The Beast of Burbank Awakes!

Sheridan Gardens Update: The Beast of Burbank Awakes!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

The folks at Sheridan Gardens in Burbank, CA continue to have an excellent potential season. As you can see, they have a fruit!

Beer and pumpkins!

Stuart,

As you know, I battle a plague of pill bugs each year and they are so destructive in high numbers. I don't drink, but pumpkin growing made me and my 2 year old son buy beer! lol Fill up a plastic bottle cap or tuna can, fill with beer, and put it in the patch. The bottom picture had around 300 pill bugs in it after a couple of days. There are even pill bugs in the bottom of the green cap you can't see in the beer. I go all organic and this stuff works pretty good!!!!

Jim and Joshua Fredricks San diego

The Dark Prince Emerges...sort of.

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

Here is the latest communique' from His Inkiness:

"Remus and Romulus enjoying a sunny afternoon in their new dual-hydroponic growth chambers. A thin layer of topsoil covers their life-giving aquatic world and provides security from those who would attempt to unmask the growing technology of The Dark Prince."

The reference to Romulus and Remus, is intriguing. Perhaps The Dark Prince grew up in Italy? Again, I'm surprised that he ventured into the sunlight in order to take this picture before scurrying back into his lair. 

The latest from the Dark Prince: He obviously has a penchant for expensive foreign beers.

The Prince has emerged again with more alcohol-themed giant pumpkin growing advice:

"Once a week, treat the growing pumpkins to a Cuban Breeze in the afternoon. Releases tension from sitting in sunlight for endless hours under the ruthless regime of The Dark Prince.  Notice the professionally installed vine-bumpers."

Sheridan Gardens: Hot fun in the Summertime!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

Growing in Burbank sure has its advantages! I received these photos from Toby Le Bron of Kellogg Garden Products of Sheridan Gardens' giant pumpkin vine. The warmer valley temperatures of the last couple of weeks have really been working their magic!

The Gray Juggernaut Continues!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

The Grays are in Phase Two of their special watering/cultivating system as you can see from the photos above. Is it my eyes, or is their plant a brilliant, shiny, dark emerald green in the last picture?

(I hope my second set of transplants will do as well!)

Burying giant pumpkin vines

Update from the Grays: How to Bury Your Vines

Good afternoon, Pumpkinistas!

Well, the Grays' plant is running, and they are being very diligent about burying their vines in an easy and daily (or perhaps every other day) garden task! I particularly like the the last picture, with all of the various supports guiding the end of the vine into its trench!

New garden boots!

Michelle colored the letters and the square and circular shapes

Back row, (l. to r.) Patio Princess tomato, Chiriman Japanese squash, 

Parisienne carrots in the foreground

(Clockwise) Japanes eggplants, Siam Queen Thai basil, Summerlong basil

Cucumber and Tomato Row

Michelle's Garden: New sign, new boots!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

Here are recent pictures of Michelle's garden, complete with a new sign that we made over the week-end. We have just planted some Giant Syrian tomato seedlings, and are harvesting a lot of various cucumbers every day!

The Self Professed Giant Pumpkin Kahuna Really Does Exist!

I had the pleasure of attending the final workshop of the 2013 World Tour: ‘Upper division Giant Pumpkin Workshop/Boot Camp.’  The blog is inundated with pumpkin plants and attendees yet, the ‘Self professed Giant Pumpkin Kahuna,’ Stuart Shim is rarely caught on film imparting his plethora of knowledge.  I wanted to take a moment and thank Stuart for his gracious efforts in making these events so successful.  Good luck everyone & thank you Stuart!

 

Michelle kicks things off!

 Some giant pumpkin seedling winners were more thrilled than others!

Michelle wraps it up!

Final Workshop of the 2013 World Tour a Giant Success!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

The final workshop of the 2013 World Tour was presented yesterday afternoon at Tanaka Farms. Over 75 attendees took advantage of near perfect weather to learn how to grow giant pumpkins, and to win some giant and specialty (Galeuse d'Eysines, pint-warted) pumpkin and giant tomato seedling(s), GreenCure organic fungicide, and giant pumpkin gardening caps from the Gardner & Bloome division of Kellogg Garden Products. 

As a very special bonus, attendees were given a special password that will allow them to receive the "maximum" discount (up to 20% on certain items) at Orange County Farm Supply on their giant pumpkin supplies until Saturday, June 29th! But remember, you have to say the  magic word at the register before your purchases are rung up!

A big thank you to Glenn and Jolene, and the rest of the staff at Tanaka Farms for all of their hard work!