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Wallingford,CT

When the 150 sq. ft. contest began it was a closed friendly competition but it drew the interest of several other growers. So for the past 6 years it has been open to all comers. Many have tried it and some return every year to best their pb in the contest. In the beginning I always thought it was possible to grow a 1000 pound pumpkin in only 150 sq. ft. My weights improved each year but I never broke the 1k level in the 150 sq. ft. contest myself. After 6 years of the contest the 1k barrier was smashed not once but twice !

2019 was the record year ! John Butler grew a 1175.6 pound pumpkin and Joe Jutras grew a 1109 pound squash, each in 150 square feet. With the lessons they have learned just imagine what they will be able to do in larger patches.

The time has come for me to give up the 150 sq. ft. contest. I’ve not been able to grow pumpkins for 2 years now and it’s ever harder to remain as committed and interested in the contest when I can’t participate myself. So I will not be conducting the contest this year.

My thanks to all that have tried the contest and I hope you at least had fun.

Bart

1/3/2020 8:00:22 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Bart, I have loved growing in the 150 contest. lt was the competition that really seemed fair to me, when I only had 300 sq ft of growing space. I would be willing to take on oversight of the 150 competition if you are willing to move it to another. I would require...advise and help in the first year. Let me know, you know how to contact me.

1/3/2020 8:50:05 PM

Grittyville, WA

Thanks Bart. It was fun.

1/4/2020 1:33:28 AM

50 Acres

Thank you for the contest over the past 6 years, i'm sure it helped growers develop their skills. Jim

1/4/2020 9:54:04 AM

Team Canuckle Heads

Thank You Bart. When you first talked me into participating in the 150 sq ft contest I really did not think 1000 pounds was possible but thanks to the knowledge you shared I was quick to relize after the first year that it was possible and with more work than a 750 sq ft plant. It was more fun than I could have ever thought possible.

1/4/2020 7:22:41 PM

Wallingford,CT

Thanks everyone for the kind words. It indeed has been fun for me.

1/5/2020 8:01:46 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

Thanks Bart for the email. I appreciate the cautions of what I could potentially be facing. I will respond to it within a day or so. I will stick with it to keep the 150 competition going. I would love to have some 150 sq ft enthusiast to advise and assist in continuing what bart started. What is the next barrier for the 150? 1200 pounds? We keep it going long enough...I think 2k might be possible.

1/5/2020 5:46:39 PM

no.scituate R I

Thank you Bart was lot’s of new things learnt from the 150 sq ft garden.
Had fun growing in such a small area.

1/7/2020 6:09:26 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

thank you all to responding here...john and joe...it is not over yet. I have a 3 acres of sand to compete in. How do I compete. Truckloads of compost or gallons of hydro nutrients. 1100+....this is just the beginning. Bart has been a great friend of mine for many years....I need to reply to his email...he put much care into the crafting of it. I want to reply to him, by ham radio....but I haven't had a license since the 1980's. What he has done in the past few years with radio when he could not grow pumpkins is amazing.

Could I send an amateur radio message to Bart...hmmm...wonder if the FCC would bust me if i tried to send a 1 watt....hmmm, that might not be enough...maybe 5 watts morse code reply without a license.

Until i remember dots and dashes...when do you think we should announce the start of the 2020 150 competition...and when do you think the deadline for entry should be. As I remember...the deadline used to be April 15th...tax day.

As I remember, the entry fee was $1. I might have been the only one to pay twice in a year. I paid $1 in chinese currency one year. For some future entry from china. The entry is still open, I think.

The biggest rule about the 150 competition...have fun. When should we announce this years start?

1/7/2020 7:57:44 PM

Wallingford,CT

It's never to early to announce it so people can consider it while the auctions are in progress, just in case. Closing date for entries was 15 April as I remember and the entry fee was $2 BUT can do whatever you want just announce your rules and go for it.

1/8/2020 6:46:20 AM

Wallingford,CT

I started to look back at the 'rules' I used and I see that all the dates were carefully selected for maximum FUN. Starting date is Groundhog day each year with a closing date of Halloween. The last day for email entry (for this year would have been)will be 15 April 2020 and entry fee must be received by 29 April 2020. Bob I'll send you the full document shortly.

1/8/2020 7:03:20 AM