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Knopp, Germany

I have kicked around the idea of having a patch tour at my place, and due to a recent suggestion by a heavy hitter on one of my other posts, I have decided to go forth with the idea.

Since we are all so far apart from each other, I have thought that I would sponsor a tour at my patch. Inclusive would be a grill fest with refreshments on me. It would be an overnight affair for those that wish to enjoy a beer or wine or schnapps. We do not have a gasthaus in my village, but I do have a very big yard that could be used for tents, and of course the house would be available for the "needs" of all guest.

This would give us all a nice opportunity to share ideas and experience. It is open to all European growers, and anyone else that would like to come from outside of Europe.

I was thinking the first weekend in July, as the plants should be to a point where I would be ready to pollinate, and would provide for excellent discussion.

I am more then open to other ideas you may have, let us discuss it openly here.

So, the question....who would be interested? The more the better, no limit to how many, or how few.

For those of you that have non-English speaking growers in your area, please ask them for me as well.

Looking forward to your responses,

owen

1/24/2006 4:56:39 AM

Knopp, Germany

I really should think about you other growers, obviously if I might be pollinating the first week of July, you wouuld be also.

First suggestion, move the tour date back to the 3rd or 4th weekend in July.

1/24/2006 5:07:31 AM

Buren Ameland,West Frisian Islands, Netherlands

Owen,
Leaving my own patch in that time???
I fear the worst...
Missing one day would be too dangerous, for the real obsessed pumpkin growers, is it not? :)


Deep frost now in Germany? Here -4 only.

Next week I will leave the cold for a few weeks.
I'll bring seeds to Nepal and explain to all potential growers.
It would be interesting to see big AG in Nepal!

Theo.

1/24/2006 5:27:41 AM

Germany

Hi Owen,

ich finde die Idee klasse! Wir Gehweiler Riesenkürbiszüchtern werden sicher dabei sein. Ist ja nicht weit in die Pfalz ;-)

Würdest Du den Beitrag ins neue Forum posten?

Viele Grüße,
Carsten

1/24/2006 5:32:45 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Owen

We hold ours in early August. Growers want to see a nice pumpkin.

Phil

1/24/2006 6:10:39 AM

Itzetown City

Nice offer! Owen, You da man!
I think Phil is right, one should see Pumpkins.

1/24/2006 6:23:25 AM

Knopp, Germany

I talked to Martina about this during lunch today and she also suggested doing it during August so that there are some pumpkins to see. Thanks for the suggestion Phil.

mach ich Carsten, aber du musst uebersetzen...LOL

1/24/2006 6:58:53 AM

Buren Ameland,West Frisian Islands, Netherlands

Owen,
What about Ameland next year august?
Same thing here, space for tents, more guestrooms.
And nice beach, birds and boats.


In august when the pumpkins are growing well and the weather is not dangerous I would dare to come to Germany, Owen. :-)

Would be nice to tell how far we are, know each other, ofcours, 'time and healthwise asuming', what is the Englisch expression?

Regards Theo.

1/24/2006 7:08:23 AM

Austria

I guess a patch tour is something special every committted grower will have thought about once in a while. I have thought about inviting myselfs to a patch tour with Peter Frei, because it would be only a 1,5 hours drive for me. Perhaps we can do that anyway.

Owen, this is a great idea and offer. If it is possible for me at that time, I`ll gladly join. In my case it is about 400 km, still reasonable. I`m definitely interested.

What about a patch near out-door-lavatory, lol?

1/24/2006 7:14:28 AM

Knopp, Germany

Theo, maybe we could make it an annual event and have a different grower sponsor it each year, whynot Ameland next year!

Heino, i have a hugh compost pile in the very back of my yeard, makes the perfect place to dispose of any liquid fertilizer...LOL

Carsten, I posted it in your forum as suggested, I hope they understand.

1/24/2006 7:32:31 AM

Antigonish,Nova Scotia,Canada

Hey, Owen....will Canadian visitors also be invited?...hahaha.... I've never been to Germany before, what a great excuse for a trip !......LOL......good luck with this project....I'll look forward to reading and seeing more about it next season. All the best,
Bill

1/24/2006 8:48:29 AM

Knopp, Germany

Canadian visitors are always welcome Bill!!!

As a special treat for those that do come, I have talked to Martin Reiss about this, and he has agreed to be here and give us a presentation/discussion about what he did in 2005. I believe this will be the highlight of the patch tour.

Also, we will be having a seed give away of some of the best seeds available. If you show up, you will leave with some of the best seeds available.

