tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60647132024-02-20T14:26:51.326-08:00Pumpkinmania!"Changing the World, One Pumpkin At A Time."
This is the communications center for the Southern California Giant Pumpkin Growing Community, Extreme Gardening Workshop Attendees and the Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off and ContestStuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comBlogger688125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-45245155334183170832016-09-05T10:04:00.000-07:002016-09-05T10:12:19.301-07:00The Great Pumkpin Weigh-Off at the Irvine Park Ralroad!
THE GREAT PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF
Join us on Saturday, September 24th to see if the local pumpkin growers have what it takes to win a prize for growing the biggest pumpkin. Cash prizes will be awarded.
On this day only, we’ll have a live band and a lot of giant pumpkins. All Pumpkin Patch activities will be open and can be enjoyed by all visitors.
CONTEST
Date: Saturday, September Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-18123349183116928112015-11-02T09:28:00.000-08:002015-11-02T09:29:06.635-08:00The 2015 Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest Results!
The weigh-off location was very easy to find!
Some of the entries of Tanaka Farms' scarecrow contest
Pumpkins started arriving before 8:00
Glenn Tanaka and Mark Imhoof unload an entry
Mae Powell tries to convince the media that this is her pumpkin
Michelle Shim, Chief Assistant, takes a break from theStuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-28473895311130511192015-10-23T10:52:00.002-07:002015-10-23T11:50:09.519-07:002015 Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest Announcement
The 2015 Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin
Weigh-off & Contest
This Sunday, October 25, 2016, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Tanaka Farms
5380 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612,
please visit: www.tanakafarms.com for directions/details
(Note, there is a $2.00 admission fee
to enjoy Tanaka Farms, a bargain at twice the price.)
Registration: 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-82427073832306660822015-07-06T10:04:00.000-07:002015-10-13T10:18:33.415-07:00Mike and Susan Gray's 2015 Season!
Mike and Susan Gray's 2015 Season!
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
I am very happy to let you know that Mike and Susan Gray, veteran giant pumpkin growers and fierce Pumpkinmania! competitors have started their patch!
I am impressed!
June 11, 2015
July 1, 2015
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
The report from Mike and Susan: This Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-70841995809229137192015-06-24T08:40:00.000-07:002015-06-24T08:40:09.482-07:00Exploding cucurbits!
Exploding plants Curiosity.com
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
As we get closer to fruiting, I thought you might find this video which contains footage of exploding cucumbers interesting.
This can be viewed as a cautionary tale for giant pumpkin growers who over-water and over-fertilize their plants...
Good luck!Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-40741664563088183252015-06-08T10:57:00.002-07:002015-06-08T10:57:34.761-07:00
Tanaka Farms 2015 Workshop!
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
I am happy to report that several dedicated, focused, and inquisitive individuals and families attended yesterday's workshop at Tanaka Farms! The attendees were treated to a very special demonstration of giant pumpkin weighing methods by Mark Imhoof, Senior Engineer and Weigh-off Crew Supervisor. Mark showed the Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-57563207264167031142015-05-28T07:27:00.000-07:002015-06-05T09:38:52.641-07:00Mark Imhoof's 2015 Season!
June 4, 2015
Mark Imhoof's in the mix!
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
Veteran Pumpkinmania! weigh-off attendees will recognize Mark as the person supervising the weighing of the entries and engineering the sling. He's also a long-time giant giant pumpkin grower, and he sent me this picture of his vine which looks mighty nice so far!
Note the vines are just poking through theStuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-41406410021624155092015-05-21T07:02:00.002-07:002015-05-21T07:21:01.536-07:00Blue Hills Nursery 2015 Workshop
Giant pumpkin vines can grow in containers
The vine is beginning to fruit!
Blue Hill's' prior giant pumpkin cultivation!
Blue Hills Nursery's 2015 Workshop
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
Last Sunday's workshop at Blue Hills Nursery was a little different than most. Jen Van Diest, manager, is growing a giant pumpkin in a large plastic tub (40 gallons+), so I Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-68196635012064045112015-05-20T07:42:00.002-07:002015-05-20T10:08:34.255-07:00
Orange County Register/Eventful
2015 Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest
Announcment is Posted!
