Maybe I'm a Pessimist

I don't mean to be... but I see a pattern here. First, I was quite worried the first plant would never set a pumpkin. Then before long I had three.

Now, the backup plant has a new vine growing out of its splinters which I can train to be a new main vine.

Also, Doug Adams, an experienced grower here in Georgia, writes: "In 2005 I planted a seed on July 23rd and got a 400 lb. one in Oct. So there is still time."

So today I'll turn my attention to stopping the attacks of Fluffy the Pumpkin Slayer. She must be stopped!

Conceding Defeat

Sometime Thursday, Fluffy returned and ate the backup plant.

I've taken this pretty hard, because this time I think s'e ended my season. I don't know, the plant may be trying to sprout a new main vine, so maybe all is not lost.

I've started yet another plant, but I don't think there's enough summer left to get a pumpkin from it. It's an experimental plant I'll use to test various Fluffy Retardants with.

How do I know it was Fluffy and not other critters? Well, first I don't have other critters. Second, this time there is a line of deer tracks leading *directly* to the desecrated plant.

But mostly, I have heard from an esteemed pumpkin grower that, "Pumpkins are to deer like peanuts are to bridge players." They start munching and just can't stop.

On Monday I'll post a picture of the plant and its new vine and show off my first Fluffy Retardants.

We Here at the Pumpkin Blog...

... are VERY CAREFUL with our commercial endorsements.

Which is why we're pleased to bring you our first tonight! (Not counting last year's Blue Moon Pumpkin ale.)

It's nutritious and delicious!!! (Actually I haven't tried it yet and everyone else in the family refuses to try it, but that's not important right now...)



Enough with the introductions - let's have a round of applause for that lip-smacking Flax Plus Pumpkin Rasin Crunch.















Princess Fairies know to ask for it by name!

(It keeps their wings shiny.)

(The claims made herein have not been endorsed by the FDA, before you ask.)













It's organic, so you can feel good about forcing it on your entire family. It's loaded with flax, to keep you regular.

And it's got the extra goodness of pumpkin in every bite, which is why we fell in love with it in the first place. Get yours today!!!

Meanwhile, Back in the Compost Pit

Plant Magnolia is furious with this turn of events. Despite the vine borers inside her, despite the fact she had no pumpkins and no growing tips, her male flowers are still blooming just in case anybody nearby needs pollinating.

(Backup plant continues to just sit there and acclimate to our cloudy July weather.)

My Biological Clock is Ticking

I'm not a young man any more. But that's not important right now. What's important is that it's mid-July and the backup plant only has four leaves on it.

It's actually looking pretty decent now, but it's still sort of sitting there dealing with the transplanting and getting used to things.

Time to get a move-on, girl!

The Plant Pre-Fluffy














The plant after 15 minutes of pulling up vines.

Thanks for the support and compassion you all continue to show me. In lieu of flowers, the bereaved request you send contributions to the Christian Deer Hunter's Association www.christiandeerhunters.org/ (There really is such a group; I'm not making that up.)

A Time of Transition

I'd like to thank my friends who are helping me through these tough times. Thank you Johnny, Andy, Jack, Tom, Yannick, etc. Especially I'd like to thank my special friends Johny Walker and Jack Daniels, I'm not certain I could carry on without you.

The backup looks better today, but no matter what happens, it's genetics are inferior and I'll always wonder, "what could have been?"

Next blog: a chance meeting in the urinal helps form a plan to fight back against Fluffy The Pumpkin Slayer.

Oh Magnolia, We Hardly Knew You!

Fluffy the Deer likes pumpkins. Nobody told me that. How come nobody told me that? I knew she might like PUMPKIN LEAVES - but I never heard she might like pumpkins.







Magnolia 2 agreed with Fluffy's palate also.


I've ripped out the vine and planted the backup. It'll probably be the end of the week before I post again. The backup doesn't look so great, and I think I need some quiet time alone to mourn...

Day 5 and All is Well

Magnolia certainly is short and plump compared to Bessie... not that there is anything wrong with that. I'll be out of town until Saturday so she'll have to carry on without me. That fancy irrigation system out there ought to keep her happy.

A third pumpkin bloomed yesterday, and I didn't even know it was there. This one is on a side vine, so it may be a keeper if it does well. It's definite proof this plant is stronger than last year's plant was!

Day 3 and All is Well

Magnolia has a baby sister now. I'm not going to name it, because one or the other will be removed next Saturday. May the best pumpkin win!

Baseball sized 48 hours after pollinating. Magnolia sure isn't wasting any time. I think she's burst out of the gate much faster than Bessie, but it's a long season.





Hillary the Deer is back. Here's her diet: leaves off the cherry tree, leaves off the rose, leaves off the huckleberry. Hillary seems to prefer leaves. But so far, she's not interested in pumpkin leaves. I'm still looking for a manual on how to gut and clean a deer.