well. At least I have something.   Saturday, April 20 View Page Very strong winds continued into last night. I’m happy to say the small hoops I built were able to with stand them. Plastic will be a bit flimsy but I don’t care as long as it stays warm in there. It was such a frustrating day yesterday that these will work fine. Definitely lost some good money. Oh well. I need to just buy 3 more PVC pipes for the ends and add plastic.   Saturday, April 20 View Page Woody is handing over the plants today to me so I can stick them under my LED. will post a pic   Saturday, April 20 View Page I definitely need to rent a tiller! This is to hard to fork. Very muggy today. Downpours. Ugh. Look at all the amendments just sitting on top. I have to get em into the ground!   Saturday, April 20 View Page My stress level is definitely going down. I forked part of the patch. Want those amendments to really wash in. Heavy rain coming. Walking boards have been put down. I still think I will rent a tiller to top it off. I gotta get those doors on the sides of the hoop   Saturday, April 20 View Page Seeds have arrived from Woody! Here is the 1911 Urena! This one is a fast grower.   Saturday, April 20 View Page Here is the 1928 Delatas. Just starting to come up. Notice how the 1911 is already up with cots out   Saturday, April 20 View Page Here are Woody’s 2098 back ups. Likely won’t need these but good to have   Saturday, April 20 View Page Going to start some giant tomatoes today. I have lots of options! 25 packets. I should’ve joined the tomato comp. oh well   Saturday, April 20 View Page Giant tomato line up! I will be growing 18 plants   Saturday, April 20 View Page Let the soaking begin!   Saturday, April 20 View Page I’ve decided to not do a bushel gourd. Instead I will be doing a giant watermelon! I feel like they will be more fun. Will give it 300 SF behind my pumpkins   Saturday, April 20 View Page Forked the melon area   Saturday, April 20 View Page Boards down as a dividing line. Pumpkins will definitely be my main focus, I want that 1500 pounds!   Saturday, April 20 View Page Everything is starting to come together, 2019 here I come! Walking boards have been placed. I will not be walking on my soil!!   Saturday, April 20 View Page I’m ready   Saturday, April 20 View Page For the watermelon I will be growing the 256.5 barber! Seeds soaked and I just potted two up into two separate pots. Will choose the strongest one.   Sunday, April 21 View Page Just stuck my hand in the soil where the plant will go and wowza its very warm!! Definitely 75 degrees. That feels good!   Sunday, April 21 View Page Not good news. One heating cable set in one hoop is at 100 degrees! While the other is at 85-90! Thermostat could be bad. Not a good issue. Woody is coming over tomorrow to see if we can fix em   Monday, April 22 View Page These three cabbages are doing amazing. Nice and bushy. Really liking how there coming along. Probably can plant them outside soon. I’ve got 7 cabbages in total   Monday, April 22 View Page Carolina reapers have really picked up the speed since I’ve put them on the heating pad.   Monday, April 22 View Page 1911 Urena starting to develop that first true leaf. I’m planting in just 9 days! I cranked the heat up to 83-84.   Monday, April 22 View Page 1928 Daletas not far behind   Monday, April 22 View Page That thermostat im using has worked! Set it to 73 degrees. Went down from 96. Nice! :) now I’ve gotta buy another for the other cables. Better to be safe   Monday, April 22 View Page That 384 terry bushel gourd has got a root in cold soil. 4-5 days. Wowza. Here is the issue. I changed my mind on wanting to do a gourd a few data ago. I didn’t really expect the gourd to germinate for some reason. Now it’s germinated so ugh! Yes it’s a good thing but I kinda have my mind on a melon before it got a root. Thinking about grafting the gourd with the melon. But this is the WR bushel gourd. I don’t have room to do both. I don’t know what to do. What do you think? Email me at henryswenson@gmail.com   Monday, April 22 View Page I thought back to when I started the bushel gourd. Started on the 17th. Already has an inch root so it probably started popping out yesterday which would make it 4 days. Again I’m not sure how in cold soil. I soaked it for an hour. Stuck it in a paper towel for a night like 70 degrees then stuck it in dirt. It got moved around a lot   Tuesday, April 23 View Page Decision has been made. I will be growing the 384.5 terry bushel gourd over a melon. Thanks to all that had a say in it. You convinced me! :)   Tuesday, April 23 View Page Pumpkins getting some real sunlight! Gotta get em to Speed up a bit. Planting in a week. Got a heater on in here so it’s like 70 degrees. There loving it! Cabbages too!   Wednesday, April 24 View Page Giant pumpkins soaking up that sun today. No burns. Great sign   Thursday, April 25 View Page 384.5 terry is very slow to pop from the soil. Definitely rooted nice. I do remember hearing that it is slow in the beginning so not worried at all.   Thursday, April 25 View Page I love spying on my pumpkins :)   Friday, April 26 View Page I see you 384.5 terry!   Friday, April 26 View Page Giant tomatoes are up! Only had two that did not pop. I planted 18 in total   Saturday, April 27 View Page Giant pumpkin plants are getting faster and faster every day. My plan was to plant next Wednesday. With rain possible every day of the week next week and temps in just the low 50s and 40s I will aim for next weekend! They will grow better inside. 1911 in the middle and 1928 all the way to the left.   Saturday, April 27 View Page Just picked up 50 bucks worth of pots. I have to plant my giant tomatoes into 15 pots i think it is. Sunflowers which I will start in a few weeks will go in some pots. And I have to plant my bushel gourd into one. And the giant cabbages need to be transplanted into bigger pots.   Saturday, April 27 View Page Potted up 15 giant tomato plants! Still very small. I watered each one with some liquid kelp. Planting them mid to end of May. Each one will be getting two WOW starter packs.   Saturday, April 27 View Page I ran out of room in the tent. The Carolina reapers are under the Florescent light on a heat pad. Sunflowers get started first week of May. They are the last thing on my list.   Saturday, April 27 View Page 2019 Lineup! 2 Giant Pumpkins 15 Giant Tomatoes 10-15 Giant Sunflowers 384.5 Terry Gourd 7 Giant Cabbages 6 Carolina Reaper plants   Sunday, April 28 View Page After this I am done posting pics of the plants until end of next week. I’ve posted a lot lately. 1911 shown here. Growing fast now. My plan is to plant next weekend. Still 6 days away. Hopefully the 1911 doesn’t get too big. Lots of growth within 24 hours   Sunday, April 28 View Page In the hoophouse today enjoying some sunshine!   Monday, April 29 View Page Got two space heaters, these are much stronger then the other ones. Just what I need!   Tuesday, April 30 View Page The 384 terry bushel gourd continues to be very slow. It is known to be slow at first. Sprouted 4 days ago and the seed is still on there, I’ve tried to get it off but it’s just on there good! I need to get it into a bigger pot but the roots are not filling this small one. Hopefully they do soon,   Tuesday, April 30 View Page 1928 Daletas. Look at that leaf. Very weird shape. I was a bit worried about it. I looked closely at the other leafs and they all look normal that are still way in there. So not really worried but I will keep an eye on it!   Tuesday, April 30 View Page One of Woodys 2098 backup is all messed up. Just a weak plant with the leafs all small and weird. Luckily it’s only a backup! May not even plant it since the 1911 is doing so good   Tuesday, April 30 View Page Another one of Woody’s 2098 backups. This one is normal. Nothing wrong with it so if I need a backup for the 1928 I will use this one   Tuesday, April 30 View Page Could not be more happier with the 1911. Just a gorgeous plant all around. Keep it up!   Tuesday, April 30 View Page Had to do some surgery on the 384 terry. That seed did not want to come off! The first true leaf already was coming out and that seed was not budging for about 5 days! Had to cut it off. Immediately when I got it off the cots popped right out. Damaged the cots a bit but they look alright. Gotta do what you gotta do!   Tuesday, April 30 View Page Moved her into a bigger pot   Tuesday, April 30 View Page Looks to be wet here on the east coast and out west and to the south. This goes out until May 15th. Lots of moisture during this period! END THIS! Temps will be crappy as well.   Wednesday, May 1 View Page My bushel gourd closed back up! What????   Friday, May 3 View Page Let’s go Celtics!   Saturday, May 4 View Page PLANTING DAY! I’ve been waiting for this moment for 9 months.   Saturday, May 4 View Page Hoophouses ready. Heaters turned on.   Saturday, May 4 View Page 2 planted! Woo hoo! 1911 Urena on the right. Backup on the left. The 1911 had very nice roots! Much better then the 2098. Will pull the 2098 in a few weeks. Hopefully nothing happens to the 1911.   Saturday, May 4 View Page Other two planted! Backup on left. 1928 Daletas on right. Very nice roots on the 1928. I put pumpkin pro, azos, seven and starter paks in the planting holes. They are all watered in with fish and seaweed. That smell brings back memory’s!   Saturday, May 4 View Page Very happy to be planted. 2019 hopefully is the year!   Saturday, May 4 View Page Let’s start some sunflower seeds!   Saturday, May 4 View Page Really excited about these! Look at that height   Saturday, May 4 View Page This is a big seed!!   Sunday, May 5 View Page Giant cabbages doing fantastic!   Sunday, May 5 View Page   Sunday, May 5 View Page Giant cabbages got transplanted to bigger pots. Will plant them in the ground at the end of May   Monday, May 6 View Page 1928 Daletas soaking that sun up! First sunny day in a week   Monday, May 6 View Page 1911 Urena soaking some sun up! Look at those leafs. She’s going to be a monster   Tuesday, May 7 View Page Going to be 74 degrees today. Cabbages don’t like the heat much. They wilted yesterday pretty badly when temps were near 60. Put an umbrella over them. That should work!   Tuesday, May 7 View Page 1911 Urena leafs are getting BIG! Grow baby grow!!   Tuesday, May 7 View Page Decided to plant the giant cabbages! Perfect weather for them. Really dark outside. You can tell from the pic. Lots of downpours coming through.   Wednesday, May 8 View Page Pumpkins receiving bright sunshine today!   Thursday, May 9 View Page 1911 starting to vine. Will try to get her to lay down by Sunday or Monday.   Thursday, May 9 View Page Chilly this morning. 37 degrees. Here is a closer pic of the vine. Hoop house is 50 degrees.   Thursday, May 9 View Page 1928 Daletas is going good. Definitely farther behind but the vine looks like it will be easier to lay down   Thursday, May 9 View Page 1928 Vine.   Thursday, May 9 View Page Cabbages don’t mind the 30s   Thursday, May 9 View Page This is not good. Next week is going to suck around here, I am worried on how I will get the vines down. Don’t want to snap them with rainy and cool weather. I won’t mess with them. Just let them do there own thing. Damn this weather!   Saturday, May 11 View Page I cut off the kickstand leaf on the 1911. Was causing some issues. Would be harder to get the main on the ground. The vine is in a bad position. Leaning back slightly. Going to be a pain.   Saturday, May 11 View Page Look at that bend. That’s what worries me   Saturday, May 11 View Page Nice leafs   Saturday, May 11 View Page Let’s go fishing!   Saturday, May 11 View Page The stripers are here!   Saturday, May 11 View Page Caught a nice striper! Around 18 inches   Saturday, May 11 View Page My dad caught a nice one as well!   Sunday, May 12 View Page Had to start a second batch of sunflower seeds. Some did not germinate. 7 germinated 8 did not! Not very good luck. Hopefully the second batch germinates. Running low on some seeds   Sunday, May 12 View Page 1928 Daletas shown here. I have concerns. Won’t see sun until Friday! It will be cold and rainy at times the entire week ahead. I don’t want to fall behind too much! I am already behind from last year. I need to do something! I need this to be a good year. I’m going to order some LED growing lights for both plants. It’s May and this weather sucks. I do look to have a late pollination I think. Hoping before July 4th.   Sunday, May 12 View Page 1911 Urena shown here. Nice aggressive plant. I got the vine down a bit Yesterday but now it’s back up and with this weather cool I don’t want to try to move it. Could snap. By Friday the plant could be all over. Come on weather.   