Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 13 Entries. Sunday, September 14 View Page No complaints about this years pumpkin. Had my patch helper Annie with me tonight..........She follows me eveywhere I go during the season and had to get in the picture.   Friday, October 3 View Page Now this is the way to load a giant pumpkin. About 10 minutes from start to finish...........   Friday, October 3 View Page Loaded and ready for Bauman Farms in the morning..........Despite losing the main vine at 9ft and growing off of a strong secondary, I am amazed I was able to pull off 400+ inches of OTT   Sunday, October 5 View Page Hoisting the pumpkin off the 2032 Mathison onto the scale. Cross pollinator used was the 1985 Miller   Sunday, October 5 View Page And there's the final weight and a 3rd Place finish at Bauman Farms. I had a very good idea what it was going to weigh heading into the competition, so seeing the weights of the pumpkins after mine was nerve racking. Overall I am really pleased to finish third behind two very accomplished growers. Congrats to Jack La Rue for 1st place and Steve Daletas finishing second. I've been losing a bet that I would get a pumpkin 1,500 pounds or more the last few years........Looks like I finally get my case of Dr. Pepper~   Saturday, October 11 View Page This fall and winters project will be moving my long gourd trellis to run east/west instead of north/south. This will free up more space to grow two AG's and a couple field pumpkin plants. The area will be 90ft x 40ft when I'm through fencing it in. My auger with an 8" bit is my new best friend. (Picture is from May 2013)   Friday, November 7 View Page After a short stay at Bauman Farms, my 1614.5 Swearingen 2014 made its way to Capitol Chevrolet here in Salem, OR. It went "missing" for a few days after their Fall display. I was located in Aumsville, just a short drive from my house.   Friday, November 7 View Page After a short stay at Bauman Farms, my 1614.5 Swearingen 2014 made its way to Capitol Chevrolet here in Salem, OR. It went "missing" for a few days after their Fall display. It was located in Aumsville, just a short drive from my house.   Tuesday, November 11 View Page Took this picture of Cindy Tobecks Nemo inspired pumpkin. (I think my salt water aquarium had something to do with it)   Tuesday, November 11 View Page The view from the southwest side of the revamped pumpkin patch. The long gourd trellis used to run north/south. It was taken down in early October and now runs east/west. Hoping the new orientation is better for the plant and I get better gourds next year.   Tuesday, November 11 View Page From the southeast corner. The oak tree to the right and behind where the picture was taken casts a shadow over the trellis, but gets full sun this time of day in the summer. I made to to keep an eye on the ground below the trellis this last summer before I pulled the trigger and started doing all the work. The whole area after it's all fenced in will be 40ft x 90ft.   Friday, November 14 View Page "So long giant pumpkin season, I think I'll hibernate now til next season....."   Friday, November 14 View Page The 1614.5 Swearingen 2014.......... going out with a............. BANG!!! This give whole new mean to the saying......... "If you ain't blowin em' you ain't growin em".