Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 482 Entries. Sunday, January 3 View Page 5.55 porkchop Domingo - chugging along   Sunday, January 3 View Page 5.75 Domke big zac - smaller than the Domingo but still growing - I am guessing they are both around 30 dap   Wednesday, January 6 View Page Sad news - I went out of town for 3 days and came back to this - grow house must have been too humid for 3 days without me opening it up a couple times a day - I didn't use any fungicides either,for 2 reasons 1 I didn't think I would need to indoors (wrong!) and 2 I didn't want to spray chemicals in the house ( 3 small kids) well I'll be cutting these down soon - it is taking down more of the plant each day - learned a lot and still had fun - maybe I should start a carrot :)   Wednesday, January 6 View Page And the big zac going down too! The good news is that my wife is happy she won't have a tomato grow house in her house anymore! And it's time to go ice fishing - got a red lake/lake of the woods trip next week - west wind resort for a couple days then up to Ken-mar-Ke resort for a couple more - at least I won't have to worry about my maters the whole time :)   Saturday, January 9 View Page Well I didn't hit a pound 12.8 ounces and 12.2 ounces - plants were going down and the fruits stopped growing - I don't know if the 12.8 is considered dmg - it had early blossom end rot that I got to stop and heal over - the spot is hard as a rock - not that it really matters anyway - I lol post some picks - this is the 5.55 porkchop Domingo   Saturday, January 9 View Page 5.55 pc Domingo   Saturday, January 9 View Page Here's the rot spot - like I said it's hard as a rock but I wasn't sure if this would be considered damaged fruit   Saturday, January 9 View Page   Saturday, January 9 View Page You can see the rot stopped at the surface - dumped bone meal, Epsom salts, and ground up calcium pills I had for the fix   Saturday, January 9 View Page 5.75 Domke big zac   Saturday, January 9 View Page 5.75 Domke big zac bottom -   Saturday, January 9 View Page I think I'm in first place haha should be pretty hard to beat this one ;)   Saturday, January 9 View Page Overall had a lot of fun with growing them indoors and learned a lot about maters - I believe I had the right concept but executed poorly down the stretch - I got mega blooms to form and take - so it wasn't a complete bust -thank you to catond for organizing the challenge - best of luck to the rest of the growers I am certain there is someone sandbagging a slammer out there and I can't wait to see it   Sunday, January 17 View Page This one is for you Smallmouth. Caught this guy Friday on lake of the woods. Bite was slow with the cold front but still managed this beauty! 27" walleye - lotw had close to a foot of ice   Sunday, January 17 View Page Also caught this hog!   Sunday, January 17 View Page Gave her a hug and back in the water. I miss her already :)   Saturday, February 6 View Page Guess I'm giving this carrot thing a try. Thanks for the seeds bnot   Friday, February 26 View Page This fabulous lot of items could all be yours ice man for the 1317 Clementz. 1 11.5 oz can of arnie Palmer, a half used bottle of nasal spray, 7 mints, 1 QTip family Christmas card, 1 cran apple tea bag, 1 large can of dingy Moore stew, 1 pumpkin construction paper project hand made by my 4 year old, 1 tiny football, 1 used ticket stub for the San Diego zoo, a nail clipper, a blue ball point pen, and last but not least half of a Chapstick!!!!   Friday, March 4 View Page Carrots are about a month old. Down to one in each tube. I already have a favorite :)   Monday, March 21 View Page Decided to up pot my best carrot. Made a new pot/tube from 2 five gallon buckets. Cut the bottoms out of each bucket and used a lid for the bottom. I used the exact same premise as the smaller tubes just on a larger scale.   Monday, March 21 View Page Sorry this picture is a little blurry. I was trying to document during the surgery :) these roots are crazy - this tube is 16 inches long by 4 inches wide   Monday, March 21 View Page Putting her in her new home for the next month or so. Mix is some secret Bill Foss compost, perlite, some miracle grow garden soil, earthworm castings, bone meal, pumpkin pro, some pro mix and added some ultra fine green bro mykos at transplant - don't ask me for measurements :) oh almost forgot added a little of my new turkey poo I got at the scga meeting this weekend - I only added this to the bottom half because it smells like turkey shit :)   Monday, March 21 View Page She made it!!! I don't know if this was the right thing to do but I thought it made sense. She will go outside around the beginning of May - but now I will not be in as much of a hurry to get her out there   Friday, March 25 View Page Here's the line up for my first stab at this pumpkin thing :) less than 30 days to change my mind again and again and again....   Friday, March 25 View Page Woke up at 4 am this morning and couldn't go back to bed, so I thought I'll start some early maters... Why not...7.10 Foss big zac, 5.55 porkchop Domingo, and 6.83 fulk delicious - thank all of you gentlemen for the seeds - I'll be starting the MacCoy line up in about 5 weeks after the kins get in the ground   Friday, March 25 View Page Even got to play in the patch a little today! Got my water tank lifted up to about 5 ft, added some more wind protection (the green snow fence) and built my first hoop house! 2 more hoops to build. It's amazing how much time I have put into this hobby already and haven't even planted a seed in the ground haha but I love it!   Friday, March 25 View Page Happy Easter everyone! Another reason this hobby has ruined me .... The entire time we are dying Easter eggs with the kids all I'm thinking about is all the calcium I'll get to put in my compost pile from all the shells. :)   Sunday, March 27 View Page Got my 3rd place ribbon from Caton yesterday! My wife does not think it is as cool as I do. Lol - I have officially accepted the fact I am a gardening nerd! I am trying to decide where to hang it the family room? Living room? Bedroom?... The options are endless haha   Friday, April 1 View Page Here's my carrot MacCoy - lol   Saturday, April 2 View Page Good morning carrots! You can see the maters in the cups below. 3-3 on the 7.10 Foss, 3-3 on the 6.83 fulk and 0-3 on the 5.55 porkchop :( still hoping one pops up I really liked the Domingo plant.   Saturday, April 2 View Page And I just liked this picture. Close up of the carrot.   Saturday, April 2 View Page Got a letter in the mail today from a friend! He knows how to boost my confidence - lol - I'll try not to buddy!!!   Wednesday, April 6 View Page Text conversation between my wife and I. I will let you guys guess who is who. She is almost as excited as I am :)   Thursday, April 7 View Page Today is the start of "Operation Carrot to Ely" a friend in need lost his carrot to disease and I happened to have an extra. Through several emails and brainstorming a way to get it up to Ely, MN we found his aunt lives closes to me and I will be meeting her tonight to drop off the carrot - haha   Thursday, April 7 View Page Saying my goodbyes to Cosgrove the Carrot - that's right I named it Cosgrove   Thursday, April 7 View Page I am going to miss you Cosgrove   Thursday, April 7 View Page I am going to miss you so much!!! We could have grown huge together :(   Thursday, April 7 View Page Don't be sad Cosgrove you're going to a better place - where people know how to grow world record fruits and veggies- your new dad will take really good care of you   Thursday, April 7 View Page Enough of that - sorry - packed her up in a box all safe and snug - I put a very special message to the grower it's going to   Thursday, April 7 View Page Cosgrove the carrot got to go on its first car ride today. Had to warm up the truck this morning before he got in. It's chilly today in MN. Woke up to a dusting of snow.   Thursday, April 7 View Page Couldn't leave Cosgrove in the truck all day by himself - he would freeze to death - it's below freezing today - so I brought him in to the office and my boss has the most sunlight in her office , so where else would Cosgrove want to hang out- side note try explaining this to your boss why you brought a giant carrot into her office to hang out for the day lol   Thursday, April 7 View Page We just had a meeting about where Cosgroves the carrots roots stem from.   Thursday, April 7 View Page Cosgrove got hungry and I had to feed him lunch. Hope he doesn't get E. coli!   Thursday, April 7 View Page Long story short - the carrot exchange hit a speed bump - the receiver hit traffic and I had to pick up my kid from preschool - so went into the restaurant and had to explain to the manager that I needed to leave a giant carrot and a bag of dirt on the side of his restaurant - he said sounds good but I'm not responsible if someone steals it - lol   Thursday, April 7 View Page The exchange worked and no one stole the carrot!!! Hard to believe no one would - lol - she's out of my hands now and one her way up north! Goodbye Cosgrove I miss you already :)   Thursday, April 7 View Page All loaded for the trip! She sent me pictures to confirm she got Cosgrove! The great carrot caper is one step closer to complete!   Monday, April 11 View Page Look what I found! Got all my walking boards for the patch. Never dreamt that I would be a grown man dumpster diving for scrap wood to walk on in my giant pumpkin patch lol - this hobby makes me laugh everyday   Wednesday, April 13 View Page Making progress. Here is my view every morning from the bathroom haha it's beautiful. Front garden is for maters, the carrot, and whatever the wife wants to eat. Behind is my patch - plastic is on the hoops warming up the soil - seeds start in 98 hours 58 minutes and 23 seconds ... I'm not that excited   Wednesday, April 13 View Page I'm running out of space in the kids playroom - haha - going to have to expand ...luckily the kids like the plants   Friday, April 15 View Page Lucky number 49! Here we go!   