Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 141 Entries. Sunday, February 14 View Page If interested. We left no stones unturned, and created a 1 hour DVD of everything done to grow the 470.5 WR Bushel Gourd in 2020. Details of how to order the DVD are attached. Lets grow them bigger in 2021.   Tuesday, February 16 View Page Can't wait to grow in 2021..   Monday, March 29 View Page Somethings cooking. Getting ready to start the Tomato's and Peppers   Wednesday, April 7 View Page Getting ready to fill the Starter pots today. Will plant the seeds in the pots on 4/12/21.   Wednesday, April 7 View Page Starting to fill the 1 gallon pots with soil and amendments. Will plant the seeds in pots on 4/12/21.   Thursday, April 8 View Page Starting to add the Spring amendments for the Field Pumpkins   Saturday, April 10 View Page All amendments are tilled in, and 3 of the 6 hoops are up.   Saturday, April 10 View Page These are my seed selections for 2021. The 717 Connolly seeds will be entered into the 150 contest.   Sunday, April 11 View Page All the seeds are in the pots and another season of growing giant pumpkins begins. In 2-3 weeks I'll be starting the Giant Bushel Gourds and the Giant Field Pumpkins   Wednesday, April 14 View Page Getting ready for the 150 contest. Plot size is 6ft x 25 ft = 150 SqFt. http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Attachments/150%20Contest%202021.pdf   Saturday, April 24 View Page These 12 ft x 12 ft heated greenhouses provide a lot of space for the 2593.7 Paton pumpkin plants to grow until the last frost.   Saturday, April 24 View Page The 2552 Mendi plant is in the dirt. set up a UV light, since it was raining and overcast all day The smaller greenhouse is 6' x 10' but should be big enough to allow the plant to grow until Frost danger is over.   Saturday, April 24 View Page The plant next to the 2552 Mendi is the 2183.7 Mendi. Tough cull choice in the future   Monday, April 26 View Page Veggies are growing fast. So far we started growing Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, spinach, egg plants. Lots more types of veggies to start. Mike Fleming thanks for some pepper plants.   Friday, April 30 View Page Strong Wind bursts were bad today. This greenhouse was blown out of the garden and destroyed as it wrapped around a tree.. Luckily it was empty.   Monday, May 3 View Page Going with FUll Spectrum lighting on the pumpkin plants for a few days. Forecast is cloudy and rainy for 2-3 days. THis is the 2593.7 Paton plant   Tuesday, May 4 View Page My 717Connolly pumpkin for the 150 Contest is in the dirt, and getting some Full Spectrum lighting in the heated greenhouse while we get through this cold, wet, cloudy stretch of weather.   Sunday, May 16 View Page Been working on this plant for 5 days. Its the 2552. I cant get its main vine to lay down and run.   Monday, May 17 View Page Planting day for the 470 Bushel Gourd   Monday, May 17 View Page Drip irrigation is in place for the 2593.7 Paton plant   Monday, May 17 View Page Touchdown The 2552 has landed. This is a very strong plant. Took several days (and a few hours at 110F) to soften the vines get the main vine down.   Thursday, May 20 View Page Another day. Another drip irrigati0on system. Today I set up the drip system on the 2552 Medi plant shown.   Saturday, May 22 View Page I'm going to try the 186 Nesbitt Filed Pumpkins this year. Planted 5-18-21. Up on 5-22-21   Saturday, May 22 View Page Picture of the 186 Nesbitt   Saturday, May 22 View Page 4 days after planting the 470 BG's outside they are starting to run. The recent hot weather really helped to kick the plants into gear.   Saturday, May 22 View Page My plant for the 150 Contest has an 8 ft main. Its the 717 Connolly. Should be a pretty orange one, I hope. Guess I better start weeding.   Saturday, May 22 View Page Amazing how fast the 2552 Mendi plant is growing in the hot stretch of weather. Just a couple days ago..I could get this plant to lay down. Now its running and my fastest growing pumpkin plant.   Saturday, May 22 View Page Our Fig tree is starting to produce fruit. Not sure when to pick them.   Sunday, May 23 View Page The 2593.7 Paton plant is starting to run at a good daily pace. Green house is wide open sine its in the 92F temperature range today.   