Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 91 Entries. Tuesday, January 16 View Page First entry of year. A surprise Christmas present from my wife.-- business cards for my roadstand pumpkin business.   Tuesday, January 16 View Page Another present from my wife. Pumpkin note pad.   Friday, February 9 View Page Dried extra long dipper gourds.   Friday, February 9 View Page Free nitrogen today and more coming   Tuesday, March 6 View Page This is what happens on your birthday when you supply the local Mexican restaurant with hot peppers. Celebrating my 63rd. Yes older than dirt.   Saturday, March 24 View Page I feel like I live on the East Coast today with all this snow. Doesn't nature realize it's March 24th.   Saturday, March 24 View Page Trying to move this wet stuff with the tractor and blew a hole in a hydraulic line coupler. Luckily I had my drive almost done. All my-friends whose drives I clean are out of luck   Friday, March 30 View Page For you guys dealing with wet and cold it's great to have a greenhouse to grow in during this type weather. Even if it does belong to the school. ??   Friday, March 30 View Page Cozy, warm, and dry in the geranium house also.   Sunday, April 1 View Page Look who visited me today!!!   Monday, April 9 View Page Woke up to more snow this am. Looks like everyone else's weather. Some years farmers are all ready planting at this time. Not this year.   Wednesday, April 18 View Page Seeds for main patch filed today. Will soak overnight and put in germination chamber tomorrow. Was going to wait a few days but everyone else's diaries changed my mind.   Saturday, April 21 View Page Filing and soaking seeds for competition patch 2 tonight   Saturday, April 21 View Page Filed and started soaking seeds for patch 3 - Top West   Saturday, April 21 View Page Filed and soaked Tower 1 and 2 seeds.   Saturday, April 21 View Page Filed and atarted soaking seeds for Commercial patch Row 1. At least some of the Main Patch seeds should be germinated tomorrow.   Sunday, April 22 View Page Good news -- 2230.5 Wallace, 1385.5 H/J, and 1044 Gansert all are up. Bad news -- 1810 Werner, 811 Gerhardt, 1059 V/M, and 575 Wolf have not cracked dirt yet. Come on orange!!!!!   Monday, April 23 View Page More good news -- 1810 Werner and 575 Wolf both broke through. Really didn't expect the 575 to germinate as it had a 1/4 crack the length of the seed. No sign of life from the 811 Gerhardt or 1059 V/M. Still keeping fingers crossed,   Monday, April 30 View Page Main patch germinated 2230.5 Wallace, 1810 Werner, 1385.5 H/J, 1059 V/M, 1048 En gel. Not germinated -- 811 Gerhardt so 575 Wolf moves into the main patch.   Monday, April 30 View Page Main Secondary patch germinated 1044 Gansert, 993.2 V/M, 777 Young, 359 Foss   Monday, April 30 View Page Main patch three germinated 2106 Schmidt, 1937 Urea, 1374.5 Rea, 1297.5 Young Not germinated --1332.5 Wolf, 923 Gerhardt. move 1998.5 Jutras and 1912 Carter up from commercial patch   Sunday, May 13 View Page Seeded 120 and 115 day commercial fields and specialty pumpkins seeds today   Monday, May 21 View Page Time to update diary. Lots of stuff to add. Main patch 1. 2230.5 Wallace 2015 -- ( 2009 Wallace x 1916 Barron) 2. 1810 Werner 2016 -- ( 1756 H/H x 1558.5 Werner) 3. 1385.5 H/J 2014 -- ( 1161 Rodonis x 2032 Matthison) 4. 1044 Gansert -- ( 1059 V/M x 811 Gerhardt) 5. 575 Wolf 2014 -- ( 811 Gerhardt x 1059 V/M) 6. 1059 V/M 2009 -- ( 993 V/M x 904 Stelts   Monday, May 21 View Page Secondary patch 1 1. 1048 Engel 2012 -- ( 777 Young x Self) 2 993 V/M 2008 -- ( 772 Poirier x 998 Pukos) 3. 777 Young 2011 -- ( 993 V/M x 1059 V/M) 4. 