Sqwash's first blog

After failing to get a plant in the ground last year, this year 2 made it and a 3rd was killed by Wayne. I was holding off on a blog entry until I knew they had a chance of surviving outside.

6-24-07

Pumpkin #1 - bottom right, has really taken off in the last two days.

Pumpkin #2 - top left, has a lot of leaves, more than #1.

Pumpkin #1~ 6-2-07 Just coming up, this one had trouble letting go of it's seed.

Pumpkin #2~ 6-2-07 Just coming up

Sorry, we're not trying to brag or anything

Pictures are from last night's (25 Jun) visit to the garden. Spent an hour or so fixing up the "greenhouse" and putting it up on stilts so the vines can grow out from underneath. Thinking about building a fence around our 20'x20' plot so the vines can grow up the fence and not out onto our neighbors' plots. Some gardeners down there are a little possessive about their plots. If you look closely at picture #2, you'll see how are pumpkins are getting so big. :-)

Here's an update of Matt and Nicole's pumpkins... (Pictures taken 25 June)

These two pictures above are the plant that came from a seed from a 200 lb pumpkin. It's kind of sitting idle right now, but it'll take off. The shovel is there to give an idea of the size.

These two pictures are from the plant that came from a 350 lb pumpkin seed. It really took off this last week. This might be the prize winner this year...

Wayne's Surviving Pumpkin

After killing 3 pumpkin plants, Wayne is having success with his 4th plant rescued from the Wilson's front porch. He is extremely proud that this plant has survived over a week and now claims to be the Colorado champion of 2007. Here is a picture taken on 24 June. We wish him the best of luck

First Pictures of Cindy's Pumpkins

Pumpkin #1 was the pumpkin Hawkeye decide a take a bite out of the stem. Herbie taped it so hopefully it will make it. Pictures taken 17 June 07 and as you can see the plants are wilting a bit since we finally had some warm temps

Wayne, the Pumpkin killer

Wayne started out with 2 plants from Cindy. He planted them outside the night before the last snow storm. Being a little nervous that they did not look so good, he asked Josh Pearsall for his extra plant. He then planted this one outside and on 07 June we had freezing temperatures and he lost all his pumpkins. Brett (the Colorado champ last year) graciously offered Wayne his extra pumpkin that took some wind damage but still surviving. Wayne will pick this plant up this weekend and see if he can kill this one. By the way, Cindy's 3 pumpkin plants have been planted outside, protected by the cute little greenhouses from lat year, and survived the 50 mph winds and freezing temps. They look pretty good but not quite as big as Brett's. Pictures will be posted later.

The Reigning Champions Make Their First Post

So we're hoping that you all have recovered from the humiliation of having been embarrassed by a 3 and 4 year old last year. You better watch out this year, as they are now a year older, more experienced, and have enlisted the help of their little 2 year old brother. Just to let you know what you're up against, here's a few photos taken yesterday of the Wilson Pumpkin Patch. Don't throw in the towel yet, there's always the chance that Hunter will trample them or Isabella will pee on them and kill them...

Old Farm Community Garden

Hunter at the Tomato Greenhouse

The Giant Pumpkin Greenhouse

Orion with the 691 lb. Big, Orange, and Beautiful plant

Orion with the 1031lb Atlantic Giant

Panjshir Pumpkin Patch

Ryan Lucia's garden/shooting range in Afganistan waiting for pumpkin seeds from Goob. He hopes to have the seeds in the ground 15 June 07

Afghanistan entry

One of the entries for this year is international. This is an email (courtesy of Goober) sent from one of the growers' sons (This guy is Framer Franks son, in the Air Force, on loan to the Army, stationed on top of a mountain in Afghanistan.)


I know it is a late-start but I want to throw my hat in and add an international element to the great pumpkin contest '07. One of my roommates is a Department of Agriculture rep and after assisting him with clearing a plot of land of landmines for his garden (by running around and stomping hard with steel toed boots) we've agreed to grow pumpkins. I don't think our mujhadin security guards have ever seen a pumpkin, so I'm afraid we might start a pumpkin craze. (Until a pumpkin is used as an IED), I think it's open season for pumpkin growing.
Ryan
p.s.
Dad, can you spot me an afghan handicap and send some prized seeds?

First 2007 photo

First photo May 29, 2007. I think I'm ahead...........