Cornell University Resource for Vegetable Gardeners

Good morning, Growers!

If the number of seedlings I saw being sold last week-end is any indication, people are planting a lot of vegetables this season.

Coincidentally, I recently received a message informing me that there's been an update of a citizen science program from the Department of Horticulture, (for vegetable gardeners) Cornell University: http://vegvariety.cce.cornell.edu/

Cornell's improved the website, so it's even easier to navigate than before. The website identifies different varieties of vegetables, and where they are being successfully cultivated by home gardeners. It will help you decide which varieties of vegetables to plant in your garden. Plus, you can also comment on your successes and challenges growing vegetables too. I like the idea that it's a 'citizen science program'. If you don't want to spend a few winters in Ithaca, NY working on a degree, this is an excellent opportunity to have some exposure and to contribute to Cornell.

This week's workshops are in Mission Viejo, Carpenteria and Morro Bay. I have started germinating the seeds for the seedling door prizes! Details of the workshops are on the March 17th posting below.

Have a great week!

Stuart

Going Viral!

Good afternoon, Pumpkinistas!

Well, it was bound to happen sometime. I forgot to mention that I was shot on video during one of the workshops at Yamagami's Nursery on Saturday. Rus Scott, russcott@cruzio.com, (831) 234-9283, was the videographer, and here's the finished video for your viewing amusement and pleasure:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p9pUrvdcGI

I am extremely grateful to Rus for editing out me being heckled/corrected by the 4 year-old girl in the front row. (Yes, it's true, a pumpkin is technically a fruit, not a vegetable. I normally cover that in my advanced workshops, which I am now considering adding a minimum age requirement, like 21 years old or older.) Giant pumpkin workshop attendees can be a tough crowd.

Have a great evening, and I hope you enjoy the workshop!

Aloha,

Stuart

P.S. In addition to viedography, Rus also has a very extensive background in engineering management, manufacturing, project management, and new product introductions, in case you have a current or future need in these areas.

Banners were everywhere!

Note the subliminal use of gourd imagery

Carolyn Villa-Scott of Yamagami's demonstrates the estimated size of their future pumpkin!

Bev and Bob Tanem!

Almaden Valley Nursery's owner, Matt Lepow and Bob Tanem

Todde Slinde of Kellogg Garden Products and Bob Tanem

A Week-end in the Silicon Valley!

Good evening, Growers!

Well, I'm back from a whirlwind week-end in the San Jose-Cupertino-Morgan Hill area of the Silicon Valley, the first leg of this year's world tour. I flew up Friday, mid-afternoon to the San Jose Airport, and was greeted by Todd Slinde of Kellogg Garden Products. The next morning, we set off for Yamagami's Nursery for the maiden workshops of the season. I was extremely impressed with the preparations the management and staff have made for Yamagami's 2009 giant pumpkin growing efforts, and the great signage they created for the workshops. Both workshops were well-attended, and the number and quality of questions were truly astounding. Todd and I were up bright and early Sunday morning for our radio appearances on Bob Tanem's 'In the Garden' radio show broadcast on KSFO at Almaden Valley Nursery. Then we were off to Johnson Garden Center in Morgan Hill. This was my first visit to Johnson Garden Center. For a first-time workshop venue, we had a number of very enthusiastic workshop attendees that kept the questions coming well past the time we had allowed to return back to Almaden Valley's workshop Sunday afternoon. The afternoon workshop at Almaden Valley went very well, and at least one attendee was inspired to try and grow his pumpkin this year in a 60-gallon trash can since his garden consists primarily of shale.

Where there's a will, there's a way!

I have some late-breaking workshop news as well. Thursday, May 7th, at 2:30 p.m., I'll be presenting a workshop at Glazier Elementary School, 10932 East Excelsior Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650, phone: Tel. (562) 863-8796, fax: (562) 863-8797 at the invitation of Martha Treadway, www.glazierelementary.org! Since this year's May full moon will be Saturday, May 9th, we're planning to take advantage of this special opportunity to transplant some seedlings into their specially prepared patch after the workshop is finished. If you've ever wondered exactly how to transplant a giant pumpkin seedling, here's your chance! Martha assures me that local and national media, PTA, fellow teachers, school administrators, staff, interested parents, and slightly interested students, will be invited. In fact, we're hoping that the mayor of Norwalk will be on hand to officially dedicate their patch! We shall see... If you or anyone you know has friends at Norwalk city hall, this opportunity would be an ideal use of some political capital!

