And the race is on, to see who can grow the biggest pumpkin in Maple Ridge. The weight from 2010 was 130 lbs, so this year… what will it be for 2011? 200…. 250…. 90. The weather will play an important role and perhaps some magical growing formula or pumpkin talk. Here is a photo of my pumpkin as at July 1, 2011 [Canada Day]

Time to have some fun!

August 1, 2011

It is now August and the pumpkin [that's singular] is approximately 7 inches in diameter – a long way to go to 130 lbs. So I’ll continue with the 20-20-20 regime of fertilizer and bury all the aerial roots along the vines. My hope is to have a pumpkin sister real soon.

August 22, 2011

A fine pumpkin sister has now arrived and is 12 inches in diameter. it’s a much nicer shape than the first pumpkin [now 16 inches in diameter. The current challenge is “Powdery Mildew”. The Thornhill Pumpkin Weighin is not until October 22, 2011, so there’s still time to bulk up.

The great weigh in and pumpkin roll happened on Oct 22, 2011. Here is my pumpkin at 200 lbs even.

Next year “300 lbs”

Cheers to all the participants at the Thornhill Hall, Maple Ridge BC