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Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

You can us BP results to see trends in many different ways. Today I looked at the number of total pumpkins weighed in each of the last 9 years. The highest was in 2010 at 1852 followed by 2009 with 1804 entries. The lowest was 1543 in 2013 followed by 1592 in 2017 with an average of 1699 entries over the nine years. Why do you think the number of pumpkins weighed has not increased since 2009 and 2010?

12/28/2017 11:44:31 AM

I did 10 plants years ago now 4-6 I wonder if most growers backed down total number grown

12/28/2017 12:06:21 PM

Upa Creek, MO

I know this might be irrelevant to your question, but check out how grower diaries have declined over the years since especially since 2010. It's at its lowest in 2017 since 2006. Less growers, less excitement since the same areas consistently produce, too many critics and drama....

12/28/2017 12:30:56 PM

Central NY

Pushing harder than ever?...losing more fruit?..dunno...good question...

12/28/2017 12:40:29 PM

NE Arkansas

A lot of guys prolly don't bring smaller kins to weigh offs due to money being top heavy and having to transport them and all that comes along with that

12/28/2017 1:11:42 PM

Grittyville, WA

seems like when someone raises the bar like in 2012 and 2016 it discourages others from competing. Folks are sensitive to having their acheivement judged against an ever higher standard. Everyone who sticks with it is tough and immune to losing and having odds of winning against them but lots of people are not immune to this. I did not take a pumpkin to the first weigh off my first year.
Was afraid it would be laughed at. The bigger ones get bigger and bigger its normal to give up when you perceive you are not ever going to win.

12/28/2017 1:17:27 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I think it is because the weigh offs are focusing on the top ten for prize money. If you can't get any prize money for bringing a 1,000 fruit why bring it. You are simply paying your dues to weigh your pumpkin. I know a lot of rookie growers that will not go to a weigh off because of this. They come to the weigh off but leave their pumpkins home. The GPC needs to look a this to get more growers involved and to retain growers.

12/28/2017 2:05:10 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

I think it is because the weigh offs are focusing on the top ten for prize money. If you can't get any prize money for bringing a 1,000 fruit why bring it. You are simply paying your dues to weigh your pumpkin. I know a lot of rookie growers that will not go to a weigh off because of this. They come to the weigh off but leave their pumpkins home. The GPC needs to look a this to get more growers involved and to retain growers.

12/28/2017 2:05:35 PM

Grittyville, WA

I've had very good experiences with pgvg and pnwgpg. Pgvg takes a group photo not just a top ten photo they paid out a couple more places to a couple growers who like me were at the bottom of the results list. Thats got nothing to do with entries per grower but it does make me want to be part of club regardless of what is in my truck.

12/28/2017 2:09:42 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

Lots of reasons.$$$$ The hobby has become rediculous expensive if one wants to compete.Youth have no interest in working their butt of these days.Current World Record is now unobtainable for even the most competitive growers depending on where you live.Squash World Record is pretty much out of reach now depending on the growers climate and for this reason you see tomato seed selling for more than pumpkin seed.I am a very competitive person and i know for a fact that a WR pumpkin will never come out of Nova Scotia again so the only thing to grow for is a provincial or maritime record or dream of maybe a new Canadian record. Soon the majority of growers will be going through the motions every season for just the fun of it or maybe a new PB

12/28/2017 2:18:57 PM

Grittyville, WA

Sponsors should pay top prizes clubs should be neutral and equally supportive of all. Ugh I sound so liberal. . . I sound like my mother. Time to go fishing...

12/28/2017 2:22:30 PM

Colorado

I always wondered how we were gonna move them once they got up to 1800lbs.Turns out not to be a problem but I think the incredible weights do scare some potential growers away and attract others. Along with all the work and expense and you gotta have at least a big yard which doesnt come with most new houses.

12/28/2017 3:12:49 PM

Honesdale, Pennsylvania

That's why I always thought that there should be more payouts for the HD award say the top 3 rather than just one place. If you thought you had a chance at the top 3 but knew you may not be guaranteed first you would make an effort to take your medium sized pumpkin to the weighoff. The events would have more pumpkins on display to be weighed and a win for everybody. The camaraderie is great but to take a 600 pound fruit to a weighoff is a lot of work and expense for a guaranteed no return.

12/28/2017 3:15:33 PM

Central NY

More resting of patches?...

