August 29 - overcast but no rain

We have an infestation of Western spotted cucumber beetles as identified by Dr. Dave. They've moved from my front yard to the back yard and are eating the leaves of the pumpkin now. They started by eating my string beans and now they have branched out. Dave says he has them on his pumpkins now too.











Mine = 64" Dave's pumpkin = 83"

The nights are starting to cool off so the end of the growing season will be here soon. My tomatoes and zucchinis have slowed their production already.

August 27 - ovecast most of today

We had a hot weekend and then today it was mostly overcast. My pumpkin is 60" in circumference. At this rate I'm going to have to tape 2 tape measures together to keep measuring.

I've noticed that the little yellow beetle with dark spots that are all over my string beans and tomatoes in the front yard are now in the backyard and are on the pumpkin and basil now. Hopefully the pumpkin survives.

August 24 - still growing and raining

We left town for a few days to explore Telluride and I came back to find my pumpkin still thriving. It measured 54" this morning. I've put the hail screens on it as protection since we had hail last week and I didn't want to take any chances. The skin seems to still be soft and not turning hard yet. That could be from all the shade the back yard gets. I noticed lots of little red bugs running all over the surface of the pumpkin. Must be mites of some kind.

Dave says his measured 74" last night. Last year this time it was 81".

August 18,2007 - still getting afternoon showers

My pumpkin is at 37" and Dave said his is at 61". The hot weather and regular afternoon storms are really helping.

I was duly chastised again today for not putting my pumpkin in the front yard. But you can see for yourself how well everything else is doing there. I've really been enjoying all the different tomatoes that we've been eating.

August 14 - no rain but they're still growing

We've had weather in the 90's lately, afternoon clouds, and minimal rain.

My pump measured 29" today.

The North Carolina pumps are dying, who knows why, the leaves are yellowing.

And then there's Dave's pump.........51" around stem-to-blossom.

August 12,2007 - statistics

My pumpkin in the backyard continues to grow and is now starting to take over the grass.
The pumpkin itself measures 24" in circumference. I'm still watering it daily and fertilizing weekly.

Dave has a whopper. He's had 2 fruits abort on the same vine but has a huge one growing on another vine. The plant is heading for the side walk. This is the largest vine he's ever had in this current house. Not having any hail this year was a huge help with the plant growth.

I may have to concede the contest to him already. I may not win the pumpkin contest, but I definitely have a very tall sunflower in the front yard this year. It's at least 10' tall now but doesn't look like it will bloom for a few more days.