From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Rhode Island

we all want those late season growth measurements. heres a few tricks of the trade you might try?
if you have others please add onto my post.

measure every 7 days and divide growth difference by 5.
then next week 4,then a week later by 3.

measure without removing the blankets.

measure side to side by pushing the tape into every rib.

measuring over the top? push tape into indented areasat stem and blossom.

cut the first 6 inches off off your tape.my personal favorite.

measuring alone? wrap tape a couple times around stem.

whats your late season secrets?

8/23/2010 7:38:17 AM

Williamsburg,KY

I like to make a deep hole on the side of the pumpkin and make sure the tape goes all the way to the bottom of the hole.

When measuring circumfrence, I like to place my hand in the way of the tape.

8/23/2010 9:14:25 AM

France

My favorite is to dig the soil under the blossom end and under one of the side. I do it everyweek, so I feel better loll

8/23/2010 9:15:41 AM

Westford, MA

I put my foot on the Scale when I do my Weekly Weighs.

Croley's hole sounds like it could be a problem with all the mice I've got.

8/23/2010 9:55:24 AM

Colorado

I dig a foot deep moat around mine

8/23/2010 11:48:25 AM

cut first 3 inches off tape -and add to competetors tape when there not looking

8/23/2010 12:13:29 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Use the centimeter portion of the tape..

8/23/2010 1:27:43 PM

The bottom of New Jersey

We once had a gardening customer who would read their rain gauge every time it rained and they would think the centimeters were inches. He would always think that it rained 2.5 times more than it actually did. I'll bet that would work great when measuring my pumpkins!

8/23/2010 1:29:26 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Have friend help you measure, and don't take all the rolls out of the tape, those twirls are IMPORTANT to the tape holding onto your fruit.

When doing your SS, lay on the fruit and run the tape over your back, it steadies it so you can guide it out over the sides to touch the ground. :)

8/23/2010 2:14:53 PM

Midway, UT

I like that idea Don. Lol

8/23/2010 4:53:41 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

I know this is must be common knowledge by know,but if you happen to get your tallywacker under the tape, I know in my case that adds 4 inches to the circumference and going side to side another 8 inches at least, as everyone says right, keep dreamin Dave.

8/23/2010 6:00:24 PM

North Smithfield, RI

Post a picture of last yrs winner and claim it as your own !
At weigh-off you tell everybody about the split ended your season . Fishermen get away with that all the time .

8/23/2010 6:14:21 PM

Ohio

I will usually take some 10 penny nails or a roofer's type nail gun if I cant find where I put my 20 pound sledge hammer, but I will secure my tape to my pumpkin by nailing the tape to the sides of my pumpkin for a more precise and accurate reading,it holds your tape very secure, even on a windy day.

8/23/2010 6:27:17 PM

[email protected]

I like to use my tape that I had to duct tape together in the middle. I cut a foot out of it to make clean edges to tape together. I have a 1300 pounder growing now from my measurements. lol

8/23/2010 7:56:31 PM

Nova Scotia,Canada

LOL Brooks

8/23/2010 8:05:12 PM

Massachusetts

I use google earth live, if you zoom in on your patch, you can use there milage scale,you can get a very accurate measurements, remember, one inch on a map = 0ne mile! ;'}

8/23/2010 8:14:53 PM

South East

When we measure we do it three times,,,each time its one or two inches more, we go with the highest number.

8/23/2010 8:36:37 PM

Colorado

measure when your pumpkin is covered in hail. It will add a few inches and create a nice cool micro-climate around the fruit.

8/23/2010 10:19:09 PM

Minnesota

Mine's so big it can be seen from Space, I don't even bother with measuring!

8/23/2010 11:25:49 PM

Glosta

Drink heavily before measuring

8/23/2010 11:28:12 PM

Colorado

Brooks 2.5 inch drywall screws work great

8/25/2010 1:53:30 PM