359 Foss 2013 -- ( 1048 Engel x 2009 Wallace)   Monday, May 21 View Page secondary patch 2 1. 2106 Schmidt 2016 -- ( 1385 H/J x Open) 2. 1297 Young 2016 -- ( 1912 Carter x 1000.5 Gansert) 3. 1937 Urena 2016 -- ( 2145 McMullen x 2230 Wallace) 4. 1042.5 Zaychkowsky 2017 -- ( 811 Gerhardt x 1372 LaRue) 5. 1374.5 Rea 2017 -- ( 1810 Werner x 2058.5 Rose)   Monday, May 21 View Page creek bottom patch 1. 823 House 2015 -- ( 811 Gerhardt x 359 Foss) 2. 686 Cooper 2017 -- ( 823 House x 1048 Engel) 3. 606.5 House 2016 -- ( 823 House x 364 Webster) 4. 588.5 Cooper 2016 -- ( 823 House x 1912 Carter) 5. 424 House 2016 -- ( 823 House x 993 V/M) 6. 291 House 2017 -- ( 823 House x 359 Foss) 7. 275 House 2016 -- ( 823 House x 575 Wolf) 8. 606.5 House 2016 -- ( 823 House x 364 Webster) 9. 275 House 2016 -- ( 823 House x 575 Wolf) 10. 202 House 2017 --( 1317 Clementz X Self)   Monday, May 21 View Page Commercial patch ROW 1 1. 1998.5 Jutras 2015 -- ( 1317 Clementz x 1916 Barron) 2. 1971 Barlow 2017 -- ( 2145.5 x Self) 3. 1912 Carter 2015 -- ( 1750.5 Martin x Self) 4. 1803 Hoelke 2016 -- ( 1463.5 Hoelke x 1625 Gantner 5. 1734.5 Clementz 2015 -- ( 1317 Clementz x Self) 6. 1327.5 Rea 2013 -- ( 1498 Werner x 979 McMillan) ROW 2 1. 1287 Swain 2014 -- ( 1791 Holland x 1813 Northrup) 2. 1533 Henkin 17 -- ( 658 henkin x 1059 V/M 3. 1146.5 Snyder 2016 -- ( 2230.5 Wallace x 1463 Hoelke) 4. 975.5 Gansert 2015 -- ( 1000.5 Gansert x 993 V/M) 5. 812 Crawford 2017 -- ( 575 Wolf x self) 6. 667 Wolf 2017 -- ( 575 Wolf x 1146 Snyder)   Monday, May 21 View Page Commercial Patch ROW 3 1. 768 House 2017 -- ( 588 Cooper x 823 House) 2. 681 House 2017 -- ( 1290 Poirier x 359 Foss) 3. 678.5 House 2017 -- ( 507 Cooper x 1374 Engel) 4. 668.5 House 2017 -- ( 390.5 House x 424 House) 5. 668 House 2017 -- ( 1317 Clementz x 1385.5 H/J) 6. 638 House 2017 -- ( 606.5 House x 1317 Clementz) ROW 4 1. 634.5 House 2017 -- ( 975.5 Gansert x 1385.5 H/J) 2. 518 House 2017 -- ( 444 House x 289 House 16 ) 3. 496.5 House 2017 -- ( 939.6 Karkos x 900 Gansert) 4. 447 House 2017 -- ( 1290 Poirier x Self) 5.. 291 House 2017 -- ( 823 House x 359 Foss)   Monday, May 21 View Page Commercial Patch ROW 5 1. 202 House 2017 -- ( 1317 Clementz x Self) 2. 334 House16 -- ( 150 Rea x Self) 3. 334 House16 -- ( 150 Rea x Self) 4. 220.5 House 16 -- ( 150 Rea x Self) 5. 169.5 House 16 -- ( 150 Rea x 100 Herrmann) ROW 6 1. 858.9 Karkos -- ( 939.6 Karkos x 1710 Stevens) 2. 816 Garnsert -- ( 1048 Engel x 811 Gerhardt) 3. 768 House 17 --( 588 Cooper x 823 House) 4. 616 Hollein 17 -- ( 458 House x 1059 V/M) 5. 500 Herrmann 17 -- ( 1813 Northrup x 1317 Clementz) 6. 220.5 House 16 -- ( 150 Rea x Self)   Thursday, June 28 View Page lots of updating to do Bottom patch fields 1. 172.8 Rudorfer 2014 -- ( 127 Martin x Self) 2. 162 MacCoy 2015 -- ( 81 Wolf x Self) 3. 158.6 MacKinnon 2016 -- ( 211 MacKinnon x 81 Wolf) 4. 146.5 Razo 2013 -- ( 151 Snyder x 209 Werner) 5. 140 Martin 2013 -- ( 109 Martin 12 x 209 Werner) 6. 129.5 Steil 2014 -- ( 103 MacKinnon x 81 Wolf) 7. 125 Treece 2012 -- (85 Eaton x 111 Sherwood) 8. 114 Starr 2014 -- ( 81 Wolf x Self) 9. 109 Martin 2013 -- ( 44 Martin x 81 Wolf) 10. 80 LaRue2011 -- ( 88.5 Leland x 99.2 Lyons   Thursday, June 28 View Page Bottom patch squash and 1 BG 1. 1218 Morris 2. 891.5 Porkchop 3. 214.5 Weibel 4. 905 Vincent McGill 5. 223 House Bushel Gourd ( 279.5 English x Open)   Thursday, June 28 View Page Bottom patch bushel gourds 1. 215 House -- ( 279.5 English x open) 2. 188 House -- ( 279.5 English x open) 3. 209 English -- (265 Engel x 270 Kent)   Thursday, June 28 View Page Bottom patch watermellons 1. 229 Lindley 2. 141.5 Cosby   Thursday, June 28 View Page West bottom BG patch 1. 177 Westfall 2. 270 Kent 3. 279.5 English 4. 