Sunday, May 12 View Page 1911 leaf   Sunday, May 12 View Page Lots of different lights on amazon. Expensive! I would like one that is a few hundred watts. But that would be more money so maybe I will go with like a 100 W one   Sunday, May 12 View Page This looks like a decent one. Cheap but good reviews.   Sunday, May 12 View Page   Sunday, May 12 View Page Spring is spring. I have never had an actual spring I don’t think. This is my first year in my new patch and I just wish I could have normal weather so I could have the best potential. Mother Nature doesn’t want to deliver. I’m getting a pumpkin to the scales whether you like it or not Mother Nature!   Sunday, May 12 View Page This is why I am nervous. PLEASE CHANGE! If this keeps up I may be pollinating in August! I want my 1500 pounder!   Sunday, May 12 View Page No messing around! My LED light that I had for the veggies has been placed in the 1911 hoop house. I did not want to wait until Tuesday. When I get the lights Tuesday I will bring this light back in for the other stuff. Until then they will not be getting any light. They can deal with it. 1928 will get an LED light on Tuesday. 1911 was the lucky one.   Sunday, May 12 View Page WOWW! I did not think this hoop house would be this bright! Lighting up my entire backyard and the woods! Jesus   Monday, May 13 View Page The 1911 leafs have significantly turned to a darker green overnight! Not sure if it’s from the LED light but I’m in love with the plant right now. The vine is going towards the light more. Yay   Monday, May 13 View Page Gave all plants a fresh watering of fish and seaweed. Windy tonight with rain. Tomorrow’s high is only going to be 43 with clouds and rain!   Monday, May 13 View Page To prepare for the cold day tomorrow and windy night I have put soil on both ends of the hoops. This is to lock them in more and to also keep the plants warmer   Monday, May 13 View Page I am into weather and I have been studying it at home for several years. Next Sunday and Monday parts of the northeast could be in the 80s and 90s! With high humidity. It’s been cold and wet for awhile. That looks to change. This worries me. This kind of heat would be terrible for the pumpkin plants, just wanting to give you guys a heads up! This can change but it has a ton of support right now. Buy shade cloth if you haven’t already. This would be rough on our young plants big time. could seriously hurt them bad. I will keep you updated!   Tuesday, May 14 View Page The heat that was looking likely yesterday for this upcoming weekend is now looking less likely. Good for our pumpkins!   Tuesday, May 14 View Page This is the right pic   Tuesday, May 14 View Page Got the lights! Two of them. Waterproof! I will bring the one in the 1911 hoop house back in for the veggies.   Tuesday, May 14 View Page Got the 1911 on the ground. She’s off and running!   Tuesday, May 14 View Page 1928 Daletas is behind the 1911 by a long shot. Woodys backup next to it is bigger, still will not choose that one unless I see issues with this 1928.   Tuesday, May 14 View Page Sorry 2098 but you are going to have to get culled soon. Starting to crowed the 1911   Tuesday, May 14 View Page That light is bright. 300 W. Doesn’t Toss out much heat so plants won’t burn. This is just what I need   Tuesday, May 14 View Page Lol. These light up the woods a little but not as much as the other one!   Tuesday, May 14 View Page Grow grow grow!!   Tuesday, May 14 View Page My light schedule is 6:30 AM to 11 PM. Cloudy days and rainy days ONLY! Sunny days for example I will not turn them on during the day or night   Wednesday, May 15 View Page Hello sunshine! It’s been awhile   Thursday, May 16 View Page Woodys 2098 really is growing nice. Beating the 1928 by a long shot   Thursday, May 16 View Page 1928. Main is somewhere in there   Thursday, May 16 View Page Monday looking hot around here with temps in the high 70s and low 80s! Sunday also looking mild with temps in the low to mid 70s. Thunderstorm risk Monday. BRING IT ON BABY! I’ve got pumpkins to grow!   Thursday, May 16 View Page Here is the 384 terry BG. Doing good so far. Will plant it outside at the end of the month. Around the 30th.   Saturday, May 18 View Page I am very disappointed in the flexi hose. What a joke that thing is! No power at all. That’s going to be a major issue when I water my pumpkins. I need it to be strong and ready far! DAMN IT   Saturday, May 18 View Page 1911 really running now. Nice sunny day ahead. 70 degrees! I will start burying mid next week   Saturday, May 18 View Page Bad luck trying to get the other sunflower seeds to germinate. Same ones did nothing. It’s weird a few has a club root. Others just rotted when the soil was perfect. Oh well! I will have a ton of big head ones! A few tall ones but good genetic ones. I will start more big head ones that will germinate.   Sunday, May 19 View Page Woke up to my 1911 on the ground. The vine kinked! I am very lucky she did not snap. I don’t know what I will do. Every direction the vine goes the kink just won’t come out. So I think the kink will be there the entire season, UGH   Sunday, May 19 View Page Back to business!   Sunday, May 19 View Page Giant tomatoes are going in! I will be using two starter paks for each plant.   Sunday, May 19 View Page Giant tomatoes are in! 14 in total   Sunday, May 19 View Page This 1911 is producing some BIG leaves!!   Sunday, May 19 View Page 1928 speeding with this weather! She’s a vigorous one.   Sunday, May 19 View Page Can’t wait to see her grow. Stump is thick. Thickest one in the patch   Monday, May 20 View Page That kink is not bothering the 1911! She’s taking off! Grew about 3 inches last night   Monday, May 20 View Page Today’s weather is going to be in the 80s and some sun! BUT that sun could fuel some strong storms this afternoon so I will have to keep an eye on that. 5:20 And it’s 67 degrees out!   Monday, May 20 View Page Woody’s backup is long! I don’t like it though. 1928 will be the chosen one :)   Monday, May 20 View Page Both hoops open today. will give the plants a heavy watering before school. GROW GROW GROW!   Monday, May 20 View Page I will be going to Florida this Friday until next Monday. I would like to choose my main plants before I leave. 1911 main will be sticking out of the hoop by then. I will go to Home Depot and buy some PVC to extend it a little   Monday, May 20 View Page I made a big decision today. Both of my backups are gone! It was time. 1911 and the 1928 are my official 2019 plants!   Monday, May 20 View Page 1928 shown here. Getting strong   Monday, May 20 View Page 1911 shown here. Growing nice even with the kink   Tuesday, May 21 View Page 1911 grew 3.5-4 inches last night. She will be out of the hoop by Friday. I need to go to Home Depot and expand the hoop.   Tuesday, May 21 View Page Secondary’s are real aggressive on the 1928. 1911 definitely not as aggressive but they are starting   Tuesday, May 21 View Page Sunflowers doing great and I’ve got more coming up. I have to plant some of them soon.   Tuesday, May 21 View Page   Tuesday, May 21 View Page Good amount of roots on this 25” head   Wednesday, May 22 View Page Lets plant some giant sunflowers! Still got about 8-9 inside but they are just coming up. Will plant those in a week.   Wednesday, May 22 View Page Every sunflower gets two WOW starter paks!   Wednesday, May 22 View Page 1911 is just about at the end of the hoop. By Friday she will be completely out. I will just let the main tip grow out. She’s fast   Wednesday, May 22 View Page Started to bury the main on the 1928 Daletas   Thursday, May 23 View Page Extended the 1911 hoop. Tomorrow is the day I go to Florida so the main should stay in there until Monday. Thanks Woody for watching my plants   Friday, May 24 View Page Some decent cells came through last night. Everything is soaked! Headed to Florida today. I will take a pic of the plants   Friday, May 24 View Page Here is the 1911. Main vine growing about 3-4 inches a day. Secondary’s coming out. Plant is about 6 feet long.   Friday, May 24 View Page Here is the 1928 Daletas. Secondary’s are really aggressive on this plant. Faster then the 1911   Friday, May 24 View Page Two secondary’s right here for example. Shooting right out and about 5 inches long   Friday, May 24 View Page This is a fast one   Friday, May 24 View Page Let’s board! Just a little late   Friday, May 24 View Page There is a cracked panel on the side of the plane so they have to fix it. That’s great!   Friday, May 24 View Page Some cool clouds go well with the sun!   Friday, May 24 View Page Speechless   Friday, May 24 View Page   Friday, May 24 View Page Landed in Jacksonville!   Saturday, May 25 View Page 93 degrees here and full sunshine. This is too hot for me   Sunday, May 26 View Page Hot! 90 degrees. Water feels very nice though   Sunday, May 26 View Page Yum! This is real good. Got a early flight tomorrow at 6 AM. Have to wake up at 4.   Monday, May 27 View Page 4:00 AN. Headed to the airport   Monday, May 27 View Page Gorgeous sunrise this morning from the air!   Monday, May 27 View Page Long Island!   Monday, May 27 View Page I’m home! WOW! 1928 went off over the weekend! Secondary’s grew a ton!!   Monday, May 27 View Page Grow baby grow!   Monday, May 27 View Page Longest secondary is two feet long   Monday, May 27 View Page 1911 grew nice! Secondary’s are finely coming out under that canopy   Monday, May 27 View Page   Monday, May 27 View Page Giant tomatoes grew a lot!   Monday, May 27 View Page So did the cabbages :)   Monday, May 27 View Page Bushel gourd has to be planted   Monday, May 27 View Page 1911 has a 22 inch leaf. Grow grow grow!   Monday, May 27 View Page 384.5 terry bushel gourd has been planted! She will have 300 SF to grow in   Monday, May 27 View Page Just mowed my diseased patch. Looks nice with the grass. Only got 2 pumpkins to the Scales sadly outta here and that was my first year.   Monday, May 27 View Page 1928 getting a taste of the night. It’s at the end of the hoop so I can’t shut this end. 1911 has 1 more night. Friday hoophouses are coming off!   Tuesday, May 28 View Page Despite the cold weather today the 1928 secondary’s grew a decent amount.   Tuesday, May 28 View Page I put the side of the hoop back on the 1928! I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before by cutting a hole. Stupid me. Very cold day. I need to keep as much heat in as possible! Growing lights going on tonight   Wednesday, May 29 View Page 49 degrees right now and cloudy the last two days and another cool and cloudy day tomorrow, this is awful. Grow lights are on and heaters.   Thursday, May 30 View Page Hoop houses coming off tomorrow. Better weather is on its way   Thursday, May 30 View Page Hoop houses are off! ITS GO TIME!   Thursday, May 30 View Page 1928 Daletas.   Thursday, May 30 View Page 1911 Urena   Thursday, May 30 View Page I gave both plants some fish and seaweed. Some rain tonight so it should wash in real good. Sunny at 72 degrees tomorrow! That’s going to be awesome!   Friday, May 31 View Page SUNSHINE!   Friday, May 31 View Page 2 foot deep rock right by the BG. Just found it. That thing is a monster. I need to get it out   Friday, May 31 View Page This thing is very deep   Friday, May 31 View Page SHE IS OUT   Friday, May 31 View Page Carolina reapers going in!   Friday, May 31 View Page Nice roots.   Saturday, June 1 View Page Today I will be feeding my plants! I’ve only been giving them fish and seaweed. I will add fish, ROOT, and humic. Let’s do this!   Saturday, June 1 View Page Both plants have been fed. I have everything in my patch planted! Every thing has two WOW starter paks.   Saturday, June 1 View Page Tomatoes doing awesome   Saturday, June 1 View Page Big worm!   Saturday, June 1 View Page Pumpkin has been spotted on the 1928! It’s orange! Wayyyy to early. Hoping when it’s time to pollinate I get an orange one   Saturday, June 1 View Page Also see one on the 1911. Good signs   Saturday, June 1 View Page A very rare picture of me! Almost forgot to plant my sunflower that came from my seed last year. 2 WOW starter paks includes with it.   Saturday, June 1 View Page Nice roots!   Sunday, June 2 View Page Shit   Sunday, June 2 View Page The patch got 2 inches of rain in just an hour. Absolutely soaked! Thankfully it will be sunny and 70 tomorrow   Monday, June 3 View Page Hello sunshine!   Monday, June 3 View Page Secondary’s finally starting to grow here on the 1911. A cold night is ahead as temps will be in the mid 40s!   Wednesday, June 5 View Page Picked off a pumpkin on the 1928. 6 lober and orange   Wednesday, June 5 View Page Giant cabbages growing like weeds!   Wednesday, June 5 View Page Giant tomatoes doing great   Thursday, June 6 View Page Topsfield getting lit up tonight! So much lightning   Thursday, June 6 View Page Plants are soaked again. Over an inch of rain with those storms last night.   