A Visit to The American Military Museum

Hello, Pumpkinistas!

One of the more interesting aspects of giving giant pumpkin workshops is the interesting and sometimes very unique opportunities to visit out-of-the-way, local and little known attractions that I would otherwise completely miss. This was definitely the case on the way to Mae Powell's home in Pasadena, CA, on Sunday morning, March 21, 2010. My Google maps' route had me heading north on Rosemead Boulevard from the West 60 freeway. After exiting the freeway, just past the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, I saw a sign for the American Military Museum. I made a quick mental note to stop in on the way back home.

So I did. The museum is located at 1918 Rosemead Boulevard, El Monte, CA 91733, at the corner of Rosemead and Rush and their website is: http://www.tankland.com/ . Visitors can take a self-guided tour, Friday-Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.. Adult admission is $5.00, and a bargain considering the sheer fun and unique historical experience.

From their website: The American Military Museum has been collecting, preserving, restoring, and sharing the largest inter-service collection of military equipment in the Western United States for over 57 years. The museum is all outdoors and therefore will be closed on rainy days.

Fortunately, the weather was perfect for a stroll around the grounds of the museum. The museum exhibits are marked by concrete blocks with numbers on them that correspond with a written description organized inside of a binder that's provided with your paid admission. It's a simple and effective way to organize such a large number of vehicles, armament, and other military-related objects. Plus, greater detailed descriptions are possible using this method as opposed to having signs in front of each exhibit. It also allows the collection to be better appreciated since there is less visual clutter without having signs in front of each tank or landing craft. Walking around the museum is very much like being on a battlefield. It's not surprising that the museum has been involved in many movie and television productions.

If you're a military buff or have ever wondered exactly what a Huey helicopter or Sherman tank look like up close, I highly recommend visiting the American Military Museum next time you're in El Monte.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and go on a sunny day!

Eric Vossbrink's Giant Sunflower

Good afternoon, Pumpkinistas!

This in from Eric Vossbrink in San Diego! Since, it's nice to grow other things besides pumpkins too. Plus, Eric's giving away seeds!

"Stuart

Although my pumpkin was small by many standards, here is a pretty good sunflower from the garden.

Width: It’s 16″ across. 18: with the fold
Weight 9.4 lbs.
Height of plant: 10′4″
Circumference of the stem at root ball 8.75″

This plant was a monster to get out of the ground. I had to cut it down rather than knock it over and pull it out by the roots.
We took out 14 plants today many heads at 12” or more.

Anyone wanting seeds from this one can contact me at this page:

http://erichasissues.wordpress.com/2009/08/06/giant-sunflower/

Leave a comment and I’ll contact anyone interested."

The Mc Guirks in Ventura Have Planted!

Good morning, Pumpkinistas!

I received this update from Lisa earlier this week, but have been remiss in not posting it sooner:

"Thank you Stuart for all the info. I attended the Ventura talk you gave. It did go on long, but I found some live ladybugs to bring as a present to the little girl’s bd party I was late to go shopping for and bring my little one to attend.

Fate decided I would not be putting this plant in the ground the next wknd after the talk, as planned. First, the people hired to get rid of my 2 yr old's "mountain", and dig out the old Jacuzzi hole underneath, didn’t leave it unfilled (pic 1). So hub had to dig out a hole in a different spot (pic 2). It took awhile for him to get to it as he was not looking forward to digging in our soil which is almost pure clay. Not knowing exactly when the hole would get done, I put off planting seedlings until I saw the whites of his eyes above an empty hole.

Okay, so the hole got dug, like 7 bags of Amend, manure, etc. got mixed into it, but I was reluctant to put the seedlings I planted in the ground due to the weather we have had – fog, chilly wind and temps never getting above around 70 (even with the recent heat wave). And the plant just really liked sitting in its corn seedling container in a plastic bag at night and out in the sun when it came out.

About 2 wks ago, I finally did transplant and had the first unround leaf already popping thru before transplanting, but forgot to plant the plant so the vine would grow opposite it, so the vine will probably head toward the fence. Other than that, the plant couldn’t be happier. Except for white flies. Hub just sprayed with Safer soap, so I hope Mr Pumpkin will be okay. Three new leaves past the transplant with the first one getting really big. Here are the preliminary pics. Will update. Lisa"

Thanks Lisa! The key is that you've planted your seedling and it sounds like it's doing well!

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!

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!