Tuesday, May 25 View Page My 717 Connolly plant for the 150 contest is outgrowing its 10ft long greenhouse. It was cold last night....in the low 40's so I was glad I still had the greenhouse up.   Thursday, May 27 View Page Starting to reset the 717 for the 150 contest. Removed greenhouse today, and installed windbreak fence. Need to put back the 2 x 4's again to outline the planned plant. Size of the plot is 6ft wide x 25 ft long = 150 sq ft.   Saturday, May 29 View Page This weather is crazy. Last 4 days were in the 80-90F range. Now we are in a 3 day stretch in the 40's (day and night). I had to put the plant for the 150 contest (shown on the right) back into a 20 ft long poly tunnel with heaters. The 2593.7 Paton and the 2552 Mendi plants were never removed from their greenhouses because they hadn't out grown their 10ft long and 12 ft heated shelters. but they should be busting through tomorrow. 470 Bushel Gourd is in the greenhouse in the background.   Saturday, May 29 View Page My 186 Nesbitt Field Pumpkins are showing true leaves. Been growing them outside for the last 5 days. One batch was started on May 18th and the newest lot was started on May 29th.   Sunday, May 30 View Page Should be a good one this year. The 150 contest list of contestants has a large variety of Growers.   Sunday, May 30 View Page This is the 2552 Mendi plant. Main vine at 10 ft. Plant looks healthy. Keeping the greenhouse warm is #1 priority to keep her growing at a good pace. Drip irrigation is working great with ferts, fungicides, pesticides and amino acids mixed in the drip solution.   Sunday, May 30 View Page The 2993.7 Paton, is growing at a good pace in the heated greenhouse. Main vine is at 11 ft. If you look closely for the yellow flower, you will see that a pumpkin actually bloomed at 7 ft today. I'll cull that one later..   Sunday, May 30 View Page The main vine of the 717Connolly plant is adding about 7" per day in the long hoop house.   Sunday, May 30 View Page Not much to look at yet. This is the 470.5 Bushel Gourd plant, and the main is only about 4 ft long. The heaters seem to be helping this plants growth rate in the long tube, because its 48F outside and 64F inside. It is at least adding about 3-5" to the Main every day   Wednesday, June 2 View Page Finally the cold evenings are behind us, and a stretch in the 80s and 90s is coming up. I uncovered all the Giant Pumpkins L to R (2552, 2539.7 and 717) And in the background is the 470 Bushel Gourd soaking up even more heat.   Wednesday, June 2 View Page Here is the picture for the last post Uncovered the plants   Friday, June 4 View Page Decided to remove the 470 Bushel Gourd from the Green House.....getting warmer.   Friday, June 4 View Page Set up a nice Wind Break fence for the 2593.7. Should help minimize any wind damage   Friday, June 4 View Page Set out the first batch of 186 Nesbitt Field Pumpkins today. Next batch of FP's goes outside in 1 week.   Wednesday, June 9 View Page The 186 Nesbitt Field Pumpkins were planted on June 4th. Five days later, they are off and running. Time to cull one of the plants...   Wednesday, June 9 View Page The 2593.7 Paton plant has a 16ft main. Starting to throw an S curve into it for a nice looking one at 16ft. Did test pollination on the one at 14 ft. (which is under the little table).   Wednesday, June 9 View Page 150 Contest entry. The 717 Connolly has a 17ft Main. This is tough, but a fun challenge, growing in 150 Sq Ft. My plant only has 3 ft side vines. I've got one set at 14ft, and another one ready to pollinate at 17ft.   Sunday, June 13 View Page This is my 150 Contest entry. Main is out to 20ft. Need to do my daily takt of trimming the side vines to stay within the 6ft x 25 ft boundry. One is set at 14ft ft. Another will be pollinated tomorrow at 17ft.   Sunday, June 13 View Page My 470 Bushel Gourd plant is getting lanky. It finally started throwing side vines. I'll grow this year using a Spider Vine pattern   Sunday, June 13 View Page My 186 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin #1 has a 5ft main. The tip of the maIN VINE seems to be looking ahead.... to go where no Field Pumpkin plant has gone before.   