Thursday, June 6 View Page 1911 is getting some nice roots!   Thursday, June 6 View Page The 384.5 terry BG is not doing good. That’s all I will say. wilted from 75 degrees and hasn’t really improved. I started some giant cucumber seeds. I will probably pull the 384 in a week if it still is slow. Cucumbers will be the replacement   Thursday, June 6 View Page Giant cucumber seeds   Thursday, June 6 View Page Giant tomato cages are up!   Friday, June 7 View Page I’m done with this gourd. Wilted again and the soil seems perfect. Unbelievable   Saturday, June 8 View Page Good morning. I just pulled the 384 terry. Looks like part of the stump area is brown. That’s why it has done bad! No idea how that got there. Had to be the rainy pattern.   Saturday, June 8 View Page Ugh   Saturday, June 8 View Page Rabbit tracks under my walking board. Didn’t do anything so yay   Saturday, June 8 View Page PUMPKIN UPDATE- 1928 Daletas here. She really kicking into gear. I am way behind from last year but it could be worse. Should have a pollination in a few weeks on her. She is 10.5 feet long   Saturday, June 8 View Page 1928 side view   Saturday, June 8 View Page Here is the 1911 Urena. Slow plant! Main vine is 11.5 feet. Secondary’s are slow. I need the main to slow down and the secondary’s to speed up. I will be pollinating at 18-20 feet on her for sure!   Saturday, June 8 View Page Buried some secondary’s yesterday   Saturday, June 8 View Page Sunflowers got some urea mate today. Monday I will start the real deal, they will get urea mate, fish and seaweed, and some of Marks mixes. They will be what they get the entire season   Saturday, June 8 View Page More sunflowers :). Got some more down where the bushel gourd was   Sunday, June 9 View Page Today I am starting the root shield with my vine burying on the plants.   Sunday, June 9 View Page Another gorgeous day here in Topsfield. High 70s today.   Sunday, June 9 View Page Its getting hot out here. Every few hours I am giving the plants a light watering. Soil that I buried the vines with has been getting dry. Don’t want those roots drying out   Monday, June 10 View Page Just fed the 1911 and 1928. 1911 shown here. Still is lacking the good secondary growth but I am expecting that to pick up. Added urea mate into the mix. That should help.   Monday, June 10 View Page Patch view.   Tuesday, June 11 View Page Got my license!   Wednesday, June 12 View Page The 1928 Daletas continues to be the king of the patch   Wednesday, June 12 View Page 1911 not so much   Wednesday, June 12 View Page I haven’t been able to bury 5 feet of the main because the stupid secondary’s are extremely slow!!   Wednesday, June 12 View Page Not a ton of room for the main until it hits the fence. Going to pollinate on a very small plant I think on this one   Wednesday, June 12 View Page At this rate I would be surprised if I broke 1,000 on her   Thursday, June 13 View Page 55 degrees right now and pouring rain. Don’t ya love NE???   Thursday, June 13 View Page Lol, I just lost power for no reason! Now my heating cables aren’t working and it’s 50 degrees and rainy   Thursday, June 13 View Page The chipmunk has been coming for the past 5 days to the same exact spot!!! This time is got really deep! I know that because clay came up and the hole is very deep. Gotta set traps . Why the same spot?   Thursday, June 13 View Page Game on fella!   Friday, June 14 View Page Next week looks like a lot of rain chances! No sun until like next Saturday. Not good at all. At least the temps are warm. 1911 early July pollination it is looking like. Struggling big time. 1928 I say very end of this month. She’s doing good.   Friday, June 14 View Page Cucumber beetle just landed on my hand. Time to spray   Friday, June 14 View Page 1928 Daletas is the KING!!! Cmon baby! Give me a big pumpkin.   Friday, June 14 View Page Can’t bury 4 feet of the vine on the 1911 because the secondary’s are still slow   Friday, June 14 View Page Pumpkin on the 1911 at 14 feet long. Many people would consider this one a possible keeper but how do you with such a small plant?   Friday, June 14 View Page Talked to Woody. We are going to give her some liquid phosphorus tomorrow or Sunday. Steve Connolly used that and that got his secondary’s moving a bit more. I believe that was in 2016. Going to toss some blood meal under the plant.   Friday, June 14 View Page So many weak secondary’s on the 1911. They won’t reach the side of the patch I don’t think. Trying to stay positive but it’s hard. Maybe I will give the 1928 some extra room. She deserves it   Friday, June 14 View Page The 1911 does not get much sun. 6 hours at most now. 1928 gets like 7. That could be one of the factors to why the plant is slow. But seeing other people with some slow plants with more sun makes me think it’s more of the plant here   Saturday, June 15 View Page Woody Just came over. He sprayed some phosphorus, urea mate, and essential I believe it was. Hopefully this helps the 1911! 1928 shown here   Saturday, June 15 View Page 1911 shown   Saturday, June 15 View Page Hard to tell but here is a 1911 secondary. And it’s dead heading itself at half an inch! WHAT THE HECK! one already did that before that one and now this one?! Wow. I am going to have big gaps. I hate this stupid plant   Saturday, June 15 View Page 1928 Daletas   Saturday, June 15 View Page The chipmunk came back again today!!! I buried the hole at like 9 this morning. LOL!   Saturday, June 15 View Page   Saturday, June 15 View Page Lets capture the moment   Saturday, June 15 View Page I just fed my giant tomatoes. Urea mate, fish and seaweed, and some marks mixes. They look grilled! What the hell. They did this last year and kinda care out of it but this does not look good.   Sunday, June 16 View Page Split in main vine on 1928 Daletas. I get this every year. No need to worry at all here. It happened from a warm night with a good amount of rain last week. Just have to keek her dry and all will be good. :)   Sunday, June 16 View Page   Sunday, June 16 View Page Gave the plants some phosphorus!   Monday, June 17 View Page A ton of animal tracks in the patch! Looks like a rabbit. Time to tighten up my fence   Monday, June 17 View Page Both plants! I think it was the phosphorus that got there attention   Monday, June 17 View Page I think it was my dog!   Monday, June 17 View Page Spending the day adjusting the walking boards and burying vines. Starting to get excited with the 1928! :)   Monday, June 17 View Page   Monday, June 17 View Page No fooling around this year!   Monday, June 17 View Page I already see some more pumpkins in the main   Tuesday, June 18 View Page I woke up this morning and noticed something on the 1928. She took off last night! Biggest growth I’ve seen all season. Secondary’s grew about 5-6 inches and main vine at least 7-8. GROW GROW GROW. CMON BABY   Tuesday, June 18 View Page The smell of giant pumpkin male flowers is unbelievable   Tuesday, June 18 View Page DANG! Spotted my first cucumber Beatles this morning in fresh flowers. Gotta spray! Lots of them around   Wednesday, June 19 View Page Found more cucumber Beatles today in the flowers. Picked off all the open flowers and into the trash they went   Thursday, June 20 View Page Some pumpkins off the 1928 secondary’s. Every one is a bit yellow. I bet the main pumpkin will be a bit yellow or maybe even orange in the end.   Thursday, June 20 View Page I cut the flower open. 3 out of the 4 pumpkins had great lobes. 2 four lobers and 1 5. The other pumpkin had messed up lobes. I am hoping that the pumpkin on the main tip has normal lobes! That will be my keeper if it does.   Thursday, June 20 View Page Giant cabbages doing awesome! This spring has been awesome for them   Thursday, June 20 View Page 1928 Daletas is turning into a beast!   Friday, June 21 View Page Pumpkin opening Sunday on 1911 at 16 feet. Will be a worst case scenario back up.   Friday, June 21 View Page Plant is still small so she definitely will not be the keeper.   Friday, June 21 View Page Lots of you may not know this. Pumpkin roots actually smell like a fresh pumpkin! So if you ever encounter roots that may be be from the plants just smell them and if they smell like a fresh pumpkin they are!   Friday, June 21 View Page Well it Looks like the pumpkin on the 1911 will open tomorrow! Just a back up here. Plant still small   Saturday, June 22 View Page Nice 5 lober on the 1911 Urena. Pollinating her with the 1928 Daletas. 16 ft out. This is only a backup   Saturday, June 22 View Page All tied up!   Saturday, June 22 View Page 1911   Saturday, June 22 View Page Here is the other pumpkin on the 1911 Urena. This will probably be the chosen one. Plant will likely still be pretty small but it’s getting close to July here. Should open next weekend   Saturday, June 22 View Page Here is the pumpkin on the 1928 Daletas. Should open next weekend. Would be at around 17 feet.   Saturday, June 22 View Page Thank you Woody for spraying the plants!   Saturday, June 22 View Page The plants got sprayed with some pesticides. Those cucumber Beatles have no chance!   Saturday, June 22 View Page First squash bug spotted on my tomatoes   Saturday, June 22 View Page 1928 Daletas ready to pollinate next weekend! I’m ready!! Plant just has to get a bit bigger.   Saturday, June 22 View Page Starting Monday I will start using this big 55 gallon bucket for fertilizing. I won’t fill it up all the way since the plants are still on the smaller side. Watering can just doesn’t work anymore   Monday, June 24 View Page Mixing up some goodies!   Tuesday, June 25 View Page PUMPKIN UPDATE- Here is the 1928 Daletas. She is really starting to pick up in growth! I’m getting the color in the leafs that I want. Pollination this weekend!   Tuesday, June 25 View Page Here she is. 17 Ft out. 24 secondary’s behind her! That seems like a good amount. She will be the keeper is she takes and the lobes are good!   Tuesday, June 25 View Page Here is the 1911 Urena. She is still slow but I guess picking up a little. Pumpkin at 18 feet also opening this weekend. Not much plant behind it but it’s gotta be the one. It’s almost July   Tuesday, June 25 View Page Here is the pumpkin. She would have about 17 secondary’s behind her. Plant is going to be small when I pollinate. Oh well. Will try to get one to the scales off her. Won’t be my biggest   Tuesday, June 25 View Page 3 day old pumpkin on the 1911. Just a backup   Tuesday, June 25 View Page Morning patch view   Tuesday, June 25 View Page Giant cabbages doing awesome!   Tuesday, June 25 View Page The 1928 pumpkin is in a PERFECT SPOT! I had to cut off a leaf that was directly under it because the stem was scratching the pumpkin. Other than that it’s really in a good spot. If this is the one which it will be If lobes are good then I can train that secondary to the right if it. Cmon BABYYYY!!!!   Tuesday, June 25 View Page 1928 Daletas :)   Tuesday, June 25 View Page Same situation with the 1911 expect the pumpkin is on the right. This pumpkin will be the one I think even with the plant kinda small. Don’t see any more pumpkins in the tip and that goes with the 1928 too   Tuesday, June 25 View Page You have to be very careful when breaking the leaf off. It turned out very well with no damage to the pumpkins. I think they will open the same day! Thinking Sunday or Monday   Tuesday, June 25 View Page Both pumpkins look a bit yellow. Hmmm! I will train that secondary’ to the right. Life is good. Now I gotta hope for successful lobes and pollination. :)   Wednesday, June 26 View Page Not huge but this is the biggest stump I’ve ever seen growing giant pumpkins! This is on the 1928 Daletas   Wednesday, June 26 View Page Nice day in Portsmouth NH!   Thursday, June 27 View Page Time to feed the pumpkin. I wanna drink this stuff! It smells so good   Thursday, June 27 View Page   Thursday, June 27 View Page Going to be broadcasting some rootshield under the plants today. I will then cover with soil. I do not want a repeat of last year. This will bring the disease chances down but you can still get it   Thursday, June 27 View Page   Thursday, June 27 View Page From now on I will be including the rootshield in my vine burying mix. Too much of a pain to broadcast it under. Lol.   Thursday, June 27 View Page It took awhile but the 1911 is finally kicking into gear! GROW BABY GROW   Friday, June 28 View Page Got some measurements from the plants! 1928 Daletas. Pumpkin at 17 ft with 26 secondary’s behind the fruit. 2-3 weak secondary’s in there. Very happy with that! That pumpkin better push. 1911. Pumpkin at 19 ft with 20 secondary’s behind pumpkin. 1 weak one. Some secondary’s on both plants still are only an inch and just starting to grow. Overall I feel pretty good! 1911 will be on the smaller side for pollination. I expect a small day 20 for sure.   