Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 44 Entries. Monday, March 23 View Page Trying the roofing heat cables for the first time this year. Added amendments and tilled as well.   Monday, March 23 View Page Also got my hoop house set into place. Waiting for a thermostat to arrive in the mail and then I’ll try everything out to see how it works.   Thursday, April 9 View Page Getting to be about that time. Good luck everyone.   Thursday, April 9 View Page I’m planting three this year. One big.   Thursday, April 9 View Page One orange.   Thursday, April 9 View Page And one green.   Tuesday, April 14 View Page Changed my mind on seed choices. These all got filed and soaked today and into the germination chamber this evening.   Monday, April 27 View Page Plants are in the ground. These two have 30x30 to compete for. First time ever for me to try and grow in a spot this big.   Monday, April 27 View Page These two are competing for what’s left after setting aside 30x30 for the two in the previous post. This spot measures about 14x28.   Monday, April 27 View Page These are in a separate patch that measures 18x20. I tried growing a squash in this spot last season but couldn’t get a fruit set.   Monday, April 27 View Page Each set of plants got a mini hoop with a floodlight and pot for heat. Plus a little heater to help keep them warm and cozy.   Monday, June 8 View Page I’m way behind on my diary. So here’s a quick update. 1109* Jutras potential keeper about a week from pollination. Shade cloth up to protect young sidevines from mini heat wave expected the next two days.   Monday, June 8 View Page 1172* Haist. I wish this was the one I planted in my big patch. One of the nicest plants I have ever grown. Keeper is about 5 days from pollination. Really need it to take as patch is filling up fast and main vine is running out of room. Patch size is 18x20.   Monday, June 8 View Page 2269 Paton. Also has keeper ready to pollinate in about a week. Sidevines are slow on this plant but starting to take shape now.   Monday, June 8 View Page This is the second female on the main of my 1109* Jutras that has looked like this. The sidevine and stem are fused. I’ll pollinate it tomorrow just for fun. Next female looks normal.   Thursday, June 11 View Page 1172* Haist. Self pollinated a female this morning. I love this plant.   Thursday, June 11 View Page Here she is   Thursday, June 11 View Page 1109* Jutras. Should be pollinating a normal looking female this weekend.   Thursday, June 11 View Page 2269 Paton. Pollinating in the next few days.   Thursday, June 11 View Page 384.5 Terry BG   Thursday, June 11 View Page My neighbors tree fell in my long gourd trellis. I patched it up but will have to build a new one for next year.   Thursday, June 11 View Page 39 Bleeker marrow   Thursday, June 11 View Page Some of my giant tomatoes. Not seeing any megablooms yet. Just some big singles.   Sunday, July 19 View Page 1172* Haist x self. Not at all the color or grower I was hoping for but she’s growing. Slowly, but growing none the less. 38 DAP Estimated 462 pounds   Sunday, July 19 View Page 1109* Jutras is a big ole wheel shape. She’s putting on mid 30 gains and estimates at 335 pounds at 24 DAP. She’s on the biggest plant I’ve ever grown. 800+ square feet. I had 900 set aside but the last remaining three sidevines are dead in the water now that the squash is taking off.   Sunday, July 19 View Page 2269 Paton at 24 DAP. Taping 304 pounds and gaining low 30’s. Plant is long and narrow 15’x30’ for 450 square feet. Fully terminated and cut the main at the kin as well. I’m really happy with this one.   Friday, July 24 View Page Culled this one from my 384.5 plant. All of the fruit have this snout on them. That’s my 2 gallon ez Flo for comparison. Probably should have culled it sooner but I was waiting to make sure some of my later sets were growing.   Saturday, August 8 View Page 1172* Haist. 58 DAP. 741 pounds. +9 per day over last week. Not the color I was hoping for but she is getting some blue/gray now.   Saturday, August 8 View Page 1109 Jutras at 43 dap. Est 866 pounds. Gains dropped off pretty hard this past week. I think I might have found some of the issue.   Saturday, August 8 View Page Small crack in main vine. When I cut it open it was full of water. I cut through bottom as well. Also found   Saturday, August 8 View Page Some soft spots on the stump. Everything got scraped away and sprayed with bleach water and then I put a fan in everything   Saturday, August 8 View Page I’ll need to extend the stump cover to keep water out of the vine.   Saturday, August 8 View Page 2269 Paton at 43 dap is taping 848 pounds. Mid 20’s for gain. Fingers crossed she can keep that pace for another couple weeks at least. On pace for a new pb   Monday, August 17 View Page My first ever 5 pound tomato.   Friday, October 16 View Page The PGPGA weighoff was moved from Altoona PA to Northern Cambria PA because of some Covid related issues. We had a beautiful day and I did quite well with my entries. I was also voted in as the new club president relieving Larry Checkon of his position which he held for 25 years. I have some very big boots to fill but Larry assures me that he has my back and will help with the transition and he will continue to assist in any way he can.   Friday, October 16 View Page My long gourd came in first place at 130”   Friday, October 16 View Page My marrow also came in first place and is the PA state record at 67 pounds.   Friday, October 16 View Page Also got first place for my watermelon at 175 pounds.   Friday, October 16 View Page First place field pumpkin and a new site record at 117.5 pounds.   Friday, October 16 View Page Broke my old state record for squash but it only lasted a few minutes until a much bigger one was weighed. I got second place at 1298.5 pounds.   Friday, October 16 View Page 1173 pounds for my pumpkin and finished outside the top ten. Bummer   Friday, October 16 View Page Weighoff bling   Friday, October 16 View Page Took my 1172 Haist squash to Ohio Valley and she weighed 828.5 pounds. This one and my 1173 will be on display in Pittsburgh at the Monster Pumpkin Festival event 10/30-11/4 I believe.   Saturday, October 17 View Page Almost forgot to post my bushel gourd. Finished 4th place at 224 pounds. Plant was hit with gummy stem and limped her to the scale the past month.