Sunday, June 13 View Page The 186 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin#2 is not much to look at yet. I still haven't culled out the un-chosen one yet. Will probably do that next week.   Monday, June 14 View Page 18ft Main on the 2552. One pumpkin already set at 14ft. Another will be set tomorrow at 16ft.   Monday, June 14 View Page THis is the 2593.7 Paton plant. Looks healthy. Main is 19 ft. long. One pumpkin is already set at 14 ft. Another should be pollinated tomorrow at 17ft.   Monday, June 21 View Page Finally got one of the big 900 sq ft plants pollinated 17ft out on the main . This is the 2552 Mendi 5 DAP. It's a 4 lober   Monday, June 21 View Page Both the 186 Nesbitt-2 Field Pumpkin plants are in the ground and starting to vine out. I'll cull out one plants in a couple days   Monday, June 21 View Page The 150 Contest Pumpkin (717 Connolly) is pollinated and hit ground. put 90 degree turn in the main so I could position this pumpkin to fit within the 6ft width.   Tuesday, June 22 View Page Increased the drip irrigation out to 20 ft on the 2552 Mendi plant today. Gave the plants a nice drip meal of Fish and Cal-Mag today.   Saturday, June 26 View Page This is my pumpkin on the 2593.7 Paton plant crossed with a 2552 Mendi. I little behind last years pumpkin size on this day. But its set 17ft out on the main, so a lot of power behind it.   Sunday, June 27 View Page This is the 186 Nesbitt-1 FP Haven't grown these since I was a kid. The main is 12 ft.   Sunday, June 27 View Page This is the 186 Nesbitt-2. It was started 10 days after the 186-2 plant. Looks healthy. I heard they get powdery mildew easily so I'll need to get some sulfur on the leaves   Thursday, July 1 View Page My entry for the 150 Contest has a nice round shape to it. Its a 717 x 717 Connolly cross   Sunday, July 4 View Page Decided to keep this pumpkin 17 Ft out on the main, Its a 2552 Mendi crossed with the 2593.7 Paton. Pollinated June 16th so today its 18 DAP. Culled the larger one which was set at 14 ft, to get more side vines befors the pumpkin..   Sunday, July 4 View Page After 2 days of cold, and 3" of Rain, the sun came out today and my 470 Bushel Gourd plant was absorbing some UV rays. Main is at 21 ft. Some potential keepers are on side vines near 19 ft.   Sunday, July 4 View Page So far the 2593.7 x 2552 is the largest in the patch. The pumpkin is 24 DAP. After 3 inches of Rain yesterday I thought she would blow open. But it held together so far. Long way to go.   Wednesday, July 7 View Page Set up more Wind break fences in anticipation of the upcoming Big Blow from Hurricane Elsa on Friday. 45mph winds expected. Not good. I hope the fencing holds up.   Thursday, July 8 View Page My 150 contest entry is still chugging along at DAP 23.   Tuesday, July 13 View Page The 20 x 30 plot for the 186-2 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin is slowly filling. It will take a long to to completely fill (if it ever does. I hope to pollinate on this plant is August   Tuesday, July 13 View Page The 470 Bushel Gourd plant looks like it has a few potential fruit at 22 ft out on a side vine. Some are visible on the left side of the photo   Wednesday, July 14 View Page The 186-1 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin plant has filled half of its 20ft x 30 ft area. Made a few test pollination's and culled them all 1 week DAP. Hopefully I'll be pollinating the keepers in a few weeks at 20-22 ft out on the main.   Wednesday, July 14 View Page The 2593.7 x 2552 survived the 7 inches of rain we got in the last two weeks....so far, Growing like a bat out of hell, but I'm worried she might blow. Shown at 34 DAP, 14 ft out on the Main.. I'll be measuring on Saturday. There are much larger pumpkins out there.   Sunday, July 18 View Page Pouring out today. Hope this pollination of the 186-1 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin takes.   Friday, July 23 View Page My 150 Contest entry is taping at 320 pounds ...and growing. Tough getting a good picture since everything is squeezed into such a small area.   