From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Norcal

California's drought is in it's 4 year. Why would any responsible person waste water on growing a giant pumpkin? I know giant pumpkins are "magical". But shouldn't we leave the growing to some other part of the country or world that isn't in a drought???

4/20/2015 11:28:00 PM

Albuquerque NM

that's like telling a tiger in a zoo not to eat meat

4/21/2015 12:20:01 AM

Minnesota

They should have a giant machine that takes the salt out of ocean water! or might have to settle for pumpkins not getting much water tell the drought stops. :)

4/21/2015 2:03:08 AM

Central NY

#droughtshaming on the today show this morning...tough situation out west ..I'm glad I don't have to make that decision ..but, if I had to I would water the pumpkin and not shower all summer..if my neighbors had concerns I would certainly put my arm around their shoulder and listen...

4/21/2015 8:11:12 AM

Dorval,Quebec

Porkchop!!!!!!

4/21/2015 8:56:19 AM

Torrance, Ca.

Yup,,,, in certain areas is going to be tough for growers this year again.

4/21/2015 9:27:41 AM

Johnston, Iowa

I was in Orange County a few months ago, and I saw plenty of residences and businesses watering their grass. How much water could be saved by restricting that practice?

And then there's this:
http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2015/04/11/nestle-bottled-water-california-drought-water/25621915/

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/04/13/3646220/nestles-ups-and-downs-in-california-and-oregon/

4/21/2015 10:14:09 AM

Quincy, CA

This year I'm going to hand water my plants in order to get water only where it's needed. (Fortunatley I'm retired and have the time.) In the past I've always used overhead sprinklers.
I've completely done away with my lawn.
And I bought a moisture meter to help avoid over-watering.

4/21/2015 10:19:37 AM

New York

I can't disagree with your sentiment, but it's important to keep things in perspective. California produces the vast majority of the country's almond supply, and each individual almond requires 1.1 gallons of water to grow (per http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/02/wheres-californias-water-going). If you grew a 1,500 lb pumpkin and watered it 100 gallons each day for 140 days, one gallon of water would yield nearly 50 grams of pumpkin (or the weight of 40 almonds). Giant pumpkins probably aren't the most drought-friendly use of water, but they're hardly the biggest problem.

4/21/2015 11:31:03 AM

NILES , CALIF

This is my opinion;
I thing we should cancel this years growing,only if
everyone is agreeable here in calif; My Reasons

Too many people in Calif don't have any water to drink.
There has been over 2000 wells that have gone dry;the
people don't know what to do.

We don't know if it will rain next year or not.

I don't think the news media cares about how large your pumpkin is, the only thing they want to know is, in this drought were did you get the Water?

If you get a nice 800lb pumpkin, all you get is a huge water bill and the way the pumpkin contest are structured 800lbs gets you nothing here.

It would be nice if every pumpkin grower in Calif would choose to do the right thing for this year;but it will never happen
Just my thought Old Rookie

4/21/2015 12:01:37 PM

Central NY

Geez.. Now I'm feeling bad for even joking about this...

4/21/2015 12:16:34 PM

Minnesota

Pray! you can move mountains by fasting! i'll put it on my prayer list!:)

4/21/2015 12:21:23 PM

Langley, British Columbia

Your paying for that water in one way or another, either by water meters or by property taxes. I have zero problem using something I am paying for.

4/21/2015 12:26:17 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

I've struggled with this and decided I am going to grow. I have found many other ways to cut back. We are taking out our front lawn and I will also hand water the pumpkin. I've already been hand watering the rest of the garden. No more overhead watering. My water use is already 25-30% below a year ago.

There's a bucket in the shower that we use to capture the runoff while the water heats. We water with it or flush the toilets. We keep a pitcher by the kitchen sink to do the same thing downstairs. We take GI showers to cut the water use in half while showering.

There was a ruling from the court yesterday that San Juan Capistrano can't charge tiered water rates unless the costs of doing so increase. Over 2/3rds of water companies in CA use the same method. We will see how this falls out.