12/28/2017 6:15:20 PM

Mn

Most people are moving from Pumpkins to carrots :)

12/28/2017 7:08:04 PM

Eganville, Ontario

I think the age of growers is something to look at like Don and Donkin touched on. The older growers are cutting back and there aren’t many “young” growers. I play pick up hockey and at 35 years old I have started to feel old when I’m up and down the ice twice. I go to a pumpkin weigh-off and feel like a kid lol. The average age of growers is up there. The group of pumpkin growers that started growing in the 80s and 90’s which I would call the peak generation of growers in the golden age of pumpkin growing is starting to cut back on plants or stop growing all together. For every growers who quits, I don’t believe there’s a new grower starting.

I don’t know if it’s any group or organizations fault, I think it’s just where we are at today. Technology has improved almost every aspect of life and to go work in the dirt seems prehistoric to kids these days.

Another big factor and probably the biggest is the money. I would argue that it’s never been harder to buy a house with an acre or two of yard. Housing prices have skyrocketed in the last 15 years and wages have not. The house and acre plus is pretty much what you need when you look at older growers gardens and yards. How many 30 or under “kids” can afford the house and yard, and then have a couple grand a year to grow pumpkins...oh and never mind the free 150 or more hours needed to grow.

It’s a bigger picture than pumpkins.

12/28/2017 7:09:45 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

At Anamosa, we have had 2 years of terrible weather. Not even enough entries to give out all the prizes. Either too hot or too wet or too dry. In 2017, northeast Iowa got drowned out and southern Iowa was in record drought. Here in east central Iowa we were OK until mid August, then the rain quit. And Pete Caspers and others got hit by all kinds of hurricane force winds. Then a lot of us have been running into disease problems. I had a couple plants do great until pollination and then died. And insects; cucumber beetles seem to be immune to just about every insecticide. I rotated several different chemicals, sometimes used 2 or 3 at the same time. I could knock them back for 3 or 4 days and then they came back. And with my knee going bad and and getting a replacement, I couldn't keep up.

12/28/2017 7:11:53 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Thanks for all the replies they will keep me thinking
Another interesting fact is that in 2009 there were 77 weigh-off sites. In 2017 there was 111 weigh-off sites. If the entries keep up with the growth rate of sites we should be seeing in the area of 2600 entries now per year.

12/28/2017 7:26:42 PM

Pittsburgh, PA

Ohio Valley does something that gives everyone who weighed a pumpkin a chance to win prize money. All fruit in the 0-100, 101-200, 201-300, 301-400 and so on get an entry into a random drawing for prize money. If you’re the only person with a fruit in the, let’s say, 701-800 pound range, you win. I think it’s a great way to get everyone involved.

12/28/2017 7:45:00 PM

Wisconsin

I have heard multiple growers say they were growing less total pumpkins but same time in garden, giving more care and beng more detailed with fewer kins.

12/28/2017 8:28:58 PM

South East

So "growing the hobby" hasn't really worked. More clubs, bigger prize money, Bigger pumpkins but less pumpkins weighed.

- Its a very expensive hobby if you want go all the way, especially if you start up as new grower
- You need lots of room.
- you need lots of time, up to 5 hours a day or more.
- you need 2 or 3 years at the very least to catch a little bit in knowledge
- Prize money is top heavy and you'l see the same names take top prizes sometimes yearly.
- You need to live in the right part of the country to be really competitive.
- Your family needs to be supportive.

Its a niche market derived from gardening,
The only advantage is the diverse demographic, besides that its very specific, and only a tiny part of the gardening world.

For all the reasons above the hobby will never grow big or mainstream. Numbers will eb and flow and eventually as top pumpkins hit the ceiling the eb and flow of growers will continue.

Could be wrong though.

12/28/2017 8:44:29 PM

Mn

I think gantner needs to grow more

12/28/2017 9:23:18 PM

Eugene,OR

I think that we are collectively getting older. Some of us don't grow anymore; others grow fewer plants. As the baby boomers continue to age I think a lot of "hobbies" will change.

12/28/2017 9:46:55 PM

NE Wisconsin

There's no way to track it because it's not a separate entry, but I wonder if the number of orange pumpkins is increasing?