229 English   Thursday, June 28 View Page competition fields top patch 1. 211 MacKinnon 2. 181.7 Wagner 3. 162 J MacKinnon 4. 81 Wolf 5. 81 Wolf   Thursday, June 28 View Page Giant White Silo Corn   Thursday, June 28 View Page Giant Sunflowers   Thursday, June 28 View Page Giants in the commercial patch   Thursday, June 28 View Page More AG's in the commercial patch   Thursday, June 28 View Page Field pumpkins in the commercial patch   Monday, July 9 View Page 1044 Gansert x 575 Wolf   Thursday, July 19 View Page Way the year has been going. Looked under one of the sheets of the few pumpkins that had any size and found this. It was going to be orange. ??   Saturday, July 21 View Page Really having a bad year with about 200 pollinations made and only about 10 verified crosses to show from all that early morning work. Upper 90 temps and no rain really affected pollination and pumpkin set. Had a great set of classic oranges with the 1059, 575, 1048, 993, 777, and 359 and thought I would have great orange genetics for years to come from that batch. Unfortunately almost no crosses took. Have a few that made it like this 1044 Gansert x 575 Wolf.   Saturday, July 21 View Page the 1385 H/J x 1810 Werner. Looks like I got an orange 1385 seed this year. This is my biggest at a little over 300 lbs.   Saturday, July 21 View Page looking forward to see what this one will bring. 616 Hollein x 777 Young. already a super bright orange. May not be big but this may end up being the deepest orange red pumpkin I produce this eyar   Saturday, July 21 View Page Though my AG's may not be doing very well other things seem to be doing great. Giant sunflowers   Saturday, July 21 View Page and giant white silo corn are doing great though I put a lot of water on them.   Saturday, July 21 View Page The real surprise is the commercial field and specialty pumpkins. I have never seen so many pumpkins growing on the plants. This is some Cinderella plants   Tuesday, August 14 View Page Off the 81 Wolf plant. Right is 55 lb open, middle is 50 lb selfed, left is 45 lb open. Would much rather have one 150 pounder. All my jack o lanterns are about a month ahead of schedule including my commercials.   Saturday, August 25 View Page Open next Saturday so started picking today to get shelves stocked   Saturday, September 1 View Page Picture area at The Pumpkin Place for 2018   Saturday, September 1 View Page Entrance sign at The Pumpkin Place for 2018   Saturday, September 1 View Page Pumpkin stakes table. Stakes have been very popular the last couple of years.   Saturday, September 1 View Page Raining very hard so no customers. Plenty of time to make posts. My sister decided to take up gourd painting so she has a table at my place now.   Saturday, September 1 View Page Baby bottle gourds.   Saturday, September 1 View Page Apple gourds   Saturday, September 1 View Page Gourds on candle sticks   Friday, September 7 View Page Pumpkins ready to go to Pumpkin Festival pumpkin boat race.   Friday, September 7 View Page My shed mouser enjoying a nap on the pumpkins on a windy, rainy, dreary day.   Friday, September 7 View Page Gourd bins ready for customers if it ever quits raining.   Friday, September 7 View Page Small pumpkins table.   Friday, September 7 View Page Prize winners lining the parking lot.   Friday, September 7 View Page White pumpkins have been very popular also   Friday, September 7 View Page More stackables   Friday, September 7 View Page An AG picture. 748 uow House 2018 ( 1385 HJ x 1810 Werner). I have the fewest big orange AGs I have ever had. This was one of the few early pollinations that took and didn't abort on the early season heat and drought.   