Cucumbers are ready!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

While I am waiting for this season's giant pumpkin seedlings to develop, I thought that it might be interesting to show you what's going on in the vegetable garden.

The cucumber vines are fruiting, and even though you can't see them too well, I am expecting some tomatoes soon! This season I planted a number of heirloom cherry tomato varieties that are supposed to be not only rare but tasty too.

Michelle can't wait!

Sheridan Gardens, Burbank, CA

 Arlene Lewis, manager at Sheridan Gardens prepares the door prizes!

Sheridan Gardens' Pumpkin Patch, corner of Clark and North Hollywood Way

(Before workshop)

 Sheridan Gardens' Pumpkin Patch (After seedling transplanting ceremony!)

 West Floral Park Neighborhood's Annual Garden Day Event

May 17, 2014

 Bruce Bauer, Giant Pumpkin Seedling Provider, first row, far left.

Blue Hills Home & Garden Center, Whittier, CA

 Blue Hills is growing their pumpkin this season in a large container.

 Giant Pumpkin Chief Assistant & Princess on the right.

The Final Week-end of the 2014 World Tour!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

The final week-end of the 2014 World Tour is complete! 

Saturday morning, the tour moved to Burbank and Sheridan Gardens. This workshop's highlight was transplanting a giant pumpkin seedling at Sheridan' pumpkin patch at the corner of Clark and North Hollywood Way. It's easily visible from the street plus it gets plenty of sunshine. It will be interesting to see if they can beat the 300+ pounder that they grew there last season.

Saturday afternoon, the tour moved to the West Floral Park Neighborhood's Annual Garden Day Event, in Santa Ana, CA. This was a lower-key neighborhood event featuring classic cars, home garden tours, and people getting out and having fun. Bruce Bauer, pictured in the front row, farthest left, in the photo above, germinated some giant pumpkin seedlings that were distributed to all of the rapt attendees. I anticipate 5-10 additional Pumpkinmania entries as a result of Bruce's efforts.

Sunday morning, aided by Michelle, the tour's 2014 final stop was Blue Hills Nursery in Whittier. (Because of the unexpected number of attendees, Michelle and I almost didn't have enough seeds!) We were joined by John Sach, Pumpkinmania! Champion, who informed the crowd about keeping the soil moist under the leaf junctures to encourage rooting, as an alternative to vine burial.

Blue Hills is growing their pumpkin this year in a very large container. I can't wait to see their final results, and hope that they grow a monster!

Thank you very much to all workshop attendees and hosts!

Blue Hills Streaks to the Lead!

Blue Hills Nursery: An auspicious start!

Hello, Pumpkinistas!

I received this very impressive image of Blue Hills Nursery's on-site giant pumpkin vine.

It looks extremely healthy, don't you think?

I plan to use it as a visual aid for this Sunday's workshop!

Farm Supply Company, San Luis Obispo

Photo courtesy of Dr. Joe Sabol

Stuart, Michelle, Lauren, Cara Crye (L-R)

Farm Supply Company's Workshop!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

The tour moved north to the Central Coast this past week-end to Farm Supply Company in San Luis Obispo. All of Saturday morning's lucky attendees brought home seedlings germinated by Dr. Joe Sabol, professor emeritus, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Cara Crye and the staff at Farm Supply did an excellent job as ususal. Lauren, Michelle and I had a great time looking at the 3 day-old chicks for sale and enjoying the perfect warm and sunny weather. We even stopped at Santa Barbara Blueberries on the drive back home to see their operation and to pick a bucket of berries for breakfast on Sunday.

Next week-end wraps up the 2014 workshop season, with workshops in Burbank and Whittier. 

A Day of Workshops in North San Diego County!

Myrtle Creek Nursery

Photo courtesy of Karl Schaeffer

 El Plantio Nursery

 That's what I like to see, a little marketing initiative!

A Day of Workshops in North San Diego County!

Good afternoon, Pumpkinistas!

Last Saturday was spent spreading the fun and adventure of giant pumpkins in North San Diego County in Fallbrook and Escondido respectively.

Although attendance was a little lighter than expected, it was compensated by very engaged and interested attendees who were there. The good news? Most attendees went home with giant pumpkin seedlings, ready to be transplanted. (Their smiling faces are captured above.)

Next stop on this year's world tour is San Luis Obispo this Saturday morning! Stop by if you're near Farm Supply on Tank Farm Road at 10:00 a.m.! Dr. Joe Sabol of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has germinated a vast number of giant pumpkin seedlings!