I'm a totally new grower, just got interested in it this fall after visiting the Nekoosa weigh off. Money is a big issue, I have time and space, but not heating or watering equipment. To compete I would have to invest a ton of money the first year. My original plan was 2-3 plants to see how big I could get, and kept my first year goal realistic at 500 pounds. Say I hit a home run for me next year and get a 1,200 pounder... I have to drive it 2+ hours just to take probably 12th-15th place. I would be crazy proud, but still not much there other than personal satisfaction which isn't enough for some.

Now, just in a couple months of research and following this site, I've kind of drifted to interest in orange. New plan is 2 for size and 2 for orange. I may be more inclined to take a 450 pound looker to a weigh off over an 800 pound cream. Being new I feel like if I did this for 10 years I would have a decent shot at getting a looker and picking up a HD eventually. I think I could grow for 50 years and never throw a 2,700 pounder. I will grow some purely for size to see what I can do, but I know I can't compete in that area.

12/28/2017 10:25:24 PM

Mn

It just cost to much to be in the hunt. How much money do each of the best put into a giant. I'm guessing $500.00 plus. Only a couple get a pay back. If I get one over 700 lbs. I will take it to the Anoka Site.

12/28/2017 10:42:16 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

I'm a totally new grower, just got interested in it this fall after visiting the Nekoosa weigh off. Money is a big issue, I have time and space, but not heating or watering equipment. To compete I would have to invest a ton of money the first year. My original plan was 2-3 plants to see how big I could get, and kept my first year goal realistic at 500 pounds. Say I hit a home run for me next year and get a 1,200 pounder... I have to drive it 2+ hours just to take probably 12th-15th place. I would be crazy proud, but still not much there other than personal satisfaction which isn't enough for some

12/28/2017 11:14:51 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

I'm a totally new grower, just got interested in it this fall after visiting the Nekoosa weigh off. Money is a big issue, I have time and space, but not heating or watering equipment. To compete I would have to invest a ton of money the first year. My original plan was 2-3 plants to see how big I could get, and kept my first year goal realistic at 500 pounds. Say I hit a home run for me next year and get a 1,200 pounder... I have to drive it 2+ hours just to take probably 12th-15th place. I would be crazy proud, but still not much there other than personal satisfaction which isn't enough for some

12/28/2017 11:15:02 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

From the heart ! Guess who...lol

12/28/2017 11:18:11 PM

Mn

Maybe we shouldn’t even weigh them anymore.....everyone’s a winner!!! :/

12/29/2017 7:23:54 AM

Southeastern Illinois

I think that if there were different class levels each with prize structures there would be much more interest. Sort of like a handicap in golf which gives everyone at least a chance to win. Or like a high school basketball structure here. Small town schools play small town schools in their own class level. Give the heavy hitters a handicap or put them in separate classes giving many more people a chance to succeed at weigh offs.

I am new and was originally considering weigh offs for pumpkins but it would likely be a waste of time and money since I don't and won't have the systems required to compete effectively. I could get lucky and hit that one in a million but don't like those odds lol... My solution is to turn to tomatoes they grow well in my region and I already grow many of them so am set up. A couple years learning giant tomatoes and I could possibly be competitive whereas I don't see ever being able to grow a WR pumpkin.

12/29/2017 8:08:30 AM

Bethlehem CT

The above are all good responses. In my case, I am growing fewer pumpkins than I did ten years ago. I am losing a good percentage every year to rot or YVD. I did not have YVD ten years ago so I had many more pumpkins make it to the finish line.

12/29/2017 8:08:50 AM

Grittyville, WA

Yes its fun because its competitive. Its fun to have a good turnout. Clubs should encourage all levels of growers.

12/29/2017 8:31:51 AM

Grittyville, WA

Orange and pretty ones find buyers i think if i grow all orange and blossom down I can make more selling the pumpkin than the prize money would be in most cases.
I would recommend growing for pretty to anyone.
One for size three orange wildcat?

12/29/2017 9:03:50 AM

Grittyville, WA

2363 could have inspired people here in Washington but it was not weighed here nor displayed here it got shipped to new york. . .a real shame.
We have deep pockets here.
I'll make the calls and get it displayed here next time. I dont think anyone even knows about it here in WA. It cant inspire anyone if it can only be seen by new york's elite.

12/29/2017 9:42:18 AM

Grittyville, WA

I hope that wins me rant of the year...