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
I am happy to inform you that the 2015 Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest announcement has been posted to the Orange County Register's event calendar: Orange County Register Events
Now, you can simply refer your Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-78103846711467803542015-05-18T09:39:00.001-07:002015-05-20T10:09:52.028-07:00Farm Supply Co., 2015 Pumpkin Workshop
Photo by Gisele Schoniger
Farm Supply Company's 2015 Workshop
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
I wanted to post some of the pictures that I took during my trip to San Luis Obispo for Farm Supply Company's May 9th workshop.
A big thank you to Dr. Joe Sabol, Professor Emeritus, of Cal Poly SLO for his priceless help, enthusiasm, work and help with this Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-69980178530450312992015-05-04T08:35:00.000-07:002015-05-04T09:04:40.634-07:00Batavia Garden 2015
Batavia Garden Nursery's 2015 Workshop
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
I am happy to report that Batavia Garden's 2015 workshop was very fun and intimate. We had some new and very enthusiastic workshop attendees that bode well for this year's weigh-off in October. As always, it was great to see Adeline and Ray Ceja!
Thank you very much to Ron Hamada and Keiko Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-59495700455106339512015-05-04T08:33:00.001-07:002015-05-04T08:38:56.295-07:002015 Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest Announcement
The First Contestants for
The 2015 Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin
Weigh-off & Contest!
Sunday, October 25, 2015, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Tanaka Farms
5380 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
Please save the date! This year's weigh-off will be held, Sunday, October 25th!
About the picture:
In a bid to completely psyche out his competitionStuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-30947858407235914752015-04-22T08:42:00.004-07:002015-05-20T06:27:40.529-07:00The 2015 "Extreme Gardening: How to Grow a 500 pound Giant Pumpkin" World Tour
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
I am pleased to announce The 2015 "Extreme Gardening: How to Grow a 500 pound Giant Pumpkin" World Tour!
I apologize for the late announcement. I've been coordinating the schedule and structure of the workshops with Kellogg Garden Products, and it's taken a bit longer than originally anticipated.
Please check back to see additional workshops, since I Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-21155214280653776712014-11-14T08:11:00.000-08:002014-11-14T08:29:41.005-08:00Rise of the Giants-Documentary on Giant Pumpkins and Growers Orange County Premier November 29th, Tanaka Farms
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
LA-based film maker, Daria Matza, has just released a documentary about giant pumpkins and giant pumpkin growers called "Rise of the Giants".
I am pleased to announce that the Orange County premier of "Rise of the Giants" will be Saturday, November 29th, 2014, 4:30 p.m., at Tanaka Farms, 5380 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612, www.tanakafarms.com. Admission Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-75000686148077009742014-10-31T12:33:00.000-07:002014-11-10T08:48:44.328-08:00The 2014 Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest Results and Images!
(All photos by Stuart Shim unless noted otherwise.)
It was easy to spot where the weigh-off was located at Tanaka Farms
Banners hung in the weigh-off area
Mark Imhoof, Chief Technology Officer shows off his weighing sling for smaller entries
Chris Dunn, 2013 Pumpkinmania! Champion, arrived early to help
and to register his son, Kingston's, 2014 entry.
Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-70476324811576097322014-10-23T11:01:00.000-07:002014-10-23T11:09:41.867-07:00The 2014 Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest Details and Rules
Official design for the 2014 Pumpkinmania! Giant pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest
Courtesy and compliments of Roadkyll Graphics
(To pre-order your Official 2014 Pumpkinmania T-shirt for $10.00,
please e-mail Phil Concan at: jtull1@prodigy.net)
It's this Sunday!
What: The 2014 Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest
Day/Date/Time: Sunday, October 26, 2014, 8:30 a.m.-1:Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-20239442940608303012014-10-22T07:02:00.000-07:002014-10-22T07:43:37.407-07:00Ashley & Anthony's 2014 Season
Ashley & Anthony's 2014 Season!
