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Slate River,Ont. Canada

Love your old picture from when you first started out. I first started growing in 2000 usually 150 to 200 lbs. for the first few years.
I knew there was a weigh off in our area and always found a reason not to attend.(work,pumpkin not big enough,etc.)
Finally I showed in 2009 with a 223 lb. kin. and 203 lb. squash.It was nerve racking and was ready to drive away after seeing all the 1000 lb. plus pumpkins.
Turned out to be best day ever! Won some great prizes that day but best thing was meeting other growers in the area.
People were great and got hooked.
Looks like I'm starting to make a short story long here but what Andy helped remind me is if you are a new grower and have a pumpkin come weigh off time,no matter what size bring it out. Warning tho...You will become a pumpkinhead!

2/15/2015 1:33:25 PM

Pinetops,n.c.

well said monsterdog, great pics andy.
i agree, if any grower has a pumpkin to bring to a weigh off, by all means do, no matter what size.you will get to meet other growers from your area(and sometime other areas), that are always willing to help out other local growers. just by listening to growers talk amongst themselves can be a valuable learning oppurtunity, and most will gladly answer questions from new or less experienced growers.
and always remember that we all had to start somewhere, and VERY few start at the top.

2/15/2015 3:50:36 PM

Western NY

Thanks guys. That's what I try to tell new folks - get there because you never know what you'll miss out on.

2/16/2015 12:19:31 PM