Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 119 Entries. Sunday, February 19 View Page 2017 season prep. I can see the light. The one on the bottom a six lamp T8 and the one on top is a 6 lamp Quantum T5 badboy. I see a difference in light color but I don't think I see much difference in output.   Sunday, February 19 View Page Having a problem down loading image.   Sunday, February 19 View Page There we go.   Sunday, February 19 View Page And here is my line up   Sunday, February 19 View Page 10 trees removed for lots more sun   Sunday, February 19 View Page Adding some SQFT to the patch. Now its a full 3000 SQFT. Still need to finish digging out and new soil.   Monday, February 20 View Page Comparison picture of the trees before.   Tuesday, February 28 View Page Lets just say WOW. I think I'm off to a great start.   Sunday, March 5 View Page It is 10:00 AM in march. The back half would not have seen sun until around 1:00 pm this time of year. I can not wait for the growing season to see what taking the trees down does for me   Sunday, March 5 View Page If you move your compost pile with your plow. You might be a redneck.   Sunday, March 5 View Page Or just resourceful.   Thursday, March 9 View Page New hoop house film just arrived. Should be much better than the cheap construction grade plastic I've been using.   Thursday, March 9 View Page This stuff is 10 ply and woven. Has a 7 year life span.   Saturday, March 25 View Page Busy day today. Rented a toy that I want to buy. did everything I needed it to do.   Saturday, March 25 View Page Digging out the expansion.   Saturday, March 25 View Page 3 yards of loom   Saturday, April 1 View Page Not much happening today. To much rain to be out working on hoop houses. But getting my chickens for the year started. I got 6 last week and 6 this week. will be getting 10 more on the 13th.   Saturday, April 1 View Page Borrowed a friends incubator and have 10 Easter egg chicken eggs started today.   Saturday, April 1 View Page Green eggs   Tuesday, April 4 View Page Seeds got a 5 min dip in hydrogen peroxide and now for a nice relaxing 4 hour soak in the hot tub and then tucked into nice warm bed for the night.   Saturday, April 8 View Page 82 hours in the dirt. Things are looking real good.   Saturday, April 8 View Page Almost 600lbs of amendments and 4 hrs, 4 passes. I love the look of a freshly tilled patch.   Sunday, April 9 View Page Hoops are rebuilt again for another year. This time in the patch and anchored down. Hopefully the new film will stand the test of time.   Thursday, April 13 View Page Riding into the season in style.   Thursday, April 20 View Page This years contenders. 307 Fleming, 561.5 Fleming, 783 Fleming, 2261.5 Wallace, 1961.5 Sperry, and late to the party but second try germinated 2075.5 Connolly. also 2 200 Lariviere bushel gourds, and a 191 Blair watermelon. 13'6" Rea sunflower. 4.46 Marley tomato.2.00 Ellis tomato (hard to see)   Thursday, April 20 View Page Starting to transplant my eating tomatos. I always over plant and then feel guilty because I could put them all in the ground.   Thursday, April 20 View Page And here are all the babies. There are 30 chicks in there. 3 are going to a friend. again I may have over done it.   Thursday, April 20 View Page Was anybody else today while the asteroid flew so close to earth today?   Sunday, April 23 View Page If any of my local growers are interested. I have 3 4x4x16 PT for a tripod. Free you pick up.   Thursday, April 27 View Page Plants outside under the overhang to get ready for the weekend.   Friday, April 28 View Page So I was looking at my plants this morning. And I noticed these 2 very early test seedlings that I left off to the side with not much care at all. Not even under the lights or getting much water. Any body need a male right now?   Saturday, May 6 View Page My 783 Fleming. Growing nicely. one of my 2 longest growers already on the run.   Saturday, May 6 View Page 783 Fleming.   Saturday, May 6 View Page 2261.5 Wallace also on the run.   Saturday, May 6 View Page 2261.5 Wallace.   