Saturday, April 16 View Page Cables going in today - my best friend even stopped by to say hi - she wanted to roll around in the turkey poop real bad :)   Saturday, April 16 View Page One done - two to go   Saturday, April 16 View Page All 3 girls on the walking boards - daddy is so proud   Sunday, April 17 View Page Neighborhood kid stopped by and asked what I was doing... What 12 year old boy doesn't like spray painting crap :) so I put him to work - he's a good kid and hoping this will keep him and his friends from smashing my pumpkins if I let them come check stuff out and help haha   Monday, April 18 View Page In case you were wondering what the dinty moore comments are all about...Someone, who shall remain nameless, sent Porkchop a can of dinty moore stew and a pumpkin seed as a "thank you" for some seeds he received. The US postal apparently was very angry at this package and the can of stew broke open during its transit to Porkchops place - lol   Monday, April 18 View Page I am still in shock that he gave this fine can of stew to his dog, but as they say, some peoples pets eat better than humans   Monday, April 18 View Page Thanks wixom   Monday, April 18 View Page I feel like I am building my own little shanty town - just missing a burn barrel - lol   Tuesday, April 19 View Page This might be the happiest day of my life - 5 for 5 - 1 1781 Zyweic, 2 1662 Steil, and 2 1724.5 Steil were all born this morning.   Tuesday, April 19 View Page Here's all my children - it's amazing the difference in the carrots - planted the same time, fertilized the same, watered the same and the same soil - the carrot up top with the pink lights is about 3 times the size of the carrot on the floor on the bottom of the picture - also a couple maters in there the 6.83 fulk and the 7.10 Foss   Saturday, April 23 View Page My wife took this picture and sent it to our friends saying "he's officially lost it, he's out talking to his plants" ... I was just keeping them company because they were a little scared being outside for the first time ... Not sure what he big deal is honey   Saturday, April 23 View Page Hot peppers up and running - Carolina reaper, red Trinidad 7 pot and lemon yellow - thanks for seeds bubba   Saturday, April 23 View Page Cosgroves brother, Carl the Carrot, even got to see the sun for the first time... I hope Carl doesn't get to Hot :) then what would we call Carl?   Saturday, April 23 View Page I love pictures from my kids, especially pumpkin and puppy pictures :) had to share   Saturday, April 23 View Page Threw one of 1724.5 steil out in the hoop house. I am waiting until Tuesday to plant out all the others. This is practice because Ive never done this before. This will give me three days to make any mistakes before the 1781, 1662, and better looking 1724.5 go in the hoops. Soil temp 83, humidity is 64, air temp was 85. I don't know if this is right but it's where it's at haha - and I might just keep this one if all goes well - please email with any tips if you got any :)   Monday, April 25 View Page Lucky number 49! 1781 Zyweic getting tucked in with a good night snack of azos, pp, and Kemps root keeper.... It's in the cows   Monday, April 25 View Page 1781 made it in. I was going to wait until Tuesday but plans changed   Monday, April 25 View Page Welcome to the red light district.   Wednesday, April 27 View Page The 1662 Steil's - the one on the left looks good and the one on the right says I hate you world. It's weird the one on the right was my first up and fastest grower then the first true leaf curled around itself hmmmm ... I guess we will see what happens in the next week or so   Wednesday, April 27 View Page Getting cold here the next couple days - thanks for the tip LL - I think she wants to make sure her lucky number 49 the 1781 is taken care of :)   Thursday, April 28 View Page I'm new to this pumpkin growing thing and I am learning why everyone and their brother doesn't grow giant pumpkins :) nothing fun about 38 degrees raining and muddy out tucking my plants in for the night :) This is one of those days that make you appreciate the beautiful ones ....   Thursday, April 28 View Page 2 inches in the last couple days - sun has not peaked out since I moved the plants outside on Monday but sun is in the forecast tomorrow! I never imagined I would look at the weather so much with such joy and hate at the same time haha   Thursday, April 28 View Page But it turned out to be a pretty fun day - started my second round of maters 3-4.57 Maccoy bz wr producer 3-6.88 Maccoy bz 3- 5.3 Maccoy bz 3-8.41 Maccoy bz 1-7.05 porkchop bz 4-4.85 fulk zaczilla 3-5.51 porkchop Domingo 3-5.75 Domke bz I have a feeling part of my pumpkin patch might see some mater plants around the edges :)   Saturday, April 30 View Page Making the future home for Carl the carrot - seeing Cosgrove graduate to the big leagues has got me motivated - dug a big ass hole   Saturday, April 30 View Page Then made a raised bed for Carl - you didn't think I would put him in the ground like a normal carrot :) - I painted the sides white because I read somewhere the it reflects the light so that the roots will expand all the way to edge of the pot - it's 32 inches wide & long and 2 feet tall   Saturday, April 30 View Page You didn't think I was done yet did you :) after seeing wixom loose his carrot to a Little varmint last year I'm not taking any chances :)   Saturday, April 30 View Page After working all day outside I came into this!!!! What the......someone was digging in my back up carrot pot.....Who could it be???   Saturday, April 30 View Page "Allie, were you digging in daddies plant"....... Who me dad?   Saturday, April 30 View Page How could anyone be mad at her? It's my fault anyway for putting a giant pot of dirt in the kids play room and hoping that a 1 year old wouldn't touch it :) just a matter of time - I do have to add that I dressed her today ( that was a note from my wife )   Saturday, April 30 View Page Decided to pull it out - this one was about 1/3 the size of Carl and if Carl goes down there is no way this little guy would win anything ... So let's check it out - planted at the beginning of February - not much for heavy but it was over a foot long   Sunday, May 1 View Page Pumpkins got treats today!   Monday, May 2 View Page First maters up out of all The ones I planted .... I'm expecting big things MacCoy :) Can you find both of them? :)   Tuesday, May 3 View Page The race is on!!! Still don't know why all you guys waste your money on all those products....mykos, azos, fish and seaweed, humic acid, silicates, the list goes on and on....All you need is one $2 can of dinty Moore to grow a thick and hearty monster   Tuesday, May 3 View Page My early maters - the 7.10 Foss and the 6.83 Fulk - they are nice looking plants first baby blooms are starting to appear yippee!!!   Tuesday, May 3 View Page All the other children are up and running   Tuesday, May 3 View Page Excited for these little spicy Devils   Tuesday, May 3 View Page This is my 1781 :( I've been told to watch it and hope it doesn't get worse. If I have to pull it at least I know a guy that has some good back ups so the planting site wouldn't be a bust   Thursday, May 5 View Page Mr. Foss and Mr. Fulk found their final home. Get growing!   Thursday, May 5 View Page Fun story - my wife hates nature, birds, insects, dirt etc etc ....we had a robin building a nest over the front door of our house and I refused to take the best down because I knew she would be having babies soon... My wife proceeds to knock down the nest with a broom... Later that day I get this picture from my wife saying come home now and put the best back she laid an egg!!!!lol so I had to run home on my lunch break and put back the nest and put the egg in   Thursday, May 5 View Page And look who came back to lay more eggs!!!   Thursday, May 5 View Page It's been fun - the robin now has four eggs - I put a ladder there and my kids go look at the robin and eggs everyday .... My wife said she felt like a murderer, but is happy now about the robin is doing well :)   Thursday, May 5 View Page This picture is for Linus - to answer your question....I am growing a pumpkin plant and it's name is Garth. :) (sorry couldn't resist)   Saturday, May 7 View Page Up potting my little maters today - trying out the RAW line - sprinkling on some microbes - let's see how the work   Saturday, May 7 View Page Had a couple special helpers this morning- the 6.88 Maccoy bz   Saturday, May 7 View Page She even talked me into letting her spread the microbes - I love when my kids want to help   Saturday, May 7 View Page And here is the 5.30 Mac Coy 5ac..... Don't yell at me Marv I'll remember it's really a big zac :)   Saturday, May 7 View Page Sad moment today - my first bonehead move of the year - dropped the hose on the 7.10 Foss and of course it fell right on top of the main stem and snapped off the stem and the baby blooms I had going - I guess I'll try and grow out a sucker into the main   Saturday, May 7 View Page Before   Saturday, May 7 View Page After - I envy anyone with a tractor with a tiller attachment - I'm tired ha   Sunday, May 8 View Page I was really excited to try this product from my big box store - it has all sorts of goodies in it myco kelp bone meal etc but this is what I got a big bag of sticks - I was disappointed because this stuff is $12 a bag for 1.5 cubic feet - has anyone else tried this stuff and had similar results or did I just get a bad bag   Monday, May 9 View Page Well hello there little guy - this is on the 6.83 fulk   Monday, May 9 View Page And here's the secret weapon this year - the 8.41 Maccoy - when it germinated I thought it was just two seeds that were stuck together but the stems on this bad boy are fused together - I am thinking double the roots means double the weight - I am guessing this hot momma grows a 16.82lb mater this year- it's just math and science - sorry Maccoy