Sunday, September 9 View Page Figures-- had 211 and 162 MACKINNON plants in competition field plot so put 158.6 in commercial patch. Picked 87,84, and 81 off it today and has several more over 50 pounds on it. Meanwhile 211 & 162 have nothing that big.   Sunday, September 9 View Page 113 pound watermellon in watermellon patch. 2 pounds shy of a PB.   Tuesday, September 11 View Page 532 House 2018 ( 1044 Gansert x 575 Wolf) won the Morton Pumpkin Festival tonight (small local festival) but I feel it could have held its own in any HD competition. Amazing color and great shape. No wonder Norm wins so many HD's   Tuesday, September 11 View Page Side view so you can see its great shape.   Saturday, September 15 View Page A 470 pounder off the 823 House. Unfortunately an open pollimatio   Saturday, September 15 View Page 312 est House 2018 ( 668 Cooper x 1059 V/M). Small but pretty   Saturday, September 15 View Page A new variety this year-/ Mellow Yellow- has been very popular.   Thursday, October 4 View Page Good news my biggest pear gourd I have grown at 138.5 pounds. Bad news is I did not plant any pear gourds. So my apologies to anyone who got the 223 House bushel gourd seed as it was the mother of this pear gourd. I guess that is why we avoid open pollinated seeds.   Thursday, October 4 View Page The 532 House is on display at my pumpkin business.   Thursday, October 4 View Page The photo area at The Pumpkin Place.   Friday, October 5 View Page Doug English stopped by on his way to Anamosa   Tuesday, October 16 View Page Think I went a little overboard with the bushel gourds. Should have several over 200 lbs but won't make it to any weighoffs.   Wednesday, October 17 View Page Picked four bushel gourds. Left to right 160, 179, and 202.5.   Wednesday, October 17 View Page And 186.5. All are uow. 4 down and about 30 to go.   Friday, October 26 View Page Lost an excuse today. Couldn't grow a 1000 lber because my tractor couldn't lift it. New one can so will have to come up with a new excuse nowone   Monday, October 29 View Page New PB bushel gourd from 177 Westfall at 231 lbs.   Monday, October 29 View Page Followed shortly after by a new PB of 234 lbs off the 215 Uow House 2017 bushel gourd.   Thursday, November 8 View Page Harvested some seeds this week but nothing like I usually do. first to be harvested was the 532 House 2018 ( 1044 Gansert x 575 Wolf). looking forward to growing this one next year.   Thursday, November 8 View Page also harvested from the 341 uow House 2018 ( 975.5 Gansert x 1059 Vincent/ McGill)   Thursday, November 8 View Page I don't usually save seeds from my commercial pumpkins or gourds but a few caught my eye this year so harvested a few seeds to see what I can get next year. This is a 35 pound warted pumpkin that had great size, color, and shape.   Thursday, November 8 View Page This was an octopus shaped gourd from Goonie seeds. It was in my picture display and many people wanted to buy it but I wanted it for seeds.   Thursday, November 8 View Page This 108 pounder from Full Moon seed was one of the best ones for size, color, and shape, so I took a few seeds from it also.   Thursday, November 8 View Page 138.5 pound pear gourd will get seeds taken from it in a couple weeks.   Thursday, November 8 View Page The 742 uow House 2018 ( 1385 HJ x 1810 Werner) is another seed I will definitely plant next year.   Thursday, November 8 View Page 86.8 uow House 2018 ( 158.6 MacKinnon x 140 Martin) was one of my best shaped field pumpkinsl   Thursday, November 8 View Page Not the biggest but harvested seed from the 52.7 uow House 2018 ( 81 Wolf x 211 MacKinnon). Like the upright shape and the great genetics of this one.