Jen at Blue Hills Nursery: Season One

Good evening, Growers!

Jennifer Van Diest, the manager at Blue Hills Nursery www.bluehills.com in Whittier, has found the perfect spot for her first foray at giant pumpkin cultivation near the back of the store, across the street from the elementary school next door. She sent me these pictures of her obvious progress together with a question on how to address insect pests. I suggested a more natural/organic approach, in the form of a companion planting of radishes. I am trying this method this year, and have germinated some "National" radishes to circle my mound. According to the National Gardening Association, radishes have a repellent effect on insect pests. We shall see... The research I did said to plant 4-5 radish plants in the area that you want protected, and to leave them in the ground for the duration of the season. I sowed plenty of radish seeds so I'll have plenty to eat in addition to the 4-5 guard radishes. I'll post pictures of The Great Wall of Radishes soon.

Have a great evening, and please keep those progress reports and pictures coming!

Joan in Altadena: An Impressive Start!

Good evening, Growers!

Here are some images from Joan in Altadena. She's off to a great season, isn't she? Her vine looks great, and is already fruiting! I believe she started her seeds pretty early in order to have these kind of results. (Or, I hope she did. If not, we are all very behind.)

Thanks, Joan, and keep them coming!

Stuart

John aka Farmer John: A Season of Change

Stuart,

How are things going?

If you go to the link below you will see how this year's patch is progressing.We have made a lot of changes this year. The main improvement was to replace the 30 year old "railroad tie" planters with the concrete block versions. We think this will help with the bug situation. As you can see we have decided to try two mounds this year as well as putting a couple of seedlings in last year's mound. I also thought you might like the way I converted my sprinkler heads to suit my pumpkin watering needs. It was the most logical way to use the timers as well as prevent the overhead watering that the normal sprinkler action would have done. We are using 4 different kinds of seeds this year and had a 100% germination rate! As you can see I found a place (Atwood sales in Placentia) to buy bulk manure. It was extremely cost effective. That truck load was only about $35.

Good luck and we'll see you soon, Farmer John

http://photobucket.com/Farmer_John

Matt in Moreno Valley's seedlings

Good evening, Growers!

These images are from Alex in Montebello's nephew, Matt in Moreno Valley. It looks like he's off to an excellent start!

If you have some images of your seedlings or vine(s), please send them to me and you'll see them here.

Have a great evening,

Stuart

Soaker Hose and Timer Installation 101

Hello, Pumpkinistas!

I've had a few questions about installing a simple automatic watering system. (Since my seedlings are still pretty small, I've been hand-watering using a watering can.) So, I thought I'd take advantage of the cool weather to install my watering system this morning.

I used a soaker hose wound around the mound, connected to a standard garden hose that's connected to a 4, AA-battery-operated/powered watering timer. (Since the timer uses very little electricity, one set of 4, AA batteries easily last the season.) To hold the soaker hose in place, I bent 3, 8"-10" lengths of clothes hanger wire into U-shapes, and pushed them over the soaker hose, and into the mound where necessary. After the hoses and timer were tightly connected, I placed a mulch over the mound and soaker hose to keep water evaporation to a minimum, the weeds down, and to moderate the soil temperature.

From start to finish, it took about 20 minutes. Of course, the first time I installed the system, it took about one hour. Just make sure that you have the soaker hose, garden hose, timer, and batteries before you start the installation. If you'll need to use the hose bib for another hose, don't forget a Y-hose splitter.

Once the seedlings are a few more days old, I'll water for 15 minutes/day at 6:00 a.m., and then increase it to 30 minutes/day, once the seedlings start vining or if the weather starts warming up.

A Great Morning at Walter Andersen Nursery in Poway!

Good afternoon, Growers!

Twenty-five or so new potential growers braved the cool weather and light rain to attend this morning's workshop at Walter Andersen Nursery, in Poway, California. This is the first time I've spoken at Walter Andersen, and it was a very fun and productive experience. The attendees were very enthusiastic, and the dozen or so, pedigree seedlings, together with some soil amendments donated by Kellogg Garden Products, that were given away as door prizes, may have been a factor in that enthusiasm.

The last two workshops of the season will be Saturday, June 7th, 11:00 a.m., at Orange County Farm Supply, 1826 West Chapman Avenue, Orange, CA, 92868, and Sunday, June 8th, 1:00 p.m., at Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, CA, 92831.

Yes, special giant pumpkin seedlings will be given away as prizes at both workshops! (Stop by if you think you might need a back-up seedling and you're feeling lucky.)

The cool weather is helping this week's transplanted seedlings adapt to their new surroundings.

A Successful Transplanting!

Hello, Pumpkinistas!

I have transplanted my seedlings.

The conditions earlier this evening, were pretty near perfect: 70 degrees F., overcast, a light breeze. Since the next couple of days will be cooler than today, the seedlings will hopefully have plenty of time to adapt to their new environment.

Please note the use of the transluscent plastic mini-greenhouse secured by a couple of U-shaped holding devices made from a bent clothes hanger. I don't know if it's even necessary, given the cooling trend.

I'll remove it in 3-7 days or as soon as I think the seedlings have established themselves in their new surroundings.

If you have any pictures of your newly transplanted seedlings, send them in!

Have a great evening!

Stuart

Alex and Carmen in Montebello's Seedlings

Good evening, Growers!

This image of some very healthy-looking seedlings were sent in by Alex and Carmen in Montebello! He's planning to transplant them tonight under the full moon!

Thanks for sending in the picture, Alex!

Stuart

An afternoon at Rancho Mission Viejo!

Good evening, Growers!

From time to time, unique opportunities present themselves because of a convergence of circumstances and serendipity. One of these opportunities occurred last Friday afternoon and evening. I was invited to present a workshop at Rancho Mission Viejo for the headquarters management, staff, interested family and friends. As you can see by the images, most of the staff will be involved in this company-wide fun activity. There are six growing areas/patches/teams of 6-7 people. Water is being provided to each, 1,200 square foot patch, and the entire area has been fenced in. (Yes, that is a small beach created to provide a comfortable place to relax after an afternoon of vine tending. The gate was made by Sam and he's pictured with Russ Price and his daughter.)

Richard Broming, Senior Vice President, made the introductions, cooked the hamburgers and hot dogs, and Gloria, Richard's wife, coordinated the workshop, the barbecue afterwards, and even made a last-minute ice run for the thirsty workshop attendees. (Gloria made a pre-emptive strike by attending the workshop at Laguna Hills Nursery earlier this season...)

It was a very fun afternoon, and I am looking forward to seeing some monsters in the fall!

I'll be visiting Rancho Mission Viejo periodically, and I'll post pictures of their progress!