Just the 4 of them ...

From left to right ... 135lbs (Peter), 75lbs, 85lbs, 72lbs (Penny)

The four guards

These two were harvested Sunday October 5th

The last two harvested

These two were harvested on Sunday 28th of September

Me and my buds

Giant Atlantic Dill update from Crescent Beach

A delayed update from the pumpkin patch ... all 3 plants are doing really well, no mildew on the leaves which is a big plus ... so it is looking like the milk treatment done last weekend helped. (or at least did not harm)

I have included a beer bottle in the picture for reference to size, measurements will be taken on Tuesday August 19th when I have some string and a tape measure.

Measurements are done in two ways, first is the circumference around the widest part of the pumpkin parallel to the ground, and the second is the over the top OTT method.

Pumpkin plant #2, this one is the most orange, but slightly strange shape.
Measurements: c =58"
Estimated Weight: 62lbs

The smallest of the three, on the largest plant #1 ... the best shape, will surely be the largest of the three pumpkins.
Measurements: c = 54"
Estimated Weight: 51lbs

Pumpkin plant #3, the first pumpkin, and currently the largest.
Measurements: c = 61"
Estimated Weight: 70lbs

Crescent Beach Pumpkin update for July 29th

A quick update on the Giant Atlantic Dills, the main plant which ruthlessly had its nose chomped off by a bunny rabbit is now growing full steam ahead, but no established fruit yet. A few pumpkins have been picked off waiting for the right one. There are a couple of candidates going, hopefully the fertilize soon.

As for 2 and 3, they are also growing well, Pumpkin 3 has a small fruit growing a little closer to the stem that I would ideally like, but it was already well on its way and is well situated to grow so I figured we would let it go.

Pumpkin plant #1, no established fruit

Pumpkin plant #2, no established fruit

Pumpkin plant #3, first established pumpkin started ~July 20th

Powdery mildew prevention for Squash and Pumpkins

I came across an interesting article today on an environmentally friendly way to protect your squash from getting mildewy leaves.

Numerous small studies from around the world have validated the use of milk sprays on powdery mildew on a wide range of plants. Most recently, a spray made of 40% milk and 60% water was as effective as chemical fungicides in managing powdery mildew of pumpkins and cucumbers.

Scientists are not exactly sure how milk sprays work, but most think proteins in the milk interact with sun to create a brief antiseptic effect. Any fungi present are "burned" into oblivion, but there is no residual effect after that. In order to be effective, milk sprays must be used preventively, must be applied in bright light, and should be repeated every 10 days or so.

There is no consensus on which dilution of milk to water is best, with the most concentrated recommended mixture 40% milk and 60% water, and the most dilute 10% milk and 90% water. I fall in between using 30% milk to70% water, with good results. It does not matter if the milk you use is skim or whole because it is the protein rather than the milkfat that is working on your behalf.

With experience, you will learn which types of powdery mildew are likely to develop in your garden, and this knowledge will take you far in managing this disease. Like other fungicides, milk sprays work best when used preventatively, before the disease can gain a foothold. If you often see powdery mildew on your squash, grapes or zinnias, start milk sprays before the plants show signs of infection. You have nothing to lose beyond a cup of milk.

For more information, visit growveg.com

Two shlongs sighted!

Big news from Graham Street, two green shlongs have been sighted. Both looking a little flacid, but quite pleasing to the eye.


Full view of Hugh G. on the left, and my giant atlantic pumpkin on the right:

Giant Pumkin update for July 8th

All plants really starting to spread now, although pumpkin 1 had its lead end snapped/bitten off by a certain fuzzy friend.

Pumpkin 1

Fuzzy Bunny visitor in our new plot

Pumpkin 2 is really starting to spread, should see the first real fruit and flowers soon.

Pumpkin 3

Giant Pumpkin update

Photos from the first plant, in our new somewhat morning glorified plot ...

Sunday night squash report from south surrey

Here a couple pictures from Sunday June 15th.

The two Tromboncino have settled in nicely and are starting to grow ... They just need some sun! Beside them is a butter cup squash and then a blue Hubbard behind that ... The blue Hubbard is currently the largest.

Stubby Steve second from the bottom, Tumescent Tom is bottom.

The 3 Giant pumpkins are now planted in the new plot on top of some lovely cattle and sheep manure mixes with premium garden soil!

Sunday night Squash Report

4 Giant Atlantic Dill, 3 Tromboncino.

Hopefully the Tromboncinos will be planted this week. The giant atlantic dills have another week or so before they hit the plot.

Ooh look at those feet! ... OK 4 Giant Dills on the right, and 3 Tromboncinos on the left.

Far left is Stubby Steve, Next to him is Tumescent Tom ... 

Sunday May 25th Squash Report

4 Giant Atlantic Dill and 3 Tromboncino sprouts are now quite at home in the cold frame outside. 

Trombocino squash in the green pots, Giant Atlantic Dill in the red pots.

Also included is a photo of our apple tree that is looking oh so healthy this year with lots of fruit.

Hard to see, but each of the 6 branches is covered in small apples growing rapidly.

First day at the Crescent Beach Squash Farm

Now that we officially have a garden plot I thought I would post some photos of the plot before we did anything to it ... 

And some after 2 days of sweat equity.

The Tromboncicos will be living in the 'cage' at the front left of the plot.

We have also planted: 

• potatoes (Yukon gold and German butter)
• chamomile
• edible (high maintenance) pansies
• carrots
• onions
• beets
• Oregon sugar snap peas
• scarlett runner beans
• sunflowers
• blue hubbard squash (in the Tromboncino cage shown above)
• butter cup squash (in the Tromboncino cage shown above)

The official start of the 2014 inter-provincial Tromboncino Squash-off

4 separate Cities ... 2 provinces ... and a whole lot of ... squash.

Starting in Vancouver, there are 3 pots (the green ones) that contain the Tromboncino squash, planted Tuesday May 13th.

The two red pots contain Giant Atlantic Dill pumpkin seeds. These were planted Friday May 16th.

To help the germination the pots are living on top of our water heater.