but the world record is headed down to the twin cities :)   Wednesday, May 11 View Page Here is the seventeen hundred twenty four and a half pound Steil   Wednesday, May 11 View Page The seventeen hundred and eighty one pound Zyweic   Wednesday, May 11 View Page The sixteen sixty two Steil - down to one plant in each hoop - learning way more than I thought in only a short time - you guys are right, there is no better way to learn than actually growing one - In only 3 or 4 weeks I already have several things I will do differently next year   Monday, May 16 View Page Well I got good news and bad news.... Bad news is I went out of town for the weekend for walleye opener and had the neighbor kid take care of the plants - got down in the high 20s and both my maters died :( 7.10 Foss and 6.83 fulk are dead - he covered them with bins but it wasn't enough   Monday, May 16 View Page Now for the good news - our baby robins hatched - all four eggs - so even the one that was left of the door frame that put back in the nest made it! Woohoo   Monday, May 16 View Page More good news - caught a personal best stick this weekend - I didn't get an official weight but I would put her over 50lbs comfortably - for all you fisherman that are wondering I caught this beauty with just a jig and a minnow.... Hard to believe I know :)   Monday, May 16 View Page More good news - the pumpkins all made through the cold Minnesota weekend - they had heat lamps, soil cables and hoops so I wasn't too worried but when you have a 12 year old taking care of your plants it's a little stressful :) this is lucky number 49 my little Zyweic starting to take off now woohoo   Monday, May 16 View Page Even more good news - won at the local legion meat raffle! Looks like the kids will eat this weekend!   Monday, May 16 View Page Even more good news - I won the office golf pool - so even though I lost two great plants it was a pretty good weekend after all and all the pumpkins are alive ....also, I am a very modest winner I sent this picture to everyone in the office this morning and yes I know I have the photoshop skills of a 4 year old :)   Monday, May 16 View Page 17 twenty four point five Steil - this is my best plant so far the tendrils are over a foot long haha   Monday, May 16 View Page Here is the 1724.5 Steil starting to lay down - this is my best plant so far.... It's got plenty of nitrogen I'm told :) ...it is laying down by its self growing well etc etc ....I am glad this seed was recommended to me as a first year grower - I was told it grows itself before I planted it and had no idea what that meant ..... I now understand what he was talking about ....I didn't know there would be such a difference in the way these plants grow , boy was I wrong   Tuesday, May 17 View Page Carl's going in!   Tuesday, May 17 View Page Got about $500 worth of bacteria and fungi in this pot - lol   Tuesday, May 17 View Page The five gallon bucket pot worked awesome! I was able to do this by myself with out any issues. I would do this method again next year   Tuesday, May 17 View Page Another $500 worth sprinkled on   Tuesday, May 17 View Page Carl is all tucked in - look how happy he is   Tuesday, May 17 View Page Replaced the 7.10 Foss and 6.83 fulk with the 5.51 porkchop and the 5.58 porkchop Domingos - let's hope I don't kill these ones :)   Friday, May 20 View Page 1724.5 Steil   Friday, May 20 View Page 1662 Steil   Friday, May 20 View Page 1781 Zywiec   Friday, May 20 View Page Kira planting peas :)   Monday, May 23 View Page Storms are coming - Carl got a roof - haha   Monday, May 23 View Page I have been warned by many concerned growers about the spray damage from the farmer field next to my patch. I have worried for weeks. I was outside dinking around and a tractor stops and the farmer gets out and tells me they are going to be spraying this afternoon - we talked pumpkins for a couple minutes and I think I thanked him about 100 times - got the plants covered and all is well - it was cool - he didn't need to stop and tell me they would be spraying and my hoops would have been wide open plastic off because of the heat - this man will never know how happy I was he told me   Monday, May 23 View Page Surprisingly, my youngest has been my biggest helper. She likes to hand me clips :) - i like how she found the one small spot to stand that was notched out of the board . I grounded her for a month :)   Monday, May 23 View Page 1724.5   Tuesday, May 24 View Page 1781 Zywiec   Tuesday, May 24 View Page 1724.5 Steil did a little trimming last night - it was fun ha   Tuesday, May 24 View Page 1662 Steil - going to have to move my cold frames a bit - she's almost to the end   Tuesday, May 24 View Page The secret weapon - I am pretty sure this will be the 16.82 Q Tip in a couple months :)   Tuesday, May 24 View Page Storm rolling in - got the pumpkins covered up with about 30 seconds to spare :)   Tuesday, May 24 View Page Thank you for the kohls coupons with my order Mr. Wallace. ;) that is a mighty nice way of telling me I need some new clothes   Tuesday, May 24 View Page Here's the vine burying mix I'll be using - it will be very precise measurements of about half a bag of that, 1/3 a bag of this and an entire bag of that   Wednesday, May 25 View Page Haha - these little guys make me laugh - almost ready to fly   Wednesday, May 25 View Page It's so cute   Thursday, May 26 View Page Planted 5 yesterday - should call this the MacCoy Manor - 4.57, 5.30, 6.88 & 8.41. I will have 18 mater plants going for my first try. My theory is I will probably kill or screw most of them up. It's a numbers game really :) out of all the plants I started the 5.30 MacCoy and the 4.85 Fulk zaczilla have been the best looking plants   Friday, May 27 View Page Is it sad I am excited to sit down and go through this catalog on a Friday night? Ha   Sunday, May 29 View Page My old battle axe is pretty awesome sometimes ... I woke and she said "why don't you have a pumpkin day today out in your patch" ..... Really?!?! It was awesome and much needed got all hoops taken down, drip tape laid on the entire patch, all vines buried, wind fence up and a clean up of all the random crap that finds its way to the patch ... I had 7 coffee cups out there   Sunday, May 29 View Page Do you see it? ..... No not the bison... The manure laying around everywhere... Wonder what the zoo does with it hmmmmm.... This hobby has officially ruined me lol   Sunday, May 29 View Page Carl   Sunday, May 29 View Page Lucky number 49 - 1781   Sunday, May 29 View Page Finally got all the mater in - final total is 21 plants but 6 found their way to the edge of the pumpkin patch - I couldn't just throw them away :)   Sunday, May 29 View Page Sorry ladies...already taken.... Lol... The dad life ...if you haven't seen this music video and you're a dad you need to watch this... And yup that's socks with flip flops, knee pads, dad shorts, and gloves haha https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DOKuSQIJlog   Sunday, May 29 View Page I am thinking this is a new grower thing but it takes me about 3 days to decide to cut off a nice big leaf- this one was on the ground and starting to get funky, it had to go, but then I start thinking... It's still pretty good looking, it was one of the first leaves and it helped get us where we are now etc etc ....god I have no idea how I am going to cull down to one pumpkin if I get this attached to a leaf lol ... Ps I tell everyone I have 2 foot leaves, I'm a fisherman ;)   Monday, May 30 View Page This ones for you porkchop - it's smaller than a pea but you can already tell it's going to be a mega bloom on the 5.51!!!! Woohoo   Monday, May 30 View Page Here's the maters I couldn't throw away - they found there way to edge of the pumpkin patch - these will get minimal attention until I see something sweet on one :) 3 4.85 fulk zaczilla, 6.88 Maccoy, 4.57 Maccoy, & a 5.30 Maccoy bz   Tuesday, May 31 View Page 1724.5 Steil   Tuesday, May 31 View Page 1662 Steil   Tuesday, May 31 View Page 1781 Zywiec lucky number 49 - she is my favorite at the moment   Friday, June 3 View Page Another text conversation between my wife and I - at least she didn't tell me to go fly a kite like someone I know ;)   Friday, June 3 View Page Only been waiting about 6 hours .... Nothing yet but I'm still hopeful ... Maybe I missed it from the glare on the window   Friday, June 3 View Page Alright mr Dunkel lets see what you're made of - sprayed all my maters after sun down   Friday, June 3 View Page And look who was hanging out with the maters today.... It's the baby robin I saved off the window sill. Don't ask me how I know it's that one - I just know alright :)   Friday, June 3 View Page Little action starting up on the 8.41 Maccoy - I can't wait!!!   Friday, June 3 View Page 5.51 porkchop Domingo - I'm telling ya mr. Marley this one is gonna be a slammer ;)   Friday, June 3 View Page 1724.5 Steil   Friday, June 3 View Page 1662 Steil - stupid birds quit crapping on my leaves   Friday, June 3 View Page 1781 - over 8 ft now and haven't measured the secondaries but I would guess 4 or 5 feet on the largest ones   Friday, June 3 View Page Tear :( .....only 7ft out on the 1781 - I don't know how you guys do this haha   Tuesday, June 7 View Page Go get your vittles!   Tuesday, June 7 View Page Mega bloom! It looks like 5 or 6 stems fused together - not sure if that's how you tell or not but it looks cool either way   Tuesday, June 7 View Page 1662 Steil has a baby that will fall at 11 or 12 feet - I know it's kind of close but I will be pollinating this little sweetheart - this will be my first pollination ever - you always remember your first :)   Wednesday, June 8 View Page 1781 LL - just past 10 ft   Wednesday, June 8 View Page 1724.5 Steil looks healthy to me, must be the dinty Moore - just hit 10 ft today   Wednesday, June 8 View Page 1662 Steil - long and leggy just like me ha - just about 12 ft long   Friday, June 10 View Page This is the 4.85 fulk zaczilla - these are my best looking plants for sure - let's hope they grow fruit as well as plant - looks like a decent one coming in - thanks for the seeds obie1   Friday, June 10 View Page These are the bastard children that found their way to edge of the patch - they are starting to take off   Friday, June 10 View Page Once again this hobby makes me laugh - supposed to be in the 90s for the next couple days so I am covering vine tips with some shade cloth - lol   Friday, June 10 View Page It might be early yet but I see some yellow.... I'm going in!!!!   