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Western Massachusetts

Okay so I've seen a few people talk on chat and through message board about no longer continuing to post to diaries, they feel like they're lagging, weather has been terrible, etc..

I'm new to this game and I check this website daily and love reading all the new diary entries, every day I'm fascinated and inspired by all the great growers and the community you all have built through the same passion of growing plants to their maximum potential.

Anyone out there that's bummed out with the pumpkin blues and getting frustrated with the season, remember that in the end your perseverance is what insdpires new people into the hobby such as myself.

You all got this and good luck :)

6/19/2017 10:42:56 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Amen to that. I get down on myself seeing what everyone else is doing but I keep on posting. Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky.

6/19/2017 11:40:09 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

You never know what is going to happen. Last year I was having a terrible season with too much rain and disease. But I went to 2 weigh-offs. I got a 3rd place watermelon, a 2nd place field pumpkin, would have had a 1st place field pumpkin but it split on the drive and my son ended up 1st. Then I had 2 5th place giant pumpkins and a Howard Dill Award. So what looked like a total washout turned out OK.

And 3 years ago my pumpkins were a total washout. A flash flood wrecked my plants. But one plant that was totally uprooted ended up against the long gourd trellis and shielded those plants from the fast water. I ended up with the state record long gourd that tied for 5th in the world for the year.

So I say never give up. Even if all you end up with is experience and knowledge, its not a loss. And you never know when everyone else has a worse season and you end up doing better than you thought.

6/20/2017 7:29:32 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

No one ever said it was going to be easy

6/20/2017 7:39:56 AM

Bethlehem CT

It's not how you start but how you finish. Every year there are many growers whose plants start out slow and their plants look terrible and malnourished. These growers often wind up on top in the long run, because they are persistent and keep working right through the season.

6/20/2017 8:03:46 AM

Central Illinois

http://www.4allvitamins.com/product_info.php?products_id=35759&product_configuration_id=64765&referrer=google&gclid=CjwKEAjwj6PKBRCAy9-07PeTtGgSJAC1P9xGT_HNsd1vufas33ygjmYam9bqzJj07Y-Fzbuk8HMrCBoCoDjw_wcB

6/20/2017 8:32:00 AM

Westmoreland, KS

for those that are "bummed" or don't think you have the best plant...here was my plant 1 year ago http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=258123

My pumpkin end up 938 pounds and it was the backup the first split at day 20. So there is still plenty of time.

Fast forward 1 year and this is my plant now http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=275288

Even in the not so good years take notes we learn everyday.

6/20/2017 9:05:15 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

If it waZ a "Salad" contest I would have a coat.....Good Luck...Still a long way to grow

6/20/2017 9:47:02 AM

Woodward, Oklahoma

No blues just won't ever load my pictures or if it does they are upside down or sideways.

6/20/2017 11:27:34 AM

Arizona

I'm still trying to beat my PB of a little over 400 pounds. That was in 2002. I have learned a ton from all the diary entries. Salad coat might be cool.... lol I would have a few.

6/20/2017 11:42:10 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

It's the growers that keep their plants and pumpkins healthy and growing till the end that do well at weighoffs. Having a plant that is sick in August is far worse than having a plant that is behind in June.

6/20/2017 12:51:49 PM

Hadley Ny

I'm a second year grower and had a horrific 1st season. Lost 50 plants to frost and had to start over at the beginning of June. Ended up with a Nice BigNOrange that weighed 500 lbs. in a short growing season where I live. Grew it on a secondary. Lots of aborts with end of July early August heat. I'm happy with my first year and am glad I didn't throw in the towel!! Will always be learnin'.

6/20/2017 1:09:10 PM

Bethlehem CT

Wizzy, Me too!!

6/20/2017 6:10:59 PM

Brockton, Massachusetts

I know myself, I want to report big happenings. I don't think anyone wants to hear about me burrying vines. When I pollinate, I'll report it and once a week I'll give an update to size and condition. There are some things you want to keep close to your vest. Nobody wants to hear about my beetle invasion!

6/21/2017 8:27:59 PM

Iowa

Keep plugging away ....watch, listen and learn and don't let what other people are doing get in your way! To the beginner it can be a little hard to watch ...huge perfect plants...huge pumpkins! Enjoy and do be intimidated by what you might be seeing!

6/22/2017 2:23:12 PM

Aberdeen

I think I might take a picture of my pumpkins with a marble, it might make me feel better about my season!

7/20/2017 9:44:12 AM