Have a great evening!

Stuart

An Update from Martha Treadway in Whittier!

Good afternoon, Growers!

I received this update from Martha Treadway (pictured above with her 2008 Pumpkinmania entry, Ms. Peanut) and it looks like there are some warm-up competitions and activities available right now:

"Hi Stuart,

I am sooooo excited that the pumpkin workshops are starting---and for the pumpkinmania season to begin!

There was a short announcement in last weekend's USA Weekend, the Sunday paper insert magazine, page 5 asking, "Have you grown giant fruits or vegetables? Send photos, tell the story. Select entries will be announced on usaweekend.com and may be published in a book. For complete entry details, go to usaweekend.com

Thought the Pumpkinmania folks might like to know about that.

Also, the 48th Agricultural District sponsors a Schools' Agriculture and Nutrition fair, for school students. This is like the 4-H for city kids. The theme this year is "Fields of Nutrition"My booth entry this year is...."PUMPKINMANIA"! My students have been busy 'pumpkinistas" all year long. We still have 2 very large pumpkins in the classroom that haven't gone 'bad' yet.

I am hoping that they will last until the Fair, April 22-26, 2009. I'll send pictures of the Fair when I get the display set up and also let you know what, if any, prize/ribbon are awarded for our work.

Just doing my part to keep "pumpkinmania' alive and in the hearts of the youth!

Martha"

Thank you, Martha!

At the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show

Good afternoon, Growers!

Since even the most enthusiastic pumpkin cultivator needs a break now and then from the patch, I took a drive up the 101 to this year's Santa Barbara International Orchid Show at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. As you can see, there were some spectacular orchid exhibits and things to see and learn about.

Photo by Diana Dill-MacDonald

The 2009 Extreme Gardening Economic Stimulus Program: How to Grow a 500-Pound Giant Pumpkin Workshop World Tour!

Good afternoon, Pumpkinistas,

Before I get into the details of this year's workshop schedule, I want to remember Mr. Howard Dill, the gentleman, horticulturalist, and giant pumpkin seed creator who started it all, and sadly, passed away last May. The Dill family very graciously allowed me to post this great photo of Howard taken by his daughter Diana. All of us in the extended family of giant pumpkin cultivation are forever in Howard's debt. None of us would have the enjoyment, fun and education of growing giant pumpkins without Howard's contributions and generosity. I thought it fitting to have this season's first post remember Howard.

After a very well-deserved fall through late winter hiatus, I am very happy to announce this season's giant pumpkin growing workshop schedule:

"The 2009 Extreme Gardening Economic Stimulus Program: How to Grow a 500-Pound Giant Pumpkin Workshop World Tour!"

Saturday, April 4, 2009, 10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.-Yamagami's Nursery, 1361 South De Anza Boulevard, Cupertino, CA 95014, (408) 252-3347 http://www.yamagamisnursery.com/

Sunday, April, 5, 2009, 11:00 a.m.- Johnson Garden Center, 920 Tennant Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037 (408) 779-7171 www.johnson-lumber.com/Garden_Center.htm

Sunday, April 5, 2009, 2:00 p.m.-Almaden Valley Nursery, 15800 Almaden Valley Expressway, San Jose, CA 95120 (408) 997-1234 http://www.almadenvalleynursery.com/

Friday, April 17, 2009, 7:00-8:00 p.m.-Bathgate Elementary School, 27642 Napoli Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92692 (949) 348-0451 http://bges.capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/ (The workshop is part of the school's Earth Day event.)

