At the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show
Photo by Diana Dill-MacDonaldThe 2009 Extreme Gardening Economic Stimulus Program: How to Grow a 500-Pound Giant Pumpkin Workshop World Tour!
Good afternoon, Pumpkinistas,
Before I get into the details of this year's workshop schedule, I want to remember Mr. Howard Dill, the gentleman, horticulturalist, and giant pumpkin seed creator who started it all, and sadly, passed away last May. The Dill family very graciously allowed me to post this great photo of Howard taken by his daughter Diana. All of us in the extended family of giant pumpkin cultivation are forever in Howard's debt. None of us would have the enjoyment, fun and education of growing giant pumpkins without Howard's contributions and generosity. I thought it fitting to have this season's first post remember Howard.
After a very well-deserved fall through late winter hiatus, I am very happy to announce this season's giant pumpkin growing workshop schedule:
"The 2009 Extreme Gardening Economic Stimulus Program: How to Grow a 500-Pound Giant Pumpkin Workshop World Tour!"
Saturday, April 4, 2009, 10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.-Yamagami's Nursery, 1361 South De Anza Boulevard, Cupertino, CA 95014, (408) 252-3347 http://www.yamagamisnursery.com/
Sunday, April, 5, 2009, 11:00 a.m.- Johnson Garden Center, 920 Tennant Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037 (408) 779-7171 www.johnson-lumber.com/Garden_Center.htm
Sunday, April 5, 2009, 2:00 p.m.-Almaden Valley Nursery, 15800 Almaden Valley Expressway, San Jose, CA 95120 (408) 997-1234 http://www.almadenvalleynursery.com/
Friday, April 17, 2009, 7:00-8:00 p.m.-Bathgate Elementary School, 27642 Napoli Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92692 (949) 348-0451 http://bges.capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/ (The workshop is part of the school's Earth Day event.)
Saturday, April 18, 2009, 11:00 a.m.-Island View Nursery, 3376 Foothill Road, Carpinteria, CA 93013 (805) 684-0324 http://www.islandviewnursery.com/
Sunday, April 19, 2009, 11:00 a.m.-Miner's Ace Hardware, 510 Atascadero Road, Morro Bay, CA 93442 (805) 772-2233 http://www.minershardware.com/
Saturday, April 25, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.-Orchard Nursery & Florist, 4010 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 (925) 284-4474 www.orchardnursery.com
Saturday, April 25, 2009, 2:00 p.m.-Alden Lane Nursery, 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA 94550 (925) 447-0280 www.aldenlane.com
Sunday, April 26, 2009, 11:00 a.m.-Wegman's Nursery, 492 Woodside Road, Redwood City, CA 94061 (650) 368-5908 www.wegmansnursery.com
Saturday, May 2, 2009, 11:30 a.m.-The Greenery Nursery, 742 East Olive Avenue, Turlock, CA 95380 (209) 632-4214 www.greenerynsy.com
Saturday, May 2, 2009, 2:00 p.m.-Westurf Nursery, 1612 Claus Road, Modesto, CA 95355 (209) 576-1111
Sunday, May 3, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-Sierra Nursery, 3985 Douglas Road, Roseville, CA 95661 (916) 791-7077 www.sierranursery.com
Sunday, May 3, 2009, 2:00 p.m.-The Front Yard Nursery, 5801 Mother Lode Drive, Placerville, CA 95667 (530) 626-3494 www.frontyardnursery.com
Thursday, May 7, 2009, 2:30 p.m.-Glazier Elementary School, 10932 E. Excelsior Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650 (562) 863-8796, Fax: (562) 863-8797 www.glazierelementary.org (This workshop will also include seedling transplanting demonstrations, and a possible patch dedication by local publicly-elected officials!)
Saturday, May 9, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-Garden Shop Nursery, 3636 Mayberry Drive, Reno, NV 89509 (775) 746-3640 http://www.gardenshopnursery.com/
Saturday, May 9, 2009, 2:00 p.m.-Moana Nursery, 1100 West Moana Lane, Reno, NV 89509 (775) 825-0602 http://www.moananursery.com/
Sunday, May 10, 2009, 11:00 a.m.-Flower Tree Nursery, 2975 Reno Highway, Fallon, NV 89406 (775) 423-1113 http://www.flowertreenursery.com/
Sunday, May 17, 2009, 10:30 a.m.-Cedros Gardens, 330 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 792-8640 www.cedrosgardens.com
Saturday, May 23, 2009, 10:30 a.m.-Bellevue Nursery, 842 104th SE, Bellevue, WA 98004 (425) 454-5531 www.bellevuenursery.com
Saturday, May 23, 2009, 1:30 p.m.-Furney's Nursery, 21215 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines, WA 98198 (206) 878-8761 www.furneysnursery.com
Sunday, May 24, 2009, 11:00 a.m.-Gordon's Garden Center, 308 Yelm Avenue East, Yelm, WA 98597 (360) 458-2481 www.gordonsgardencenter.com
Saturday, May 30, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-Green Thumb International, 1899 Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 642-8517 http://www.greenthumbinternational.com/
Sunday, May 31, 2009, 11:00 a.m.-The Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center, 415 East Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 963-7825 www.sbhicace.com
Saturday, June 6, 2009, 9:30 a.m.-Walter Andersen Nursery, 12755 Danielson Court, Poway, CA 92064 (858) 513-4900 http://www.walterandersen.com/
Saturday, June 6, 2009, 1:00 p.m.-Walter Andersen Nursery, 3642 Enterprise Street, San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 224-8271 http://www.walterandersen.com/
Sunday, June 7, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-Batavia Garden, 1730 North Batavia Street, Orange, CA 92865 (714) 637-2360
Saturday, June 20, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-Farm Supply Company, 224 Tank Farm Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 (805) 543-3751 http://www.farmsupplycompany.com/
I'll update this blog as more workshops are added or modified.
Please contact the workshop host garden center or nursery directly to reserve a seat. I've included the names, addresses, phone numbers, and websites (maps/directions) in the schedule.
I have a special inducement for this season's workshop attendees: Because of an unexpected 'Dill's Atlantic Giant' seed shortage, my suppliers had to use higher yielding seeds than normal. So, this year's workshop attendees will benefit by receiving exceptional seed packets.
Hope to see you at a workshop!