Friday, June 10 View Page My wife says I am spoiling one of the mater plants.... Not sure what she is talking about   Friday, June 10 View Page Hot Carl - it's in the 90's here today   Friday, June 10 View Page Other side of hot Carl   Saturday, June 11 View Page Lol - cleaned out my supply closet - I can only imagine how much stuff a veteran grower has accumulated over the years   Saturday, June 11 View Page Roots in my 1781 are just popping right out of the ground under the canopy - I was told it's good so I'm going with that!   Saturday, June 11 View Page He's paying me back for saving his life - catching all sorts of bugs for me - just stay away from my worms!   Sunday, June 12 View Page Got a hot date in the morning with this sexy little lady on the 1662 Steil - I probably won't be able sleep tonight from all the excitement   Sunday, June 12 View Page Lucky number 49 - 1781 LL still my fav - I am sure that could change once the pumpkins start growing :)   Sunday, June 12 View Page The 1662 Steil - my long and leggy friend - pollinating one tomorrow around 12 feet and another should be ready at about 14 in 5 or 6 days - this is so fun!!! Ps - my shanty town keeps getting better and better :)   Sunday, June 12 View Page 1724.5 Steil - looking good - this plant has the best protection from fencing - the large tan fence is on the west side and it shows in the leaves - this plants is awesome - nice thick vines and almost growing itself   Sunday, June 12 View Page These are my first blossoms on the "slammer" they look the same as big zac blossoms to me but I'm a rookie - you decide :)   Sunday, June 12 View Page My nose hairs are longer than ever but my suckers and tiny blossoms are all gone.... This is my favorite mater tool by far haha   Monday, June 13 View Page It's a ménage a trois kinda morning - using the 1724.5 to pollinate this one   Monday, June 13 View Page Here she is - 5 lober - little white thingy around the bottom but the deed is done - I can officially start using the "DAP" abbreviation ...woohoo I feel like a real pumpkin grower now   Monday, June 13 View Page This post is for you Nana Rea .... Another laughable moment...is it normal to run home on your lunch break, skip eating, grab your electric tooth brush you have charging in your kitchen, go into your garden in dress clothes, shake your mega blooms with a electric tooth brush, and then take upside down underneath photos of your favorite bloom so you can get a little better look at it???? This hobby makes me laugh everyday   Tuesday, June 14 View Page 1 DAP - 6.85 OTT - lol - also my pumpkins only grow only on nice flooring - how can you barbarians grow your pumpkins on dirt and sand   Thursday, June 16 View Page Found this little fella in the garbage can - these tree frogs are so cool - and for the record that tree frog is HUGE making my arm look really tiny.....okay fine, I have tiny arms   Thursday, June 16 View Page Who's that creepy guy in the background.....open up you little turd it's been a couple days on this guy now   Thursday, June 16 View Page This is my second pollination on the 1662 Steil - this one is at 14ft   Thursday, June 16 View Page 1662 Steil - 3 DAP - 7.43 OTT - nice gains - averaging right around 50lbs a day so far   Friday, June 17 View Page 1781 LL - I have learned plants are a lot like people - they look way better looking in a little dimmer light :)   Friday, June 17 View Page 1724.5 MNFisher - should be setting the first one around Sunday or Monday   Friday, June 17 View Page 1662 MNFisher - starting to term vines on both the 1662 and 1724   Friday, June 17 View Page Looks like a decent one on the Slammer plant   Friday, June 17 View Page A leaf on the 5.51 Porkchop Domingo - haha   Sunday, June 19 View Page Happy Father's Day! I'm a lucky man. Believe it or not the fart line is a compliment :)   Sunday, June 19 View Page Patch shot 1781 in front - this plant has done the best with the high winds and heat we have had lately - the 1724 and 1662 are a lot more beat up - I don't like wind   Monday, June 20 View Page This leaf sums up my weekend pretty well - steady 20+mph wind for an entire day, then high 90's heat, then a hail storm to end the weekend - it's amazing how quickly your plants can go from beautiful to ugly - don't worry though I am her father and tell her she's pretty no matter what   Monday, June 20 View Page Made love to this sweet little lady this morning on the 1724.5 Steil she's not prettiest thing in the world but neither am I. Crossed with the 1781   Monday, June 20 View Page Forgot to add this one - last nights storm took out my main vine on the 1662 Steil - don't know if it was the wind, hail or both - it should be fine it is about 5 or 6 feet past my fruit set and I'll train a secondary for my new main   Tuesday, June 21 View Page The 1781 pollinated this am with the 1724.5 Steil - I have at least one pollinated on each plant -- 1662 Steil 6/13 11ft & 6/16 14ft -- 1724.5 Steil 6/20 12ft-ish --- 1781 Zyweic 6/21 14ft-ish --- Have one more on the 1724 and 1781 yet to pollinate   Wednesday, June 22 View Page Here's Kira and the 1662 Steil - this is her pumpkin so she gets to name her - each one of the girls gets a pumpkin this year - you're are looking at "Rainbow Scotch" 8 DAP - what a pretty name haha   Wednesday, June 22 View Page Here's a close up of rainbow scotch last night - she got one little hail mark on Sunday - will be fun to watch it grow   Thursday, June 23 View Page No more than one large can a day. More stew isn't always better. Follow the nutrition facts for a hearty beast of a pumpkin. 10 DAP   Thursday, June 23 View Page What do we have here....hmmmmm....as a guy I know would say - joy joy joy joy joy...on the 5.30 master p - I decided to top this one before waiting 10 days - i will probably regret it. I am trying different methods this year I have plenty of plants to play with so what the hell why not :)   Thursday, June 23 View Page This might not be a new piece of advice but for all you parents of young children these little medicine tubes work awesome for measuring those teaspoon doses of product that you need out of a large jug. Just pour a tiny bit in a Dixie cup and suck her up and squirt her out - pour what you don't use back in to the jug   Thursday, June 23 View Page And then there was one... I never thought I'd be able to do it. All in on the 1662 Steil aka Rainbow Scotch   Friday, June 24 View Page Here is the one on the 5.51 porkchop that I was excited about - doesn't look like the middle took or is going to be connected - I will give a couple more days to see if it is connected - if not off it goes - oh well on to the next one :)   Friday, June 24 View Page Don't feel bad bnot - Kira pulled out Carl the carrot tonight - didn't quite make it to 20lbs   Friday, June 24 View Page Finally had some extra time to spend on the bastard tomato patch - removed a couple small suckers   Friday, June 24 View Page Play doh date - didn't even know I had a pumpkin cookie cuter until now - you're never to old for play doh   Friday, June 24 View Page 1724.5 Steil 4 dap - perfectly round - getting excited about this one   Saturday, June 25 View Page You guys waste your money on those fancy misting systems - just pay your kid a couple dollars to give the tips a little shower every 15 minutes :)   Saturday, June 25 View Page If you're ever bored or tired or just want to get your heart rate up a little just let a 2 year old walk around in your mater patch :) she's about as graceful as a drunk college kid   Saturday, June 25 View Page Plants are about 2 year old height   Saturday, June 25 View Page "Allie, where's your button?!?"   Saturday, June 25 View Page There it is!!!!   Saturday, June 25 View Page #2 5.30 Maccoy   Saturday, June 25 View Page #1 5.30 Maccoy   Saturday, June 25 View Page This might be the best statue I have ever found lol - lucky # 49   Saturday, June 25 View Page That's a good girl Rainbow Scotch keep eating your stew   Monday, June 27 View Page Don't judge - i was sad about killing Mr. Foss and Mr. Fulk earlier this year (frost) so I decide to start some late weigh off plants - might be too late - also didn't hurt seeing frank and Tina hit a nice one on the 6.16 Foss :)   Monday, June 27 View Page Here you go Porkchop - Pumpkin update - I had to cull this one today on rainbow scotch - I didn't like the shape - I guess i will try and grow one on one of the secondaries   Monday, June 27 View Page and here's the mater update Porkchop - This one is off the 4.57 MacCoy - I had to cull this one today too - I dont think i will bother to weigh it because i am kind of busy today - it was a hard decision but i got a better one going   Monday, June 27 View Page Alright - here's rainbow scotch 14 days old   Monday, June 27 View Page 1724.5 Steil   Monday, June 27 View Page It's connected! I am so excited! Glad I didn't cut this baby off ....it's got a face only a mother could love. 5.51 Domingo - I don't know why I'm so excited I don't really have any comparison other than diaries on bp - it just feels like it's gonna be a good one :) I'm probably so wrong haha   Tuesday, June 28 View Page I was advised by my counsel to cull my fruit on 1781 at 15ft - you can see the shape is off - the right side is larger than the left - the left side of blossom doesn't seem to be forming - it was hard to do but she is gone   Tuesday, June 28 View Page But here's the backup now and now the number 1 - 17ft perfect 5 lober and seems to be growing - fingers crossed I don't have any others set in this plant but the next one on the main would be over 20ft out - I really hope this is the one!   