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Wixom MI.

What does everyone think about a late team entery ??? If it meats the group a,b,c contest qualifications !!! I know it wont be a randomly select team but as long as it is a fair team what do you guys think ?????

The team would consist of
Joe menting and mayby scott marly ? In question and a rookie or newbie

2/4/2018 12:56:56 PM

Mn

Those two can barely grow grass... let em in :)

2/4/2018 1:50:00 PM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

If Joe or Scott need a partner, let me know

2/4/2018 1:58:44 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Both Joe Menting and Cornhusk would be A growers. That would not be fair to the other 22 teams.

2/4/2018 2:06:55 PM

Wixom MI.

Ya joeseph wanted to ask the martians but i told him that he needed to get a newbie and someone in the 3-4 pound range. I think marley was in the high 4 lb range but i wasn't sure ?

2/4/2018 2:21:23 PM

Wixom MI.

Corn husk what is your best tomato ?

2/4/2018 2:22:26 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

tomato.giantstogrow.com has Joe Menting at 6.67, Cornusk at 5.77 and Scott Marley at 4.46

2/4/2018 2:43:54 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Martins are 7.45 . Sure that would be an awesome team Martins, Menting and Cornhusk. I think not :)

2/4/2018 3:06:15 PM

East Tennessee

I see no problem with Joe, Scott, and a C player

2/4/2018 3:10:12 PM

Walla Walla Wa.

There was ample time to sign up,I would say no!

2/4/2018 3:57:57 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

True Dan...Team challenge was announced in October...teams were not chosen until the end of January. If someone really wanted in..there were months for them to enter. It could set a bad precedence...don't sign up for the official entry..and then hand pick your team after. I will vote..no...they have to wait for next year.

2/4/2018 4:04:10 PM

Ireland

Ditto Dan and bnot, ample time to enter earlier and not hand picked teams

2/4/2018 5:05:42 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

No. Back on 1/28 Porkchop said "sign up closed". The gavel went down.

2/4/2018 5:14:28 PM

Central NY

I did drop the gavel but we also said early on we could try to make arrangements to slip people in and make it fair for the ones that may have missed the sign up...obviously two A growers can’t go together but if the numbers line up I’d be good with it...

2/4/2018 5:34:00 PM

Tinykinville

I have been busy and did not see this till a week ago! Whatever is decided is fine but I put together three growers. It is all for fun right! Or do I scare you?

2/4/2018 5:38:01 PM

Tinykinville

and bob really? no one started yet so what is the big deal?

2/4/2018 5:43:39 PM

Walla Walla Wa.

No offense, but there was PLENTY of time to sign up.

2/4/2018 5:54:55 PM

Bloomington Indiana

I have tomato plants up.

2/4/2018 6:24:37 PM

Tinykinville

its okay if you are scared dan but I have been busy so did not see the post! Seriously this is just for fun so what is the big deal?

2/4/2018 6:27:44 PM

Walla Walla Wa.

Like I said, there has been plenty of time,if we can't sign up in 4 months ,to bad.nobody is that busy!

2/4/2018 6:47:01 PM

Grittyville, WA

I'm not opposed to it this year because I doubt there was some sort of collusion by them to get on the same team, but bnot makes a really good point... Certainly as a future rule... we can't group the people who weren't part of the random pick and assume thats an "equally created" team.

Maybe leave it to porky's discretion to use them/anyone else as backup growers if the need for a substitution comes up and these substitutions are judged to be in the overall best interest of the competition.

I think one of the issues is that it takes time and effort to set the competition up and making accommodations adds to the workload. I have no problem with porkchop just throwing the gavel down so he can get on with living a (partly?) normal life.

2/4/2018 6:47:05 PM

Tinykinville

I am fine with leaving it to porkchop as I said earlier. Its just for fun and should be just that. No one started yet and I only saw post less than a week ago. It is what it is. I dont mean to make anyone mad. Just want to have some fun in a competition!