Saturday, June 29 View Page The 1911 flower is moving fast! It will open tomorrow. Nice June 30th pollination. 1928 will be July 1st!   Sunday, June 30 View Page An hour or so until I will be pollinating my keeper on the 1911! Check out the flower! Very long. Stem is very nice too.   Sunday, June 30 View Page An awesome 5 lober! YES! Just what I wanted   Sunday, June 30 View Page All tied up! Now we wait. :)   Sunday, June 30 View Page Plant size behind pumpkin. On the smaller side but it has really picked up over the past week.   Sunday, June 30 View Page Pollination tomorrow on the 1928 Daletas! One of the bigger plants I will pollinate on. Hopefully the pumpkin takes off   Sunday, June 30 View Page I just avoided hail! Big storm came through. I got very heavy rain. 1-2 inches but just dodged the worst of it! Towns 5 min away from me got hail. Up to penny size! I am LUCKY   Monday, July 1 View Page Oh boy! Getting an early look at the 1928! Looks like a very nice 4 lober. I was worried about this one! If it was messed up my 1500 goal may of been out of the question. LETS DO THIS   Monday, July 1 View Page Let’s do this!   Monday, July 1 View Page Biggest lobes I’ve ever seen   Monday, July 1 View Page All tied up! Pollinated with the 1911 Urena. Wooo   Monday, July 1 View Page Happy July 1st. I’d thought I give a little update on how I am feeling this season. The spring started off really bad. For everyone it was terrible. I was falling behind pretty badly from last year. Went into June feeling stressed. I was saying to myself that a mid July pollination was likely. All of May was cloudy. The weather then turned around after the first week of June. Thankfully it did. All of a sudden i started getting a lot of sunny days. Warmer nights and days in the high 70s and mid 80s. The plants really jumped with that change. If the weather didn’t change I don’t even know if I would have a pumpkin this year. Seriously. Right now on July 1st I am feeling really good. Last year I was ahead by about a week and a half. I am happy though. The plants this year are catching up. Just a little behind on the pollination time. I feel good on where I am at. The weighoffs are a bit later this year. This great weather looks to continue with temps in the 80s and warm nights. Pumpkins should grow well! I will continue to update :)   Wednesday, July 3 View Page I was away for 30 hours. Came back to the patch and all vines grew at least a foot! Some a foot and a half. They really got a lot bigger. Pumpkins look good. I think they took. Now I am at my uncles for a camp out. Didn’t even finish with the pumpkins. Had to rush. I was 2.5 hours late. Lol. I will finish the pumpkins tomorrow! Temps in the high 80s so that sprinkler will be running   Thursday, July 4 View Page Here she is! This is the 1928 Daletas. This pumpkin is 3 days old. I’m happy with it so far. Pollination definitely took.   Thursday, July 4 View Page Plant is getting hugeee   Thursday, July 4 View Page 4 day old pumpkin on the 1911. Looks like she took! Happy with her. Nice long stem. Hopefully she’s on the ground by day 7   Thursday, July 4 View Page Here are some giant sunflowers. Some tall ones and giant head ones   Thursday, July 4 View Page More sunflowers   Thursday, July 4 View Page Hayden came to check out the patch! He is a trooper! About a two hour drive. He said it was worth the drive! Thank you Hayden for checking it out. Can’t wait to see your patch. Here he is behind the 1911   Thursday, July 4 View Page Here he is behind the 1928! Thank You for the photoshoot Hayden! :)   Thursday, July 4 View Page Here I am behind my giant cabbages   Friday, July 5 View Page Wicked hot today. 90 degrees and very humid: tomorrow will be even worse. 91 and dew points in the mid 70s! Some thunderstorms. Fertilizing in a few hours. Washing the plants down heavy.   Saturday, July 6 View Page 1911 Urena, DAP 6! Looking good so far! :)   Saturday, July 6 View Page 1928 Daletas, DAP 5! Also looking good. Setting the pumpkins up on mill fabric in about a week.   Saturday, July 6 View Page It’s a Hot One today! 90 degrees and very humid   Sunday, July 7 View Page Yesterday a nasty storm rolled through. Over an inch of rain in just 35-45 min. Gusty winds as well. Nothing got damaged but the patch is soaked! That rain did a lot of good things to my plants.   Sunday, July 7 View Page Here is the 1911. The leaves got a lot taller. They really perched up.   Sunday, July 7 View Page Secondary’s grew a ton! Lots of vine burying today. Terminating a lot of vines in about two days   Sunday, July 7 View Page 1928 really filling in   Sunday, July 7 View Page Secondary’s also grew a lot. Entire plant Will be terminated in about a week   Sunday, July 7 View Page Drone pic of the patch. Really starting to fill in!   Sunday, July 7 View Page   Sunday, July 7 View Page I have to do a lot of terminating. It’s getting very crowded between the two plants. I have to turn the main vines even more for the pumpkin and the secondary’s are going to run into the main. Main will be sitting on top. Can’t have that! Ugh. Too many vines   Monday, July 8 View Page Time to feed the pumpkins. Going to wait until the sun is off   Monday, July 8 View Page Got roots?   Monday, July 8 View Page Just witnessed a SVB Lay eggs on my plants. Literally saw the tail hook and the eggs come out. Couldn’t kill it.   Monday, July 8 View Page Killed 4 eggs. only could find that many. I am sure there are about 50 more left. Hopefully the merit does its job!   Monday, July 8 View Page Backup pumpkin on 1911 opening tomorrow. I think it’s like 26 feet out. Lol. Just a backup.   Monday, July 8 View Page I’m just praying that the merit will Do it’s job. That SVB today was aggressive. I swear that thing laid 50 eggs or more. Was all over these plants. I literally saw it lay the eggs.   Tuesday, July 9 View Page These cold nights are killing me. Yesterday the morning temp was 52. This morning it was 59. Not much growth on the pumpkins. small for age. 1928 here is 8 days old. Rest of the week looks like lows will be in the 60s so hopefully they speed up. Looking like I will have a really small day 20. I say like 40-50 pounds at this rate. Lol. That would be awful.   Tuesday, July 9 View Page 1911 is 9 days old. Grow!!!!   Tuesday, July 9 View Page Pollinated backup on 1911.   Wednesday, July 10 View Page 1911 Urena is 10 days old today!   Wednesday, July 10 View Page Flower on 1928 was deformed big time. Don’t got time for this! Pulled her right off. I knew something was wrong when the actual flower looked weird. Have another backup opening next week. I really would’ve been screwed if the pumpkin I have now was screwed up   Wednesday, July 10 View Page That last feed I gave my plants really changed a lot of the leaves. This is how I like em!!   Wednesday, July 10 View Page The 1928 Daletas has short and smaller leaves than the 1911   Wednesday, July 10 View Page 1911 leaves. Muchhh taller   Thursday, July 11 View Page Day 10 for the 1928 today.   Thursday, July 11 View Page Mountain of leaves on the 1911   Thursday, July 11 View Page Big stem split on 1911.   Thursday, July 11 View Page She’s taking off. Need to apply sulfur and a fan for these splits. Nothing major   Thursday, July 11 View Page Mill fabric placed under pumpkins! LETS DO THIS!! 1928 shown here   Thursday, July 11 View Page 1911 shown here. It’s a bit bigger than the 1928   Thursday, July 11 View Page I have built Shade structures over the pumpkins. This will keep the rain off them and provide more shade.   Friday, July 12 View Page That split on the 1911 has gotten a lot bigger. Not to worried about it. Should heal. Getting some sun on it now. I am noticing a lot of other splits but they are small   Friday, July 12 View Page 1928 has a few. About 4 actually. I guess it’s a good sign   Friday, July 12 View Page Fan has been installed   Friday, July 12 View Page The fan and the sun will help with the big split on the 1911   Friday, July 12 View Page Patch view, filling in very nice. I am happy   Friday, July 12 View Page Ok, secret time. This season I have been using clonex with my other vine burying mix which is azos, and pumpkin pro. I am noticing a major difference in my roots from last year when I didn’t use clonex. I am seeing a ton of tap roots just popping out from the nodes. Very thick too. Never have seen that before. Some the size of my finger. I think this will really help with those gains. We shall see! :)   Saturday, July 13 View Page I was loosening up my soil behind my 1911 and I found pumpkin roots 13 feet behind the stump! Absolutely incredible. They are really going far this year   Sunday, July 14 View Page I’ve never seen roots this aggressive!   Sunday, July 14 View Page Wow   Sunday, July 14 View Page   Sunday, July 14 View Page I’m thinking the clonex is the reason for those roots.   Sunday, July 14 View Page Sunflowers enjoying the sunshine   Monday, July 15 View Page Dap 15 today for the 1911 Urena! She’s kicking into gear now.   Tuesday, July 16 View Page There was rot going into the stem on my 1928 pumpkin. Scrapped it out and sulfur applied with fan. This better work   Wednesday, July 17 View Page I haven’t posted a pic of the 1928 in awhile! Here she is. Dap 16 today! Looking good so far   Wednesday, July 17 View Page Big leaf on 1911   Wednesday, July 17 View Page Giant sunflower getting tall   Friday, July 19 View Page I’m losing tomatoes left and right! Stupid rot   Friday, July 19 View Page All secondary’s terminated today on 1928 Daletas! Main vine I will keep going. The pumpkin is 18 days old. GROW BABY GROW!   Friday, July 19 View Page Significant heat coming tomorrow and Sunday with temps at 100 degrees both days with it feeling like 110. Oof!   Friday, July 19 View Page Found a huge split in main vine on 1928. Should be fine. I was wondering why it was so thick a few weeks ago. Lol   Friday, July 19 View Page   Saturday, July 20 View Page DAY 20 for the 1911! Estimated at 90 pounds. This beats last years at day 20. Second biggest. 1275 the orange one was 93 day 20. I’m feeling really good   Saturday, July 20 View Page 1911   Saturday, July 20 View Page Day 20 for the 1928 tomorrow! I think I will have some good numbers :)   Sunday, July 21 View Page Day 20 numbers are in for the 1928 Daletas! 171 OTT. Estimated weight is 120 pounds. Feeling good!   Sunday, July 21 View Page Side pic. I like the shape. Should be a tall one!   Sunday, July 21 View Page Woody came over and helped move the pumpkin. We cleared out some leaves. Much more slack now and more room for the pumpkin to grow. Did the same on 1911   Sunday, July 21 View Page   Sunday, July 21 View Page Starting today I will be doubling my amount of Ferts. Gotta push these things!   Sunday, July 21 View Page Added extra support for my giant sunflower. She’s heading but the head is still far in there. Hopefully I can get her to the top! Going to be close.   Sunday, July 21 View Page Push push push!   Monday, July 22 View Page Thank you to Cecil Weston for this great idea! So my 1928 Daletas pumpkin was wanting to turn into a birdbath. Asked him if he had any ideas on how to get her more upright. He said get a soccer ball, deflate it then stick it under the board to lift the entire thing up. It worked! Took hours but the results were amazing. Thank you Cecil! You know your stuff.   Monday, July 22 View Page Much better!   Monday, July 22 View Page Getting 2 inches of rain tonight. Hope the pumpkins don’t explode!   Monday, July 22 View Page Ugh   Tuesday, July 23 View Page Patch is soaked! 2 inches and still pouring. Hopefully no disease issues. This sucks   Tuesday, July 23 View Page 1911 Urena Update! I will be measuring every 3 days this year. This will give me a better idea on how she is growing. Will do this on both pumpkins. 1911 is 23 days old and averaging 19 pounds a day. Estimated at 148 pounds. I am feeling good. Will measure the 1928 tomorrow.   Wednesday, July 24 View Page 3 day measurements are in for the 1928 Daletas! 23 days old and averaging 27 pounds a day. 206 OTT estimated at 203 pounds.   Wednesday, July 24 View Page 1928   Wednesday, July 24 View Page Powdery mildew on a good amount of my leaves. The rainy weather and very humid weather caused that. Woody Just sprayed so they shouldn’t get any worse   Wednesday, July 24 View Page This sucks to see. Both plants have a decent amount   Wednesday, July 24 View Page I was over reacting a bit. Not much powdery mildew. Maybe 10 leaves on each plant. Very small dots. Like 2 dots on a leaf. 2 leafs are a bit worse. Anyway the 2 inches of rain and humidity caused it. Woody has the stuff to kill it. I’ve never seen this in the 3 previous years I’ve been growing so that’s why I was a bit tense.   