Tuesday, June 28 View Page 1781 LL   Tuesday, June 28 View Page 1724.5 Steil   Tuesday, June 28 View Page 1662 Steil   Thursday, June 30 View Page I'm not sure but I think it might be time for a bigger shade cloth - 17 dap for rainbow scotch 1662 Steil   Thursday, June 30 View Page Mater patch starting to show signs of the slammer syndrome :) got a couple I'm excited about   Thursday, June 30 View Page 10 dap this is the one on the 1724.5 Steil - it's so round   Thursday, June 30 View Page 5.30 #1   Thursday, June 30 View Page 5.30 #2 - named this one Tammy   Thursday, June 30 View Page 5.51 porkchop - every time I lift up the shade cloth to look at this one I laugh... It's so ugly - still growing   Thursday, June 30 View Page I can't remember who said to use your kids as the models because they make your fruit look huge, but I am stealing that idea :) here is Kira and her pumpkin rainbow scotch 17 dap   Saturday, July 2 View Page Spy tour ....guess where I went today to get some supplies...you guys know any growers out in Richmond?   Saturday, July 2 View Page Recognize this guy? I think he likes to fish in Minnesota. This guy has been holding my hand growing pumpkins. Pretty sure he has saved me about 48 sleepless nights in the last 50 days. Thanks Scott .... And it's a good thing he is a patient man I probably ask him 10 questions a day no joke :)   Saturday, July 2 View Page It's about oatmeal cream pie size :) who eats a oatmeal cream pie in the garden lol I'm special   Sunday, July 3 View Page Rainbow scotch - 1662 Steil - 166 OTT at 20 DAP this morning....to say I get excited looking at her every morning would be an understatement   Thursday, July 7 View Page Here's Kira and rainbow scotch on day 22 - this was taken on Tuesday couple days behind :)   Thursday, July 7 View Page This is Dave in the 5.51 pc Domingo   Thursday, July 7 View Page And introducing "Boo" and Belle. This is Belles pumpkin she named Boo - this is the 1724.5 Steil on day 17 - I have to put wheel chocks on the sides to prevent this one from rolling away   Thursday, July 7 View Page Howdy Carl   Thursday, July 7 View Page I might get my first glance at Carl soon the soil is really starting to mound up - is only been about 5 months since he was planted - are carrots male or female or like worms???? Now one knows - science has yet to explain the carrot sex phenomenon   Thursday, July 7 View Page And another angle   Thursday, July 7 View Page So close Porkchop! Another couple days and I should be able to set one at the right height!   Thursday, July 7 View Page Here's Tammy - 5.30 - I think it's a little over 2 weeks since pollination - I measured it at 14 inches   Thursday, July 7 View Page This was my best photo after about 50 tries to get all three to look at the camera and smile - lol - just like their dad   Thursday, July 7 View Page Carolina reapers - I think they look good never grown them - thanks again for the seeds bubba   Thursday, July 7 View Page Here's my slammer I got shaking - not too impressed yet but maybe she'll take off soon   Sunday, July 10 View Page 1662 Steil - day 27 - cc112 ee70 ss66 = 248 OTT - est 342 lbs - hehehe wheeeee and it was too bright to open her eyes :)   Sunday, July 10 View Page Side angle of rainbow scotch   Sunday, July 10 View Page Day 20 for the 1724.5 Steil "boo" cc77 ee57 ss56 = 187 OTT - est 151lbs ....starting to take off   Sunday, July 10 View Page Decisions were made - I don't like this part of growing tomatoes :)   Sunday, July 10 View Page 1781 LL :) - plant looks great pumpkin has seen better days - blossom had a little rot and had to be cut off and me or the wife bumped the pumpkin when we were moving it - I'll let you guess who - it's just starting to put on some pounds - day 15 42cc will take the full OTT on day 20 (did that sound believable, like I don't measure these pumpkins everyday)   Tuesday, July 12 View Page Alright I'm done sandbagging porkchop - slammers are getting so big the plants are falling over!!!   Tuesday, July 12 View Page Or maybe it was the 50+ mph winds and the base of the stake being a knot ....these thunderstorms are getting real old   Tuesday, July 12 View Page Here's my bad news - ber on the Domingo - I don't know what it is about these Domingos but my indoor one did it too - I have got it to stop and hoping it scabs over and drys like the last one - I can't cut this baby off I am too attached haha - and yes I know what causes ber and please trust me when I say I took precautions to make sure this didn't happen and it still did - this plant is grow in a mix of ocean forest added bone meal to planting sites sprayed with Dunkels 3 times and still ber - poor watering I guess   Tuesday, July 12 View Page 5.30 #1 not at 20 inches yet   Tuesday, July 12 View Page Tammy - 5.30 #2 not at 20 inches yet - I have done the same feeding, soil, watering program for all my maters and no BER on any other maters - porker why do the Domingos hate Minnesota? I'll have a talk with her tonight   Tuesday, July 12 View Page Whoops here's the 5.30 #2 Tammy not at 20 inches yet either   Tuesday, July 12 View Page Never had one of these - maybe it will be magical   Tuesday, July 12 View Page Here's the BER aftermath from the winter challenge - there are no soft spots and the rot had stopped and healed over - you can see the green from new growth coming through as well - my question for my fellow growers - would this be considered a damaged fruit? Just need to know as my Domingo is having the same issue   Tuesday, July 12 View Page Thanks Gary aka gmay! Will try these next year or this winter.   Tuesday, July 12 View Page Rainbow scotch is all grown up - day 30 is tomorrow will measure in the morning with the adult tape measure   Tuesday, July 12 View Page Here is secret weapon with the two stems that were fused together on the 8.41 Maccoy - this one needs to be 16.82lbs to hit my goal for it - I would guess it's about 1/8 there ha   Wednesday, July 13 View Page Cut off the Domingo twins this morning - this was hard to do but was told to be patient at wait for the right height ;)   Wednesday, July 13 View Page Day 30 today for Rainbow Scotch - measuring 269 OTT this am - I take all my OTT measurements the same time everyday between 6 to 6:30am - it's a great way to start your morning   Wednesday, July 13 View Page The top - 1662 Steil - I didn't have my model this morning because she was sleeping so I threw a baseball in there - don't ask me where I got a baseball I haven't played in roughly 14 years haha   Wednesday, July 13 View Page Rainbow scotch and Kira day 30 - got my models out in the patch   Wednesday, July 13 View Page Belle and Boo - day 23 - this one is getting big fast :)   Friday, July 15 View Page Day 20 for the 1781 LL - 162 OTT - this is my smallest day 20 OTT but something tells me she will lap the field   Saturday, July 16 View Page 1662 Steil - day 33 - est 533lbs wheeeeeee grow grow grow - I went 3 whole days without measuring lol   Saturday, July 16 View Page 1724.5 Steil - 26 days - est 388lbs - I love growing these things   Saturday, July 16 View Page And introducing Garth - this is the 1781 Zyweic and Allie - my wife named this one for Allie - est 123 lbs on day 21   Saturday, July 16 View Page Thinking about starting drugs as my new hobby - I think it would be cheaper   Saturday, July 16 View Page Always exciting when my carrots turn out and don't look like a tuna can!   Sunday, July 17 View Page Found this on one of my mater plants this morning - is this bacteria speck or something else?   Sunday, July 17 View Page My grandpa always said "it ain't gay if you're on top" lol - I never knew these things where this damn expensive!   Sunday, July 17 View Page I threw in a hammer and some duct tape to eliminate any confusion ha   Sunday, July 17 View Page What's your address Donkin? I got a shirt to send you....   Sunday, July 17 View Page We had a problem with Rainbow Scotch - needed to move her - to say I was nervous would be an understatement   Sunday, July 17 View Page Here's the moving crew! A little tug of war pull with a tow strap and she moved   Sunday, July 17 View Page Woohoo all better   Sunday, July 17 View Page First jalapeños out of the garden - I have a special variety that come out stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon .....should I give her one ;)   Tuesday, July 19 View Page Here's Boo - 283ott day 29 - I was hoping she'd hit 300ott by day 30 but it looks like she'll fall in the 290's which is still awesome! She is fast approaching rainbow scotch I am guessing she will pass her by in the next couple days - she's been averaging 40lbs a day for the last 8 days   Tuesday, July 19 View Page Here's Boo's plant - she's taken some abuse from the wind and storms but overall i think it looks pretty good   Tuesday, July 19 View Page Here's a good one on the 5.75 Domke - I really like this one - it's no kraken though :)   Wednesday, July 20 View Page Haha it's so ugly - taped 21 inches on the biggest spot but I'm sure with this weird shape I'm missing weight in there somewhere   Wednesday, July 20 View Page The patch   Wednesday, July 20 View Page New personal best! 1.57lbs lol beat my indoor tomato challenge mater from this guy I culled today on the 5.75 Domke - going all in on the 3 banger I posted a couple days ago - but technically it is my personal best :)   Thursday, July 21 View Page Thought this was a cool picture for the mater heads out there - this is the one I kept and decided to cull the last post   Friday, July 22 View Page Went with the 2 ton model instead of the 1 ton - a boy can dream can't he? :)   Friday, July 22 View Page Damn! All this heat we are having caused mr ugly to flash - she's taping 22 inches on day "I have no idea" - was hoping for 4lbs but I've been told by Sir Porker of Chop that I need 24 for a 4 lber with the Domingo variety ... Maybe she'll weigh heavy - will know in a couple days   Friday, July 22 View Page Crack kills rainbow scotch, crack kills.   