Friday, July 23 View Page I pollinated the 186-1 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin with itself on July 18th, in the middle of a rain storm. Looks like it took   Friday, July 23 View Page My 2552 x 2593.7 cross looks like a mini 2552. Its set at 17 ft out on the main and is almost 500 lbs   Saturday, July 24 View Page Vine Stress. So I had to move the 2593.7x 2552 about 5 inches today. Used my 2 ton Come-Along winch. The top Mill Cloth slides easily on the bottom Mill Cloth.   Saturday, July 24 View Page The Bushel Gourd was pollinated on 7/15 and looks like its set. 21 ft out on a side vine.   Saturday, July 24 View Page Love my 2 ton come-along winch for moving the pumpkins   Sunday, July 25 View Page The 186-1 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin plant has filled 2/3 of the allotted 20 x 30 foot area. Pumpkin is set at 20 ft out on the main   Tuesday, July 27 View Page The 186-2 Field Pumpkin is slowly filling the 20x30 area. I planted it 10 days after the 186-1 FP. There is a 186-2 pumpkin flowering in 3 days on Aug 1st which I hope to pollinate at 19 ft out on the main.   Tuesday, July 27 View Page The 186-1 FP has just about filled the patch. The pumpkin was set on July 18th.   Tuesday, July 27 View Page The 186-1 FP is starting to take off. Looks like its gonna have an innie.   Tuesday, July 27 View Page The 470x470 BG like the heat. Now its starting to grow. Doubled in size in 3 days. I hope this one makes it all the way.   Saturday, July 31 View Page Not much to look at yet. The 470x470 Bushel Gourd is settling into its new home and growing. Its on a 3 month lease.   Saturday, July 31 View Page The 186-1 has a good shape and a lotta plant behind it DAP 13. Growing slow now, still a lot of plant to grow. then hopefully it will grow faster. I know that on the day 20-30 that they like too split. so will back off around that time. Proactively adding calcium and potash to strengthen the rind.   Saturday, July 31 View Page The one I want to keep on the 186-2 will be pollinated on 8/1. Its at 20 ft out and is under the small table. The back up was set 4 days ago.   Saturday, July 31 View Page The 150 contest pumpkin is taping 563 lbs and putting on 23.6 lbs per day   Saturday, July 31 View Page The 2552 x 2593.7 is a low blob, but long and very young looking pumpkin. Its taping 811 lbs and is putting on 34.2 lbs per day.   Saturday, July 31 View Page The 2593.7 x 2552 is a tall very orange pumpkin. Its taping 840 lbs, and overall has a good solid shape. The stem on the other side of this pumpkin has lifted about 18 inches off the ground, which is a pain since I keep needing to cutting tap roots as the vine lifts.   Wednesday, August 4 View Page This is the 470 x 470 Bushel Gourd at 20 DAP. Slow and steady growth rate for now.   Wednesday, August 4 View Page This is the 186-1 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin pollinated on July 28th at 18 ft out   Wednesday, August 4 View Page This is the 186-1 Field Pumpkin. It was pollinated July 18. on the Main. I like the shape of this one.   Wednesday, August 4 View Page Here is the 186-2 Field Pumpkin. Pollinated on July 28 on the Main Vine with itself.   Friday, August 6 View Page Liking the progress so far, on the 186-1 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin shown T 19 dap. Keeping it shaded 24/7. Will need to keep a close eye on it for the next couple weeks as these have a tendency to blossom end split at DAP 20-30.   Saturday, August 7 View Page Still chugging along with the 2552 x 2593.7. Its taping 936 pounds and averaging about 25 lbs per day. Very solid and young looking pumpkin.   Saturday, August 7 View Page The 2593.7 x 2552 looks good and blocky. Solid looking pumpkin, set at 14 ft out on the main. Some bacterial wilt on the leaves near the stem though, which is slowing the weight gains   Sunday, August 8 View Page The 470 BG is finally in Rapid Growth. Still showing lots of ribs so its a young Bushel Gourd.   Sunday, August 8 View Page The 186-2 x self Nesbitt Field Pumpkin in the upper garden is also entering rapid growth. This fruit is shown 11 DAP. Fingers crossed, shes growing fast!   Wednesday, August 11 View Page On our next plant (for one of the later weigh-off's) I pollinated (selfed) the 186-3 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin, shown 2 DAP. Pollinated at 25 ft out.   