From

Location

Message

Date Posted

British Columbia, Canada

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=328850

I will miss reading your diary, it has always been one of my favorites to follow. The amount of work that you guys put in to growing these giants is inspiring.

11/6/2021 5:59:23 PM

Hamilton - New Zealand

It's sad that there were personal attacks against Ken, but wouldn't it be better to keep posting, and keep people coming to the site for content from top growers?

11/6/2021 10:59:02 PM

Syracuse, NY

Pat-ons Pat-ons Pat-ons;
Remember that one of the main mottos of giant pumpkin growers is 'There's always next year!' Even I say it, and I never lie.
True, I very much enjoy the Patons' diary entries, and the matching smiles at their weighoffs---eric g

11/6/2021 11:55:10 PM

Anchorage Alaska

I certainly hope that ,Ian and Stewie ,don't stop posting on bp the elite growers like themselves are getting less and less, on here already and it would be really cool, if the other elites would post something now or then , instead of reading how there season went on the gpc info page at the end of the year or going to you tube..my 2 cents

11/7/2021 12:29:14 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

Where is the content from top growers on this site. ? I will ask a question and wait for a reply

11/7/2021 7:41:02 AM

Jericho Vermont

I believe the hobby would be greatly different and would maybe not survive without a single site that all growers can go to to get information for all things giant. I choose BP.com as it is still a family friendly "safe" site for all. We need to continue to support ken and the website as a collector of data, place to hold auctions and fund raisers as well as being a free/inexpensive place to keep a diary if one chooses. I will continue to post my diary here as long as the website stays.

11/7/2021 9:13:57 AM

Plymouth, MN

I'll miss Ian's content if he stops posting--he's always been one of the best and a model for those of us with big aspirations. Don't let a few toxic individuals sour you on the community.

11/7/2021 10:28:38 AM

On a cliff in the desert

I enjoyed reading their diaries. Unfortunately a few bad apples ruined it for everyone.

11/7/2021 3:22:02 PM

Walla Walla Wa.

Same here,I always looked forward to their posts,and always dreamed about the success they would have if they went organic!!

11/7/2021 4:18:28 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

While I understand Ian's frustration, I never detected any personal attacks directed toward Ken. Can someone shed light on who it was and when?

11/7/2021 4:32:09 PM

On a cliff in the desert

I saw post about someone complaining about the new world record pumpkin being immediately changed on the list of record fruits and was accused of favortism.

11/7/2021 4:39:30 PM

On a cliff in the desert

not being changed immediately

11/7/2021 4:40:11 PM

Syracuse, NY

Oh, no, not another witch hunt! eg

11/7/2021 5:15:20 PM

Grittyville, WA

I've learned a lot. Ken should have kicked me off the site though.
I feel like there is no real place for those with too much energy and testosterone.
I wish this pumpkin growing thing had teams like NASCAR but you guys are all so chill.
Best wishes.

11/7/2021 8:38:15 PM

Lakewood, WA

Can Ian stay if bigpumpkins.com starts treating others the way they want to be treated?

11/7/2021 10:19:48 PM

Germany

In my opinion, those who highly appreciate the efforts Ken has put (and is putting) into running this site should stay and keep the whole project alive. Everyone out of them who´s running away will leave behind a higher percentage of bad apples. Staying (and posting, and discussing, and spreading the contents of their peaceful mind) will be the only way of keeping the influence of the bad apples low, the only way of letting others (especially new growers) know how attractive and addictive this hobby is and what a friendly and helpful bunch of folks giant pumpkin growers actually are. Would love to see you stay. Would love to see you stay.

11/8/2021 2:33:00 AM

Syracuse, NY

Well-put, 'king, and I think that should be it, really - I'd hate to see this post get out of control. No one is leaving en masse, everything is cool and to others, let's let it be. THIS here is how the other post(s) got blown out of proportion - everyone now wants to speak their minds and I'm one of them (!); The Eagles' 'Take it Easy' sums it up nicely. I am out---eric g

11/8/2021 3:32:29 AM

South Dakota

Don't really see why someone would leave a friends web site because someone else insulted your friend. Seems you would be causing your friend even more discourse by leaving his site high and dry and lowering the quality of the site. I too truly enjoyed the Paton's diary and have learned unmeasurable information from them. I guess if they want to run away in a huff, that's their prerogative. It's been great, but you should stand by your decisions and do what you think you must. Good bye to a great grower and thanks for the memories.

11/8/2021 7:38:19 AM

Rhode Island

Big Pumpkins is an outstanding site for all growers however, over the years its a known fact that many top growers will not partake in activities for many reasons.
just review some of the thoughless, stupid, self serving, argumentative commentary by the ten percenters over the years and you will know why.
Besides, some just want to grow and compete within their own circles.
Me personally? i enjoyed posting and helping whenever i could.
To each his own--- Many very good growers post here and thats all thats really matters

pap

11/8/2021 3:04:30 PM

Plainville, Connecticut 06062

I hope those with destructive methods and ideas first think about what they are doing and the possible end result. Communication and information are critical in any sport, hobbie or what have you. My opinion take away Ken’s endless hardwork and this sight and you can kiss this great hobbie goodbye!

11/10/2021 10:02:52 AM

Rhode Island

WITHOUT this big pumpkins web site many ,many new growers would never be stimulated into our hobby.
the information for clubs,etc would also be diminished just because of the social aspect being missing first of all.
Not to mention all the free information and those fund raisers here as well.
With out BP and the GPC where would our great past time end up?

11/10/2021 11:50:32 AM

Lymington

Ian and I had been growing Howard’s AGs for a lot off years before Ian found” big pumpkins.com “ it opened a huge door and our pumpkin growing went to a different level. I don’t think it’s entirely necessary for lots off so called heavy hitters to be posting regularly. The most important thing is this site is a hub for pumpkin growers to get together. Well done Ken thank you so much for helping us launch our careers in pumpkin growing and please can I say that you should be in the hall of fame.
Stewie

11/10/2021 2:05:14 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Absolutely a great point, Stewie. I was very sure that Ken most definitely had to be in the GPC HOF already but, after a little searching, found that he was not.

I find this very incredible to believe and hereby nominate Ken provided I have the right to do so and urge all other BigPumpkins.com fans to do so as well.

https://gpc1.org/gpc-champions/hall-of-fame/

11/10/2021 2:13:03 PM

South Dakota

Getting a little off topic here. I have not seen anyone in this post say anything derogative about Ken nor the GPC. Just supporting Ian in a tough decision that he felt he needed to make. We do not even know what the problem was that caused Ian to dump BP, it makes no difference, and it was his decision, and his decision only. Let's not turn this into one of those posts that everyone airs their grievances about the past. That ship has already sailed.

11/11/2021 8:06:00 AM

Alaska

Okay everybody they said it was their last post for 2021. They didn't say they were tearing up their BP membership cards. Everybody knows it was a bummer of a season for you guys and you're a bit bummed out about it. So with all due respect pick yourselves up dust yourselves off and carry on! Spring is eternal and not far away.

11/16/2021 2:45:50 PM

Torrance, Ca.

If you don't post guys you better shoot me that Instagram!!!!

11/22/2021 10:47:30 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Dang, I don't do Instagram! :(

Looks like I'll have to join if I can figure it out...

11/22/2021 10:51:20 PM