Saturday, July 23 View Page We just got a flash flood warning - rainbow scotch might float away - she's at the low spot in the patch - poor girl - kinda looks like I brought her to the beach today   Saturday, July 23 View Page Seriously - Who brought the goat?   Saturday, July 23 View Page Once again this hobby makes me laugh - this might be the dumbest or smartest thing I've done this year :)   Saturday, July 23 View Page Haha - shitter was full!   Saturday, July 23 View Page At least I shouldn't have to water for the rest of the year - fingers crossed they don't blow or shutdown - I'm sure one of the two will happen   Saturday, July 23 View Page As most people call him, the weather liar called for some spotty showers and sun today - it was cloudy all day and we got almost 5 inches of rain in a couple hours :/   Monday, July 25 View Page MacCoy taught me his secret pruning method - the secret is out now Dan sorry   Monday, July 25 View Page New personal best 2.92 QTip haha - not gonna lie, I'm a little disappointed - was hoping for maybe 4 and it didn't even hit 3lbs - - lol - my wife thought it was pretty funny though   Monday, July 25 View Page Here's the tape - these do go light - bigger things in the hopper though - more maters to come   Monday, July 25 View Page Sure looks big when she holds it - ha   Tuesday, July 26 View Page Finally got our first diner plate dahlia bloom - wife loves it - these things are pretty cool and literally I've done nothing but water them occasionally- thanks for the recommendation porkchop   Thursday, July 28 View Page Decisions decisions - got to go down to one here - the 5.30 MacCoy is living up to the hype   Thursday, July 28 View Page My best wixom slammer   Thursday, July 28 View Page Here's the slammer with the tape on her - The trick is to touch them a lot - taping 19ish - I would guess she has a couple days left but no idea really - next I will try and pay attention to pollination dates for these things   Friday, July 29 View Page Patch shot - if I add up these three weights I am still only at half of what SoCal's monster is throwing up - don't f it up SoCal ;) - all pumpkins in the patch are taping over one hundred pounds :)   Saturday, July 30 View Page Day 35 - Garth and Allie - Allie was loving the photo opp   Saturday, July 30 View Page Kira and rainbow scotch - day 47   Saturday, July 30 View Page Belle and Boo - day 40 - all pumpkins are taping over 150 OTT and estimated weight is over one hundred pounds on each!!!!   Saturday, July 30 View Page Here's the Foss-Fulk row - it's first truss or bust for these - timing is going to either be perfect for a weigh off or too short - we will see!   Saturday, July 30 View Page So depressing when you get down on your hands and knees to peek at her and you see a little pink :( she's taping 22 so maybe 4lbs - it seems to be a solid shape though - so maybe heavy?   Saturday, July 30 View Page And of course .... My largest taping mater is in the bastard patch and one of the ugliest plants ...here's the plant - I told you it was ugly but there's a chubby little mater hiding in there - on the 6.88 MacCoy   Sunday, July 31 View Page 3.35 Off the 5.30 Maccoy - taped 22 at largest spot - once again thought it would be heavier but I got a couple bigger ones in the hoper .... More to come   Sunday, July 31 View Page It made me feel better when she said "too heavy daddy" :) - still a personal best so can't be too sad - 3.35 Qualley   Sunday, July 31 View Page Buddy of mine made this - he thought Boo looked sad - it made me laugh he was kinda right   Monday, August 1 View Page Third attempt at breaking the 4lb mark - this one is off the secret 8.41 MacCoy with the 2 fused stems - you think it will hit the 16.42lb mark like I wanted??? Looks big....this is the game my wife plays covering the scale and laughing while I squirm ... She knows how bad I want a big mater and she could care less - she thinks it's hilarious when I come up short - some much love haha   Monday, August 1 View Page 3.39!!! Missed it again!!! Still more to come in the next couple days - I do have a pretty good idea of what a 3 pound mater looks like now so I got that going for me ..... Which is nice   Thursday, August 4 View Page Annnnnndddd another 3lb mater - 3.72lbs off the 5.30 MacCoy - ehhhh so close - still another personal best though   Thursday, August 4 View Page Here we go - this one taped at 23 so it has to be over 4lbs right!?!? Nope - anooooother 3lb mater - the 3.82 Qualley off the 6.88 MacCoy - I thought for sure this one would do it - still got a bigger one that is still green just hit 24 inches - I will get official weight once I get one over 4 - if that ever happens lol   Thursday, August 4 View Page These things are massive to me - I can only imagine what the 8.41 looked like in person - these aren't even 4lbs and feel like they look like world records haha   Thursday, August 4 View Page This is my first wixom slammer entry - DMG - came in it just over 3 pounds but I think I might of hit it a little too hard with the liquid potash haha- I didn't know you could blow these babies his bad haha   Thursday, August 4 View Page Here it is on the scale 3.1lbs dmg was trying to get some more out of this one and blew her up haha - it's a learning year - I might have to change my user name from QTip to 3lbMater   Friday, August 5 View Page Here's my first entry for the "slammer" contest - this one is off the wixom "slammer" 3.08 Qualley - and who would have guessed it, another 3lb mater - got one more slammer going hoping it gets bigger - I figure this one could win it all if everyone's plants all of a sudden die :) you never know ha   Friday, August 5 View Page Here's the bottom side of the 3.08 wixom "slammer"   Friday, August 5 View Page My pumpkins growing a foopa! Kinda sexy though - I like the bigger girls   Monday, August 8 View Page Here goes nothing - picked my biggest one today - I sprayed some liquid potash on the pumpkins near her and was worried she'd blow - so off she went   Monday, August 8 View Page A pick of her underbelly   Monday, August 8 View Page Finally woohoo!!!! 4.62 lbs!!! Off the 6.88 MacCoy!!! I almost cried.....Measured 24inches   Monday, August 8 View Page For all you people that like it official out there :)   Monday, August 8 View Page Bringing her around with me everywhere I'm going today - lol - they grow up so fast   Monday, August 8 View Page Hehe   Monday, August 8 View Page Don't tell the other kids but this is why this one is my favorite - she brings over a mater I picked a couple days ago and takes a big bite out of it lol - daddy is so proud   Tuesday, August 9 View Page Good news picked another 4lber this morning - also was really happy to find out my home scale is very close to the certified scale - this one was off the 4.57 MacCoy bz   Tuesday, August 9 View Page Here's my babies the 4.06 & 4.62. Still got one on the line that I really hope hits 5.   Tuesday, August 9 View Page And now for the bad news - my 1781 started leaking on Saturday - I drilled a hole in it to relieve the pressure and drain it but it is still leaking - I've been told I need to preform open stump surgery tonight to save her - I'm so nervous haha   Tuesday, August 9 View Page 1724.5 Steil - Day 50 - I talk to this one the most   Tuesday, August 9 View Page 1662 Steil - ohhhh rainbow scotch   Tuesday, August 9 View Page 1781 Zyweic - Allie loves the camera haha - all the pumpkins are taping over 1000 pounds woohoo   Tuesday, August 9 View Page Here's a picture of the pumpkin jizz that came out of the stump over night - I thought a pervert was sneaking into the patch and rubbing one out on my stump at first but then I figured out its just leaking   Tuesday, August 9 View Page Alright - time to grow a pair and try to save Garth - prepping for surgery - peroxide, sulfur, butter knife, utility knife, spoon, scalpel and a roll of gauze (or paper towel)   Tuesday, August 9 View Page Before   Tuesday, August 9 View Page Make a small incision - remove foreign matter - spray with peroxide solution - watch peroxide bubble up and kill all the nasties in your stump - keep going until the rot is gone - the white foam is from the peroxide not the foaming stump - I had jizz not foam haha   Tuesday, August 9 View Page Stuff the gauze into remove as much blood as you can   Tuesday, August 9 View Page All done good as new lol - thanks Zappa for the photo you posted a couple days ago - it gave me a pretty good idea of what to do - I'm sure the gains should pick up tonight :)   Thursday, August 11 View Page Picked another one this morning off the 4.57 MacCoy - 4.28!!! Pretty excited my goal is still a 5lber but so far I have a 4.62, 4.28, 4.06 and about 17 3lbers :) ... Fingers crossed on my next one she is my last shot at 5lbs on the early tomatoes   Thursday, August 11 View Page And here's her underbelly   Thursday, August 11 View Page Here's for the "Chris vs Chris" challenge haha - so cal's going down my friends - and yes I know there is speck on the plant :) - Do I get to guess MacCoy?   Sunday, August 14 View Page Kids are starting to get pissed - dads been draining their sandbox - ha   Sunday, August 14 View Page Boo is eating itself...   Sunday, August 14 View Page Don't touch the pumpkin!!!! Almost kicked'em both out of the patch....only three cookies for bed snack instead of 4 ... I know I know I'm a mean parent but you got to be tough on them ..... Oh and this the 1781 still growing since the open stump surgery   Sunday, August 14 View Page Rainbow scotch starting to get a little orange in it - I can see why people grow the orange ones - this one has a couple faint orange steaks and I think it's awesome ....and 2 of my normal models are at grandma and grandpas for the week woohoo only 1 kid for a week!! the wife won't yell at me so much for playing with my dingy in the patch   Sunday, August 14 View Page Boo is Getting bigger :) 1724.5 Steil and did anyone want a picture of the mater with a tape on it? That would really help in guessing wouldn't it .....okay here you go   Sunday, August 14 View Page Sorry I don't have any pictures with a tape on it but I do have a picture of my birthday present I just got - best gift I have ever received! Handipug - please feel free to insert any joke about a handi here   Monday, August 15 View Page Off to the scales....don't judge me lol   Monday, August 15 View Page Does that look like a 4lb smile or a 5lb smile? We will know shortly,.....   