Thursday, August 12 View Page The 186-1 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin plant has filled its 600 sq ft area. Now the pumpkin should hopefully grow faster......or blow itself up trying   Thursday, August 12 View Page This is the 186-2 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin in the upper garden. Shown 15 DAP, is almost 2/3 larger that the 186-1 pumpkin at the same age. I've learned that you cannot miss any watering/fertilizing or the pumpkin will develop dill rings or start to ripen quickly.   Thursday, August 12 View Page You can do it Bushel Gourd..... Knock over that can. I know you can do it.   Friday, August 13 View Page The 186-1 Field Pumpkin developed this Rib Ring almost overnight. I fear its going to split soon   Saturday, August 14 View Page After conferring with Mark Baggs, John Mackinnon, and Alan Nesbitt last year via email, I decided to grow a 3rd Field Pumpkin plant with the aim of pollinating it in early August for the mid October Weigh-offs. They like the cooler summer days and evenings. This one from the 186 Nesbitt FP was pollinated on August 9th just hit ground yesterday. Fingers crossed.   Wednesday, August 18 View Page Darn: My 186-1 Field Pumpkin split with a pin hole in the dill ring. She was growing 12 lb/day when she split and final tape measurements =146 pounds. So thats one down and the other two FP plants are still growing with one pumpkin each.   Saturday, August 21 View Page The 186-2 x self (Nesbitt) FP has not developed any rib rings yet, at DAP 25. Thats a god sign. We'll see how she does in the next couple days, because Tropical Storm Henri is dumping a lot of rain on us today.   Saturday, August 21 View Page Put up tents like this to protect my pumpkins from Tropical Storm Henri and the elements   Sunday, August 22 View Page The 186-3 x self (Nesbitt) Field Pumpkin is starting to put on the pounds. Shown at 13DAP.   Sunday, August 22 View Page My Bushel Gourd knocked over the can. Will wonders ever cease.   Monday, August 23 View Page My 186-2 Field Pumpkin is starting to ripen and get bumpy surface like its mom from 2020   Wednesday, August 25 View Page This is my 186-3 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin, shown 16 DAP on plant number three. In 3 days it grew from a length of 6 inches to 13 inches. There is a 600 sq ft plant driving its growth. I wish it was growing slower. I set it 30 ft out on a side vine.   Friday, August 27 View Page Shown is the 186-3x self Nesbitt Field Pumpkin In 2 days it grew from 13 inches long to 18 inches long. Its growing too fast. Not good, but still has not split yet.   Monday, August 30 View Page The 470 x 470 Bushel Gourd is shown at 45 DAP. Skin on the fruit is still smooth. She is putting on about 9 lbs per day.   Tuesday, August 31 View Page My 186-3 Field Pumpkin was selfed on Aug 9th. Shown at 22DAP. Its set at 30 ft out on a Side Vine. OTT is 160. I am giving it a "Knock over the can" test, to see if it can beat the 10 days required for the Bushel Gourd to complete the same task. lol   Tuesday, August 31 View Page Harvested this pumpkin today for a weigh-off, before we get soaked by Ida. Its a 2593.7 x 2552 cross.   Wednesday, September 1 View Page Harvesting the 186-2 Field Pumpkin for Woodstock Fair tomorrow. Final OTT was 171 inches. Its in good shape. I have not grown Field Pumpkins for over 30 years, but I learned a lot about them this year.   Wednesday, September 1 View Page Had a wonderful time up in New Hampshire at the Hopkinton State Fair Weigh-off. Its a small weigh-off that I've never been too. Our pumpkin weighed in at 1046 pounds and got 1st place. (It was the 2593.7 x 2552 cross). We escaped the pouring rain from Hurricane Ida by driving to this Fair, which is a bunch of miles north of my house. Tomorrow we are off to the Woodstock Fair with some different entries   Thursday, September 2 View Page Had a wonderful time at the Woodstock Fair.   Saturday, September 4 View Page Our 186-3 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin is still packing on the pounds. In last 4 days the OTT has gone from 160 to 171. Its ripening much slower in this cool September weather. Hopefully thats a good sign for more growth.   