Friday, July 26 View Page 1928 Daletas is growing well. She is 25 days old today. Will measure tomorrow for the 3 day measurements   Friday, July 26 View Page Haven’t fed the pumpkins in 6 days. Patch has been wet from the 2 inches of rain I got. Drying out so it’s dry enough to feed.   Friday, July 26 View Page Feels good to fertilize again   Friday, July 26 View Page   Saturday, July 27 View Page 3 day measurements are coming in! 1928 234.5 OTT. Estimated at 296 pounds. Now averaging 31 pounds a day. Dap 26 1911, 213 OTT averaging 21 pounds, estimated at 223 pounds. Dap 27. Not impressed with that one so far Very happy with the 1928. Best growing pumpkin I’ve ever had at this stage   Saturday, July 27 View Page Exactly 1 year ago today I noticed the first signs of phytophera. That eventually brought down my pumpkins. I am happy to say that today the plants look healthy! The new patch is coming along well.   Saturday, July 27 View Page The names have been chosen! You are looking at savanna. (1928 Daletas)   Saturday, July 27 View Page Here you are looking at “the boulder!”   Saturday, July 27 View Page Top view of her. (1911 Urena)   Saturday, July 27 View Page Savanna above the canopy now. 26 days old.   Saturday, July 27 View Page Giant sunflower updates. She’s around 14 feet now. Starting to bloom but she will grow another 6-12 inches I think. Hoping for a 15 footer or at least close to it. Will enter her into the Topsfield Fair   Monday, July 29 View Page Savanna starting to show those ribs. 28 days old today   Monday, July 29 View Page Been dealing with this soft area by the stump on the 1928 for over a week now. Still a little wet. 90s for the next few days and full Sun so that should put an end on the annoying ness. Lol   Monday, July 29 View Page Some of my giant cabbages we’re heading. Nice head here. Can’t wait to try it   Tuesday, July 30 View Page The 3 day numbers are coming in and I am very happy. 1928 Daletas shown here. 1928 Daletas is 29 days old. She is estimated at 410 pounds and averaging 38 pounds a day. I have never had a pumpkin grow this well at this stage. 1911 is 30 days old today and estimated at 309 pounds and averaging 28 pounds a day. Not the best for day 30 but not the worst either. I am happy! I think the 1928 Daletas has the best shot at reaching my goal which is 1500 pounds. :)   Wednesday, July 31 View Page Day 30 numbers are just coming in! 1928 Daletas Estimated at 449 pounds. 269 OTT. I’ve never had a pumpkin this big at this age. Old record was 360 back in 2017. I’m happy! Just have to keep her going.   Wednesday, July 31 View Page The pumpkin is getting to close to the shade structure. Gotta move it the PVC pipes.   Wednesday, July 31 View Page 1928   Wednesday, July 31 View Page Tomato update! Here is the 4.62 fulk. Nice single. Hoping for 2-3 pounder off her   Wednesday, July 31 View Page This one is off the 6.06 Schmit. Liking it so far   Wednesday, July 31 View Page This one is off the 5.71 Dunn.   Wednesday, July 31 View Page Interesting one here. Off the 5.19 Gantner   Wednesday, July 31 View Page Carolina reaper plants are doing great!   Wednesday, July 31 View Page Oh boy .....   Wednesday, July 31 View Page Giant sunflower blooming now. She is at around 15 feet By looking at her. Hoping to gain a few more inches   Wednesday, July 31 View Page   Wednesday, July 31 View Page What an unbelievable afternoon! A severe storms rolled through. Thankfully the worst of it missed me by just a Mile. My friend and I went storm chasing! More pics coming   Wednesday, July 31 View Page Lots of lightning, 2-3 inches of rain, and gusty winds were associated with this storm.   Wednesday, July 31 View Page This was the most intense part! We went on the highway. My oh my. We were directly under the storm. Could not see 30 feet in front of us. very dark. The rain was just so damn heavy   Wednesday, July 31 View Page At this point the storm let up a little but was still very nasty and visibility was low   Wednesday, July 31 View Page Radar look here. You can see it had a ton of lightning with it and very heavy rain and gusty winds. If you look closely you can see how Topsfield just avoided the worst of it. Passed just to the east   Wednesday, July 31 View Page Some roads were flooding. It was nasty!   Thursday, August 1 View Page This area I have been trying to dry out for over a week on the 1928!I’ve dried out part of it but there is 1 area that Just won’t dry out. There is a secondary right above. I think I will have to cut it off. I can’t let the softness go into the main   Thursday, August 1 View Page Another view   Thursday, August 1 View Page The 1911 Urena is causing a lot of stem stress. Can barely move the vine. Today I am going to move the pumpkin forward a few inches to relieve the stress   Thursday, August 1 View Page She is very long and wide. Hoping she goes heavy   Thursday, August 1 View Page Another view   Thursday, August 1 View Page The storms yesterday made my sunflowers bend over. Tallest one took the biggest hit. Really bent over but did not break! Hopefully the sun lifts up back up Sunday   Thursday, August 1 View Page Crazy that it is already August 1st! Just gotta keep the pumpkins going for another few months. Cmon. Should be an interesting month as the most growth happens this month   Thursday, August 1 View Page Lol   Thursday, August 1 View Page Moved the 1911 about 4 inches. No more vine stress   Thursday, August 1 View Page On both my plants I have leaves that don’t look to good. They are the older leaves so it’s normal but a bit more brown than what I would like. I think I need to wash my leaves off better when I feed.   Thursday, August 1 View Page 1911 Leaves. Normal but again a touch over then i would like. It’s only August   Friday, August 2 View Page Measurements are in- 1928 Daletas is estimated at 525 pounds- 32 days old. Averaging 38 pounds a day. Would like to get her into the 40s soon. 1911 Estimated at 410 pounds, 33 days old Averaging 33 pounds a day. I am happy.   Friday, August 2 View Page 1911   Friday, August 2 View Page 1928   Saturday, August 3 View Page Time to feed   Sunday, August 4 View Page Giant sunflower still bent. I need to figure out a way to straighten her out. Can’t have her looking like that for the fair.   Sunday, August 4 View Page So I added some extra support at the top, now I need to bend the top of the sunflower back and tie it to the pole. I have absolutely no idea how I’m going to do that. She’s 15 feet tall and I don’t have a ladder that tall. Hmm, this is frustrating   Sunday, August 4 View Page I think this sunflower will produce a pretty big head. Came from a 25 incher   Sunday, August 4 View Page Pretty positive that the tall sunflower is still gaining height. That may be why it’s having a hard time straightening out.   Sunday, August 4 View Page Going to be in the mid 50s tonight. Wrapped a nice and soft blanket around the 1928. That should keep her warm. :)   Monday, August 5 View Page 1928 is 35 days old today. Very happy on how she’s growing   Monday, August 5 View Page Expanding shade structure   Monday, August 5 View Page Giant sunflower! 15-16 feet now. Thanks to my sister she wrapped the top back around the pvc so it should straighten back out. Should gain a few more inches I think.   Tuesday, August 6 View Page Just cut about 6-7 leaves off on the plants. Powdery mildew. Has gotten worse over the last few days. Hopefully it doesn’t get any worse. A few leaves still have it but I didn’t take them off because they weren’t as bad as these.   Thursday, August 8 View Page 1928 Daletas is estimated at 740 pounds today. She is 38 days old.   Thursday, August 8 View Page 1911 Urena estimates at 584 today. Dap 39   Thursday, August 8 View Page Has a heavy shape to her. Hoping she goes heavy.   Thursday, August 8 View Page Nice sucked in blossom   Thursday, August 8 View Page This is not good!! Rot went into secondary and main vine on 1911.   Thursday, August 8 View Page I think I was a day away from losing main. I think I still have a chance! Cmon.   Thursday, August 8 View Page This is save able. I am very lucky. Tomorrow would’ve been a different story.   Thursday, August 8 View Page 1911 Urena UPDATE! Woody came over with some peroxide. Sprayed it on the area. Heavy duty fan will be on it until it is 100% dry! I think I can save her.   Friday, August 9 View Page 1911 Urena is 40 days old today. She’s estimated at 593 pounds. Small for day 40 but my goal now is to just keep her on the vine. I need to heal that area   Friday, August 9 View Page   Friday, August 9 View Page This can’t be good   Friday, August 9 View Page Powdery mildew is getting aggressive   Saturday, August 10 View Page The day 40 numbers are in! The 1928 Daletas is estimated at 800 pounds. This is the biggest day 40 I’ve ever had. Old record was 661 pounds back in 2017 with my orange one. This year I beat that by 139 pounds. Cmon let’s get her to the scales.   Saturday, August 10 View Page Going away for an entire week tomorrow. Need to clean up the patch. Woody is going to take care of the pumpkins.   Saturday, August 10 View Page 1911 is saved! Was able to dry this out in 2 days. :)   Saturday, August 10 View Page :)   Saturday, August 10 View Page Giant sunflower does not want to stop growing! She’s close to 18 feet I think. I’m 6 ft   Sunday, August 11 View Page Leaving for vacation today for a week. Headed up to Ellsworth Maine. Very close to bar harber   Sunday, August 11 View Page Before I leave I took my 3 day measurements. 1928 is averaging 31 pounds a day. Very happy with that. Estimated weight- 833 pounds. 1911- averages 19 pounds a day. Down from 25 a day. Not sure if it was the loss of the secondary or main injury but overall I’m happy if she is just showing signs of growth. 1,000 pounds would be nice. Going to be interesting over the next week   Sunday, August 11 View Page Just realized I never put what the 1911 was estimated at. Only the gains. Estimated at 642 pounds. (Day 42)   Sunday, August 11 View Page Arrived in Ellsworth Maine! On green lake   Monday, August 12 View Page Nice morning on the lake. Some rain showers are moving out and you can see the sun is not far behind   Tuesday, August 13 View Page Let’s go fishing :)   Wednesday, August 14 View Page Gorgeous evening out here on Green Lake.   Thursday, August 15 View Page Wanted to share some drone shots from the lake!   Thursday, August 15 View Page Love the views. That long road you see is the road to take to get to the house. It’s a dirt road. About a 15-20 min drive from the actual road.   Thursday, August 15 View Page Cool island in the middle. There are a few   Thursday, August 15 View Page   Sunday, August 18 View Page Leaving today to go back home. One last boat ride before I pack my bag.   Sunday, August 18 View Page I have arrived back to the patch! The 1928 Daletas is now estimated at 1006 pounds! 1 week ago she was estimated at 833 pounds. You can definitely tell that she aged a lot. I am really happy   Sunday, August 18 View Page Stem view.   Sunday, August 18 View Page   Sunday, August 18 View Page Didn’t get a pic of the 1911. Will get one tomorrow! She is estimated at 790 pounds! Was 642 a week ago   Sunday, August 18 View Page Giant cucumber grew a ton in a week!   Sunday, August 18 View Page That’s it for tonight. Will take more pics tomorrow of everything.   Monday, August 19 View Page Here is the 1911! Made a mistake on measuring last night. It was late and I was tired lol. Estimated at 741 pounds. 8 day average is 12 pounds a day. Still happy with it. She is 50 days old today.   Monday, August 19 View Page The 1911 is hard to measure. Cantoloping in a lot of areas   Monday, August 19 View Page I think the 1911 may go heavy   Monday, August 19 View Page The 1911 reminds me of my 1791 last year. Same shape   Monday, August 19 View Page Sunflowers are in bloom!   Monday, August 19 View Page Some big head ones   Monday, August 19 View Page Here is the tall sunflower! Happy the head is not that big or else she would really get weighed down   Monday, August 19 View Page Crap! A squash vine Boror larva worm has dug into my main on the 1928.   Monday, August 19 View Page I am incredibly lucky. It was past the pumpkin. Only by a foot. Now I need to find it!!!!   Monday, August 19 View Page Small hole. Need to find it!!   Monday, August 19 View Page Found it! That thing was huge   Monday, August 19 View Page Was able to get the rot out. Little more work to do on the edges. Once again very lucky.   Monday, August 19 View Page 1911 Urena. Even though she’s only doing 12 pounds a day I’m still very happy :)   Tuesday, August 20 View Page Giant tomato update! Nice single off the 4.62 full   Tuesday, August 20 View Page This one is off the 6.06 Schmidt. Looks bigger than the single right? It actually feels a lot lighter   Tuesday, August 20 View Page This one may be my biggest. Loving the shape. Off the 5.19 gantner   Tuesday, August 20 View Page This one is the smallest. Off the 5.71 Dunn   Tuesday, August 20 View Page Just found this one! Looks decent. Have 4 plants left that I need to set. This one here will be my Topsfield Fair one.   