Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 10 Entries. Monday, March 10 View Page I decided to keep a grower diary here to track my first year attempt at giant pumpkins. Goal for this year is to get one pumpkin to a GPC weigh off. I started the season by applying well composted beef feedlot manure in March. We raise our own beef so I have a good supply of manure. The site I selected for my pumpkin patch was sweet corn last year and crop field for many years before that. Soil samples were pulled at this time.   Saturday, March 29 View Page Soil results showed a need for calcium more than anything else. Here I am blending some gypsum, pel lime, alfalfa pellets and granular boron as I load the spreader.   Saturday, March 29 View Page This is how everyone spreads amendments on their patch right? The spreader is equipped with scales so I can get the rate dialed in just right. My 5 year old son is all about helping on the farm and the pumpkin patch.   Monday, April 21 View Page Seed starting day, here is the lineup. I put up simple hoop houses, no heating cables this year. I am starting a little later than some to avoid some cold weather.   Friday, April 25 View Page Had a stuck shell on the 2021 Hoornstra. I was able to remove it by squeezing the sides with a pair of pliers enough to get it to crack.   Monday, April 28 View Page This 2344.5 Wallace is pretty slow and wonky looking.   Monday, May 5 View Page 2344.5 Wallace still looking weird. The first and second leaf are coming out at the same time. I have 2 of these so this one is not going in the patch.   Wednesday, May 7 View Page Planting day. I wanted to have these outside soon, but the weather has been awful. This spring has been so incredibly wet. I think this 1727 Jacobus is looking pretty good.   Saturday, May 10 View Page Finally some sun, hoops are vented and I am watching the temp. I need the ground to dry out so I can give the whole patch another burndown spray to hit a few emerged weeks and final till. Deciding on wind fence is the next thing to figure out.   Tuesday, May 13 View Page Seeing some yellow speckling on the leaves on a couple of the plants. Not sure if it is related to excessive moisture or what. A storm came up the other day while I was at work and a bunch of water came in through the open end of the hoop house. Overall the plants seem to be growing pretty well.