From

Location

Message

Date Posted

SW Ohio

I just saw in the Independent Weigh off section that Dean Baker had the winning pumpkin with 486 pounds and right on his heels was David Smith with 465 pounds.
Congratulations to you both !!

5/30/2015 9:00:36 PM

Sourthern Utah

well thats great,, congrats for a great job,, and sweet acomplishment, in that hot enviroment,, well done,, dean baker

5/30/2015 9:03:58 PM

Pinetops,n.c.

congrats guys, well done

5/30/2015 9:04:20 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Been following these - well done!

5/30/2015 9:15:48 PM

Sparta, NC

Go Dean Go

5/30/2015 9:32:47 PM

Central NY

Congrats to the Arizona guys!!.. Fun to watch ...

5/30/2015 9:35:02 PM

Torrance, Ca.

That was fun to watch your season progress!!


Congrats to all and I think with everything learned this year, big things are coming to Arizona next year!

5/30/2015 11:20:46 PM

anytown U.S,A,

Very nice job guys. Congrats to all

5/30/2015 11:44:53 PM

Johnston, R.I.

congrats

5/31/2015 5:12:00 AM

Jericho Vermont

Great job guys!

5/31/2015 7:10:18 AM

Putnam Ct.

Congratulations! Go Team-Pumpkin!!

5/31/2015 7:45:00 AM

East Jordan, MI

That's awesome guys!
and a new state record to boot!

5/31/2015 8:31:21 AM

west central IN/East central IL

Great job! I believe the record will nearly double within 2 years.

5/31/2015 8:44:24 AM

Connecticut, USA

Congratulations! Nice job with the weigh-off and growing in a tough environment!

5/31/2015 8:49:35 AM

Wixom MI.

Great job to both of you guys, job well done !!!

5/31/2015 9:07:44 AM

Grant, AL

Great job guys!! Way to go!!!

5/31/2015 9:59:39 AM

Somerset Ky

Congrats.

5/31/2015 10:05:25 AM

Massillon, Ohio

Congratulations Dean and David!

5/31/2015 10:15:37 AM

Hamilton - New Zealand

Congratulations guys, awesome stuff

5/31/2015 3:19:19 PM

Scottsdale, Arizona

Thanks to everyone who followed the AZGPG's first spring season. We did set a new Arizona record (486 lbs) and we were able to celebrate Ben Buchsieb's "old" record of 469. Ben attended the weigh-off and did receive a Personal Best ribbon and an Arizona State Record ribbon for what he did in 2007 (A little late, but better than never). I'm glad he was there to help lift my pumpkin onto the scale so I could raise the bar this year. I look forward to helping the next record holder get his pumpkin on the scale.

5/31/2015 4:19:57 PM

Scottsdale, Arizona

I also want to thank Bart Toftness for flying out to help us with the weigh-off. He, and two AZGPG members (Scott Culp <Sandkin> and Wendy Woodward) were our judges. We had more than 50 people watching/helping with the weigh-off.

5/31/2015 4:35:05 PM

Minneapolis, Mn

Thanks all...we kinda knew we were under the microscope with the rest of the U.S. in off season mode. We are now it the "whew" done mode.....and some casual buckwheat covercrop farming. I missed the old record by 4 lb...21 lb shy of Deans...big gains next year I can promise.

5/31/2015 4:45:22 PM

Minneapolis, Mn

We may see if field pumpkins are possible in the heat, I hear they are less sensitive to setting in the heat....may throw a couple in my tomato patch in July...I know it's late but in this high heat, I think the season will be short here

5/31/2015 4:57:50 PM

Flatnorm learned he didn't need a visa or a passport to visit the weighoff in Arizona! Well done and congrats to all. He will post some pictures when he gets home.

5/31/2015 6:30:22 PM

Rhode Island

Congrat,s Dave almost,,,,,,,,, Hope to have some nice Orange cross for you next year.

5/31/2015 7:46:44 PM

Massachusetts

congrats!!!!!!!

5/31/2015 8:09:32 PM

Bloomington, IN USA

Congratulations on your season and your weigh off.
I really enjoyed reading your diaries.

5/31/2015 9:33:43 PM

Westmoreland, KS

Awesome stuff guys...well done!

6/1/2015 9:11:00 AM

Glosta

Congrats to all!

6/1/2015 10:18:37 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Congrats to all AZ growers on some nice desert heavyweights! And to Dave on his beautiful orange pumpkin!

6/1/2015 1:11:34 PM

Minneapolis, Mn

Thanks Orangeneck, your great genetics proven orange once again!...I selfed it so I can give it another go....unless you want to see a preview of your next top secret seed growing next Jan,Feb!

6/1/2015 1:55:22 PM

Wallingford,CT

Congratulations Dean, Dave, Wendy and Scott for a job well done by the Arizona Giant Pumpkin Growers team. Most of us find it difficult to appreciate how in hospitable the environment is in Arizona for growing giant pumpkins. These hearty growers have taken a new look at how and what it takes to prevail over Mother Nature and advance the frontiers of giant pumpkin growing. They have learned techniques and strategies that should be useful to less challenged southern growers.

We all strive to grow the biggest or prettiest pumpkin. While prettiest is in the eye of the beholder, biggest is a relative comparison. Who wouldn’t like to grow a personal best or their state record pumpkin. This group has done just that! Ben Buchsieb’s 2007 record stood for 8 years until now. Watch for them to make greater advancements in the years to come.

It was a pleasure for me to be there and see them get their rewards at the scale.

Congratulations Dean Baker on your new Arizona State Record and Dave Smith for a beautiful orange perfectly shaped pumpkin!

Bart

6/1/2015 3:02:28 PM

Connecticut

Congratulations to all! It was great to see the weights in a challenging environment. What I like best is hearing the ideas for improving for next year.

Even though this was a first year weigh-off the dedication by the supporting growers was impressive. Keep up the great work and dealing with the unique challenges your area brings.

6/3/2015 6:44:25 PM

Spring Hope, N.C. - USA

congrats

6/4/2015 12:48:31 PM

Mission Viejo, CA

Congrats to all! I lived in the Valley of the Sun for 16 years and it goes from biting cold to withering heat in a blink of an eye. Their journey is a great example of growers adapting to their individual environment. And it really helped bp.com with the 'winter blues' as we all enjoyed their diary updates. Thanks for doing such a great job of updating us all!

6/4/2015 2:02:12 PM