From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Georgia

So, I am down to one pumpkin which is fighting a bacterial leaf disease confirmed by Western Labs. I am doing well on pace for 350 lbs. around day 30, which projects out to a top ten finish for GA if I can keep the disease at bay.

That is until my pumpkin gets run over by a car. So how does a pumpkin get run over by a car when it is in your backyard you ask?

I get a call at work today from my wife crying and in hysterics. At first all I could understand was that her car went forward instead of backwards. And I am like okay not so bad. Then she tells me that her car is in the pumpkin patch. It was a weird sensation like I was dreaming.

Apparently, she went to move her car and when she put it in reverse it crept forward. So she turned the car off and tried again, and it went forward again. So she gets out and takes our two year old daughter out of the car. Okay, so far so good.

Her friend who was with her offers to help thinking that she is a better driver. The front wheels of the car are on the back edge of the driveway, overlooking a 12ft embankment/hill down to the backyard.

She gets in and starts the car by herself, feels the car lurch forward going into gear and decides to jump out of the car a-la Starsky and Hutch. Then all three of them watch the car roll down the hill through the backyard into the patch and crushing my last giant of the season.

It just boggles the mind. How many women does it take to watch an empty car roll into a pumpkin patch? Apparently 3. lol

Not angry, I adore my wife. And if I am being honest I have run a red light/stop sign or left my car in drive upon getting out every blue moon like once every three years or so. Life happens, but man, this boggles the mind.

7/11/2019 9:52:54 PM

Orient, Ohio

I feel terrible for you and your pumpkin but that is one heck of a story!! Glad everyone is ok.

7/11/2019 10:22:46 PM

Arden, NC

That story takes the cake for the most unusual way to lose a pumpkin. I'm sorry for the loss of your pumpkin, we all know how hard it is to successfully raise them here in the south. Might be time to send your wife back to remedial driver's Ed.
Either that or get your car looked over. There's next year.

7/11/2019 10:28:01 PM

Georgia

It's her friend jumping out of a car that I really don't understand. I drove the car out of my backyard through my neighbors and up his drive way. So, I think the car is okay but I will get it checked out this weekend for sure.

But who jumps out of car?

7/11/2019 10:36:18 PM

Grittyville, WA

That one deserves some pictures. Sounds sincere but I bet for a wife or two out there thats a secret fantasy.

7/11/2019 11:58:36 PM

Morgantown, WV

Lol, I second the "car in the patch picture"! I'm imagining a new Progressive Insurance commercial...

So sorry for your luck.

7/12/2019 6:36:19 AM

Bethlehem CT

Man, that is a tough way to go out, what a frustrating year for you.

7/12/2019 7:33:46 AM

Walhalla, ND.

Wow, that’s incredible. Definitely one for the record books. So sorry you lost your last one.

7/12/2019 7:51:28 AM

New England

So sorry but at least you can kinda laugh about it. It is kind of funny. Glad no one was hurt.

7/12/2019 7:51:39 AM

Georgia

Dang! I saw your diary entry first and wondered how that could've happened... even in Marietta. You need to plant a companion plant. Like white pines or tulip poplars. Glad everybody except the beloved gourd is ok.

Will you be able to grow next year or does the leaf disease linger?

7/12/2019 7:56:11 AM

Central Illinois

she owes you

7/12/2019 8:03:44 AM

South Dakota

Sure, "accident" LOL, My wife may just try that on purpose when she finds out how much money I have stuck into this hobby! Best story ever. A picture would be topping on the cake. Sorry for your lost, but I don't care who you are, that is funny. LMAO

7/12/2019 8:20:20 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

I thought you were building up to a joke. Very sorry to hear. I enjoy your enthusiasm and hope you stick around.

7/12/2019 8:32:28 AM

Atlanta, Georgia

Personally, I think the pressure of entering a pumpkin in the Georgia Pumpkin Derby Weighoff became too much for you and you drove the car through the patch to end the intense pressure...... ;-)

7/12/2019 9:19:19 AM

Germany

Woman on the rudder are creating sometimes hugely unexpected situations :P

7/12/2019 10:26:00 AM

Colorado

Next shell be wearing a tee shirt that says " Former Pumpkin Widow"

7/12/2019 12:07:58 PM

Georgia

Thanks for the responses, it helps to share the grief. Not sure which step that is to recovery, lol. I just will never forget getting that call at work. And I appreciate you not killing my wife, even though it was her friend who jumped out of the car.

Don't worry SM, I will still be around as I have been growing pumpkins for the past six years, I just did not find big pumpkins and this crazy niche of giant pumpkin growing until last season.

Jhatcher, as to the disease, I have the same one that Matt D. had last year and he is killing it this year with no after affects. Matt and others have told me that it has a light soil foot print, as long as you get all of the pumpkin plant out of the ground.

7/12/2019 12:16:28 PM

Grittyville, WA

Concrete barrier, razor wire and an independent power source for your new patch camera... Or, kindly show her that you are spending ten times more time and money on her than your hobby.

7/12/2019 12:59:09 PM

Westmoreland, KS

holy crap that is crazy!

7/12/2019 5:47:03 PM

Midway, UT

I think I saw that in Ferris Bueller's Day Off once, but without the pumpkin. Are you sure they didn't do it on purpose. I can only suppose the thoughts that have gone through my wife's mind during the summer months on how to gain more of my time. Lol. Sorry for the troubles. That sucks!

7/12/2019 6:07:29 PM

Zimmerman, Minnesota

I would think I’m in some weird twilight zone movie...sad....and sorry man:-(

7/12/2019 11:13:14 PM

Georgia

Thanks to everyone for the support as only you guys would know what it is like to have a season end early. And I appreciate that the ribbing of my wife and her friend was done with kid gloves. I posted a new pic of the car in patch. The car checked out fine with no problems with the break or transmission. Still just thankful that no one was hurt.

7/13/2019 10:55:33 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Glad nobody was hurt, story of a lifetime. What are the odds of that happening?? Please go buy some State Lotto tickets, your luck is Gonna switch!!

7/13/2019 3:00:18 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

We-are-farmers-bump-Buda-bump-bump-bump!

But seriously man this is terrible! I’m sorry. You’d better be milking the IOU’s for the next decade!

7/13/2019 8:22:42 PM

Wisconsin

Dude that sucks the only thing you can do is laugh about it.

7/14/2019 3:01:53 PM

Kirkland,WA

That is brutal. Like everyone else glad all are safe. Reading these comments and the story I have tears in my eyes from laughing. So sorry this happened. I always say all of us could write a book on all the bizzarre things we go through in this sport. Hang in there!

7/27/2019 8:20:54 AM