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
In the pre and post Orange County Fair onion competition, I completely failed in getting this post and pictures up! Ashley and Anthony are growers in Dana Point that not only attended the workshop at Tanaka Farms, but also sought out extra seeds and seedlings to help out some children.
As you can see,Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-8215585942539870412014-10-06T11:14:00.000-07:002014-10-06T11:21:24.622-07:00Susan and Mike Gray 2014
Note the boards in place to reduce soil compaction...
The Grays are back!
Good afternoon, Pumpkinistas!
I always know that the season has begun when I receive the first update from Mike and Susan Gray, veteran competitors and winners of Pumpkinmania:
"Morning Stuart:
We are off and running not in the dirt yet but forthcoming. Until next time 'HAPPY GROWING SEASON Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-59021310853260694202014-09-30T11:06:00.000-07:002014-09-30T11:06:08.783-07:00
Photo courtesy of NBC News/EPA
A New World Record!
Good morning, again, Pumpkinistas!
Beni Meier, a 30 year-old Swiss gardener, set a new world record in a competition in Mainz, Germany yesterday. His winning entry was 2,096 pounds. So, the crown has moved from Napa, California to Switzerland!
I am hoping that crown comes back to the US, and hopefully to a grower in Southern Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-64208145790116700782014-09-30T10:49:00.002-07:002014-09-30T10:49:33.732-07:00A Contender/The 2014 Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest
A Contender!
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
Well, in spite of many growers having disappointing seasons, at least one young grower is excited by his prospects at this year's Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest!
I think it looks like a real contender.
Please mark you calendars:
What: The 2014 Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest
Day/Date/TimeStuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-50861304783975655432014-09-22T09:46:00.001-07:002014-09-22T09:46:24.389-07:00
Helen Magruder in the mix!
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
Helen Magruder, a giant pumpkin growing enthusiast and fellow UCCE Master Gardener, sent me this photo and update, including some valuable musings about powdery mildew this morning:
"Hi Stuart,
A friend visiting took this picture and sent it to my computer so here it is as of 9/17. He said he should be in the picture Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-82644131889734402242014-09-03T07:23:00.000-07:002014-09-03T10:02:29.582-07:00To stand on The Podium!
To stand on The Podium:
Entry delivery at The OC Fair
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
In the spirit of friendly competition, I dropped off a couple of entries at the 2014 Orange County Fair's Vegetable Competition, Adult Division. My entries were in the onion category. Since this is the first time I've entered in this category, I am hoping to stand on the podium!
As you can seeStuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-55834661853098536542014-07-22T14:11:00.000-07:002014-07-22T14:11:09.626-07:00
Stuart,
I know we have been quiet from the Fredricks patch this year but this will catch you up. We decided to grow our own 980 Fredricks seed this year. Photos above are of my son Joshua, myself with the weed blower and sprayer using a fun and cheap way to spray the plant, and of Mr Chris Dunn, last year's pumpkinmania champion who visited the patch. Pumpkin is small now Jim Fredrickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16343466708580923244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-26646559929628606062014-06-25T10:05:00.000-07:002014-06-25T10:06:09.214-07:00Chris Dunn's 2014 Season
An update from Chris Dunn...
Hey Stuart! Just a little Pumpkimania update. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a 2009 Wallace last year. Here she is at 13 days in the patch. I started everything two weeks later this year in hopes of getting in on that late season warm weather we get! I'm rolling the dice and hoping for a strong Indian summer late into September. I have a couple other Stuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6064713.post-62065207990492328182014-06-12T10:15:00.000-07:002014-06-12T10:17:36.746-07:00Blue Hills Nursery 2014
An update from Blue Hills Nursery!
"Hi Stuart,
I just wanted to thank you again for our wonderful seminar. Everyone really enjoyed it. Also here's an update on my pumpkin it's growing quickly! All the customers really enjoy watching it grow as well."
I received this message and images from Jen Van Diest at Blue Hills Nursery. What makes their effort particularly interesting is thatStuarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01059420637849260985noreply@blogger.com