2/4/2018 7:03:00 PM

Central NY

I’m sure we can come up w something... whether we find other growers to fill in or handicap a team to even the numbers...still time to fix fire that out but overall I say the more the merrier...besides, if it weren’t for a guy named Marley I woulda blown right by this site...sent me my first tomato seeds...blame him

2/4/2018 7:40:13 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

It was a huge relief to get past the team draw and move on to the next phase. People tricking in won't affect my teams game plan. It's all in fun, the more the merrier. But having deadlines and rules only adds to having a sense of organization.

2/4/2018 7:41:59 PM

NE Arkansas

In all fairness the teams have already been drawn and should remain the way it is. All adding a unbalanced team is gonna do is make people not want to participate in the future.

2/4/2018 8:20:02 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

I think I’m going to agree with biscuit and bnot.
Not to offend anyone,but 4 months is a long time to sign up.

2/4/2018 8:23:09 PM

Team Canuckle Heads

Everybody had lots of time to sign up.I think they have to wait until next year.

2/4/2018 8:48:38 PM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

I wrote:
"If Joe or Scott need a partner, let me know"
I didn't mean me, I would have signed up earlier if I wanted to. As President of a 220 member group, I thought I'd offer to help find someone if needed
I'll recind my offer and let you guys do what you can.
Good Luck, Grow Big!

2/4/2018 9:42:13 PM

Massachusetts

Joe just asked me tonight. Sorry i was late. No big deal.

2/4/2018 10:48:06 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Like Joe said,,,,,,,,,, I hardly saw this either, I've been working 80 to 90 hour weeks and only saw this contest because Dan MaCcoy texted me.
If they've been busy let them join, its all in fun and having a good time!!

Just my 2 cents.:)

2/4/2018 11:03:38 PM

Wixom MI.

I guess i wasn't expecting this responce ? I figured that as long as we could agree that a late team was fair following our guide lines that we could make some exceptions? I know that their are a lot of good pumpkin growers that don't visit the tomato form that often and could miss it !!! But heck i would love to see other experienced growers like the martians or ron wallace etc....to goin if they like to and give tip to other new growers. I just see it for fun and helping other growers. I kind of thought that is what this contest was suppose to do ?

2/4/2018 11:07:06 PM

Central NY

Yup... and we will find a way to get them in w an even team...next year we’ll make a harder deadline for sign up...still quite a few weeks to fiqure it out...

2/4/2018 11:12:56 PM

Tenino, WA.

Hi everyone stop and think about this. I agree the more the merrier and it is just for fun. However it could become a bit of a problem. I have talked with several growers in my area that said they did not know about the team challenge. They wish they could have gotten in on it. If we let one team in others will want in so where do you cut it off?

2/4/2018 11:28:34 PM

Mulino, Oregon

One of the best parts of this contest was the randomness of it. All those guys are 'good' guys and it's nothing personal but Deadlines are deadlines. Granted I'm sure it's no big deal because as I see it nobody has any real advantages, however we just started and already are thinking about 'tweaking' it?

2/4/2018 11:28:37 PM

Tenino, WA.

Who do we let in and who do we say no too? Just sounds like it could cause some hard feelings. I know it sounds hard nose but I think to prevent additional problems that we should stick to the deadline and final list.

2/4/2018 11:32:09 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Chris, how about this?...5 days, and nothing beyond 5! All additional entrants must list name & PB. Do the best you can to make additional teams of 1-A, 1-B, & 1-C. If you can't equalize ABC then the rest have to wait till next year! I totally agree with not allowing a hand picked team w/two A growers on it. Maybe a lil slack to let them in, but not by their rules, the original rules. Peace, Wayne The more the merrier, but not pick your own team!!

2/5/2018 12:44:58 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

There is a definite difference between finding your own members for a team and random picks. With a random pick you have to first get to know someone that may be a stranger to you. You also take a chance at being paired with someone that you may have great difficulty getting along with. I took the sign up deadline to mean what it said. Letting Joe in as a late entry..probably wouldn't make a difference this year..we all know he can't grow big :P. But if there would be a late entry,and it was a grower self picked team, and they won there could be a lot of hard feelings from the 66 growers that did look at the tomato board in the past 4 months and enter their name on one of the 8 sign up posts.

2/5/2018 4:22:20 AM

Grittyville, WA

I think we can all agree on two things 1) P/c is a softie and 2) that he is running the show.