Monday, August 15 View Page Here she be!!! 5.22 Qualley BZ open - grown off the 8.41 MacCoy BZ - woohoo- this is probably the best day of my life   Monday, August 15 View Page For all you people that like it official :) - I better beat that so cal suffer guy!   Wednesday, August 17 View Page Okay I lied I got one more with 5lb potential - this is the 5.58 porkchop Domingo set at just under nipple height - just flashed   Wednesday, August 17 View Page Hoping she hits 26" by the time I pick her in about 4 or 5 days - I know these go light so fingers crossed - wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!   Thursday, August 18 View Page My butthole hurts just looking at these things - couple starting to get some color - I go back and forth all the time whether or not I'm going to try one   Thursday, August 18 View Page Watch out Linus!!!! Rainbow Scotch is starting to get puuurrrdy ;) she decided to stop getting bigger and start getting pretty - wish my wife would do the same (she would kill me if she read that lol)   Thursday, August 18 View Page Here's the stem on big momma boo - everything looks good for now ... I think ha   Thursday, August 18 View Page Couldn't get anything great going on the zaczillas - this was best just under 3lbs off the 4.85 fulk - the plants were nice, the blossoms were nice but i just couldn't get any of them to take off - thanks for seeds though Obie   Friday, August 19 View Page I used to like Mother Nature - now I'm learning she's just a cranky old b!tch   Friday, August 19 View Page So the storm also blew my Carolina reaper plants right in half - do any of you hot pepper guys know if these are still good? I know they aren't mature but can I dehydrated them and grind them up or something? Looking for ideas please send me an email with ideas of what I can do with these bad boys! Thank you!   Monday, August 22 View Page Needed a break from the patch - off to my folks lake place we went - little lakeside hammock bonfire was much needed - cool weather high was 60 degrees and got down 49 at night - I don't know how you grow up in the northland MacCoy :)   Monday, August 22 View Page My pumpkin models didn't let the cold weather stop'em - yes they are in jackets and pants in the lake - mom was not happy with dad :) - although when the air gets cold up here the lake feels like a hot tub   Monday, August 22 View Page Alright Mother Nature - I guess you're okay - found this hollowed out heart shaped stump on a walk about in the woods - the girls loved it   Monday, August 22 View Page Back to the patch - hehe big momma boo is still growing :)   Monday, August 22 View Page So is the Domingo - taping over 26 now - as porker would say "slammmmmer!!!!!"   Monday, August 22 View Page Carl the carrot is getting lonely - down to my last competition mater plant and cleaned out most of the edibles already - the ten extra plants I planted all got the bacteria speck and won't set a fruit so they are gone :(   Monday, August 22 View Page These dahlias are really cool   Tuesday, August 23 View Page Picked my last mater today - largest I've taped this year but it's a Domingo :/ - feels heavy though   Tuesday, August 23 View Page It's about head size - my coworkers love it when I make them take pictures of me holding my maters lol   Tuesday, August 23 View Page Yipppeeeeee!!!! New personal best - 5.59 Qualley grown off the 5.58 porkchop Domingo - thanks for the seeds and tips mr. Porkchop - I would've never grown this one at nipple height if it wasn't for you lol- sad day though too the maters are done for the year - not a bad rookie year though!   Thursday, August 25 View Page Carl - still growing - wish I had an ultrasound machine   Thursday, August 25 View Page Rainbow scotch 1662 Steil - counting down the days until weigh offs poor girl - plant looks terrible that what happens when you grow in a swamp - I would highly recommend not growing in a swamp lol   Thursday, August 25 View Page Garth aka drew brees aka lucky number 49 aka LL aka 1781 - still growing after her stump surgery - also had a virus scare and removed a secondary ...... Weigh offs coming soon? :)   Thursday, August 25 View Page Big momma boo aka boo aka fupa aka man of Steil aka 1724.5 Steil day 66 and still inching along   Thursday, August 25 View Page Kisses haha   Thursday, August 25 View Page Plant took a beating and hasn't responded like I hoped - need some sun and warm weather!   Thursday, August 25 View Page Sh!t's getting real people....   Thursday, August 25 View Page My wife told me they went to tomato heaven.....LIAR!!!!!   Saturday, August 27 View Page We're gonna pop some tags - only got $20 in our pocket - we're hunting looking for a come up - this is F-ing awesome!!!!! Allie and I need some weigh off outfits and my pumpkins were starting to get cold....   Saturday, August 27 View Page Good color Allie but remember we both don't wear hats....I like where your heads at though   Saturday, August 27 View Page Better, warmer, closer....   Saturday, August 27 View Page Hmmmm I do like the moose Allie but we need something a little more festive I think.... Let's keep looking   Saturday, August 27 View Page Wow!!! They got tomato hammocks on the cheap here!!!   Saturday, August 27 View Page Hmmmm kinda spendy for a sleeping bag for a pumpkin....   Saturday, August 27 View Page We found it and only 99 cents!!!! What a deal....   Saturday, August 27 View Page We found the blankets to keep her warm and I may or may not have made belle wear the pumpkin outfit because Allie refused to wear it anymore :) blankets were nice, smelled like R Kelly's sheets though   Saturday, August 27 View Page And look at this steal for only 99 cents!!! Should probably sent this pumpkin beard t shirt to mobymikeguide because I grow facial hair about as well as 13 year old girl...anywho....."okay belle, look awesome for the camera"   Saturday, August 27 View Page I said look awesome belle, not like a dog with peanut butter stuck to the roof of his mouth   Saturday, August 27 View Page Great day! Got a pumpkin t shirt, pumpkin costume, and 3 comforters to keep my babies warm for all under $20 - popping tags baby, popping tags   Saturday, August 27 View Page Oh baby - new growth crack on rainbow scotch - happy day!!!   Wednesday, August 31 View Page Got a new toy in the mail today - The King Ring!!! This baby is really well constructed and it was awesome working with Kyle Davis - he's a pretty cool dude! I would recommend him to anyone looking for a ring   Wednesday, August 31 View Page He even threw on a surprise for me!!! Check out the QTip he welded on there haha I love it! Thanks Kyle! Can't wait to try it out!   Wednesday, August 31 View Page Here's a different angle of big momma boo the 1724.5 Steil - look sexy for the camera big momma   Wednesday, August 31 View Page Hehe - she's still growing - cc may or may not be over 200 :)   Wednesday, August 31 View Page Looks who stopped by the patch! Raphael!!! Heros in a half shell - just protecting rainbow Scotch from the foot!   Wednesday, August 31 View Page 1781 and Raphael -   Monday, September 5 View Page This hobby is so much more than just growing pumpkins - lol - I forget who's diary i saw this in but i stole the idea :) it was awesome watching people drive by in the neighborhood and stare at what we were doing - thanks Cecil for the plans on your website and Dustin for some extra tips   Sunday, September 18 View Page Went to Ontario for a little over a week fishing - it was awesome - I had never been to Canada and Ontario was beautiful - also caught my first lake trout! I don't recommend leaving your babies this time of year haha   Sunday, September 18 View Page Daddies home honey - I won't leave you again - she's still growing taping 444 - hoping for 15% heavy haha - is that too much to ask for :)   Sunday, September 18 View Page Anyone else's stump look this good?   Sunday, September 18 View Page We were up near Perrault falls, Ontario - haha I'm such a tool - you like my walking stick   Sunday, September 18 View Page This fox was on the side of road and we pulled over and started talking to it... It came right up to the car and didn't say anything - pretty sure the fox doesn't say shit - pretty cool though kinda wanted to bring him home   Sunday, September 18 View Page Cool little waterfall thingy   Sunday, September 18 View Page Plant looks healthy :/ good thing weigh offs are starting :)   Tuesday, September 20 View Page Time to cut the cord! I'm harvested two of the children last night. If you're wondering why it's because we are expecting heavy rain the next three days and if you followed my diary at all you'll know why I couldn't wait - don't think I would have been able to get them out in a swamp - also, I'll give you a $1 if you can find one weed in this patch   Tuesday, September 20 View Page This is kinda scary -   Tuesday, September 20 View Page The pumpkin models - took all night but we got the 1781 and 1662 out of the patch   Tuesday, September 20 View Page Look how naked she is - it's amazing how you can destroy your countless hours of work in about 2 minutes   Tuesday, September 20 View Page Dahlias still in bloom   Tuesday, September 20 View Page They look bigger outside the patch :) it's funny watching people drive by - now I just need to make sure no kids smash them before this weekend   Saturday, September 24 View Page Gale woods here we come! I even let the kids bring their blankies   Saturday, September 24 View Page What a great weekend! This hobby is great - I some how met a hemp farmer and hops farmer and got to go check out their set ups - haha this was cool to see - if you smoked the entire field you wouldn't get high   Saturday, September 24 View Page 40 acres of hops poles it a real site to see - the pictures don't do it justice - the hops obviously are gone though -   Saturday, September 24 View Page I'm 6"3 and these were planted 2 months late - pretty neat   Saturday, September 24 View Page Picking Carl!!!!!   