Saturday, May 6 View Page 2075.5 Connolly was my late start. Plant is catching up quickly to the rest of them.   Saturday, May 6 View Page 1961.5 Sperry. Not sure about this plant. It looks like it could be a ribbon vine. Its very wide and kind of flat.   Saturday, May 6 View Page 1961.5 Sperry.   Tuesday, May 9 View Page 34 deg. out this morning. Temps in hoops are a cozy 50 to 58 deg. Plants looking very good just waiting for warmer weather.   Tuesday, May 9 View Page the Wallace hoop.   Thursday, May 11 View Page Not your average window sticker family.   Saturday, May 13 View Page Need advise the plant looks great from the top except that is way behind on growth with 3 others that germed at the same time.   Saturday, May 13 View Page But then there is this. Should I pull it or give it a little more time. I have a plant I can transplant in its place that is already 4 feet long. And has a couple of side vines showing. just don't want to wait to long.   Saturday, May 13 View Page 1961 was pulled. after consulting with some friends. In its place is a big transplant job. I had one of my 561.5 in another hoop. Transplant went very well and it looks really good. We'll see in a few days if it keeps growing.   Saturday, May 13 View Page 783 Fleming. May 13th looking good.   Saturday, May 13 View Page 2261.5 Wallace. May 13th Looking good.   Saturday, May 13 View Page 561.5 May 13th transplant looks good.   Saturday, May 13 View Page 2075.5 Connolly. May 13th a week behind the others but looking good. last back up in the corner but don't think I'll need it.   Monday, May 15 View Page So my 3 biggest plants are almost 7 feet long. One is throwing some side vines and I have a pumpkin At 7 feet on my 783. The 2075.5 Connolly is starting to run and has a fairly thick vine. Really excited for this year.   Monday, May 15 View Page first cull of the year. need way more plant for this.   Thursday, May 18 View Page 783 Fleming. just shy of 8 ft long Did well in the heat yesterday as did all the plants. Will probably give then a drink when I get home tonight also.   Thursday, May 18 View Page 2261.5 Wallace. This plant is really strong looking. Will be burying a little bit this weekend.   Thursday, May 18 View Page 561.5 Fleming. Transplanted a few days ago and has a couple sides that are standing up straight.   Thursday, May 18 View Page 2075 Connolly. My youngest plant. I like the way it's filling out and not running just yet.   Thursday, May 18 View Page Almost 95 deg.today. A little sun scald on a couple of leaves. Plants were flagging a little but looked really good in there hoops. Think I need to look into some sheets to block direct sun light. The 10 mil green house film really lets the sun in.   Sunday, May 21 View Page Finally got to get out in the patch this week. Burying vines with Wow pumpkin pro, Root shield Azos and a pinch of blood meal.   Sunday, May 21 View Page 783 Fleming   Sunday, May 21 View Page 561.5 Fleming   Sunday, May 21 View Page 2075.5 Connolly   Sunday, May 21 View Page 2261.5 Wallace   Sunday, May 21 View Page Made a kick stand for easy access   Sunday, May 21 View Page After all was done. Watered in with 5 gal per plant, once of Alaska fish 5-1-1, 1 once of TKO and 1/2 once of companion.   Saturday, May 27 View Page Here is how I mark pumpkins in the patch.   Sunday, May 28 View Page Yesterday I had to lift the house. They want out in a big way. That's 9 ft long now.   Sunday, May 28 View Page 783 Fleming   Sunday, May 28 View Page 2261.5 Wallace   Sunday, May 28 View Page 561.5 Fleming   Sunday, May 28 View Page 2075.5 CONNOLLY. Very aggressive plant. And it was started a week or so later than the rest. Only 7 feet but the widest for sure.   Sunday, May 28 View Page Have to get these in the ground. 200 Lariviere bushel gourds and 191Blair watermelon.   Sunday, May 28 View Page 4.41 Marley and 2.00 Ellis tomato.   