Saturday, September 4 View Page Put up a 40ft Heated Greenhouse with oscillating fans yesterday, for the final 6 weeks of the 470 x 470 Bushel Gourd plant to help keep it and the fruit warm and growing.   Monday, September 6 View Page My 470 x 470 Bushel Gourd is still growing per chart measurements, and enjoying the warmth and fans inside the greenhouse. Both ends have small openings for cross ventilation. Only feeding it proteins and amino acids from here on in.. No cantalouping of the skin yet. Plant is tired looking now after several cool nights, but usually it starts producing a lot of additional green foliage once I put it in the greenhouse.   Saturday, September 11 View Page The 470x470 Bushel Gourd is still growing. No cantalouping skin yet. OTT taping 218 inches. (63x64x91). Plant is a little tired, but since the heated greenhouse was added 2 weeks ago lots of new leaves have appeared. Hopefully this will help the plant stay vibrant. Main vine and stump are still solid and looking good. Weigh-off is in 28 days.   Saturday, September 11 View Page My third 186x186 Nesbitt Field Pumpkin has slowed in its growth rate the last couple days, but any growth is a surprise to me since the pumpkin is definitely starting to ripen. darn. OTT = 179" (50x52x77). This pumpkin was pollinated August 9th and was set 29ft out on a side vine. I hear you can still get some inches of growth during the Orange-ing phase. I hope so. Weigh-off is in 3 weeks.   Saturday, September 11 View Page Mustards up! Only plants left are the Field Pumpkins and Bushel Gourd in the heated greenhouse..   Saturday, September 11 View Page My Pumpkin den, is humming with information. Its weigh-off season.   Thursday, September 16 View Page Darn. I lost my 150 pumpkin. It was taping 841 pounds and it split in the rib shown. Good luck to all the other entries in the 150 contest this year.   Thursday, September 16 View Page Oop's this was the image I meant to attach to the last post   Monday, September 20 View Page Today we harvest our 3rd Field Pumpkin (the 186-3 Nesbitt) for the Durham CT Fair Weigh-off on Tuesday   Tuesday, September 21 View Page Big entry or small entry this hobby is so much fun and never gets old! We are loaded up with our 186-3 Field Pumpkin for the Durham Fair weigh-off today.   Tuesday, September 21 View Page Big entry or small entry this hobby is so much fun and never gets old! We are loaded up with our 186-3 Field Pumpkin for the Durham Fair weigh-off today.   Tuesday, September 21 View Page Durham has a fantastic country Fair and GPC Weigh-off. We weighed in with a 124 pound FIELD PUMPKIN. Had a great time. Shown with my cousin Jim Gavin from CT.   Thursday, September 23 View Page Our 470x470 Bushel Gourd is inching to the finish line. Two weeks till the Weigh-off at Frerichs Farm. Plant is tired looking, but BG is growing.   Wednesday, September 29 View Page Hopefully we get a few more warm days so this late crop of Kodiak Mustard will be beneficial when tilled under   Sunday, October 3 View Page The 150 contest results doe 2021 will be announced on October 31st. Will the record be broken...   Thursday, October 7 View Page Finally!! This has been a long year. Harvest day is tomorrow for the last Big-un in the patch. My 470x470 Bushel Gourd is going to Frerichs Farm on Saturday Oct 9th.   Friday, October 8 View Page The Bushel Gourd is loaded up and ready for the Frerichs Farm SNGPG Weigh off tomorrow.   Sunday, October 10 View Page Great time at Frerichs Farm Always good to see friends and fellow growers. Our Bushel Gourd weighed 286.5 pounds   Monday, October 18 View Page 2034 Aaron Isabelle pumpkin at Deerfield   Monday, October 18 View Page This is the 2200 Geddes est. pumpkin before and after it was split open   Monday, October 18 View Page The 1885 Lieber was beautifully shaped orange pumpkin   Tuesday, October 19 View Page Here is the 1885 Lieber photo Straight up,   Thursday, October 21 View Page Thanks to the 30 entrants to the 2021 150 Contest. I lost mine but it looks like 10 made it to the scales with sound pumpkins that met GPC standards   Monday, October 25 View Page Greg Kurkowski sets South Dakota Record with his 1823