Saturday, April 18, 2009, 11:00 a.m.-Island View Nursery, 3376 Foothill Road, Carpinteria, CA 93013 (805) 684-0324 http://www.islandviewnursery.com/

Sunday, April 19, 2009, 11:00 a.m.-Miner's Ace Hardware, 510 Atascadero Road, Morro Bay, CA 93442 (805) 772-2233 http://www.minershardware.com/

Saturday, April 25, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.-Orchard Nursery & Florist, 4010 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 (925) 284-4474 www.orchardnursery.com

Saturday, April 25, 2009, 2:00 p.m.-Alden Lane Nursery, 981 Alden Lane, Livermore, CA 94550 (925) 447-0280 www.aldenlane.com

Sunday, April 26, 2009, 11:00 a.m.-Wegman's Nursery, 492 Woodside Road, Redwood City, CA 94061 (650) 368-5908 www.wegmansnursery.com

Saturday, May 2, 2009, 11:30 a.m.-The Greenery Nursery, 742 East Olive Avenue, Turlock, CA 95380 (209) 632-4214 www.greenerynsy.com

Saturday, May 2, 2009, 2:00 p.m.-Westurf Nursery, 1612 Claus Road, Modesto, CA 95355 (209) 576-1111

Sunday, May 3, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-Sierra Nursery, 3985 Douglas Road, Roseville, CA 95661 (916) 791-7077 www.sierranursery.com

Sunday, May 3, 2009, 2:00 p.m.-The Front Yard Nursery, 5801 Mother Lode Drive, Placerville, CA 95667 (530) 626-3494 www.frontyardnursery.com

Thursday, May 7, 2009, 2:30 p.m.-Glazier Elementary School, 10932 E. Excelsior Drive, Norwalk, CA 90650 (562) 863-8796, Fax: (562) 863-8797 www.glazierelementary.org (This workshop will also include seedling transplanting demonstrations, and a possible patch dedication by local publicly-elected officials!)

Saturday, May 9, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-Garden Shop Nursery, 3636 Mayberry Drive, Reno, NV 89509 (775) 746-3640 http://www.gardenshopnursery.com/

Saturday, May 9, 2009, 2:00 p.m.-Moana Nursery, 1100 West Moana Lane, Reno, NV 89509 (775) 825-0602 http://www.moananursery.com/

Sunday, May 10, 2009, 11:00 a.m.-Flower Tree Nursery, 2975 Reno Highway, Fallon, NV 89406 (775) 423-1113 http://www.flowertreenursery.com/

Sunday, May 17, 2009, 10:30 a.m.-Cedros Gardens, 330 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach, CA 92075 (858) 792-8640 www.cedrosgardens.com

Saturday, May 23, 2009, 10:30 a.m.-Bellevue Nursery, 842 104th SE, Bellevue, WA 98004 (425) 454-5531 www.bellevuenursery.com

Saturday, May 23, 2009, 1:30 p.m.-Furney's Nursery, 21215 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines, WA 98198 (206) 878-8761 www.furneysnursery.com

Sunday, May 24, 2009, 11:00 a.m.-Gordon's Garden Center, 308 Yelm Avenue East, Yelm, WA 98597 (360) 458-2481 www.gordonsgardencenter.com

Saturday, May 30, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-Green Thumb International, 1899 Victoria Avenue, Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 642-8517 http://www.greenthumbinternational.com/

Sunday, May 31, 2009, 11:00 a.m.-The Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center, 415 East Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 963-7825 www.sbhicace.com

Saturday, June 6, 2009, 9:30 a.m.-Walter Andersen Nursery, 12755 Danielson Court, Poway, CA 92064 (858) 513-4900 http://www.walterandersen.com/

Saturday, June 6, 2009, 1:00 p.m.-Walter Andersen Nursery, 3642 Enterprise Street, San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 224-8271 http://www.walterandersen.com/

Sunday, June 7, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-Batavia Garden, 1730 North Batavia Street, Orange, CA 92865 (714) 637-2360

Saturday, June 20, 2009, 10:00 a.m.-Farm Supply Company, 224 Tank Farm Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 (805) 543-3751 http://www.farmsupplycompany.com/

I'll update this blog as more workshops are added or modified.

Please contact the workshop host garden center or nursery directly to reserve a seat. I've included the names, addresses, phone numbers, and websites (maps/directions) in the schedule.

I have a special inducement for this season's workshop attendees: Because of an unexpected 'Dill's Atlantic Giant' seed shortage, my suppliers had to use higher yielding seeds than normal. So, this year's workshop attendees will benefit by receiving exceptional seed packets.

Hope to see you at a workshop!