There’s merits to compassion and there’s merits to competition. I didn’t join to have fun... I joined to win. If everyone joined for different reasons, not everyone will be happy with the outcome. For anyone whose happiness with the competition is at stake... please consider letting Steve be happy with his decisions and the reasons for making his decisions? Very good arguments on both sides. I rescind my support for either side. I’m ok with either way.

2/5/2018 4:55:09 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

Honestly, I think Eddy should have some input here. I consider this a competition for fun...but also there is also a prize fund for the winners. Of the growers already in the competition that have expressed opinions on this post..i count about 2/3rds no and about 1/3 yes. I have had a couple of emails concerning this issue. I know some people feel very strongly about it...to the point that they are considering dropping out of the competition.

2/5/2018 5:55:00 AM

Grittyville, WA

Maybe part of the competition is being tough enough to follow porkmeister wherever he leads us.

2/5/2018 6:42:44 AM

Grittyville, WA

You guys aren’t gonna let your emotions stop you from winning are you? Let’s all grow s pair... of tomatoes.

2/5/2018 6:47:07 AM

Grittyville, WA

Except... Annakins. Can I distract for a minute please and ask... Do we have any other women ? I thought maybe Don and Jeanne, Jane and Phil. Just wondering...

2/5/2018 6:59:55 AM

Georgetown, Ontario

If three people form a team that falls into the weight ranges that the A B and C teams are now I see no problem with it, although there was tons of time to sign up.

2/5/2018 7:20:23 AM

Central NY

I think if you look back at the original concept, I did mentioned we may have to work people in that are late in hearing about the contest...now that being said, no we can’t allow people to make up thier own teams...BUT... and here’s a big but...if we get three more to join and their numbers fall between the teams already set up?...i don’t see an issue...If it was the middle of April and most of us started seeds already, maybe I’d feel differently ...also,I’ve come up with an algorithm to handicap teams if need be so team fairness shouldn’t be an issue...I say this year we get everyone in that’ wants to be in...work together to work out the bugs...next year we can suck all the fun out of it ...did I mentiOn there’s more prize money on the way?.....oh yea...and the rest of us get to name new teams...

2/5/2018 7:31:37 AM

Grittyville, WA

Maybe it’s just because I’m a c grower but I never had any illusions that this was going to be easy. Can we grudgingly bear this buden? Is anyone really out over this??

2/5/2018 8:41:37 AM

Grittyville, WA

I don’t know if you’re gonna win everyone over p/c. Why don’t we just make a substitute list / make some fair rules for substituting growers?

2/5/2018 8:48:17 AM

Grittyville, WA

I spoke wrong. By we I mean you. Your show, not mine.

2/5/2018 8:55:38 AM

Central NY

There’s a few articles held up in committee , and the amendment procces is awaiting declaration...

2/5/2018 8:56:00 AM

Central NY

Soooooo....

2/5/2018 9:14:59 AM

Grittyville, WA

If you don’t mind me throwing ideas out: what if someone wanted to drop out prior to any blooms... they could be swapped out for a player on the waiting list. The waiting list could be random and picked by group to replace the a b or c level grower who dropped out? The people on the waiting list could start their plants but they would do so knowing that not everyone on the waiting list would get placed on a team. Replacements would have to happen before the person on the waiting list had any blooms set?

2/5/2018 9:40:03 AM

Grittyville, WA

I think it would be smart to keep close track of the number of people who drop out for some reason... before their plants even bloom. Once the blooms are set though, I can’t imagine how or why any substitution could or should be made... There would need to be room for some honesty about this.

I’m very curious to see if 66 growers will get their plants to the starting line and with no one dropping out.

2/5/2018 9:47:50 AM

Central NY

I think I’m good with ideas...always appreciated though ...(rebel...)

2/5/2018 9:48:39 AM

Grittyville, WA

Blooms set prior to the substitution would not qualify as entries? It wouldn’t be to hard to have the teams report to you when everyoline had a tomato set. After that, come what may... there could be no substitutions.

2/5/2018 9:56:08 AM

Central NY

Lol...yea...I’m gonna sit around and wait for people to tell me when they have a bloom set...lmao.....(rebel?)

