Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 18 Entries. Monday, April 4 View Page The weather has been so good here this spring that I'm going to assume it'll keep going. I'm going to start earlier than ever before. Today I'm going to start these three seeds. Only one plant this year. Goal is 700lb HD winner. Let's see if I can get close... All three starts are from perfectly shaped bright orange HD winners.   Monday, April 4 View Page Garden is thawed and getting dry. I still plan to build something along the shed to give Long Gourds a shot. Hoop house will go up next weekend so the ground in good and warm when I plant the pumpkins in three weeks.   Wednesday, April 6 View Page That was fast - 1048 and 1374 sprouted a root today. Planted in peat pots this AM. Still waiting on the 975.   Monday, April 11 View Page One week after starting the seeds they are all up and looking good. In a little more than a week I'm going to be planting two outside in a hoop house. Anyone in Edmonton need a plant? Not sure which one is going to be the odd man out.   Wednesday, May 11 View Page The chosen plant for 2016 is the 975 Gansert. Looking big and healthy, just touched down (after a lot of encouragement) and should start to run. At least two weeks ahead of any previous year. Bucket on left is a 5 gal pail for scale.   Friday, May 27 View Page Hoop house removed today. Main was pushing against the end and secondarys on the side. Growth will probably slow now that she fully exposed to the elements.   Friday, June 3 View Page Plant is looking good. First female showed on a secondary.   Friday, June 3 View Page Plant is looking good. First female showed on a secondary.   Thursday, June 16 View Page After a great start to the season we've had very cool and rainy weather the last two weeks. The result is growth has slowed a lot but this morning I had my first female open.   Thursday, June 16 View Page Nice 5 lobe flower but on a secondary and not in a good spot. Pollinated it anyway. I should have one opening on the main in a couple days.   Monday, June 27 View Page Today the female that I had my eye on bloomed. Nice 4 lower about 15 feet out. Lots of males available so I'm pretty optimistic that it took.   Monday, June 27 View Page Plant as of today. Looks good.   Monday, July 11 View Page Assuming nothing goes wrong this should be the keeper. 14 days after pollination and only 21" in circumference. I'm blaming the cool wet weather - the last month has been awful with highs barely getting to 20 and rain nearly every day.   Saturday, August 13 View Page Well this year is turning out to be a bust. The unfortunate part of having a small garden is the lack of a plan B when the chosen one (plant and pumpkin) ends up to be a dud. Right now the fugly mutant is growing really slowly and is taping to 149lbs. I'm still not convinced this one will last another month and a half.   Monday, October 3 View Page To close out this disappointing season I thought I would wrap up the diary with a few final photos. Unfortunately I was out of town for the Smokey Lake weigh off so could not attend. Not to big a deal since my pumpkin was only taping around 300lbs. I pulled the pumpkin and brought it in on the 3rd of October since there was snow in the forecast for 4th.   Monday, October 3 View Page biggest stump I've ever grown though...   Friday, October 21 View Page The main pumpkin and backup waiting to be carved for Halloween   Monday, October 31 View Page The final creations - still the biggest jack-o-lanterns in the neighborhood but a lot smaller than in past years.