12/29/2017 9:43:57 AM

Rhode Island

several years ago in an attempt to reward more growers at various pumpkin weight levels, a virtual weigh-off for our southern new england giant pumpkin growers membership was introduced.it is still a very important feature even today.heres how it works

all members email in the weight of there heaviest pumpkin weighed at a gpc site.(must be their heaviest only)

in turn these weights fell into one of several weight categories.the person whos weight fell closest to the ceiling weight of its class? won a cash award.

something like this could also be used as a award scale at the individual site as well. example

closest to without going over groupings (your club will determine the prize or cash award in each)

200 - 500 lbs
501 - 700 lbs
701 - 900 lbs
901 - 1,100 lbs
1,101 - 1,300 lbs
1,301 - 1,500 lbs

these groupings could be used as a bonus payout in addition to your club/sites top ten,etc. payout scale?

Pap

12/29/2017 9:59:39 AM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

some ideas for generating more entries to your weigh-off:
1. don't charge an entry fee
2. give a button, T-Shirt, bumper sticker, i.e to all entrants
3. have a weight class guarantee/bonus : all entries 0-500 pounds get $25, 501-1000 get $50, 1001-1500 get $100, 1501-2000 get $200 along with any other prize money
4. Offer coupons/discounts for products to entrants
5. Take picture for entrant, frame it?
6. Entrants are entered in a prize drawing
7. Reimburse mileage, up to a certain amount
8. Provide meal/drinks/accomodations
9. Ribbon for all entries
10.Free magazines, trial subscriptions, seeds, etc...

12/29/2017 11:43:57 AM

On a cliff in the desert

I am a new grower that has been growing JOLs for many years and dabbled in AGs with junk seed the past few years figuring out what does and doesn't work with AGS and find creative and cheap solutions to problems. Now my problem is start up money. Money for auctions for good seed, lifting equipment, etc. I have a 30' X 30' patch area with bad soil drainage, very shady from a huge cottonwood tree in my yard and weeds sent my way from neighbors and vines that run over each other. I also work hours that don't allow me to be at an auction so I need a proxy bidder. I don't know how many auctions allow proxy bidders since this is my first auction season.

It would be nice if weighoff sites would create classes for growers with > 5 years experience and one for new growers for their prize funds. I am not asking for a participation trophy but to compete against similar growers in my situation.

12/29/2017 2:03:12 PM

Colo Springs CO

So many reasons like everyone has said, definitely not one specific reason. Millennial and snowflakes definitely not as into extreme gardening as gen X's or boomers. They may garden for food only, if they have resources to grow anything at all. Home prices have shot up too high for many, especially for the younger generation. Developers are building more townhouses and apartments due to that fact. The middle class is being eliminated, so less money for those growers. The increase in jobs only meant most Americans had to get second part time jobs. Many did that due to insane costs for medical care and/or increased health care premiums. More people developing addictions to social medias and technology apps. Then others concentrating time and resources on doing opiates or other drugs. Another group is now just growing only hemp or medical marijuana.

The media also seems lukewarm towards giving face time on growers or contest promotions. I couldn't give away my 300-500 pound fruit last season, nobody willing to display even if I dropped it off ! Less people growing more plants, I too used to grow 6 400 SF plants, now concentrating on 4 500 SF plants. Less genetic plants being grown as growers only interested in the hot seeds these days. Financially it's not profitable or economical to weigh all fruits growing in a patch after considering the costs bringing all of them to a show, then potentially not placing high enough for prize money. Time always a factor to consider to grow, pick, and weigh. As stated, factor in also age each year, as well as health factors, or family/ work dynamics. Changes in local weather extremes factor in also, as do utility cost increases or water restrictions.

12/29/2017 2:04:57 PM

Colo Springs CO

Burn out is a factor for serious growers who understand that gardening at a higher level requires grower participation 12 month out of the year, either by getting ones hands dirty in the patch or by continuously amending the soil, or by researching information on days outdoor duties cannot be performed. Some people quit growing altogether when they realize that fact. Growers who treat their soil like dirt, not learning the best methods to increase soil fertility, will stop growing pumpkins after a few years also usually.
Combination of all these things combined together will continue to depopulate the landscape of giant pumpkin growers we see today. People commit their money, resources, and time on things which are most important to them. Gardening sometimes takes a backseat to some of these things. I don't expect these trends to reverse anytime in the near future either, unfortunately.