Tuesday, August 20 View Page This single one just feels 10x heavier then the other. Hmmm   Tuesday, August 20 View Page Just measured both. Single one and this one. This one is actually smaller by about half an inch! Looks bigger lol. It’s gotta be a pound less than the single still it feels like.   Tuesday, August 20 View Page The 1928 Daletas has reached 50 days old! With an estimated weight of 1060 pounds I could not be happier. I’m feeling more confident that I reach my goal of 1500 pounds.   Tuesday, August 20 View Page 1928 Daletas   Wednesday, August 21 View Page Tornado warning 10 min north of me   Thursday, August 22 View Page First giant cucumber coming in at 20 inches! Hoping to get a 2 footer. Plenty left that are still growing   Thursday, August 22 View Page First Giant tomato of the season off the 6.06 Schmit. Thanks Mike for the seed! Will weigh her on Saturday. Circumference of 18 inches. Picked her a bit early since the stem was in rough shape. She was a bit red   Thursday, August 22 View Page Just found a tomato hornworm on one of my tomato plants. Never seen one before. Those are eggs on its back! Gotta kill it   Thursday, August 22 View Page Getting the patch ready for the NEGPGA patch tour this Saturday! Looking forward to it.   Friday, August 23 View Page 1928 Daletas. 53 days old today.   Friday, August 23 View Page PM sucks. On a lot of leaves like this   Friday, August 23 View Page Low temps in the mid to low 50s for the next 4 nights here. Not good. Had to get the heavy blankets out.   Saturday, August 24 View Page Had the NEGPGA patch tour today! Had a great time. This was taken at my house. Over 60 people showed up.   Saturday, August 24 View Page Another pic   Saturday, August 24 View Page   Saturday, August 24 View Page   Saturday, August 24 View Page Nice lunch!   Sunday, August 25 View Page 1928 down to 14 pounds a day. Estimates at 1127 pounds. No longer on track for 1500 pounds. Nothing you can do about the weather. 39 days until the fair   Sunday, August 25 View Page 4.62 fulk tomato almost ready to pick   Sunday, August 25 View Page Just finished feeding. Low temp tonight and tomorrow night is going to be 48! Ouch. They won’t do much. Tuesday high 50s then Wednesday 60s. Hoping the 1928 can pick up a bit. 39 days until the Topsfield fair. Temp today was only 65. Breezy.   Sunday, August 25 View Page Pumpkins all blanketed up for a 49 degree night.   Monday, August 26 View Page Going to weigh this nice single tomato off the 4.62 fulk. 19 inches   Monday, August 26 View Page 4.62 fulk coming in at just over 2 pounds. Happy with that!   Monday, August 26 View Page 2 pounder off the 6.52 schmit   Tuesday, August 27 View Page 1911 Urena getting some really nice color by the stem   Thursday, August 29 View Page 1911 Urena is 60 days old today! Estimates at 896 pounds.   Thursday, August 29 View Page Looks heavy.   Thursday, August 29 View Page Wide and long   Thursday, August 29 View Page Stem view   Friday, August 30 View Page 1928 Daletas is 60 days old today. Estimated at 1174 pounds. 35 days until the Topsfield fair!   Friday, August 30 View Page   Friday, August 30 View Page Giant sunflower head. Gotta cover the head. Birds taking the seeds.   Friday, August 30 View Page 1928 Daletas   Friday, August 30 View Page Giant sunflower is bending over. Still healthy. I think she can make it to the fair.   Monday, September 2 View Page 1928 is DOWN! I can not believe I am dealing with this 3 years in a row. It absolutely sucks! Was away for two days and she wobbles back and fourth. Patch is 5 feet away from the diseased patch! Plant looks terrible. I am speechless. Estimates at 1200 pounds. This just sucks. She was on track to beat my PB which is 1275 unofficial!   Tuesday, September 3 View Page Still can’t believe the 1928 is down. What a huge disappointment. Just going to let it sit there, don’t wanna deal with it now   Wednesday, September 4 View Page Woody is convinced that my 1928 Daletas is NOT down. I am though! Hope Woody is right. Should know soon.   Thursday, September 5 View Page The 1928 Daletas is touching the can this morning. I’m becoming more confident that she’s alive! 29 days left until the Topsfield Fair   Thursday, September 5 View Page 29 days left until the Topsfield Fair. 1928 Daletas is estimated at 1208 pounds. Let’s get her on that scale!   Friday, September 6 View Page 1-2 inches of rain coming tonight and strong gusty winds to 40 MPH. Need to cut off all the bad leaves before it arrives. Have to stay on top of things.   Friday, September 6 View Page Tarp is back on over the 1928 Daletas!   Sunday, September 8 View Page 1911 Urena. Love the stripes!   Sunday, September 8 View Page The 1928 Daletas is on track to be my first pumpkin that I get to the scales in 3 years. 2016 was the last time I got a pumpkin to the scales. 539.5 pounds was the weight. My first year. It’s been awhile. 26 days left! I’m feeling good.   Sunday, September 8 View Page She is 100% alive! That was a huge scare when I thought she was down. Phew.   Sunday, September 8 View Page Wow. 1911 now estimates at 955 pounds! 3 days ago she was estimated at 916. Didn’t think she would spike up in September! Yay.   Tuesday, September 10 View Page 1911 really starting to shine   Tuesday, September 10 View Page   Tuesday, September 10 View Page Estimates at 955 pounds as of yesterday. I would love 1,000 off her!   Tuesday, September 10 View Page 32 days until the frerichs farm RI weigh off!   Wednesday, September 11 View Page We will never forget those who lost their lives in a terrible tragedy 18 years ago.   Wednesday, September 11 View Page A chipmunk decided to go after my seeds on my tall sunflower. Ugh. Really hoping it makes it to the fair   Wednesday, September 11 View Page I know it’s a chipmunk because the side is chewed up a little. Other sunflowers have gotten attacked too.   Wednesday, September 11 View Page Rhode Island pumpkin now estimated at 970 pounds. Averaging 5 pounds a day. For September I could not be happier. In 6 days she could be at 1,000 pounds. I’ve never grown two pumpkins to 1,000 pounds. I think I can get it.   Wednesday, September 11 View Page Sunflower head covered with a bag   Wednesday, September 11 View Page 84 degrees today. 64 tomorrow and Friday. Big temp change. Hopefully these pumpkins don’t mind the swing.   Wednesday, September 11 View Page 1928 Daletas estimates at 1235 pounds today and averaging 4.5 pounds a day. 22 days until harvest!   Thursday, September 12 View Page Had to cut the main after the pumpkin on the 1928. Not a big deal. Found a lot of rot in the main and didn’t want to risk it going into the pumpkin. Don’t think it was contributing.   Friday, September 13 View Page 1928 Daletas. 20 days until harvest! 21 until the fair. LETS GO! The countdown has begun.   Saturday, September 14 View Page Let’s harvest some sunflower seeds. This head is 12 inches and was grown from a 25 incher. I was expecting bigger but I know there is big potential in these seeds.   Saturday, September 14 View Page Hundreds of seeds. If anybody wants some I will be happy to send you some.   Saturday, September 14 View Page Some maggots. Eww. Saw like 15. 90% of the seeds are good.   Saturday, September 14 View Page Something is going on with my plants. Especially on the 1928. For the last 3 weeks I’ve been losing leaves left and right! I feel like I’m cutting off 20-30 leaves a day! The stalks get all soft and flexible. It’s nasty. Gummy stem maybe? I really hope the pumpkins aren’t rotten inside! I won’t have any plant left in a week.   Saturday, September 14 View Page Downey mildew? Hmmm   Saturday, September 14 View Page I think this is Downey mildew. Good thing about this disease is it can not go into the pumpkin I don’t think. Cmon pumpkins. Make it to the scales. That’s all I wish for.   Saturday, September 14 View Page 1911 Urena   Saturday, September 14 View Page 1911 closing in on 1,000 pounds.   Sunday, September 15 View Page 1928 Daletas drone shot! still growing a few pounds a day. Around 1250 pounds. I am happy she is still alive after I thought she was down a few weeks ago :)   Monday, September 16 View Page 1911 Urena.   Tuesday, September 17 View Page Going to be very cold tomorrow night in the northeast! Upper 30s for my area and low 30s and upper 20s for a lot of people. Luckily I don’t look to get any FROST but the pumpkins will stop growing. Maybe they will pick up again maybe not. Fair is not far away so just trying to keep it alive. Sucks for some growers that will be getting frost. Pure Winter feel!   Tuesday, September 17 View Page 1911 Urena now estimated at 1,002 pounds! This marks the first time in my giant pumpkin growing career to get 2 pumpkins to 1,000 + pounds in 1 year. I couldn’t be happier. :)   Thursday, September 19 View Page So cold!! Pumpkins hate this. No way there growing in this.   Friday, September 20 View Page Almost weigh off time! I am getting excited. Even though my goal of 1500 pounds won’t be reached my true goal was to get these pumpkins to there weighoffs! It’s been a long time. 2016 was the last year I got pumpkins to the scales. I am now a senior In high school. I knew this year had to be the year. I COULD NOT lose these pumpkins! Here I am on September 20th feeling good. I am happy I still am able to look at pumpkins. 1 year ago Yesterday I lost my 1275. I haven’t had pumpkins get to September 20th since 2016. I’m feeling Good! 12 days until harvest and 14 days until the Topsfield fair!   Friday, September 20 View Page 1928 Daletas estimates at 1244 pounds! Has seemed to stop growing. That’s ok. She’s not rotting so I am happy! :)   Friday, September 20 View Page 1911 Urena estimates at 1007! I made the decision today to enter her into a pumpkin drop OCT 26th so after the weighoff. Kids will be happy :). 1 dollar per pound. :)   Saturday, September 21 View Page Headed to VT with Norm gansert, Woody, and Scott Marley! Nice pumpkin Norm!   Saturday, September 21 View Page Arrived in Colchester VT! Some nice pumpkins here   Saturday, September 21 View Page Norm with a 926 pounder! NICE   Saturday, September 21 View Page Norm with a 926 pounder! NICE   Saturday, September 21 View Page Nice Wilber!   Saturday, September 21 View Page Nice job steve minor. 1,056 !   Saturday, September 21 View Page Laura keys. 1,051 pounds!   Saturday, September 21 View Page 1,087 pounds!   Saturday, September 21 View Page Matt DeBacco! VERY HEAVY TO CHART! 15% I believe.   Saturday, September 21 View Page Matt’s pumpkin was taping 1120 and went 1412!   Saturday, September 21 View Page WInning pumpkin! 1727 pounds grown by Kevin companion. WOW   Saturday, September 21 View Page Top 3!   Sunday, September 22 View Page It’s that time of the year again! Setting the trailer up to get the 1928 Daletas ready for harvest on OCTOBER 2nd for the fair on October 4th. Last time I had a pumpkin at a weigh-off was in 2016 which was my first year. Now I’m feeling good. It’s been awhile. Cmon 1928. Make it to the scales!   Sunday, September 22 View Page Styrofoam has been glued to the pallet for the pumpkin. Want it to be soft and not a hard surface. 10 days away. I’m starting to get excited.   Sunday, September 22 View Page Even Without any leaves I believe the 1928 is not just sitting there and loosing weight. I think she is still putting on some weight. I don’t see it in the measurements but from my timelapse camera it seems she is still growing a bit.   Monday, September 23 View Page Little rot in the 1928 stem. Woodys coming over.   Monday, September 23 View Page Fan on 1928 stem. Should be fine! Not soft at all. :)   Wednesday, September 25 View Page 1 more week until harvest!! I’m starting to get excited. Let’s do this. :)   Wednesday, September 25 View Page Another view   Wednesday, September 25 View Page   Wednesday, September 25 View Page 1911 Urena. I love the shape and color.   Wednesday, September 25 View Page 1911 Urena. Love this time of year when I have pumpkins :)   Thursday, September 26 View Page I’m here at the Deerfield fair. There are some huge pumpkins. Raining pretty hard   Thursday, September 26 View Page I’m here at the Deerfield fair! Terrible weather. Oh well. Some big pumpkins! Steve geddes shown here   Thursday, September 26 View Page Accidentally posted too many posts before oh well. Lots of pumpkins here!   Thursday, September 26 View Page Steve geddes pumpkin coming in at 2158! Wow. He is the winner   Thursday, September 26 View Page HUGE   Friday, September 27 View Page Some more pics!   