Tanaka Farms' 2014 Workshop Highlights!

It's strawberry season at Tanaka Farms!

 The stage is set, the anticipation mounts!

 Chris Dunn, 2013 Pumpkinmania! Champion wins some strawberries!

 Kenny Tanaka of Tanaka Farms awards some strawberries to a raffle winner!

A happy Tanaka Farms tour raffle prize winner!

Happiest Winner of a Giant Pumpkin Seedling!

Tanaka Farms 2014 Workshop Highlights!

Good afternoon, Pumpkinistas!

Last Saturday's jubilant and engaged workshop attendees had much fun and were treated to some insightful comments by special guest and 2013 Pumpkinmania! Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest grand champion, Chris Dunn. Chris emphasized the importance of soil testing and ongoing monitoring in order to achieve a 1,000+ pound giant pumpkin. 

Then, raffle prizes consisting of farm tours, strawberries (generously donated by Tanaka Farms) and giant pumpkin seedlings were awarded to several lucky winners pictured above. 

The highly motivated attendees then rushed home to transplant their seedlings, eat some strawberries, and craft their strategies for the weigh-off on October 26th, at Tanaka Farms.

A huge thank you to Glenn and Kenny Tanaka and the management and staff at Tanaka Farms for their hard work, preparations, and enthusiasm. 

Also, the strawberries were delicious!

2014 Giant Pumpkin Workshop Schedule

Michelle having fun with the microphone 2013

The 2014 Extreme Gardening: 

How to Grow a 500 Pound Giant Pumpkin 

World Tour!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

I am proud to announce the 2014 giant pumpkin workshop schedule! Plus, there are two new nurseries in San Diego county that have accepted the challenge. 

Saturday, March 29, 10:00 a.m., Old Towne Orange Farmers & Artisans Market, 304 North Cypress Street, Orange, CA 92866. No RSVPs are required for this workshop. First come, first seated! For information, please visit: www.orangehomegrown.org 

Saturday, April 12, 2014, 9:00 a.m., Plant World Escondido, 26334 Mesa Rock Road, Escondido, CA 92026. Please RSVP at: (760) 741-2144. For a map and directions, please visit: www.plantworldescondido.com

Sunday, April 13, 2014, 10:00 a.m., Batavia Garden Nursery, 1730 North Batavia Street, Orange, CA 92865. Please RSVP and obtain directions at: (714) 637-2360 

Saturday, April 26, 2014, 1:00 p.m.,Tanaka Farms, 5380 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612. Please RSVP at: (949) 653-2100. For a map and directions, please visit: www.tanakafarms.com 

Saturday, May 3, 2014, 10:00 a.m., Myrtle Creek Nursery, 2940 Reche Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028. Please RSVP at: (760) 728-5340. For a map and directions, please visit: www.myrtlecreeknursery.com 

Saturday, May 3, 2014, 1:00 p.m., El Plantio Nursery, 1322 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA 92027. Please RSVP at: (760) 745-8736. For a map and directions, please visit: www.elplantionursery.com 

Saturday, May 10, 2014, 10:00 a.m., Farm Supply Company, 224 Tank Farm Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. Please RSVP at: (805) 543-3751. For a map and directions, please visit: www.farmsupplycompany.com

Sheridan Gardens 2013 Giant Pumpkin!

Saturday, May 17, 2014, 10:00 a.m., Sheridan Gardens, 817 North Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505. Please RSVP at: (818) 841-8845. For a map and directions, please visit: www.sheridangardens.com  

Sunday, May 18, 2014, 1:30 p.m., Blue Hills Nursery, 16440 East Whittier Blvd., Whittier, CA 90603. Please RSVP at: (562) 947-2013. For a map and directions, please visit: www.bluehills.com 

Batavia Garden Nursery, Orange!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

Last Sunday morning was Batavia Garden's turn for this year's workshop. Attendees drove from Los Angeles and were rewarded with giant pumpkin seedlings, ready to plant. I was particularly glad to see Joanne and Rocky Doke. You may remember them from the giant pumpkin growing experience at the Great Park a few years ago.

Fun was had by all, and I am hoping to see them back for the weigh-off in October.

Plant World Nursery, Escondido!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

Last Saturday morning was the first ever giant pumpkin growing workshop for Plant World in Escondido. It was a cool morning, and a great opportunity to use my new lab coat. (Of particular interest for me were the Aldo Leopold benches that were set up in the workshop area.) The attendees were extremely interested and all of them won a giant pumpkin seedling.