Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 59 Entries. Wednesday, April 9 View Page Greenhouses are up. Perlite and Sulphur added. Thursday, April 10 View Page 9 Seeds are in the germination chambers Tuesday, April 15 View Page I started a total of 11 plants on April 10th. Here are 4. They all look the same at this age. Monday, April 21 View Page Today is transplanting day. 8 plants going in. Lots of biologicals are already drenched into the soil. A dusting of Azos, RootShield and Mycorrhizal inoculants are buried daily under the growing vines all season. I add the Starter Packs only on the day of planting. Shown is the 2551 Ford... 7 more to go. Thursday, April 24 View Page The 2551 Ford was planted out in the greenhouse 3 days ago. Gave the plant and (10 ft surrounding diameter) its first light dousing of Plant Marvel 16-45-7 Super Starter, 5-10-27 Urea Mate for macro and micro nutrient feed, plus the monthly dose of systemic Ridomil Gold fungicide for fusarium and phytophthera preventative maintenance. Thursday, April 24 View Page The 2471 Noel was planted out in the greenhouse 3 days ago. Gave the plant and (10 ft surrounding diameter) its first light dousing of Plant Marvel 16-45-7 Super Starter, 5-10-27 Urea Mate for macro and micro nutrient feed, plus the monthly dose of systemic Ridomil Gold fungicide for fusarium and phytophthera preventative maintenance. Thursday, April 24 View Page This is my 2465 Sperry which is a proven seed. Hoping it will grow another big pumpkin for me this year. Thursday, April 24 View Page My 150 Challenge Pumpkin this year will be grown using my 1028 Connolly Seed. Shown in photo in the greenhouse. Was planted outside 4 days ago. I'm growing it in a 6 ft x 25 ft area. It got the same (application dose, of ferts and fungicide, as my other plants today. Saturday, April 26 View Page Feeling the Blues today. Zero sun all day, Rainy and cold outside. Got the heaters going, and stimulating chlorophyll production. This is my 150 pumpkin plant. Everything counts in the 150 Challenge. Friday, May 9 View Page All 4 of my Giant Pumpkin plants (1028 Connolly, 2465 Sperry, 2551 Ford, 2471 Noel) have touched down (sort of). (SEE NEXT 3 POSTS) They are figuring out how to run on the ground without the main vine jumping too much. It takes a few days for the plants to sort things out. Now I need to get in there and weed the soil. Friday, May 9 View Page Entry 2 for May 9th Friday, May 9 View Page Entry 3 for May 9th Friday, May 9 View Page Entry 4 for May 9th Wednesday, May 14 View Page Our 4 Giant Pumpkin plants (1028 Connolly, 2465 Sperry, 2471 Noel, and 2551 Ford) are all really starting to vine out now. Pictures of each plant are on the next 4 posts Wednesday, May 14 View Page 2465 Sperry Wednesday, May 14 View Page 2471 Noel Wednesday, May 14 View Page 2551 Ford Wednesday, May 14 View Page 1028 Connolly (150 Pumpkin) Tuesday, May 20 View Page An unusual late season 6 day cold snap is hitting New England. Its Tuesday and evening temps are forecasted to dip into the 40's up to Sunday of this week. The problem here is that my 150 pumpkin plant (1028 Connolly), and my 2465 Sperry are growing 8-12 inches per day and they have 11 ft mains in 10 ft greenhouses. So as you can see, I added 5-6 ft greenhouse extensions to each of these plants. Hopefully these extensions will get me through the cold weather coming up. Grow baby grow!! Friday, May 23 View Page Plants are still young and Main Vines are 13 ft. Pumpkins are starting to show. This one is the 2551 Ford plant, with its first 'kin showing. Time to practice my pollination skills....and cull these early ones after a week. Friday, May 30 View Page I love this time of the year our patch, when the Rhody's a in full bloom Friday, May 30 View Page My 150 Challenge plant's main Vine is cranking. First pumpkin is showing but I'm sure I"ll be culling this one until the Main gets out to about 18-19 ft. Fingers crossed. Time