Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 30 Entries. Wednesday, March 22 View Page Happy 2017! I am going to start my diary off with two pictures that really gave me the growing bug.   Wednesday, March 22 View Page It was late one night, I was diary stalking on BP and came across this picture. I don't know why (my wife called it a man crush) I kept going back to it. Ever since then I have wanted to grow a huge beautiful orange pumpkin.   Wednesday, March 22 View Page The second picture my wife found. She was on Pinterest and came across the most beautiful fall display. http://pin.it/Lu3JdOm   Wednesday, March 22 View Page My goals for 2017: 1. Replicate both Nana and So Cal's pictures 2. Attend my first weigh off   Saturday, March 25 View Page Here is the line up... This was March 18   Saturday, March 25 View Page I do the wet paper towel, plastic bag method from Matt's YouTube video. It has worked great for me. The top of the dvr is always warm. I put a paper plate down first or they overheat.   Saturday, March 25 View Page About 30 hours later the 359 was first and popped a root. The others took a little more time but I got 100% germination.   Saturday, March 25 View Page I potted them up and put them in a neighbors green house. It is in rough shape with a missing roof section. Not as warm as it could be. Unfortunately I don't have lights or anything but it should work.   Sunday, March 26 View Page I was able to mow my 25% vetch 25% rye 50% ?? weed cover crop   Sunday, March 26 View Page Also a couple passes with a tiller. It is roughly 30x60 for two plants.   Thursday, March 30 View Page They all look good. Seed coat on the 1048 never cleared the soil. Just the cotyledons came up a little behind the other plants. They are a little misshaped but the plant looks good otherwise.   Saturday, April 1 View Page Lots of little hands make harvesting worm castings go quickly.   Saturday, April 1 View Page Picking out tiny worms and eggs.   Sunday, April 2 View Page I used about 25% worm castings mixed with potting soil when I potted up. I also watered them with some year old Root Keeper.   Sunday, April 2 View Page I could not decide what to plant. All five look and are growing well. Each of the my six kids and my wife had two votes. I had pictures I had saved and also used progeny pictures on pumpkin fanatic. All seven voted for the 359 Foss. At least I think this is a picture of the 359 Foss (if someone knows for sure, shoot me an email) Regardless the 359 Foss is going in the patch.   Sunday, April 2 View Page The vote for the second pumpkin to plant was split. 2 votes for the 1374 Engel, 1 vote for the 1048 Engel, 4 votes for 1317 Clementz. I think Bubba being in the picture might have had some influence on my kid's votes. If they continue to do well the 359 Foss and 1317 Clementz will be in the ground by the end of the week.   Tuesday, April 4 View Page This baby rattler my 11 year old found on the grass in the front yard. Between all my kids, their friends and cousins running around here I am not much on relocating them. We usually get a few a year.   Friday, April 7 View Page It was my birthday yesterday. My 11 year old made this for me. 1st place ribbon and trophy included. Also don't miss the huge origami pumpkins in the back ground.   Friday, April 7 View Page I wanted to add this second picture. The last one did not do the pumpkin justice. I never would of thought my 359 would grow this big. It ended up being 2,624.7 lbs I am not sure how that stacks up overall. Anyone that wants seeds is welcome to them provided you have posted at least 20 pumpkin related pictures to your 2017 diary. That is one of my favorite things about this site. This is my way of giving back. I forgot to mention the pumpkin was pollinated by the 1317.   Friday, April 7 View Page This was what my wife got me for my birthday. Before we were dating we went on a road trip to Disney, Universal and San Diego. Jasmine was my favorite princess. Anyway she busts my chops sometimes about the time I spend in the patch when I could be working in our yard.   Friday, April 7 View Page Secretly though she does want me to have a great year in the patch. This was on the back of my cereal box.   Saturday, April 8 View Page Built some hoop houses, more for wind and critter protection than for cold   Sunday, April 9 View Page They are in the dirt. 359 Foss to the left growing south, 1317 Clementz to the right growing north...   Sunday, April 23 View Page 14 days in the ground, with little to no growth. Many of the days have been cold and overcast and the ground is pretty wet from the rain.   Sunday, April 23 View Page I did take the kids fishing   Sunday, April 23 View Page   Sunday, April 23 View Page   Tuesday, May 2 View Page Last night had some help in the patch, this is the 1317   Tuesday, May 2 View Page And the 359   Tuesday, May 2 View Page Rose on the left with the 359, Priscilla on the right with the 1317