Friday, August 17

I'm Shutting Down the Blog

Because I'm out of business for 2007. Fluffy destroyed the first plant. She maimed the second, and I pulled it after that. Earlier this week, I killed the third and final plant. (I'd rather not say what happened, but if you're curious you can ask and I'll tell you. It's embarrassing.)

Failure is common in competitive pumpkin growing, as it is in all full-contact sports. Sure I'm bummed, but I've learned a lot. The blog will be back in January as I gear up for a successful 2008 season.

Until then, if you're out driving late one night, and you see any deer grazing by the side of the road... do me a favor if you would... swerve and plaster their guts all over the ditch, ok?

See you in 2008!

Wednesday, August 8

Who Turned Up the Heat!?!?

Geez, I spend a week in New England (motto: Georgia Summer Weather Sucks) and it's like being hit with a hammer when we step off the airplane here. What did y'all do while I was gone?

The irrigation system blew out at some point. If it had ruptured a few inches down, the pumpkin plant would have been washed away when it happened. As it is, everything was bone dry and the plant hasn't grown much, but it's in decent shape.

It's a wonder that any plant can live in this dadgum heat.

Friday, August 3

I'm leaving town for a week, so here's a quick update:

The new plant transplanted well, and I've got the irrigation system turned on again. I think vine borer season is probably over, so come on and get busy growing, new plant!

I've got a new name for the pumpkin if I get another this year (the name Magnolia is shot now). I'll explain why this is such an excellent name when we get back from Boston. But here's a hint:












(And Andy, I've been enjoying your comments - thanks!)

Thursday, August 2

Fluffy Doesn't Like Rotten Eggs
So that's something else to spray around the pumpkin plant. It's so easy a child can make it (mine did):

1. Blend one egg in a can of water
2. Let it sit for 24 hours
3. Spray on and near deer-friendly plants when you don't want those hateful forlorn nasty nasty creatures destroying everything you've worked so hard to achieve... (sorry I'm rambling again)




Of course, it you wait for three days instead of one to spray the stuff, well that's your own problem!

Wednesday, August 1

She's my Daughter, But...

I do wish I knew who the mother was!

This is my third and final attempt of the year. I moved her to the garden tonight. She could be from a 1,000 pound pumpkin with a decent lineage, or she could be a goof-ball seed left over from 2001. I'm just not sure.




This is the plant I pulled to make way for the new gal. She had pretty good genes, and had more or less recovered from the Fluffy rampage, but she just wasn't right.