12/29/2017 2:05:12 PM

Colo Springs CO

that tops Glenomkins rant even more...could have added to that too :o

12/29/2017 2:11:48 PM

Central NY

Jesus...anyone else wanna quit?...thanks madman...sooo cold out...

12/29/2017 3:07:44 PM

NILES , CALIF

My thought;
It takes a lot of money and time to grow these Giants;
The weigh offs that I have been to, first place to tenth place get the most money winnings!

If you get eleventh place on, you may win just barely enough
for gas to get you home.

that's one reason why I am cutting back on growen.
thers is another reason but I will talk about it at the right time.

12/29/2017 4:38:58 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Respectfully Bill, I think the results are skewed. In 2017 you were correct in pointing out that there were 1592 fruit that achieved official weights. If I counted right, there were also 46 DMG and 99 EXH bringing the total number to 1737 fruit weighed.

Maybe if the previous years were to include the damaged and exhibition fruit, the results may just correlate to what you suspect. Reviewing the 2017 numbers was enough for me.
I personally feel that the numbers may have peaked in 2010 and maybe the pendulum swung back a little to where it is now. I don't believe for a second that the number of giant pumpkins being grown has diminished, but that differs the ones that actually make it to a weigh off.

12/29/2017 4:48:33 PM

Muddy Waters

The hobby is not dying whatsoever in fact it’s just the opposite more people are growing giant pumpkins then ever before . just not making it to the scales. People don’t want to be embarrassed bringing an 800 pound pumpkin to the scales. They shouldn’t be embarrassed but that’s just how our society works.Andy T has a weigh off just for people who have never grown over 600 pounds. He gets a great turn out every year. Some years will take a dip as hot summers Will melt giant pumpkins. Therefore there are less to bring to the scales also.don’t be full by the numbers this hobby is not going anywhere GPC may level off But it too will grow to huge numbers before it’s over

12/29/2017 4:57:01 PM

Wisconsin

@ Cornhusk, Spot on, great list, Neekoosa pays out 30 spots and always has a great showing. Sometimes the little things go a long ways. The simple fact is new growers have to replace retiring growers at the same rate to maintain. To grow the base of growers they have to replace growers faster than they retire. It sounds super basic, but if we want more pumpkins weighed we have to increase new growers.

12/29/2017 5:53:45 PM

Lebanon, Oregon

It takes years of dedication and knowledge to reach those upper weights. After a year or two the new grower may not want to take the time for yet another year of tending a AG plant. The sacrifices may be too much. The house goes another year without being painted. Family support may not be there. The job gets in the way. The grower may try different heavy vegetables thinking it may not take that much time. But he is wrong...so back to the same place because he finds peace in the garden. This is why I didn't weigh one this year. Maybe next year, or maybe never. To grow one to complete a grower needs to dedicate all their time to give it their best and sacrifice many things. Repeat growers cannot deny this. It's not for everybody.

12/29/2017 8:16:27 PM

Buffalo, MN (Billsbigpumpkins@hotmail.com)

Andy, your right I didn’t include and EXH or DMG in any of the results. There also can be a small difference based on how the numbers are stored. If three growers grew a pumpkin weighing 1801 lbs it would only be counted as one because all they counted as being the same place and number is repeated three times. I just took the total number of places. I also looked at 2017 and it had 104 EXH and 46 DMG, 2009 had 103 EXH and 24 DMG not a huge difference. We can also say that we are seeing twice as many DMG as we did 8 years ago.

12/29/2017 8:47:06 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Bill, I like your last sentence, suggesting more damaged fruit are making it to the scale. I LOVE that, not that the fruit were damaged, but that the grower traveled to a weigh off to show off the culmination of their efforts. Speaking for myself,damaged, exhibition or official, I did that and no one can take that away from me. Great post Bill. Someone posted something to the effect of growing for the simple joy of it, I think I fit into that category.

12/29/2017 9:55:06 PM

Sioux Falls Sd

I believe Muddy Waters pretty much nails it. As for the cost of this hobby compare it to, golf, fishing, hunting,stamp & coin collecting, showing animals. etc. (GIANT) Gardening may not be that expensive.

12/30/2017 1:39:05 PM

Grittyville, WA

That's true its still reasonable compared to many things people spend their money on. It can cost less or certainly is in line with the other things people spend money on.

