From

Location

Message

Date Posted

British Columbia, Canada

I feel like the pumpkin growing community is less connected compared to like just 5 years ago. I've barely seen any photos of pumpkins from this past season. I know a lot of the community is on Facebook groups, which is fine, I thinks that's a great way to find new growers who are interested in giving it a try. But trying to find info / photos across dozens of groups and hundreds of individual accounts is like uhhhhhhhggggggggg

12/5/2022 9:20:40 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Yes Jordan, there is Instagram and Facebook so less growers have a presence on here anymore. When we started growing in 2005 there were 300 grower diaries, in 2012 there were 469 grower diaries and this year in 2022 there were only 201 grower diaries.

12/5/2022 9:42:26 PM

Syracuse, NY

Alternatively, as is always the prerogative, you can first use the Search Window with several possible combinations and then if no results and it is really pressing, do create a post in the correct forum and it may get answered in due time;
I always try to provide an answer to what I think I know something about, obviously! If you have an example even now, give it a go -
otherwise, Good Luck in your searches! - eg
PS---Yes, ever since the Big Whatever happened in 2008 and the advent of the 'Smart Phone' I have been aware of peoples' reliance on being on that rather than talkative to me or physically, face-to-face friendly like < 10 years ago;
Perhaps like having Martial Arts training - it HAS TO change your attitude. eg

12/6/2022 8:37:37 AM

Bethlehem CT

It has definitely changed a bit on bp.com since it's hay day about ten-fifteen years ago. In my opinion it is still the best website for information and meeting other growers. It means a lot to me that the site owner/creator (ken D) is a real person who is invested in this hobby and not some big tech company executive who is more interested in spying on you so that they can charge top dollar for advertisements.

Think about how much the world has changed in the past few years, it is getting hard to bring people together. The spirit of comraderie and helping others to grow bigger pumpkins is still there, but it is not what it once was.

12/6/2022 9:55:50 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Yup, like big moon states, its still the best place to come for us giant growers. Big moon and I have emailed before as well as many, many others I've met on here. North Shore Boys,,, Glenn and I have actually met and spent numerous days together at the conventions over the years. What a great guy and I never would of met him if it wasn't for Ken and bp!:)


There's to many names to name and I wouldn't want to leave anyone out, but there must be at least 40 to 50 people I've met on here that we now talk or text year round. You know who you are and thanks for becoming part of my pumpkin family!:)
Thanks Ken and that reminds me to send you a check for keeping this site running. Please don't forget Ken and all he does for us! Every couple years I send a nice check much more then he asks just to show my thanks for all he does.

And yes, most all the heavy hitters are on here looking around. They say they don't post anymore because of the attacks they've received over the years after trying to help someone on a post. Kind of sad but very true. Andy Wolf, thanks for still posting and seeing past the negative new growers that pop in here now and again. Steve C., Steve G., the Paton brothers,,, thank you for seeing past the negativity and still posting or reaching out in an email. All through bp or we'd all never know each other.

12/6/2022 10:17:23 AM

Plymouth, MN

I miss the pumpkin chat regulars. The past few years it seemed to pick up a bit in the off-season, but it seems awfully quiet lately.
Perhaps there'd be some interest in a regular meet up time? Say Tuesday evenings? Advertise the chat on some of the other groups' pages and see if we can bring in some new blood?

12/6/2022 3:50:46 PM

Austin MN

cjb I’m in!

12/6/2022 4:14:56 PM

Lodi, California

I've been in chat around 7-9 eastern the last two days

12/6/2022 6:16:57 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

us old timers are usually in chat 6-7 am est

12/7/2022 6:42:12 AM

Sharon, MA

Thanks So.Cal. The BP diaries are a great way to log activities in the patch, which result in an easily accessible historical recap for anyone interested, to look back on, as the years go by. But I must admit I double post everything now. Once on BP Diary and then on Facebook. These new Social media platforms are nice too, because I get feedback too.

12/9/2022 12:17:44 PM