Tuesday, May 30 View Page Brought in the big guns. Clearing out the stumps and grading for the bushes   Friday, June 9 View Page Has been awhile since I posted. Been busy with work, no sun, to cold and 36 chickens in my basement that need to go in the coop that is under rehab, and slaughtering the old chickens. Patch actually looks real good. Got my Neptune's harvest yesterday and fed them this morning. we got a nice afternoon down poor that washed it in real well. I love when timing is right. plants all have pumpkins. Just not where I want them right now. but with the cold and no sun and rain I am real happy with the patch.   Sunday, June 18 View Page Finally get to do some patch work. Tilled all the weeds in. Have 3 open Pollinations on side vines. One 2261.5 selfed. Also on a side vine. Have 2 possible pollinations tomorrow on main vines where I want them. But not many males coming out. Hopefully by next week I see pumpkins on the other mains.   Thursday, June 29 View Page Patch is filling in really nice been working to early so lot of open pollinations. A few got controlled crosses. 2 2261.5 x selfed 783 x selfed 2075 x selfed. All my 561 are open. Lots on side vine too. Figure if a rookie can grow 2106 on a side first time out then why not give it a go too   Thursday, June 29 View Page Pollinated a beaty of a pumpkin this morning. 2261.5 Wallace x selfed. about 17ft out.   Thursday, June 29 View Page Pollinated a beaty of a pumpkin this morning. 2261.5 Wallace x selfed. about 17ft out.   Friday, June 30 View Page Nice 4 lobe pollinated about 18ft out on the 2075.5 Connolly. selfed.   Monday, July 3 View Page Open pollination on my 561.5 Fleming. Some where around the 17th of June. Yes that's a gallon jug.   Monday, July 3 View Page Another open pollination on the 2075.5 Connolley that I really like.   Monday, July 3 View Page My 783 Fleming selfed on the 20th of June.   Monday, July 3 View Page Open pollination on my 783 Fleming. Some where around the 17th also.   Monday, July 3 View Page 2261.5 Wallace selfed on the 19th of June.   Monday, July 3 View Page 200 Lariviere bushel gourd. Pollinated July 2/3   Monday, July 3 View Page Little flagging in the heat. But growing in really nice.   Sunday, July 9 View Page Don't get to sit down and relax much. Working 6 days a week takes too much time away from the patch. Relaxing with coffee before I start a weeks worth of work on a Sunday.   Saturday, July 15 View Page 561.5 Fleming open.   Saturday, July 15 View Page 783 Fleming selfed.   Saturday, July 15 View Page 783 Fleming open.   Saturday, July 15 View Page 2261.5 Wallace x 2075.5 Connolly.   Saturday, July 15 View Page I am loosing my favorite pumpkin on the 2075.5 Connolly. Showing signs of abort and no growth. Have 2 more back ups on side vines that are growing. Only time will tell. Will be doing my first tissue sample this week. Really hope I can hold it together this year. Something always seems to go wrong and then I loose interest. Put to much into it this year for that to happen.   Sunday, July 23 View Page Tissue test came back really good. After talking to a friend I put down 4 pounds of urea and will be putting down some zinc sulfate when it comes in Monday. and another urea application by the end of the week.   Monday, July 24 View Page Looking for some advice. Looks like I have yellow vine disease on my 2075.5 Connolly. It aborted the pumpkin I really liked. And I notice yellowing on some leaves back towards the stump. I have 2 pumpkins on sides but there not very big. I think I already know what to do. just looking for confirmation.   Tuesday, July 25 View Page Teaser until the sun comes out. the one in the back is the 2261.5 Wallace. the 2 in front are 783 Fleming.   Tuesday, July 25 View Page This is my 561.5 Fleming. Wasn't showing signs of growing and I have not taped this year yet. But I noticed a new hump.   Tuesday, July 25 View Page There are 2 sleepers in here. I think I need to rethink the one on this plant. The orange sticks pin point the one on the main and it may be growing faster than I thought.   Tuesday, July 25 View Page Suns out. Pumpkins out. this is the 2261.5 Wallace x with the 2075 Connolly that I unfortunately had to pull today.   Tuesday, July 25 View Page Side view.   Tuesday, July 25 View Page 783 Fleming selfed.   