It’s been a busy and fun week!  On Tuesday,  Wednesday, and Thursday the weather outside was rainy and dreary.  I was a little concerned that the voles would return, but I figured I had caught them all and that I was safe.  The previous damage to the pumpkin had dried out with the sulfur dust and I was feeling confident about the scarring.  The newspaper and television station were going to be at my house Friday afternoon to film me loading the pumpkin.  Friday morning when we removed the covers to the pumpkin, another vole had decided to eat on the pumpkin in the same spot.  It was a baby vole that was caught in a trap on the other side, but the damage had already been done.  I figured the sulfur dust would keep everything away, but it must have been hanging out next to my pumpkin to get out of the rain.

Anyway, I had visions of an entire vole family falling out of my pumpkin as I lifted it with my homemade tripod system and it would all be caught on tape.  Luckily, the bottom was solid so I felt I had a chance to take this pumpkin to a weigh off.  I figured the cats had ruined my chances for the Howard Dill Award–prettiest pumpkin so I was now hoping the pumpkin would go a little heavy and it would be my first 1000 pound pumpkin that I’ve grown.

The weigh off is always a fun event and it’s fun talking to the other growers.  To my dismay, when they weighed the pumpkin, it went 15% light!  I have to say I was a little bummed.  Then the “Wiz” stated I had won the Howard Dill Award!  I was thrilled and that helped with the sting of my pumpkin weighing so light.  It was a good day and I always enjoy the drive home.  It’s amazing how many drivers slowdown to take a picture and how a giant pumpkin can put a smile on anyone’s face.

Jared’s Nursery Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off