Pumpkin Update!

It seems like all the news I have about the quest to grow a giant pumpkin is bad.

July 24. Appearing to be living the dream- a rotation of frozen water bottles, shade and a fan.

Everything looked great, both pumpkins in the 1,000 pound patch were looking healthy. But then…the heat wave. In spite of keeping everything watered, our sweet little pumpkin patch looked terrible. I checked on the pumpkin Monday and it didn’t look good. Jon started our hospice protocol: hand watering, more nutrients, positive vibes. Tuesday morning he came back from picking up the produce for our weekly delivery and ran to the garden. He knew, he just knew.

Rotten. The entire bottom (which was sitting on MY garden mat!) was rotten and full of ants. We had to call in the experts.

They ran diagnostics and Jon did some of his own research and troubleshooting. The conclusion? We have no idea. This year is definitely a learning experience. As bummed as we all are, we do have another one. Jon’s plans for this one? NEGLECT. He said he’s going to let Mother Nature do her thing. That is a lie. He isn’t letting Mother Nature do her thing- just last night I saw him run out in the rain and put the bench over the pumpkin. And how do you explain this picture?

See the sunburnt leaves? Boooooo

He can’t help himself! Hopefully I won’t check in next week with sad news. Let’s hope the cooler temps and rain we’re expecting this weekend get us over the hump with this pumpkin!