2/5/2018 9:58:19 AM

Central NY

Lmao...sry buzzkill...couldn’t resist...

2/5/2018 9:59:12 AM

Central NY

Lamb chop—“you gonna help me weed?..”....me—“...no...I’ve only heard from 53 people...about thier blooms....”....this idea might have some merit...

2/5/2018 10:01:30 AM

Lebanon, Oregon

Porkchop, I'm here at my job, suppose to be working. You (we) don't need this drama. We have enough with politics. Focus like a laser beam. Teams have been chosen. The next step is for teams to communicate and learn how to deal with each other, plan the garden, exchange ideas, ect. This thread is becoming a waste of time. Next thing you know we will have to start a GTC (tomato commonwealth) so we have boundaries and guidelines. Relieve us all from this and move on. Rebel

2/5/2018 10:21:05 AM

Central NY

I’m totally good...i was referring to yer uh...ya know the guy on yer...uh...ehhmm, yea....

2/5/2018 10:25:48 AM

Eddyz@efirehose.net

I'm stuck here because I could defer both ways, BUT the first GUT response was, the more the Merrier and if other teams want in then fine. BUT because there was a dead line on the entry's and the teams are randomly selected, it's a tough sell. Whimping out here and remaining neutral.

2/5/2018 10:26:09 AM

Central NY

Oh...here’s my post from November
    
Oh... Now you want quick answers ...what happened to stringing it out over the winter?..lol....Rebel and I will be picking teams...by jan 1st... You may still enter after team selection but need to pull a 3 member(non-loaded team)..hard deadline for entry is April 1st ...

2/5/2018 10:38:40 AM

Lebanon, Oregon

My AM coffee kicked in PC. Awake know. I can see.

2/5/2018 10:38:50 AM

Central NY

Get back to work....

2/5/2018 10:41:51 AM

Lebanon, Oregon

Roger that.

2/5/2018 10:44:34 AM

Mn

How much was the entry fee for this contest??? ohhhh that's right it's free and for fun ....let em in!

2/5/2018 11:01:59 AM

Lebanon, Oregon

Please don't make me say we need to build a wall Q Tip.

2/5/2018 11:08:54 AM

Wixom MI.

Ya glenomkins i think once the season starts we can't substitute anyone !

2/5/2018 11:16:05 AM

Mn

lol rebel

2/5/2018 11:42:55 AM

Tenino, WA.

Please just keep it simple. A deadline usually means just that a deadline, a cut of date or time. HOWEVER

Like I said before it is for fun and the more the merrier. If the growers who are putting this together do not mind the extra work and confusion that they are going to deal with, I have no problem with bringing more growers into the challenge. Remember the confusion when teams were selected with Whiz & Whizzy? It could become a lot more confusing.

2/5/2018 12:31:31 PM

Central NY

Confusion is like second nature to me...bring em in!!!....

2/5/2018 12:55:14 PM

Grittyville, WA

We can’t substitute a single grower when needed but entire teams can be added? Interesting...

2/5/2018 4:00:26 PM

Central NY

Glen -please...

2/5/2018 4:03:32 PM

Grittyville, WA

I thought it was a good idea... but it’s yer uh ... whatever u want to call it. Fill in the blanks however you want lol.

2/5/2018 4:05:16 PM

Central NY

Thank you sir..

2/5/2018 4:22:39 PM

Tinykinville

I only saw this a week ago. Yes was busy but put together a team after seeing pork chops comment about april 1. So that is only thing I saw relating to deadline. He just said teams would be picked after january 1st. If you want in after that you have to put together your own team.This is all for fun and that is exactly how we will take it should not be that big of deal!

2/5/2018 4:56:11 PM

Central NY

Yea you missed a whole lot of fun in the fall pumpkin jam...all I can say is we would love to have you sign up...and that goes for anyone else on the fence...this will be a good show ...for free...to win stuff...for nuthin..

2/5/2018 5:08:09 PM

Tinykinville

thanks pc!