to start increasing the ferts and biologicals. Monday, June 2 View Page Planted 8 Giant Field Pumpkins (235 Razo, 154 Bakken and several 122 Connollys), on May 29th. They all sprouted on June 2nd. Shown is a group of (4) 122's for a sprout test. Thursday, June 5 View Page Maybe our 150 Challenge plant would of made it through todays 96F heat, but I decided to put up the 30% sunblock netting rather than take the risk of burnt leaves. The fencing fixed the problem in about 30 minutes. See 2nd photo. I got 3 pumpkins showing on the main. One was pollinated today at 13 ft. See resdults after 30 minutes on the next diary post. Thursday, June 5 View Page Leaves perked up after 30 minutes under the 20% sunblock netting Monday, June 9 View Page I always grow a few Giant Field Pumpkins. (Love the pretty orange color). This year decided to go with the 235 Razo, several 122 Connollys, and 154 Bakken. Started on May 29th. Set out on June 9th. Thursday, June 12 View Page 3 giant pumpkins are self pollinated (1028 x 1028 Connolly) on the 150 challenge plant. In about one week I will cull 2. Thursday, June 12 View Page The 2465 Sperry plant is very spindly. Growing at a fast rate right now. Chould have the 3rd one on this plant pollinated at 19 ft in a couple days. Tuesday, July 1 View Page My 2465 Sperry x 2471 Noel is kicking into gear . Shown on DAP 16. Tuesday, July 1 View Page Here is another view of the 2465x2471, showing more of the plant. Wednesday, July 9 View Page All 4 pumpkins were shaded with 4' x 4' card tables with white cloth draped over it for a few weeks, for sun protection. The pumpkins are starting to outgrow these shelters so its time to switch to my 90" diameter white table-cloths for the next 3 1/2 months. Wednesday, July 9 View Page I chose the 235 Razo plant again this year. Last year I grew a beautiful 122 FP with this 235 seed last year. Main is about 10ft long today. Growing in a XMas tree pattern and the Plant looks very healthy so far Sunday, July 13 View Page THe 235 Razo Field pumpkin plant is on the run and spreading side vines fast now Monday, July 14 View Page Even though the 2471 Noel is a very young pumpkin, growing on a secondary vine. I think it has a lot of potential Wednesday, July 16 View Page DAP 30 for the 2465 Sperry x 2471 Noel Cross. OTT = 307. Est Wt = 679 lbs. Even though its still a very young pumpkin its stating to show some blocky rib charateristics Friday, July 18 View Page Nub Removal Surgery on the 1028x1028 (150 Challenge Pumpkin). Simple Proactive care to prevent Nub Rot problems later in the season. Friday, July 18 View Page My 2551 Ford "Side Vine special" has finally reached DAP 30. After the Deer ate the end of the main off, vine back in May. Its a decent 527 lbs. and good shape. Still a very young looking pumpkin and surface is smooth as a baby's bottom. Sunday, July 20 View Page Stupid Skunk. It let a mean one rip while in the trap and my back yard stinks now. Monday, July 21 View Page Our 150 Pumpkin (1028 x 1028 Connolly) reached DAP 30, and its estimated weight is 394 lbs Monday, July 21 View Page The 2471 Noel x 2465 Sperry (grown on a secondary vine) reached DAP 30 today. Its OTT = 298 and estimated wt. = 621 lbs. Saturday, July 26 View Page The 2465 Sperry x 2471 Noel, has a fairly nice shape and color for such a young pumpkin. At 40 days after pollination she's taping 369 which is an 1156 lbs...est weight. Averaged 53.2 lbs per day, for the last 10 days. Sunday, July 27 View Page MOVING DAY. Had to move all 4 pumpkins today. Sometimes I pull the pink tarp with the 2 ton come-along. Today I decided to move the pumpkion with the 10 ft long x 6 inch wide strap. Lots of ways to move them to relieve vine stress. Monday, July 28 View Page Here is the back view of the same pumpkin being moved 5 1/2 inches. Thursday, July 31 View Page Just felt like getting out today. So filled up the tank with gas called some growers and drove to CT and