August 17th - 473 pounds

The pumpkin has pretty much stopped growing, and the tarp is off.

Today's FYI (or in Ciena-speak: "Did You Know?")

The Georgia pumpkin record is 698 pounds.

The world record, from Pennsylvania I think, is 1469 pounds. The serious growing all takes place up north, where the days are much longer during the summer months.

My neighbor Bob came over and saw the pumpkin yesterday.

"Oh my god!!!" he said.

For a moment I thought I had a convert!

But after thinking about it, I'm pretty sure it was just a figure of speech.

Bessie has pretty much stopped growing. Latest estimate is 460 pounds. I'll make a final measurement next Sunday, then remove the tarp and do some tricks to help make her as pretty an orange as possible.

One more picture - try to compare her to the milk jugs.

We've located two 400 pound scales to weigh her with this fall. Thanks Tom!!! The theory is we will cover the scales with a piece of plywood and then put the pumpkin on top, since she's too heavy for either scale by itself.

August 8th - Day 46 - 441 pounds

This is the largest pumpkin ever grown in Georgia 4H contest - 353 pounds. If that one weighs 353 pounds, surely Bessie is worth 441 pounds?

Only two people think Bessie is really that heavy - Miss Billie, and Miss Millie. Neither of these fine ladies has offered to help move and weigh her, though :(

Hey Jeff Foxworthy:

"You might be a redneck if...
You have ever left grubs out in the sun to dry."

Man I hate those things. It's official; nobody thinks Bessie weighs 406 pounds by looking at her picture. Me included. We'll see when she finally gets on a real scale.

August 3rd - Day 41

Due to overwhelming demand, it's time for new pictures. My conservative weight estimate (subtracting 5%) is 406 pounds.





She's getting nice and orange, but that also means the growth is about over. I'm about to quit measuring every day, and blog updates will be infrequent until harvest and carving time.


Is that thing really 400 pounds? It seems like I could roll it to the front yard myself. I guess we'll find out in a month or two...