This was going to be a year off for me to give me and the soil a break but somehow I found a way to grow one pumpkin along with Phil and Jane Hunt. This was the only way I could be involved in this since I injured my left shoulder back in December and I am limited in my abilities to do things that I would normally have no problem with.
Saturday was the best day so far this year and I was able to take advantage of It. I added all the soil amendments to the growing site including compost, peat moss, bio-char, K-mag, sulfur, kelp, humic, 46-0-0 and some 19-19-19.
After that was done Phil tilled up entire patch and I installed the heater cable and got a 8' x 9' hoop house built. I really hope that this was the hardest day for me this season.
There will be two plants started in hoop house which is large enough to walk into. Aiming for a planting date of May 9th. Would be sooner but the pumpkins won't be ready until then.
The fodder beets and kohlrabi plants have to go into the ground sooner. I started them in January which was too early but I was off work for two months and I had lots of time on my hands. The ones that I transplanted into large pots are all larger and more robust than the plants in the 6" pots.
Getting them out of here will give me room to start some tomato plants soon.
This is how the carved 1939.5 turned out. Another amazing carving by Andrew Munro.
The patch has been long cleaned up and tilled for 2021. I put down a cover crop of winter wheat but....
It soon became chicken feed to the neighbours flock.
The 1597 Hunt/Lyons was all dressed up for the times.
It was carved by Andrew Munro today. He usually does chain saw carvings but he did an amazing job on this pumpkin. Due to the cold and snow the 1939.5 will be done soon. His facebook page is The Carving Chef. The work he does is absolutely amazing.
The Woodbridge Fair weigh-off went smoothly thanks to the organizers, sponsors and volunteers. The rain showers held off until everything was weighed or measured.
The 1984 Barron is now the 1597 Hunt/Lyons 2020. It weighed right on the charts and was good for Fourth place.
My Mangelwurzel (Fodder Beet) came first at 53.8 lbs.
My Kohlrabi came first at 33.4 Lbs.
This is the 60.38 Mangelwurzel that I weighed at Port Elgin last week. I was awarded this amazing plaque on behalf of Port Elgin Pumpkinfest by Bob and Elaine Mackenzie.
Both of our pumpkins are now resting in front of the Hunt's home on Hwy 35.
The 1939.5 looks amazing and it really looks that big. Traffic began stopping for photos right after it was stood up. It will be an awesome jack o lantern.
I will provide updates on that soon.
We took advantage of the sunny dry conditions to begin cleaning up the patch. The weeds really took over the place in September. Not my favorite thing to be doing but it's important to get the ground cleaned up.
Good luck tommoro you guys !
Loading day part two at the Hunts. The 1984 Barron somehow survived the season with no issues. Even the ribs on the bottom are lumpy but feel solid.
Safely loaded on my truck for the trip to Woodbridge. It still measures around 420 " and unlike last year it actually feels heavy unlike last year's "air bubble".
I managed to squeeze it into the underground parking at home with about 1" to spare.
My crazy looking kohlrabi looks like it will be over 30 lbs. Just taking it to get an official weight. Usually I grow these just for the Royal Winter Fair.
I finally got a group picture of the 1939.5 pumpkin. It will become a jack o lantern over the next few weeks. It should be spectacular
The 2005 Haist is now the 1939.5 Hunt/Lyons 2020. It was great to finally win At Port Elgin after a 26 year drought. Unfortunately I did not take many photos due to the rapid nature of our weigh-in so I don't have any of us with the pumpkin on the scale.
My 6.76 lb. first place tomato. The tomato competition was the best I have ever seen at a weigh-off before.
There is nothing like celebrating with vintage Giant pumpkin wine. Thanks so much Dave McCallum.
Good looking stuff Chris. Good luck tomorrow. I'll be watching online
Loading day at the Hunt's. My newly acquired but old ring worked very well because of it's large diameter.
Phil and Jane Hunt and our loader extraordinaire Matt Leach. Everything went well and the pumpkin did not get too much strap scuff. Kind of important if the pumpkin has smooth skin and you are competing for the HD award.
My biggest tomato ever. It will easily break my previous PB with a CC of 28". Hoping for three Personal Bests tomorrow. Good luck everyone.
The pumpkins are still alive and still growing slowly. The 1984 Barron is sitting at around 420" and surprised me by outpacing the 2005 Haist considering the condition of the plant. I have no idea how either pumpkin will actually weigh.
The 9.71 Lambchop tomato is still green and growing despite being hit with blight. My biggest three tomatoes are all green.
This tomato on the 9.65 Porkchop plant is growing very well and could catch up to my other big one over the next few weeks. At this time the plant is much healthier so I have a chance with it.
I gave the fodder beets a haircut so I could get a better look at them. My personal best is around 48 lbs. so I am hoping to top that this year.
Nice tomato Chris. 4.91 lbs.