RI to visit Gene Lariviere, Alex Noel and Joe Jutras on a top secret impromptu patch tour. They all got some nice ones going as you can see. Thanks guys, this really made my day. More photos on the next 3 diary entries Thursday, July 31 View Page Mini Patch tour photo 2 Thursday, July 31 View Page Mini Patch tour photo# 3 Thursday, July 31 View Page Mini Patch tour photo# 4 Thursday, July 31 View Page Today (July 31st) is DAP 40 for my 2551. I'm kind of excited about this 2551 x 2551 Ford pumpkin though. Its 10 day average at DAP 30 was 29.1 lbs/day. Now at DAP 40, its 10 day average wt gain jumped to 53 lbs/day. Thursday, July 31 View Page 150 Challenge pumpkin. Well I guess I have to say small patch size = small pumpkin this year. My 1028 x1028 Connolly cross has an OTT of 286 and an est weight of a whopping 550 pounds. Oh well...Its a healthy plant and still growing. Friday, August 1 View Page August 1st. Baby Bumps everywhere, and the old Connolly Patcharino is finally FULL. Now I can put my knee pads away since vine burying/training is done. We are 1/2 way to the finish line. Fingers crossed... ...the 150 pumpkin is hidden in the lower right of the photo, by the tan wind break fence. Tuesday, August 5 View Page In a 1200 sq ft plot, and at DAP 50, the 2465 Sperry x 2471 Noel is shaping up to be a deep orange pumpkin. OTT 407. Est wt = 1518. I got fans going on the front and back of the 'kin 24/7 now. The brownish rim on the leaves is from over fertilizing with 15-5-30 K Mag, and 5-10-27 Urea Mate. I need to cut back on the ferts. Thursday, August 7 View Page This 2551 x 2551 Ford Pumpkin (growing on a side vine) has a good "safe" shape for the home stretch, I hope. At DAP 50, and with an OTT of 364, its Taping at 1114 lbs. Its put on 32.5 lbs/day for the last 10 days. Saturday, August 9 View Page It was so COLD last night. 45F. I'm in a glass half full mood this morning. So lets round down and say the morning temps were almost in the 30F temperature range. NOT GOOD. Comforters were used to cover the pumpkins but I am still worried that they will shut down. Hopefully todays warm temps will help them to keep growing. 2 months to go.... Sunday, August 10 View Page Our 150 Challenge pumpkin (1028x1028 Connolly), is healthy and trudging along, with slow weight gains. At DAP 50 its OTT is 302. Sunday, August 10 View Page At DAP 50, the 2471 Noel x 2465 Sperry is still growing on a side vine and putting on 30 lbs per day. OTT = 382. Est Chart wt = 1276 lbs.... I keep thinking what could of been, if the deer did not eat the main vine tip on this plant in early June. Thursday, August 14 View Page This 235 x 235 Razo Field Pumpkin was pollinated on August 1st on a side vine at about 16 ft out. Shown at 14 DAP. Hopefully its the keeper. Sunday, August 17 View Page RING of DEATH 2 For the last 7 days, most of my pumpkins are slowly being eaten alive. I set 8 mouse traps and next day only one mouse trap remained. The wounds are trying to heal but everyday/night the critters come back and keep chewing out the same places plus new places. 1) I coated the knawed out areas with sulphur but they just eat the sulpher with the pumpkins. 2) I tried detering them with ZeroTol, but they just eat right through the evaporated hydrogen peroxide, 3) I tried Garlic on and around the damaged area's but they just eat the garlic. 4) I put carrots and raspberries in traps near the pumpkins, and you guessed it they ate them and the traps did not close. Now I'm going with a ring of death around every pumpkin. Hopefully I catch some of these varmints ( what ever they are ) tonight. Stay tuned. This is War. Monday, August 18 View Page My 2551 x 2551 Ford is at DAP 60, and taping 1297 lbs, with a 18.1 lb/day estimated weight gain for the last 10 days. Grow baby grow! Tuesday, August 19 View Page I switch from White to Tan tAblecloth covers (now that its getting cooler) to absorb more heat and promote more pumpkin growth.