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!

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.

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!)

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!

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.

I may not be able to grow pumpkins, but...

I Think I've Got a Handle Growing Tomatoes

At Night, I Lie Awake

During the day, also.

Is this all there is to achieve in life? Is the Perfect Pumpkin the grandest quest of all?

But I shake the crazy thoughts aside.

Of course it is.

I shall neither slumber nor sleep. I will overcome!

The New Vine is Growing Again

It looks awkward, but at least it has recovered. Meanwhile, the latest new plant has sprouted and its 1st two leaves look great.

Advantages of the current plant:
- I know the genetics and they are pretty good.
- It has a 3 week head start over the newest plant

Advantages of the seeding
- It hasn't been torn up by deer
- It hasn't had to deal with a rough transplanting
- But it's started VERY late in the season, and I don't actually know which pumpkin it's from.

I think I'll have to choose in about a week.





The first of the Fluffy deterrents is: deodorant soap. If she is a normal deer, that is. I think she may be a freaky evil deer, but hey maybe she's just a normal deer after all.

Sorry, I got off topic. Fluffy does that to me. Anyway, that fence won't stop her for a minute if she really wants in, but I'm hoping between the fence and the soap she'll turn the other way and destroy the rest of my plants instead of the pumpkin.

Pumpkin Flax Crunch:
The Taste That's Sweeping the Nation!

I told you this was gonna be big!

"It gives me the strength of 1000 men!" says one highly coerced pumpkinflax admirer.

What exactly does that mean - even I have to wonder.

"Wait until 5:00 pm, let's see how regular it makes me" says another.

Great, I'll set my watch. Can't wait!

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!