Saturday, September 24 View Page This thing is a riot   Saturday, September 24 View Page Then Gale Woods today! We even had security - there's a lot of people trying to steal 1000lb pumpkins when you're not looking :) also had an employee, Cody, working the skid steer he did a great job and most of you will recognize that fella in orange ... Mr. Bill Foss   Saturday, September 24 View Page Bobs gonna be mad at me :) here's the elusive bnot - great to meet you in person Bob - what a fun shaped pumpkin   Saturday, September 24 View Page And her she is Rainbow Scotch the 1662 Steil x 1724.5 Steil now the 1338 Qualley 6% heavy woohoo and Kira finally got to sit on her!!   Saturday, September 24 View Page Me and Rainbow - my first fruit on the scale - you never forget your first :) thanks for the pictures MacCoy   Saturday, September 24 View Page Was even part of the lifting team with Doug, Kevin, and Alex - great to meet you guys!!   Saturday, September 24 View Page Time for Garth aka Drew Brees aka LL aka 1781 Zywiec ... Taping 405 I'm so excited!!!   Saturday, September 24 View Page Woohoo!!! Second place!!! 1481 Qualley grown off the 1781 Zywiec and the daddy is the 1724.5 Steil... She went 6% heavy - this is the pumpkin that grew with half a stump - really happy it made it   Saturday, September 24 View Page Carl weighed 11.7lbs!!! Woohoo I think that's good maybe ha   Saturday, September 24 View Page Hehe   Saturday, September 24 View Page She's a witch   Saturday, September 24 View Page Haha they played on them for hours   Saturday, September 24 View Page Me too   Saturday, September 24 View Page Stopped by a buddies on the way home his kiddos liked the pumpkins so I brought them to their door step - makes me laugh that if this picture was taken 3 hours earlier before the weigh off I would have had a heart attack .... Now I'm telling the kids to see how many can get on there haha- there is some kind of magic in these pumpkins - it is awesome watching people see them   Saturday, September 24 View Page Haha Allie was so proud - "take a picky daddy" .... 2 weeks until Stillwater ... Hang in there big momma boo!!!   Sunday, September 25 View Page Great job to tom McDowell, Bill Foss And Joe Jensen for making Gale woods a success - Also to all the volunteers - it was a lot of fun and they even got a pro pumpkin carver to come out   Sunday, October 2 View Page Pumpkin Party! We decided to have a little get together and carve the pumpkins... I know I know it's too early for Halloween but we had beautiful weather and a free weekend - we didn't know how many more of those we will have and we wanted the kids to have fun instead of freezing their little butts off   Sunday, October 2 View Page Kira got to go in and mine rainbow scotch!   Sunday, October 2 View Page Haha she was a mess - getting pumpkin out of hair ain't easy   Sunday, October 2 View Page Couple more helpers   Sunday, October 2 View Page Insert joke here - kinda messy carving pumpkins with a chainsaw - haha this was great   Sunday, October 2 View Page Any guess what we are trying to do with this one?   Sunday, October 2 View Page My sister in law promised me at the beginning of the year that if I grew a pumpkin big enough for her to fit in she would get and do a "baby-in-a-pumpkin" photo shoot - lol I almost wet myself laughing   Sunday, October 2 View Page Time to tea bag the sister :)   Sunday, October 2 View Page The wife didn't want to feel left out - there may or may not have been alcohol involved to get both of them in there   Sunday, October 2 View Page I Didn't want her to feel left out either - tea bag for the wife too!   Sunday, October 2 View Page Hehe   Tuesday, October 4 View Page Guess the weight for a free seed from Big Momma Boo! The 5 closet to the official weight of big momma boo will win a seed from this hog! And as an added bonus if someone guesses right on the nose Dan MacCoy will throw in a free set of his world class tomato line up including the 4.57, 6.88,8.41 and 5.30! I will also throw in a 2185 Brandt if some guesses right on the number! Let the guessing begin good luck!   Tuesday, October 4 View Page Here's another angle - I've been told she looks heavy by the people that seem to know what they are talking about. I have no idea.   Tuesday, October 4 View Page Here's a hint it is taping between 440 to 460 ..... could be the low end, the high end, or in the middle.... who knows?!   Friday, October 7 View Page All loaded up!!!! Woohoo!!!! All that's left is a one hour car ride to Stillwater and I can relax for the first time in 176 days :) the pallet is 6ft wide wheeeeeeeeeee   Sunday, October 9 View Page Holy crap! FINALLY made it to Stillwater!   Sunday, October 9 View Page This might be my favorite picture - it's Big Momma Boos parents the 1724.5 Steil and the 1781 zywiec - a picture with the whole family - Scott and Lorelee sure look like proud parents don't they?!   Sunday, October 9 View Page Check out this motley crew with Mikes pumpkin! You had to see this thing in person to appreciate it! It was the biggest most beautiful pumpkin ever. It seriously made LL's 1938 and my 1918.5 look like baby pumpkins   Sunday, October 9 View Page We made it to the scale! This was honestly one of the best days of my life. Haha sounds lame but it was really cool to me! New Minnesota State record.   Sunday, October 9 View Page This was one of those special moments for me - long story short Kira's preschool teachers forgot it was her birthday at school and she came home off the bus crying on Friday - it was her actual birthday on weigh off day and I told joe ailts it was her birthday while we were standing up in front of my pumpkin - without skipping a beat Joe turned the thousand plus crowd into a happy birthday song for Kira - he didn't even know about what had happened at school - it was a priceless moment that was even better than the state record to me - thank you Joe (Joze) you're a class act my friend. you made a 5 years day and made an unforgettable moment for me. Thank you!   Sunday, October 9 View Page Made top 3 and got to sit on the podium with one of the largest pumpkins ever grown and the legend herself LL - pretty sweet   Sunday, October 9 View Page I was really impressed with the SCGA and how well this event was run. Thank you to everyone that volunteered and make it a great event!   Sunday, October 9 View Page Stillwater Top 3!!! My goal to start the year was 1,000 and I had a dream of possibly top 10 at Stillwater at the beginning. Far exceeded my expectations this year I think I might retire - one and done as they say :) Mike Schmidt 2106, Lorelee Zywiec 1938 and QTip with 1918.5 and a new state record   Sunday, October 9 View Page Sister in law with a "senior pick" photo opp - lol   Sunday, October 9 View Page Thank you to everyone that helped make this a reality - everyone on bp for posting in your diaries and the kind words and emails - special thanks to my wife!!! Special thanks to Joe Alits, Bill Foss, Lorelee zywiec, Dan MacCoy, Steve "porkchop" Marley and Cecil Weston too!   Sunday, October 9 View Page And the biggest thanks has to go out to my mentor, Scott Steil. He is who has taught me how to really grow these things! He has put up with probably over 1,000 text messages from me over the last year. I even offered to pay his phone bill once :) no joke - he showed a guy the way to beat his own state record! He is a class act! Thanks again Scott for putting up with me all summer and making a guys dream of growing a big ass pumpkin come true! I am 100% certain you will only let me hold the record for one year :)   Sunday, October 9 View Page And Dream big my friends!!! 2624lbs in 2017 is my new dream! See you next year everyone - thanks for checking out my diary   Wednesday, October 12 View Page Big Momma Boo is a celebrity haha http://www.fox9.com/news/211054896-story   Saturday, December 24 View Page What is this!?!? A package from NY!!!! What could it be....   Saturday, December 24 View Page Omg omg omg what could it be!?!?!?   Saturday, December 24 View Page A gift from Donald?!? What could it be?   Saturday, December 24 View Page Well would you look at this! Just look at it.... "Growing the BIG One" starring Shannon Doherty. this might be the best day of my life   Saturday, December 24 View Page And also got some Turkey Joints! I am told this is a closely guarded MoHawk Valley recipe. They look tasty...   Saturday, December 24 View Page Here Allie try a Turkey Joint....   Saturday, December 24 View Page Nope! Apparently Turkey joints are for adults only - this kid doesn't know squat these things are creepy and delicious!   Saturday, December 24 View Page I was completely surprised to get these AWESOME Christmas tree ornaments as well - they are hand made and personalized with my pumpkin and mater weights. I was not expecting this at all, what a great surprise!   Saturday, December 24 View Page They made it to the top of the tree. Thanks again Mr. Porkchop! These are so cool and will be on the tree for many Christmass to come!   Saturday, December 24 View Page Merry Christmas everyone. Please help support the UMGPG and the Gale Woods Weighoff with the silent auction currently taking place. We are trying to establish this site and make it a great location for growers and their families to come! I truly appreciate anyone that is generous enough to bid on a lot! Thank you all!