Good evening, Growers!

Since Island View Nursery in Carpinteria is the 2007 World Tour's final stop and the furthest north I've traveled to give a workshop, I want to have a good turn-out.

Here's a link to one of the workshop announcements:

www.santabarbaraca.com/calendar/index.cfm?action=daily&cdate=6-2-2007

I've had reasonably good luck getting the June 2nd event posted to a few on-line community calendars in Santa Barbara. We'll see who refers to these websites to seek new experiences.

The seeds to seedlings for Island View's workshop have undergone 10 hours of soaking in warm water and have been planted flat, 1" deep, in their respective peat pots. They are being kept at 80 degrees F., with a plastic bag draped over the pots to retain heat and moisture.

Have a great evening!

Stuart

An Enthusiastic Group At Green Thumb!

Good evening, Growers or Germinators, as the case may be!

The maiden workshop at Green Thumb in Lake Forest went great! A hardy contingent braved the cool Sunday morning air to learn how to cultivate the world's largest vegetable. The curious and inquisitive group asked some excellent questions and went away with grand ambitions.

I am looking forward to hear how they do with their seeds and seedlings!

The finale to this year's tour will be Saturday, June 2, 11:00 a.m. at Island View Nursery, 3376 Foothill Road, Carpinteria. I'll be the in-studio guest for the "Garden Gossip" radio show on Friday, June 1st with Lisa Cullen, you can listen in at www.newspress.com starting at 11:30 a.m..

Have a great week!

Stuart

Orange County Farm Supply Sets New Attendance Record!

Good evening, Growers!

This morning's workshop at Orange County Farm Supply went very well! My thanks for the truly outstanding hospitality and support of Chris Roy and Ron Goff of Orange County Farm Supply and Ty Hall and Toby Le Bron of Kellogg Garden Products! Under a slightly cloudy sky about 45 of the giant pumpkin faithful traveled to Orange to hear how to grow a giant pumpkin, get some seeds, and compete for some unusually healthy giant pumpkin seedlings. It was great to see some familiar growers and meet a brand-new group of growers!

This season, Orange County Farm Supply and Kellogg Garden Products will be growing vines at their respective locations. I am looking forward to seeing the fruits of their labors in October!

Tomorrow morning, at 11:00 a.m. will be the maiden workshop for Green Thumb International in Lake Forest, 23782 Bridger Road, off El Toro and the 5 Freeway.

Have a great evening!

Stuart

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A Great Workshop at The Huntington!

Good evening, Growers!

Over 30 experienced, new and potential giant pumpkin growers attended today's workshop at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino! Fortunately, nearly every workshop attendee went home with a giant pumpkin seedling so I think that there will be a few more entries in October! I want to extend a very big thank you to Hannah Palmer and her staff and Mae Powell for her ongoing enthusiasm and support.

In addition to hosting a giant pumpkin workshop again, The Huntington will be the site of at least one and possibly two vines this season! So look for it/them during your next visit.

The grounds are spectacular this time of year, so I encourage all of you to visit The Huntington when you're in or around Pasadena.

Next week-end is a busy one. Next Saturday, May 19th, at 10:00 a.m., I'll be speaking at Orange County Farm Supply. Next Sunday, May 20th, at 11:00 a.m., I'll be speaking for the first time, at Green Thumb International in Lake Forest. The seedlings for these workshops are presently dominating the living room and top of the refrigerator.

Hope to see you then!

Stuart

Bountiful Seedling Crop for The Huntington!

Good evening, Growers!

I've been busy in the giant pumpkin laboratory the last week! Here are some of the seedlings that have been germinated for tomorrow's workshop at The Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino, starting at 11:00 a.m., www.huntington.org . I plan to give-away at least 30 "pedigreed" giant pumpkin seedlings at the conclusion of tomorrow's event.

Have a pleasant evening!

Stuart

Plant Depot: Set to Grow!

Good afternoon, Growers!

Yesterday's workshop was highlighted by some of the best questions ever posed by a workshop attendee and the commitment of Suzanne at Plant Depot to grow a giant pumpkin seedling and hopefully a giant pumpkin over the next 3-4 months!

Next Saturday's workshop will be held at The Huntington Library, 11:00 a.m. www.huntington.org, and there will be many seedlings to give away for door prizes. For reservations, please call: (626) 405-2104.

Have a great week!

Stuart

Plant Depot's Workshop Seedlings Are Looking Very Good!

Good evening, Pumpkinistas!

Here are some shots of the seedlings that will be given away (and one or two planted) at Pant Depot this Saturday morning!

The conditions for germinating seeds have been perfect. The average germination time has been 3 days, and the germination rate has been 90%+.

Have a great evening!

Stuart