Hope to hear about your ideas and who is interested. Please spread the word, and stay tuned for more.

owen

1/24/2006 1:23:58 PM

ENGLAND

Owen
If my circumstances change i would like to be there, cannot say for certain but you know what i mean buddy.

Regards
Mike

1/24/2006 1:38:27 PM

Liverpool , England

Hey....I just might drive over there and drag Mike with me.....
Alun

1/24/2006 4:17:01 PM

ENGLAND

Alun, Drive ?? I was thinging of swimming part way !! LOL

Mike

1/24/2006 4:24:08 PM

Itzetown City

There are only a few racoons here in Germany, keep them alive. lol

1/24/2006 5:48:17 PM

Knopp, Germany

It would be super if Mike and Alun could make it. If not, I do understand Mike.

1/25/2006 2:15:02 AM

Austria

What a great project. Seems like this is going to be something really special, not to be missed. Owen if I can help with anything I will, like donating seeds etc.

1/25/2006 5:30:16 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Patch tours are a great way to meet your fellow growers & to learn first hand what others are doing to be successful. We (GVGO) had our first one last year & the growers loved it. I can't wait until the next one. Good luck with it & have fun.

Phil

1/25/2006 6:15:48 AM

Knopp, Germany

Thanks for the offer Heino. As this patch tour starts to come together I will let you know where I may need some help.

Phil, thank you for the encouragement. As this comes together I would like to bounce some ideas off you if that would be okay.

1/25/2006 7:04:21 AM

Cologne / Germany

I just looked at map24.com: it´s 270 km away from me...
It depends on your car how long this will take LOL
Hi Owen, count us in and thanks for organizing the first EU Patch Tour! For any help, just ask. I´m a dedicated BBQ griller and smoker also LOL

1/25/2006 9:29:43 AM

Knopp, Germany

Great Ingo, glad to hear you can make it. I'll take you up on the BBQ Griller role....LOL

1/25/2006 10:48:40 AM

Cologne / Germany

Jepp! Should I bring my most wanted one for some wings, pulled pork and beef brisket? LOL
http://www.grillsportverein.de/upload_neu/2006/01/Bild004.jpg

1/25/2006 1:18:47 PM

Itzetown City

The Boehnkes probably will be there if it take place in Sara's long vacation.

1/25/2006 1:44:44 PM

Knopp, Germany

Wow, that is some grill Ingo. Actually I was thinking about going typical American grill fest, hot dogs, hamburgers, ribs, potato salad, baked beans (my specialty, to die for) corn on the cob, and so forth. More to that later.

Hans-Werner, do you know when Sara's vacation is in August?

1/25/2006 2:02:09 PM

France

600 km from here, but I can't find this kind of convention more close.
I don't have any grower (over 200 lbs) at less than 300km, so what is really missing to me, it's the advice that we can exchange each other, that should be great!
is every body speaking english? (or french lol..)
david

1/25/2006 2:16:35 PM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

Hey, if my employer just happens to send me that way while
you have the tour, I'd love to come! (I've been to Belgium
five times in the last three years... still, it's a long
shot.)

Regards, Cliff

1/25/2006 6:35:41 PM

Caceres, mid west of Spain

I am planning to be in the alps at the end of July. If nothing wrong happens, I'll try to be there.

Carlos

1/26/2006 1:32:34 AM

Knopp, Germany

Fantastic! I am very pleased with the interest that this patch tour has shown from all of the growers that have posted. I have also received some feedback from growers that do not post here and it appears that we will have quite a large group of people show up.

David and Don, I hope that things work out and you are able to make it. It would be nice to have growers from as many different countries show up so that we can all share how the climate in our different environments effects how we grow. David, English translations as needed would not be a problem.

Cliff, that would be outstanding. You are more then welcome should the opportunity present itself.

1/26/2006 1:45:47 AM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Owen

Feel free to ask any questions or bounce any ideas off me. I'll help out as much as possible. Sounds like you've got lots of interest. Good luck with it. Take care.

Phil

1/26/2006 6:37:10 AM

Itzetown City

Owen, for me (but it does'nt matter) it would be good, if it would take place on one of the first two weekends of August.

1/26/2006 9:32:42 AM

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Owen, a great effort. If would love to come if I am around at that time. We will see.
Jernej

1/29/2006 12:36:24 PM

Knopp, Germany

Great Jernej!!! I will be putting out a post and emails probably around June to get a final count of who can make it.

1/30/2006 1:06:37 AM