4/21/2015 12:47:38 PM

NILES , CALIF

My hats off to you growers who hand water there pumpkins
that is a lot of work.you should be given the pumpkin
grower of the year award here.I can only water with overhead
2 days a week here or be fined $500.00 dollors for water
abuse; can you imagine getting busted and fined for
abusing water?
Hopefully we will all be on the samepage.

4/21/2015 4:32:47 PM

Ireland

We should set up a network of pipes from Ireland to California and pump water over because we get too much!! Although I can't complain of late, it's been fantastic weather.
Micheál

4/21/2015 5:45:22 PM

Wixom MI.

Old rookie you better win that $5000 prize so that you can pay for the 10 times that you get caught watering your pumpkins ! LOL....:-)

4/21/2015 6:15:37 PM

Western NY

I would say when the golf courses quit watering then we can talk about not growing giants and I still can't believe that everyone that lives in the dry parts of the west dont have cisterns.

4/21/2015 6:19:34 PM

Whitehall Montana

Old rookie is it possible on the days you water to fill a couple rain barrels to water when you need to on the off days

4/21/2015 7:00:11 PM

Parker, Co

Yes, we are in the middle of a severe drought. However, I don't think we should quit growing our giants. The amount of water used in California to grow giant pumpkins is like a grain of sand in our coastline. On our daily walk we see lush green lawns and water on the sidewalks and running down the gutters. We have replaced our grass with artificial grass and lowered our misters to save on evaporation. Also we are growing 3 pumpkins instead of 4 as we have done in the past. I have a feeling our water usage is lower than some of our neighbors We called the water department in Napa and they gave us the ok to grow our pumpkins. Maybe the lady I talked to likes giant pumpkins!. And don't forget there is nothing like a giant pumpkin to light up a kid's face

4/21/2015 7:42:46 PM

Muddy Waters

Keep"em Growing Pete! Have they closed the car washs?? I doubt it,Drive a dirty car and grow a kin!!lol

4/21/2015 8:30:41 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

Most car washes in socal are required to recycle their water onsite. Taking your car to the car wash saves more water than washing it at home.

4/21/2015 11:32:27 PM

Soldotna,AK

California has been dry for more than the official four years of drought. This coupled with enforcement of the Endangered Species Act for the benefit of the Delta Smelt and salmon in the Sacramento River has put water users totally at the mercy of winter snows. The Central Valley Project which was constructed to provide water to farms will receive no water this year. The State Water Project which was constructed to provide municipal water to Southern California ( 26 million people ) as well as 750,000 acres of farmland received only 5 percent of their allocation in 2014. With priority given to endangered species and little to no snow in the mountains the state has no way to fill their reservoirs . Liberal judges refuse to back away from ESA protections which amount to turning off the pumps . Until the Twin Tunnels Project is completed in a number of years if authorized folks in California are at the mercy of the weather .

4/22/2015 1:23:15 AM

Muddy Waters

Good info Patrick. Were all in mercy of the weather.They better get desalinization mastered quickly.They have been looking at the Great Lakes for an answer.I dont think it would take long to suck them dry. On a another note.My water bill is 150 to 180$ a month.We are told if we conserve on water they will jack the rates.They will get there 150$ a month if we use it or not.

4/22/2015 7:02:17 AM

Concord, CA.

Bubba and Patrick, your discussing a very touchy issue to many northern Californians. (Conservative and liberal alike) If there's anything that we agree on, it's the irresponsible aquisition of water resources over many decades by our southern neighbors.
I've written and re-written this entry several times trying not to offend our fellow southern giant pumpkin growers and friends. There's a lot to say about this issue but know this, the water situation may not get any better anytime soon and the tunnels project (which many of us no. ca. Residents oppose) will only result in irreparipable damage to our Sacramento delta system. This is a legacy project to honor our current governor's father who is responsible for the canal that currently drains part of our delta system to area's south. Again, there is no easy solution to this situation and there's not enought room on this thread to address all the issues and thoughts involved.

4/22/2015 9:26:14 AM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

To all: I wish you the best during this trying season. We can only help that the Pacific storms come in and relieve the water shortage.
I read a few ag journals and there seems to be a very unequal distribution of water.
In any event-take care and good luck.

