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central Nc

I'm seeing a lot of doom and gloom on the diaries. How do you rate this year compared to average? My first one so I don't have much to go on, but for my part its been a tough one. Spring weather was weird. Lots of extreme heat with sporadic heavy rains during the summer. I even remember a couple of mornings in August when I turned the heat on in the truck! Strange...

9/4/2018 10:34:44 AM

Plymouth, MN

I get the impression that people who have doom and gloom to report do so and certain people who are growing the contenders are keeping their cards close to their chest.

I can't complain that much about my first serious year. Long winter switched into summer mode in May. Cold spell in July may have slowed some gains. Little hail damage a few weeks ago. But overall temps have been pretty good and the rain fairly regular and I have a pumpkin, for now, that has weathered a stem split.

9/4/2018 10:58:21 AM

Grittyville, WA

Probably average. Haven't heard from the Wallace's in awhile... and Holland keeps his cards close. Agree that their is not a lot of excitement in the air but there are a number of growers who could be well above 2K and we could even see (or nearly see) a new world record.

9/4/2018 12:57:14 PM

Kentucky, U.S.A.

I did get hammered with PM, but, I still managed to fill out my patch better than ever. I have some nice pumpkins still sloooowly growing. First weigh off (9/15) I hope to top 1000lbs and will have a beautiful white kin at 6-700lbs. Second weigh off (9/29) I am hoping for another 1000lber and another beautiful orange pumpkin. Although I may not top my personal best (1138) single pumpkin weight, I will close this year (that I felt lucky to have) with four kin over 500, at least three over 600 and one or two over 1000. Very good year!!!

9/4/2018 4:11:22 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Every year, you will have some growers that are having a bad year..and others that are having their best year. Personally, for me, this is a good year. I should have pb pumpkin and pb tomato. All this with a lot less effort than in past years. All those that have grown for long..know that the stars don't align every year. Just have to keep trying every season.

9/4/2018 4:50:17 PM

Walhalla, ND.

I’m not doing to bad, I have one which is my second attempt on the 2363 that I’m worried about. It has a big dill ring, and with a little nuckle nock on it sounds extremely thin. I have three others that are sound. I to got a dose of hail, but not like my first year. Our rainfall has been far below average in this area, but thanks to wells, and cheep rural water all is good. It’s my personal opinion that sometimes it’s best not to get much rain,therefore I can control the amount of water. I just recently saw a posting from St Croix mentioning the upper Midwest growing some big ones. I’m thinking their referring to Qtip, C-Bernstrom and bnot. That’s just a guess though. I’ll be posting an update tomorrow.

9/4/2018 5:45:58 PM

Georgia

I agree with cjb. I think those who are doing well are waiting for weigh-offs to show off their prized pumpkins and people who have had bad years find comfort in knowing that they are not alone. This might be might my best year, but then again I grow pumpkins in a more carefree field style and have only one pumpkin that I have babied to about 400 lbs and I am thrilled.

9/4/2018 8:45:39 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Anything that could go wrong did go wrong this year. Coldest April in recorded history followed by 5th hottest May. Excess rain led to weeds and disease. Borers got one plant, rabbits and groundhogs caused damage. Some quit growing with no apparent cause, one blossom end split. Only remaining pumpkin is sitting in 4" of water with heavy rain moving in. I guess we just have to wait until next year.

9/4/2018 11:18:07 PM

Bethlehem CT

In the Northeast it was a tough year with excessive humidity, rain and heat. Many people lost several or all there pumpkins. That being said those same conditions that can cause the destruction can also really push the pumpkins. We have had high night temps all summer and it is continuing. We won't see a 50 degree night until sometime later this week. Warm nights are ideal for growth.(in my opinion) Those growers who still have pumpkins in the game may grow a special pumpkin or two.

9/5/2018 6:56:30 AM

Osseo, MN

Well, In my completely rookie year I have far exceeded my own expectations and am addicted. For the space I have and the experience level I think I did pretty well so far. There's about a month to go so who knows what lies ahead still. In reading the diaries I think the most losses are coming from weather or growers that are going for broke and the high lbs/day are blowing up the kins, thus leading to other issues. Sometimes you can be TOO good maybe? ;)

9/6/2018 7:57:01 PM

On a cliff in the desert

Sawjaws, Wait until Bnot gives you some of his giant tomatoes like a megamutt plant. Success with my megamutt he traded me has me enjoying growing giant tomatoes while I used to grow only pumpkins. Then you can have fun with the tomato competitions.

9/6/2018 8:15:35 PM

Osseo, MN

I will never grow a giant tomato. They are too gross. XP He brought some in this year. I passed.

I'm more interested in giant cucumbers. :)

9/6/2018 11:07:20 PM

On a cliff in the desert

I used to think they were gross too but then started appreciating the beauty in the ugly fruit that was created by the plant.

My wife also lets me put tomato pots in places in the yard that would be off limits for pumpkins.

9/7/2018 12:35:42 AM

Bethlehem CT

Wolfpack, one thing that I have noticed about giant pumpkin growing is that there always seems to be at least one part of the country that is having good weather for them. When the west coast is having good pumpkin weather the east coast is having bad. etc. Somewhere in the country or world the conditions will be ideal for giant pumpkin growing. Growers in the South such as yourself can have a hard time competing, (due to heat and humidity) but I believe it can be done. THere are many first class growers south of the Mason Dixon. I would love to grow a pumpkin as big as Jason Terry or Danny Vester has.

9/7/2018 6:49:40 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Those guys in Napa and Santa Rosa are really quiet so I think its going to be a good year for a few in a couple weeks.

9/7/2018 4:12:22 PM

central Nc

Really appreciate all the perspectives. Big moon, you're dead on with the pains of growing here. Always some disease to fight. Looking forward to getting my butt kicked by Danny, among others this year. Btw, that's gotta be okra you're growing. I'm growing some red and orange this year.

9/7/2018 6:20:46 PM

Bethlehem CT

Good guess, with okra. The plant is called Roselle or Jamaica. It is in the hibiscus family same as okra.

9/12/2018 5:34:27 PM

Eugene,OR

It's a bad year.

10/5/2018 12:26:34 AM

Eugene,OR

Unless your name s Russ.

10/5/2018 12:28:56 AM

Eugene,OR

Pingrey

10/5/2018 12:29:21 AM