Tuesday, July 25 View Page 561.5 Fleming   Tuesday, July 25 View Page 3 others in the patch. one may become the one on the 561.5 plant but not sure yet.   Sunday, July 30 View Page Beautiful Sunny Sunday on tap. Hope Aug gets a little warmer so I get some more pumpkin growth. Haven't taped anything But see changes every day. Morning boost of Neptun's fish and Seaweed and 0-0-25.   Monday, August 7 View Page A little disappointed that my other pumpkins are not growing at great rates. High 200's to low 300's How ever the 2261.5 Wallace is growing at 26 pounds a day. Tissue tests are great and plants look good just got to keep up on the water. Taping in at 319 OTT. I may be a little light on the tape because I was doing it myself. 709lb est. On track to beat my personal best of 783 easy. Fingers crossed and on we go.   Monday, August 14 View Page 200 Lariverie bushel gourd. Coming along nicely. For now think I'm in pretty good shape with this one. It is open and I think about 3 weeks.   Wednesday, August 23 View Page End of the road for my big one. Stem rotted right off. New something was up Saturday but was hoping. I hope it stays together for Woodstock.   Wednesday, August 23 View Page I still have A some small pumpkins. around 350. So maybe one of those will surprise me. And and I still have the 200 lariviere bushel gourd going.   Thursday, August 24 View Page On the bright side. The stem area seems to be drying up nicely. I think it will make it to next Thursday. And I taped my bushel gourd. 165" 130lbs to the watermelon chart. Really happy about that.   Sunday, August 27 View Page Game really over now. Can see that it was really bad for a while   Saturday, September 9 View Page Bushel gourd plant is failing. But the gourd is still growing slowly. Few more weeks to go. It's pretty big 184.5 out this afternoon. 176lbs est. it   Saturday, September 16 View Page Haven't taped it in2 days. Growing slow. It keeps moving towards the orange sticks.   Saturday, September 16 View Page My sister in law noticed this one 3 days ago. I didn't even know it was there.   Saturday, September 16 View Page This is what is left of the plant. It's just draws for the gourd to sip through.   Saturday, September 16 View Page Here is my 783 selfed. Maybe 400lbs have not taped any of them because they are not growing very fast just want to make it to the end.   Saturday, September 16 View Page And here is my 561.5 open. Maybe 450. I do like it for it's orange color. I am going to grow this seed again for next year and concentrate on one pumpkin on the plant.   Sunday, September 17 View Page And so it ends again. The 561.5 with ground hog damage. As I was cleaning it. it just got deeper and deeper. just about touched the cavity. Still have a one small one and a bushel gourd. Thought I was gonna have my best year so far. Everything was going right and then apparently there was a left turn that I missed. Oh well there is always next year.   Saturday, September 30 View Page Sweet end to a bad year. I won Topsfield with a 189.5lb bushel gourd. Was hoping for 200. But really happy with that. I have one smaller one for next week but got a win for the first time. Learned a lot this year and hope to come in real strong next year.   Tuesday, October 3 View Page Mustard, Wow mycoriza, rootshield and other ferts watered in. Soil test taken and ready to ship. Hoping for giant new year.   Monday, October 9 View Page Last thing I weighed this year. Came in at 87lbs. Considering I didn’t even know it was growing until 3 weeks ago it’s pretty cool.   Saturday, November 11 View Page Good bye sea of green. 21 deg. Last night the mustard has layer down for a long winters nap. Was hoping it would go until Thanks giving weekend.   Saturday, November 11 View Page Mustard will get tilled in on Thanks giving week end. Soil test came back real good. So I'm trying to figure out if I should add anything this fall or wait until spring. Interesting thing about the soil test. They said I had a low lead count. Not sure what that really means have and will be researching that for pumpkins.