4/22/2015 9:49:10 AM

Soldotna,AK

There you have it folks. Nor- Cal said it. Californians are caught between trying to save the Delta ecology and supplying water to the richest farmland in the world and 26 million people in Southern California and there is not enough water for both. There is probably not an engineering project that will satisfy the environmental movement so meanwhile more crop land will be taken out of production and more toilet to tap projects will be required in Southern California. Desal projects are also opposed vigorously by the environmental movement due to ocean impacts. As to the irresponsible appropriation of water in the past Nor- Cal, you are right. Projects were built from the north, from Owens Valley and from the Colorado River to support the Central Valley and growth in Southern California. I am sure no one envisioned the liberal policies the state would allow for immigrants and the growth that California would suffer through. Now the real question is will Californians make a decision for farmland, for municipal water, for the Delta or a some combination. This is a sensitive issue( to all parties ) and my guess is that no project large enough to solve the problem will be built and Californians will continue to suffer and live year to year watching the weather. In other words if you are going to feel bad about growing a pumpkin you had better get over it or just quit now.

4/22/2015 11:24:56 AM

NE Arkansas

I don't understand the issue with desal efforts... all the liberals are worried about rising sea lvls wouldn't that actually help off set that?

4/22/2015 12:17:34 PM

Colorado

How many miles of shoreline next to the biggest ocean on the planet and they don't want desalinization???. Cali. didn't want any more power plants so they have rolling blackouts. Maybe rolling shower pressure?

4/22/2015 12:32:05 PM

NILES , CALIF

Mr Slim; Mr fishery;
I got to do something if its to fill water barrels on my
no water days;I tried to dig and set up a cistern,I found out um a D- kind of a deviner, I dug 2 dry holes.

In my area there is a big change coming mid May on the water
it is supposed to affect a lot of regions on cost and price
of water,will see how it plays out.

4/22/2015 3:52:51 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

The environmentalist attitude in CA drives me nuts. There is no balance.

In the 1990's, 1000's of acres of land weren't allowed to be developed because of a little bird called the California Gnatcatcher and their purported dwindling population. They put huge mitigation requirements on landowners wanting to develop. For every acre of land to be built on, they required the owner to set aside as much as 40 ACRES of habitat. Coastal development slowed to a crawl. Several years later, through DNA testing, they found that the California Gnatcatcher was really the exact same bird as the Mexican gnatcatcher. Of which there is no shortage at all. And which bird flies around wherever it wants to.

So many reasons my home state is a mess. This is just one.

4/22/2015 5:14:56 PM

Muddy Waters

Im in over my head.I think I will go solve the world peace issue instead.

4/22/2015 6:55:54 PM

Soldotna,AK

The history and scope of the Central Valley and State Water Projects are amazing and likely without parallel in the USA. That being said , to use those facilities as envisioned will cause harm to fisheries , native lands and historical sites and affect the Delta significantly. Northern and southern Californians have fought over water issues for over a hundred years. Projects requiring concrete will be difficult if not impossible. I am with you Mark-let's bring peace to the middle east instead.

4/22/2015 7:20:04 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I remember as a kid hearing much about the fight for water in the state of California and now perhaps it will be coming to a head sooner than later. While I understand nature's impact, uncontrolled population growth plays a very large and irresponsible role. There will be a huge fight between the environmentalists, suburban developers, and agricultural interests. What's more important, food or tax dollars?

4/22/2015 8:20:49 PM

Concord, CA.

The argument against desalinization plants is;
- the practical location that has to be near our coastline.
- the pollution of the ocean from the brine waste that comes from the desalination process.
- the enormous cost in electricity to process the water.
- the (comparitively) small amount of processed water for the effort.
It's easy for folks to just say "There's the Pacific Ocean, get your water there" but in reality, it's just not that easy. I wish that it were.

4/22/2015 10:46:09 PM

Citrus Heights, CA

Joe, It's not that we don't want desal. We actually have a half dozen plants working or being built. The largest will produce 50 million gallons a day. Just a drop in the bucket for thirsty so.ca. Then there's the cost and the points brought up by brad above. Ron Root

4/23/2015 12:16:20 AM

California

California Executive order B 29 15. Gov. Brown's executive order calls for a 25% reduction from water agencies. AS COMPARED TO 2013. If Brown was really serious it would have compared to 2014 when water reductions were enforced. the Mokelumne River below my house is rip roaring. The last big drought in the 1970's was way worse. The river was just puddles and there was no tough talk by the Governor. Different places in California have more or less water than others. it is a big state. They are still building houses and drilling wells. You just have to be smart about your situation. find out where your water comes from and act figure it out. Sorry, but I am not drinking the kool aid. lol

4/23/2015 1:12:57 AM

Weatherman

Yahoo says 9 states running out of water.