2/5/2018 5:25:08 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Jam, I have not re-read the complete post from the beginning. I seriously do not think that Pchop said that after the random drawing of teams...1A, 1B, & 1C...that you could put together a team of your choice. If that is what he said, nobody would have entered the random drawing list. If that was true, all 3A teams would now be wanting into the contest...and us C growers would be left w/out a team to contribute to! Peace, Wayne PS. JAM, I am hoping that there is a way for you to enter this FUN contest!!! Remember tho...Team #2 is gonna win this!!!

2/5/2018 7:37:06 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Teams should be randomly picked, end of discussion. Check this scenario: Hand picked A grower can sign up with his next door neighbor that is a C grower and basically do the growing for them. That’s not fair in anybody’s book. We should not allow hand picked teams to enter.

2/5/2018 8:01:45 PM

Central NY

Team was chosen by me...we said very early on that late joiners we would find ways to get them entered along the right set of numbers...these guys wanna team up while a have a willing c grower?..I just found a way......problem solved...save me more hassle for the next wave of people hearing about the contest...is being buddies an advantage?...maybe ...at least they won’t bail on thier team...team 23 is in...next witness...

2/5/2018 8:29:23 PM

Zimmerman, Minnesota

Yea this is all about fun, friendships, and personal bests....maybe together we can break 9lb. or even 10lb. Barrier!!! Plus it’s first year so next year we can fix what doesn’t work well.

2/5/2018 8:30:16 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

Way to go joe throwing a wrench in the tomatoe growers contest.... lol... grows them big all...I’ll watch from the sidelines...

2/5/2018 8:41:47 PM

Central NY

Not at all big city...we all know this would happen ...typical BP fashion...it’s fricken February ...

2/5/2018 9:11:44 PM

Valencia Spain

Next year post in general discussion then most peole will see it just to tell them theres a tom comp

2/6/2018 4:04:05 AM

Wixom MI.

Good point westham ! I don't think anyone expected this contest to get so big !!! Im sure everthing will be ironed out before next years sign up.

2/6/2018 9:40:11 AM

Central NY

Yea...I posted there in the fall...will post again soon...its February...and snowy...still time to get in...still time to get out ...of this free contest...that costs you nutthin...where you can win stuff...for free...from some incredibly supportive and generous people....oh-and someone that will sit around and keep track of these numbers...for free..(not blossoms, numbers)...and all you need to do is grow the tomatoes you were prolly gonna grow anyway...win win win...I’m havin tough time with this crybaby horse crap after bending over backwards to accommodate the very few in the early stages of planning this contest ... but need only to think of the brand new guys to growing these monsters...i was that guy 7 yrs ago...you in for a FUN Summer!!!....get these people signed up ..

2/6/2018 12:53:28 PM

Tinykinville

awesome on you porkchop!

2/6/2018 2:24:52 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks for putting up with all of our crap Porkchop.

2/6/2018 4:12:59 PM

Central NY

No crap at all...for real...still fun...

2/6/2018 9:05:08 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Great message, Chop!!! Keep the faith! Keep it real & fun!!! Awesome KUDO's to you!!! Do NOT let this get you down!!! Peace, Wayne

2/7/2018 12:33:06 AM

Dallas, OR

I would like to sign up if you are still allowing it! Also, I didn't see a category for "D" rated growers.... Email: Ahendersen@oldmillfeed.com

2/7/2018 5:24:32 PM

Central NY

Yer in a2k...

2/7/2018 5:46:29 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

Yeah Andy! Where have you been hiding? You going to finally get serious this year? You have all the resources so no excuses. Seeds?

2/7/2018 7:06:15 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Hey Rebel,what if one of your Zac hearts go big ?
Can I win 2 contests with the same tomato?

2/7/2018 8:37:30 PM

Dallas, OR

Awesome!
Rick, didn't you know they keep me in a deep dark hole where nothing grows?! I'm going to have to step up my mater game! I think i'll skip the 9 lb mark this year and go straight for 10!

2/7/2018 8:52:59 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

ESheel, you sure can.

2/8/2018 1:38:12 AM

(rocky) Bonney Lake Wa.

I would like to get in as well
ronboo01@yahoo.com

2/9/2018 7:45:56 PM

Central NY

Yer in!!!!

2/9/2018 8:13:52 PM

(rocky) Bonney Lake Wa.

Ok whos my teamates

3/2/2018 12:08:42 PM