Friday, September 27 View Page Nice one here   Friday, September 27 View Page Steve Geddes monster!!   Friday, September 27 View Page 1 WEEK AWAY until the 1928 Daletas enters that arena and hits that scale! 5 days until harvest! It’s been 3 years. Let’s go. Let’s get it done. Estimates around 1250.   Saturday, September 28 View Page I have brought my giant sunflower inside! Storing her in my basement. She goes to the Topsfield fair Wednesday. Not sure how I’m going to get her there. I measured her around 17.5-17.8 feet. My PB was 14 feet. I am happy! Fans on head to keep it from rotting. I think I will get the win at the fair. Topsfield fair record is around 15 feet I think.   Saturday, September 28 View Page Another pic from stump area. She’s tall.   Saturday, September 28 View Page Giant sunflower is taller than I thought! Under those roots is the stalk. Didn’t know it kept going. So that adds on another 5 or so inches. She’s measuring at 18 feet and half an inch! Woo. The fair never measures them right so maybe I will just keep the tape on. LOL.   Saturday, September 28 View Page Got most of the roots off. Not done yet. Will clean her up more   Saturday, September 28 View Page I’m here at the Sanford pumpkin festival in Maine! Stay tuned   Saturday, September 28 View Page Al Barard with a nice orange one! Nice job!   Saturday, September 28 View Page Nice job Eddy Giarrusso and Scott Marley! This one was taping like 1147 pounds. Wow.   Saturday, September 28 View Page Nice one here!   Saturday, September 28 View Page We have a Winner! 1449.5 pounds.   Sunday, September 29 View Page Main vine is soft on the 1928. Therefore I will cut her off today. Not a huge deal since I will be loading her Wednesday and I don’t think shes growing anymore   Sunday, September 29 View Page This morning I discovered my main was soft on the 1928 Daletas. Some spots were rotted. Therefore I made the decision to cut the pumpkin 3 days early. Not a huge deal. When I cut the vine it was dry. Still putting it in water. Won’t hurt. Tomorrow I will load her onto the trailer for the fair on Friday! Hopefully she doesn’t lose too much weight. I’m excited.   Sunday, September 29 View Page She’s tall! I got an estimated weight of 1254 pounds. Will probably be different on the trailer.   Sunday, September 29 View Page Weather forecast. Tomorrow is chilly. Really cooling down by the end of the week! Good pumpkin storing weather. Sucks that it’s going to rain though.   Sunday, September 29 View Page Lets see if she drinks any water. I doubt it but Maybe   Sunday, September 29 View Page Tonight marks the last night the 1928 Daletas is in the patch before she gets loaded tomorrow. It’s been an awesome run! She was exactly 90 days old today when I cut the vine. That makes me happy. She will likely be the first pumpkin to get to the scales in 3 years for me. It’s been awhile. The finish line is almost here! I can see it now. Let’s do this.   Monday, September 30 View Page The day has arrived! Been waiting for this day for years. 3:15 is when it begins!   Monday, September 30 View Page She’s showing signs of drinking that water! Was there last night. A bit lower this morning. Woo. This is great to see.   Monday, September 30 View Page Getting ready!   Monday, September 30 View Page Let’s do this!!   Monday, September 30 View Page The bottom of the 1928! SHES PRETTY FLAT! And the bottom is NOT SOFT! Let’s goo   Monday, September 30 View Page She is on the trailer! WOO. She feels solid. I’m very excited   Monday, September 30 View Page She estimates over 1200 pounds. Destination- TOPSFIELD FAIR this Friday!   Monday, September 30 View Page I want to thank everyone for helping out loading the pumpkin! Woody Lancaster especially. I am extremely happy. I could not of done this with out Woody! All the help this season with the spraying and decreasing my stress level at times. It’s taken 3 years but this is why you never give up! I love all the support from everyone! I wasn’t going down after 2017 when the disease all started. 2017-2018 terrible years with disease. So disappointing. I was happy my parents let me use the Vegi garden for a giant pumpkin patch. NEVER GIVE UP! Can’t wait for Friday!   Monday, September 30 View Page Some more pics! The1928 Daletas getting ready to land on that pallet.   Monday, September 30 View Page About to leave the patch   Monday, September 30 View Page She’s out! This was a great moment.   Monday, September 30 View Page The pallet has been labeled. I’m excited for the big day on Friday.   Monday, September 30 View Page 1 more pic!   Wednesday, October 2 View Page Boston 25 news came over yesterday to do a story on the pumpkins! It was great. Link is right here https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.boston25news.com/amp/news/topsfield-teen-ready-to-bring-1-200-pound-pumpkin-to-the-fair/992481516   Wednesday, October 2 View Page Giant sunflower heads to the fair tonight. Time to load her up!   Wednesday, October 2 View Page Giant sunflower ready to head to the fair.   Wednesday, October 2 View Page Giant sunflower has arrived! Coming in at 17.5 feet!   Wednesday, October 2 View Page Giant head at 14 inches.   Thursday, October 3 View Page Tomorrow is the day! It’s been 3 years. Genetics want her to go a bit light but she feels pretty solid. Would love at least 1200 pounds. I’m feeling good! Very excited.   Thursday, October 3 View Page She’s ready to head to the fair tomorrow!!   Friday, October 4 View Page The day has arrived! I’ve been waiting 3 years for this day. It’s finally here. Leaving in a few hours to head to the Topsfield Fair! LETS DO THIS!!! :)   Friday, October 4 View Page   Friday, October 4 View Page She has arrived in the arena!!   Friday, October 4 View Page 1928 Daletas has arrived!!! Woooo. Let’s do this!   Friday, October 4 View Page Hayden Rouse with his gorgeous pumpkin!   Friday, October 4 View Page Let the weighing begin!!   Friday, October 4 View Page Nice!   Friday, October 4 View Page INSANE! Jamie graham- 26 percent HEAVY!!! OMG   Friday, October 4 View Page My 1928 came in at 1138 pounds! A bit light to chart but nothing to complain about! I am incredibly happy that I made it to the scales! I’m excited!!!   Friday, October 4 View Page Alex Noel is the winner! 2294.5!   Friday, October 4 View Page A picture with some friends! I love all the support I get from my friends and the growers! Stay tuned for a post tomorrow   Saturday, October 5 View Page Some more pics of last night! Can’t explain how happy I was to finally get one to the scales. 1138! My old personal best was 539.5 pounds. The support I had this season was fantastic. Still have the 1911 that I will be bringing to RI next weekend. That one is smaller.   Saturday, October 5 View Page 1928 ready to hit the scales   Saturday, October 5 View Page Thank you Fam!   Saturday, October 5 View Page   Saturday, October 5 View Page I came in 18th out of 29th. Super competitive this year. I am happy   Saturday, October 5 View Page   Saturday, October 5 View Page Woody was a huge help this season! He helped out tremendously to help me get one to the scales. I can’t thank him enough. It was a blast growing the 1928! I can’t believe I thought she was down. She made it to the scales.   Saturday, October 5 View Page Harvest day will be tomorrow for the 1911. Last harvest of the season for me. It’s been an awesome ride.   Sunday, October 6 View Page Today I will be moving my 1138 pounder to its final spot. I will carve her for Halloween. I will also be loading the 1911 for the weigh off next weekend. Lots to do. Busy day ahead. Last harvest of the season. :(   Sunday, October 6 View Page 1911   Sunday, October 6 View Page Water bags placed on 1911   Sunday, October 6 View Page The 1911 is the only one left in the patch. It’s been a great season.   Sunday, October 6 View Page Wasn’t able to load the 1911 up today so I will do it sometime next week   Sunday, October 6 View Page My giant sunflower took 1st place at 17.5 feet. Second place was 14 feet   Sunday, October 6 View Page   Sunday, October 6 View Page Carolina reapers took 1st also! Wooo   Monday, October 7 View Page 1138 Swenson is now on display! Will carve her for Halloween.   Wednesday, October 9 View Page Loaded the 1911 Urena today!   Wednesday, October 9 View Page She’s headed to RI this weekend   Wednesday, October 9 View Page She has an estimated weight of 1,002 pounds.! Feels a bit light so probably in the 900s.   Saturday, October 12 View Page Tomorrow the 1911 heads to Rhode Island for the last weigh off of the season.   Saturday, October 12 View Page   Saturday, October 12 View Page I really like the color.   Saturday, October 12 View Page Straps are on. Ready to go tomorrow! She tapes 1,002 pounds but feels a bit light. I will be happy with anything! I am getting both pumpkins to the scales this year!!   Sunday, October 13 View Page She’s ready to head to Rhode Island for the last weigh off of the season!   Sunday, October 13 View Page   Sunday, October 13 View Page She has arrived!   Sunday, October 13 View Page She has arrived in RI!   Sunday, October 13 View Page Lots of big pumpkins!   Sunday, October 13 View Page 921.5 pounds!! Extremely happy with that. I knew she would go a bit light. What an awesome season it was for me. I was finally able to get 2 pumpkins to the scales after 3 years. I’m happy!   Sunday, October 13 View Page What an unbelievable turn out it was! We have Russ Klowen that took 1st place at 2074.5 pounds! Second was Alex Noel at 2058.5! Wow Alex. Unbelievable job this year. And 3rd- WOODY LANCASTER at 2016! Unbelievable. Most pumpkins went extremely heavy today.   Sunday, October 13 View Page Nice job Ron!   Sunday, October 13 View Page Woody woody woody. Your pumpkin was taping in the 1800s and was 2016.5 pounds! Great job. That’s crazy   Sunday, October 13 View Page Russssssss   Tuesday, October 15 View Page My giant sunflower is back home! It’s tall. Email me if you want seeds! I have plenty   Wednesday, October 16 View Page The sunflower behind the pumpkin   Thursday, October 17 View Page I said goodbye to my 921.5 today. She headed up to Maine tonight to get carved by a professional pumpkin carver. She will be on display at a camp called camp sunshine. Saturday 10,000 regular sized pumpkins I believe will be lit up. Mine will be the biggest in the group. She should look great. Was so fun growing her! I think I may make the trip to there to see her on Saturday. 2 hour drive but I feel it would be really cool to see her carved :)   Saturday, October 19 View Page I went to see my carved pumpkin tonight! I drove to camp sunshine in ME and I got there and realized it was an hour in the opposite direction!! Nobody was there. This event was in Freeport Maine so I had to drive all the way to Freeport. I met the carver! I absolutely love the pumpkin. He did a great job!! I’m happy that thousands of people got to enjoy it tonight!   Tuesday, October 22 View Page This maple tree is bursting with great foliage.   Tuesday, October 22 View Page   Tuesday, October 22 View Page Haven’t seen it this colorful in previous years. Absolutely gorgeous. Hard to tell how bright it is because it’s cloudy.   Saturday, October 26 View Page The 1138.5 pounder is still alive. It’s time to slice into her today and carve her for Halloween. I finally have one to carve after 4 years :)   Saturday, October 26 View Page The day has arrived! Let’s do this   Saturday, October 26 View Page Was not overly impressed with the walls. Not very thick. I will get a measurement tomorrow.   Saturday, October 26 View Page Now this was AWESOME!!! I was able to fit inside my pumpkin! What a great experience! Never have done that before.   Saturday, October 26 View Page Rare selfie of me   Saturday, October 26 View Page The seeds look amazing! Got a ton   Saturday, October 26 View Page Started the carving but had to go into Boston. Will finish the rest tomorrow!   Sunday, October 27 View Page The carving has been completed! Very happy on how she turned out. Rain just started and will last through tonight so I will light her up tomorrow night!   Sunday, October 27 View Page Seeds! I counted 357 seeds and they were all very fat! Nice thickness to them. Drying them out now   Monday, October 28 View Page LETS LIGHT HER UP!   Monday, October 28 View Page Woo! Extremely happy on how she turned out! I am happy I was finally able to carve a giant pumpkin for Halloween :)   Saturday, November 9 View Page Why did I wait to get rid of her! ALL ROTTEN   Wednesday, November 13 View Page Snow!   Sunday, November 24 View Page Wow I haven’t posted in awhile. Today I packaged up some of my sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds for the VT seed auction.   Sunday, November 24 View Page This year I will be doing hydroponics again! Have to order some of that wool stuff. Will start the seeds next week. Will do some cherry tomatoes and maybe a giant tomato.   