Daisy, Bellevue Nursery's Newsletter Editor-in-Chief and Mascot

Ken Smith, Owner, Bellevue Nursery

Gretchen Taylor, Kellogg Garden Products and Ken Smith

How many spheres can you count in this picture?

(Correct answer at the bottom of this posting...)

Jack LaRue, renowned giant pumpkin grower (1,420 pounds personal best),

gives tips and advice for Pacific Northwest growing conditions

Marissa, helpful, well-mannered, and lucky, soon-to-be

first-time giant pumpkin grower!

A Super Week-end in Seattle!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

The world tour triumphantly finished up the last out-of-state dates of 2009 with the Pacific Northwest this week-end. I returned to Bellevue Nursery, Bellevue, WA and Furney's Nursery, Des Moines, WA and presented at Gordon's Garden Center in Yelm, WA for the first time. The weather was very cooperative, and all of this week-end's workshop attendees were engaged, enthusiastic, and inquisitive.

One of the highlights of this week-end was the opportunity to meet Jack LaRue, and his wife Gretchen at the workshop at Gordon's Garden Center. Many of the seedling winners of previous giant pumpkin workshops will recognize his name, since I've been germinating seeds from his pumpkins for years now. So, it was a very pleasant surprise to be greeted by Jack and Gretchen when Gretchen Taylor of Kellogg Garden Products and I arrived at Gordon's Garden Center yesterday morning! Jack graciously consented to share some of his knowledge and experience of growing giant pumpkins with the attendees. Jack even generously provided seeds from his own giant pumpkins too! Jack is an active member (as am I) of the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers, http://www.pgvg.org/ so we made sure that the workshop attendees were aware of the many fun and unique activities conducted by this fine organization. My only regret was not being able to have lunch with Jack and Gretchen since I had to catch a flight back to Orange County. I'll make sure to allot plenty of time next year!

(Correct answer: At least 6! Some photo oppotunities are just too tempting...)