Bill you have tapped into the fact that we are all stuck inside banging our keyboards... :) Everyone calms down around May!

12/30/2017 3:47:40 PM

Johnston, Iowa

This is a great discussion, I really like Frank and Tina's summary.

I think this will always be a niche group, but its important for both clubs and individual growers to help try to get people interested in this hobby. Writing off all Millennials lazy or "snowflakes" doesn't help.

Likewise I like the ideas that others have posted about keeping non-Heavey Hitters from dropping out. Without significant investment, being able to be competitive with the MN and WI folks at the GPC weigh-offs in my state is unlikely. That's where prize money for more places, and having prize categories for state/local winners is important for retaining growers.

12/30/2017 11:46:49 PM

Long Island,New York

Again....I think the demise or loss of the AGGC as a research resource is the prime reason why alternate genetics are not as frequently planted. Especially for those who realize they have very little chance of competing in top 5 or 10. I'm sure I'll catch crap for this but (its a new year and everyone starts new sh%tlists in january....why cant I be at the top of the list?) I think people grow Howard Dill entries and maybe squash or tomatoes and watermelons because they are out of the running for biggest.How many have switched to those because they cant compete through climate,space, or time availability? Playing with genetics is another alternative to "staying in the game". With no AGGC its kinda hard to follow the genetics. No one even uses the decided upon nomenclature like year grown anymore.....hard to follow without that......sigh.
(just my point of view from the sidelines while I enjoy the sandwich generation's finest trials and tribulations)

12/31/2017 9:15:59 AM

NE Arkansas

LIpumpkin is exactly right about the switching to other things part. I'm in Arkansas with 100+ degree days for weeks at a time. I went from trying more kins to less kins and more watermelons as they are better suited for my climate. I'll still grow kins, just not as many. I also take them where the payout is deeper or non-GPC.

12/31/2017 4:24:02 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

Poll date
daytime high
daytime low
distance from the stump
and on and on and on!
The AGGC filled my head with extreemly usefull information

12/31/2017 8:17:43 PM

North Smithfield, RI

Free this and free that . Who would pay for all that free stuff ???

12/31/2017 10:00:01 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

GEOD, where is all this free stuff? & jlindley, I think you nailed it on this thread! Grow what ya can, in your environment! Do the best you can, and encourage others to do the same!! Peace, Wayne

1/1/2018 1:40:52 AM

Ontario, Canada

I have heard from many growers say if their pumpkin isn't over 800#, then they won't even take it to a GPC site. They take these ones to the smaller local fairs where they have a chance on placing in the top 3. My local fair, the largest pumpkin is lucky to break 2-300#. We would take a big one there, but we wouldn't want to take the $100 prize from some deserving young kid. Maybe one day we'll enter one as an exhibition only, just so they can see what a true giant really looks like up close.

Another thing is prize money. Some weigh offs only pay down to 10th place & if your pumpkin is under 1,000#, then you go home with nothing or don't bother going at all. I would like to see the weigh offs give a minimum payout of at least $25-$50 to bring a pumpkin to a weigh off. This at least helps cover gas & other expenses to go.

I would also like to see the weigh offs give free entry to any pumpkins under 800#. They aren't going to be taking any real prize money home anyways, so why not allow them to be weighed in for free? The weigh offs could also offer a free draw to all pumpkins under 800#. 1st name drawn would get say $500, 2nd $300 & 3rd $200. Maybe that would help get some of these other pumpkins weighed in at GPC sites.

1/1/2018 9:36:52 AM

Deal With It

Bubba is correct.

I had an 820-pounder, and the OKC Zoo was willing to pay me for it.

Why would I allow it to remain off the vine for an additional two or three weeks until an out-of-state weighoff, at the risk that it would rot during that time?

After all, it's just a little peanut that only people in this part of the country would appreciate.

If I'm down to one fruit, I'm going with the guaranteed money and publicity.

1/1/2018 9:43:29 AM

Commack, NY

Statistically speaking the 2017 total wasn't that far off from the 9 year average. Did you also include the independent weigh off sites in the in your calculations? I don't think these numbers alone are a meaningful indicator of a decline in growers. Id be curious to know how many growers weighed fruit over that span of time, and arrive at an average number of participants in addition to the number of pumpkins. I think that additional statistic will cast a brighter light on things.

1/1/2018 1:44:59 PM