Friday, November 29 View Page Back to posting! Let’s get that record! Huge snowstorm coming later Sunday into early Tuesday! 12-18 inches. IM READY!!!   Friday, November 29 View Page Every year I decorate my yard for Christmas! This year I’m going BIGGG. Tonight is the night where everything gets lit up. STAY TUNED   Friday, November 29 View Page The lights are on! Very happy on how it turned out! Will take some more pics tomorrow   Sunday, December 1 View Page Ready for the snow!   Sunday, December 1 View Page Currently snowing at a good clip!   Monday, December 2 View Page 9 inches so far and 6-8 more to go! Woo   Monday, December 2 View Page Funnn!   Monday, December 2 View Page The lights sure look good in the snow!   Monday, December 2 View Page Last night around 1 AM huge power flash happened. Thought it was aliens for a second, wait maybe it was...   Tuesday, December 3 View Page Clobbered! 13 inches and counting   Tuesday, December 3 View Page 15 inches in total! WOO . What a way to kick off the season!   Tuesday, December 3 View Page A town in NH Got 36 inches! Wow   Wednesday, December 4 View Page Gorgeous!   Wednesday, December 4 View Page   Saturday, December 7 View Page The pumpkin patch all covered in snow   Saturday, December 7 View Page Supposed to be 60 on Tuesday. 50 on Monday. Goodbye snow   Saturday, December 7 View Page Ready to hit the slopes tomorrow! First time this season. Woooo!   Saturday, December 7 View Page If you like olives you have to get these! My goodness they are SOOO GOOOD!   Saturday, December 7 View Page My 2020 lineup has been chosen!! 1- 1989 Daletas 2- 2016 Lancaster. I’m ready! Let’s do this   Saturday, December 7 View Page Got the tree last weekend. Nice fat one! Lol. Will put the ornaments on it tomorrow. :)   Sunday, December 8 View Page Great day snowboarding!   Sunday, December 8 View Page Great views   Sunday, December 8 View Page   Sunday, December 8 View Page Hi   Sunday, December 8 View Page Temps were in the 20s but plenty of sunshine!   Sunday, December 8 View Page Oh Jesus.threw my phone because my Christmas lights did not turn on. Absolutely destroyed   Monday, December 9 View Page What a pain in the ass these lights are. Rain blew them out and the snow melt doesn’t help. Will be out for 3-4 days. DAMN IT. This sucks   Monday, December 9 View Page Yumm. Salmon for dinner tonight!   Monday, December 9 View Page Some green beans to go with that.   Monday, December 9 View Page I really have to get going on my Winter garden.   Tuesday, December 10 View Page Christmas lights are back on!   Tuesday, December 10 View Page The cords had time to dry out today before some rain this evening. Covered up the cords with bags so they don’t go out again!   Tuesday, December 10 View Page OLAF!   Tuesday, December 10 View Page Walkway   Tuesday, December 10 View Page Hard to see but the Garage   Wednesday, December 11 View Page MORE SNOW AFTER 60 DEGREES YESTERDAY   Wednesday, December 11 View Page 3.5 inches!   Wednesday, December 11 View Page GORGEOUS   Wednesday, December 11 View Page This is just so nice. A Winter wonderland!   Thursday, December 12 View Page The lights ended up going out again but they are back on!   Thursday, December 12 View Page Wow. 12 days until Christmas. Coming up fast   Friday, December 13 View Page Happy Friday! Just enjoying my steam works class.   Friday, December 13 View Page Learning about CRISPER. Pretty cool   Friday, December 13 View Page Going to a study class in room H3110!   Friday, December 13 View Page Math... easily the worst class   Friday, December 13 View Page Ready to watch my brothers basketball game. First of season   Friday, December 13 View Page WHAT. A game! Huge comeback. Down 30 points   Saturday, December 14 View Page I really have to get going on my Winter garden!   Saturday, December 14 View Page Lots of tomato seeds to choose from   Saturday, December 14 View Page I will be doing the giant tomato contest. That was fun last year. Had a good one going until it got rot   Saturday, December 14 View Page Can I do it?   Saturday, December 14 View Page Just watching the SNEGPG auction tonight.   Saturday, December 14 View Page Wow that’s a lot of people   Sunday, December 15 View Page More snow on the way Tuesday!   Sunday, December 15 View Page :) Woody loves this   Sunday, December 15 View Page Wicked windy here today. Gusts to 45 MPH   Sunday, December 15 View Page Christmas inflatables almost got blown away. Luckily they are tied down   Monday, December 16 View Page Christmas lights ready for the snow tomorrow! Bad pic lol   Monday, December 16 View Page School has not gotten cancelled yet. ARGGGG   Tuesday, December 17 View Page School has gotten cancelled!   Tuesday, December 17 View Page Got way less snow than expected   Tuesday, December 17 View Page No white Christmas this year :(   Tuesday, December 17 View Page Brutal cold Thursday. Going to feel like -6 Thursday morning   Tuesday, December 17 View Page So far this winter I’ve had 22.5 “ of snow and that’s all been in DEC! Pretty impressive!   Tuesday, December 17 View Page Was coming down pretty good earlier today even though I got less than expected   Wednesday, December 18 View Page Snow squall in NYC. Wiw   Thursday, December 19 View Page Back at it! Steam works class :)   Thursday, December 19 View Page It is cold! Feels like -6 this morning   Thursday, December 19 View Page Big article on minimum wage. This is an old article but in NH the minimum wage is 7.25 while in MA it’s 12. Wow   Thursday, December 19 View Page I am sooooo hungry!! Ugh I should’ve had breakfast.   Thursday, December 19 View Page Off to math! Ugh. 1 more day of school and then a 14 day vacation. WOOOO   Thursday, December 19 View Page The pumpkin patch covered in snow   Thursday, December 19 View Page Cold day but at least it’s sunny!   Thursday, December 19 View Page The tree is all decorated for Christmas   Thursday, December 19 View Page Too cold.   Thursday, December 19 View Page Nice sunset   Thursday, December 19 View Page   Thursday, December 19 View Page   Friday, December 20 View Page Starting the day off in English. Have to finish an essay before vacation!   Friday, December 20 View Page Back In steamworks   Friday, December 20 View Page Math time! Ugh   Friday, December 20 View Page My vacation has started! WOOO   Friday, December 20 View Page   Friday, December 20 View Page Another pic of the Christmas lights. :)   Friday, December 20 View Page LET IT SNOW!   Friday, December 20 View Page   Friday, December 20 View Page Added some Christmas nights in my living room   Friday, December 20 View Page Have to get 1 more box   Saturday, December 21 View Page Walking around in Newburyport MA. Another cold day   Saturday, December 21 View Page Stopped for some lunch! This was a great sandwich   Saturday, December 21 View Page Cool wall   Saturday, December 21 View Page Drove around to see some Christmas lights!   Saturday, December 21 View Page   Saturday, December 21 View Page This house was packed with lights!   Saturday, December 21 View Page   Saturday, December 21 View Page Very cool   Saturday, December 21 View Page Wow. 1,000 diary entries! That feels amazing   Sunday, December 22 View Page Nice sunset tonight!   Sunday, December 22 View Page Cold place in Alaska. Wowww   Sunday, December 22 View Page 2 more days!   Sunday, December 22 View Page Going to be 50 degrees tomorrow! No white Christmas:(   Monday, December 23 View Page Let’s get this Winter growing started! I will be doing hydroponics again. Will have 3 plants. Not sure what they will be yet   Monday, December 23 View Page Let’s get growing! Picked up some rock wool. This stuff is awesome.   Monday, December 23 View Page Soaking the rock wool in warm water   Monday, December 23 View Page Test germinating my 1138.5 and 921.5   Tuesday, December 24 View Page Good morning and happy Christmas Eve! Won’t be the whitest Christmas but hey at least there is some snow   Tuesday, December 24 View Page Having family over tonight. Making some Lasagna. Yummm   Tuesday, December 24 View Page These are making me hungry!   Tuesday, December 24 View Page Nice looking lasagna!   Tuesday, December 24 View Page Nice looking ham!   Tuesday, December 24 View Page You can’t forget about the egg nog! Love this stuff   Tuesday, December 24 View Page Had an awesome Christmas Eve with my family! Onto Christmas Day now :)   Tuesday, December 24 View Page 3 more hours :)   Tuesday, December 24 View Page   Wednesday, December 25 View Page Merry Christmas to you all!   Wednesday, December 25 View Page This is a big gift! Wonder what it is   Wednesday, December 25 View Page This is what was in that big box! Thank you mom and dad :). I love it   Wednesday, December 25 View Page So I went to the beach and did the polar plunge. Man it was cold!   Wednesday, December 25 View Page My dad trying to pull me Back in! My body took a big shock. It was very hard to breath and I got lightheaded from how cold the water was! 42 degrees! The cold sand didn’t help   Wednesday, December 25 View Page My brother and my sister. Lol   Wednesday, December 25 View Page My uncle next to me. I couldn’t find my towel LOL.   Wednesday, December 25 View Page This thing is tall! 7.5 feet   Wednesday, December 25 View Page We got Kevin over here too! Thanks to my brother :)   Wednesday, December 25 View Page Nice sunset   Wednesday, December 25 View Page   Thursday, December 26 View Page Wow! The 921.5 has got a root. Only been in the pot for 2 days. I remember the 1911 developed a root fast so I bet it’s the genetics.   Thursday, December 26 View Page Headed to Home Depot to grab some good deals on Christmas lights! 50% off!   Thursday, December 26 View Page Picked up some of these lights for the roof next year. They are LED so they are brighter.   Thursday, December 26 View Page Wow. I’m getting everything to germinate fast. Tomatoes took 2 days to pop a root and now the peppers are getting a root after 3 days. Wooo   Friday, December 27 View Page Getting rowdy!   Friday, December 27 View Page That was a nasty game. Lost by 6 points but the other team tried to fight our team lol. Cops were called so no fights broke out. Idiots   Saturday, December 28 View Page Wow! I see you 921.5. This thing germinated very fast.   Saturday, December 28 View Page WOO! My tomato’s and peppers germinated very fast as well. Only took a few days. Wow.   Saturday, December 28 View Page And there is my 1138.5! Now back in the pot lol,   Saturday, December 28 View Page In NYC for the night. Visiting family. Cool sunset   Saturday, December 28 View Page NYC. Empire State Building in the distance.   Sunday, December 29 View Page Good morning from NYC!   Sunday, December 29 View Page   Sunday, December 29 View Page I think I’m getting the stomach bug right now. 5 hour drive home with family, I’m gonna throw up   Sunday, December 29 View Page And I feel better!   Sunday, December 29 View Page Home! The 921.5 is a strong one   Monday, December 30 View Page Planted! The 6.06 Schmit is all ready to grow now   Monday, December 30 View Page Looks pretty good   Monday, December 30 View Page Cherry tomatoes have been planted!   Monday, December 30 View Page So I picked up another Christmas inflatable. It’s huge   Monday, December 30 View Page Lol. 9.5 ft tall   Monday, December 30 View Page Big sleet storm! Very bad roads   Tuesday, December 31 View Page Good morning! Ready to hit the slopes with my brother. Going to be a lot of powder up north. Should be running into some snow so hopefully we don’t crash!   Tuesday, December 31 View Page Arrived! Let’s hit the slopes   Tuesday, December 31 View Page Some nice powder after their recent snowstorm   Tuesday, December 31 View Page Cool trees   Tuesday, December 31 View Page Some nice views   Tuesday, December 31 View Page Big tramway we took up   Tuesday, December 31 View Page Time for some glades!   Tuesday, December 31 View Page This was a struggle. Lots of stumps sticking out   Tuesday, December 31 View Page My brother struggling lol   Tuesday, December 31 View Page Headed home! My legs are tired   Tuesday, December 31 View Page What a year 2019 was! I got 2 pumpkins to the scales after 2 years of disease. 2019 was really the turn around year for me and the support was awesome! Thank you all. Specifically to Woody. He helped me a lot. I hope to get 2 again to the scales in 2020!   Tuesday, December 31 View Page This was cool, oh the memories. A carver in Maine carved my 921.5. That I brought to Rhode Island. Cool memory   Tuesday, December 31 View Page And for the final post of 2019!! My diary entries this year will be 1063 posts! I believe that is a record :). Wow I post a lot don’t I. HAPPY NEW YEARS!