Tim and Sammi: Growing great in Santa Barbara, CA!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

I have a great dispatch from Tim and his granddaughter Sammi today. What a nice looking vine! They have lots of male and female flowers and are already planning which pumpkin they will keep. (That's Tim in the lower right-hand corner of the bottom photo...)

Thank you very much and good luck to you both!

Lockeford, CA: June 23, 2009

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

The seedling that was planted at the Kellogg Garden Products' Lockeford, CA (remember the refrigerator box?) is coming along quite nicely. This picture was taken yesterday. The wire cage looks like a good addition to prevent any unwanted nibbling by deer or other large herbivores. Plus, it's getting plenty of sun.

Good afternoon, Pumpkinistas!

Two vines have emerged victorious at Yamagami's Nursery in Cupertino! Here's the latest on the saga:

The seedlings of Camelot are thriving. Land use is at a premium even in Camelot! There is only room for one ruler in Camelot. Guinevere and Arthur were dominant in their race to control Camelot while Lancelot lagged behind. Sadly, that meant Lancelot was beheaded as he was starting to cramp Arthur and Guinevere’s style. So now the race is on between Arthur and Guinevere for Camelot domination. The Godfather, Alan, and Waterwench, Poli, are carefully monitoring their growth and waiting for next week to determine who will rule. Both vines have grown over the walls of Camelot, spilling over into the neighboring kingdom.
Come visit Camelot and watch them grow! Check our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Cupertino-CA/Yamagamis-Nursery-Garden-Center/63172657808 for more frequent updates and photos.

Nice looking vines!

John Rector: 9 for 11!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

I have a dispatch from John Rector, near Seattle today:

"Stuart,

Here is my status report.

Loretta and I wandered into your giant pumpkin lecture at Furney's Nursery in Des Moines, WA. We received 3 packs of seeds and a bag of fertilizer. I bought two more bags. I soaked two packs (11 seeds) for 48 hours (changed the water about 6 times). Of the 11 seeds I soaked and potted, 9 sprouted. I suspect the other two were not cared for properly. Loretta and I have planted 2 sprouts each. 4 sprouts went to family and friends. 1 is still in a pot. 3 people want it.

Everyone is a little excited about growing big pumpkins.

Thanks,

John Rector"

Thank you very much for your update, John. 9 out of 11 is a very good germination rate. How are you going to decide which of the three will receive the seedling?

Eric Vossbrink: Dispatch from San Diego

Good afternoon, Pumpkinistas!

I have just received the latest update from Eric Vossbrink in San Diego:

"Pumpkin update…

At about week 4 and the pumpkin is maybe 25# set 7’ down a 15’ vine. I haven’t fertilized much yet and there has been no real sunshine or heat up to this point in the season so it’s slow growing. Not a whole lot of leaves or secondary vines.

Seen here: http://erichasissues.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/updated-garden-shots/

With school out this after this week, I can sleep easy know that the vine is safe from little feet during the day.


Eric Vossbrink"

There are some great photos on his blog of some sunflowers that Eric's growing this season too!

The Olivas Adobe, Ventura, CA

Hello, Pumpkinistas!

I stretched my legs for a few minutes on the return drive from San Luis Obispo and visited the Olivas Adobe in Ventura. I noticed the historical marker when I was in Ventura a few weeks ago, and thought I take a look around. The home is located about 5 minutes from Victoria Avenue and the 101 freeway. The 2-story main house has an enclosed courtyard in the rear with an outdoor cooking area. There was a wedding feria about to begin. I thought the grape arbor would be a nice place to an enjoy a summer afternoon (and a very large staghorn fern).

There seems to be just about everything for sale

Dr. Joe Sabol, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cara Crye, Farm Supply Company

Final 2009 Tour Stop: Farm Supply Company, San Luis Obispo, CA!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

The 2009 Extreme Gardening: How to Grow a 500 Pound Giant Pumpkin Workshop World Tour wound up for the season at Farm Supply Company in San Luis Obispo on Saturday. Seventy or so very motivated individuals showed up and all of them went home with giant pumpkin seedlings germinated by Dr. Joe Sabol, retired ag education professor of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a packet of giant pumpkin seeds as a back-up.

The Farm Supply Company is hosting a giant pumpkin weigh-off October 15, 2009, so drop by if you happen to be in the neighborhood!

Mission San Luis Obispo

The Mission Museum

An afternoon in San Luis Obispo

Good evening, Pumpkinistas!

The drive to San Luis Obispo went smoothly. In fact, I had some time to look around the downtown area this afternoon. I visited the mission, and then walked down Monterey Street.