4/23/2015 9:13:01 AM

Colorado

Hey ron,I was just trying to stir it up a little -I don't know cost effectiveness on desalinization.

4/23/2015 12:45:53 PM

Pocatello (cliffwarren@yahoo.com)

I don't mean to make light of your situation, but maybe I should plan to drive to the Half Moon Bay weighoff this year, from Idaho. I might have a chance! ;-)

4/23/2015 1:45:02 PM

Torrance, Ca.

In the midst of the water drama that's bothering us all, I found that pretty funny Cliff! lol

4/23/2015 5:25:57 PM

Concord, CA.

Cliff,
Go for it. We're due for another epic cross country pumpkin journey. Contact Don for directions. Be sure to document the drive with lots of pictures.

4/23/2015 8:29:35 PM

San Diego

my area will not allow watering during the day time between 10 to 4, so if you need to mist your plant like I need to in my hot climate, game over for a big fruit. Well, we could still get a good sized fruit, but not a record breaker, that is for sure. Plant would take abuse. That being said, it was the perfect year to take off:)

4/23/2015 9:40:10 PM

Whitehall Montana

In my opinion they need to shut down the companies that bottle and distribute bottled water.Most of these companies have other means of profit.Desal does return high content salt back into the ocean but there are states that use brine or salt water to lessen dust at construction sites and keep the dust down on dirt roads.

4/23/2015 9:47:48 PM

Western NY

Old-Rookie, the cisterns that I know of here are in the basement with 6 foot concrete walls with a cap that is filled by roof run off.

4/24/2015 8:33:48 PM

NILES , CALIF

Fisherray; I was thinging of somethin else when you said
cisteren, that is a real good way how to trap your water when using rain water; um gonna have to figure something out by this year,cause in todays paper I read " we will run out of drinking water this year!!"

4/25/2015 12:23:34 PM

Princeton Kentucky

You all may want to check your county regs on catching water off your roofs. I read where it is illegal to catch rain water from your roofs out there and the fines are prison terms as well as monetary. The state is concerned that people will be hoarding precious run off and limiting the amount that goes back to the water table. When I was station out at Vandeberg AFB just north of Lompoc, CA I worked in the water and waste water facilities on base and checked the static and pumping levels of the ground water out there and let me tell you we all seen this coming years ago first hand via the increase in distance between static and pumping levels. Being a peon E-4 at the time, you wrote down the Info and simply turned your books in. cont-

4/26/2015 7:01:09 AM

Princeton Kentucky

Thats what happens everyday at each and every municipality up and down the coast out there. We supplied Lompoc Federal Prison with their water and man what a daily demand that place is alone, millions/day. Crime don't pay either way. Don't mean to cast such a gloomy look on things but people just don't realize just how crazy the idea of a low desert arid area like mid and southern California is dependant on an upper desert arid area for its water. I truly am amazed knowing what I know by the numbers that you all can simply turn your handle at the tap and something potable comes out. I'm truly amazed. Too bad you all don't have basements out there , at least I didn't see any, or you could be catching and pumping your grey water off your tubs/showers, sinks and washing machine. My brother for a long time had the nicest yard in town because he had 55 gal barrels in his basement and had his grey water pumped out on the lawn. The phosphates of the soaps are beneficial to the soil within limits of coarse. Theres a business idea for someone out there, bury 2000 gal poly tanks for grey water reclaiming for yard watering oops theres probably a reg or law against that as well. Good luck to all, I really mean it!!

4/26/2015 7:01:33 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

Midwestgrower,
they are paying rebates in our area for installing water barrels to catch water now. Runoff from our roofs never hits the water tables. It goes into the storm drain and drains to the ocean. Huge waste.

4/27/2015 12:29:56 AM