From

Location

Message

Date Posted

South Hero, VT

This my 4th year growing, and my second year of being serious.

4 weeks until Vermont weigh off, and I'm experiencing anxiety about my AG, with mild panic attacks in the middle of the nite.

How many years did it take you growers out there before you acquired a "professional" attitude toward growing big ones?

Maybe I should see Dr Phil about this?

9/9/2011 12:56:13 PM

Ashby, MA

This is my second year and my anxiety does not come from the pumpkins and the impending weigh-off. It comes from my wife who hates my new hobby. I feel like I'm doing something very wrong anytime I'm out in the patch. I wonder how many other growers feel this sort of anxiety from their wives?

9/9/2011 2:33:03 PM

Claysburg , PA

The anxiety never ends with the wife , you just get used to it .

9/9/2011 2:41:32 PM

Springfield, VT

After all the other pumpkins split and your remaining pumpkin has ridden out a hurricane and a month of 3-4" of rain a week. At that point you wonder why the last pumpkin is not mush like the rest

9/9/2011 2:43:59 PM

Johnston, Iowa

Pierce - many growers, myself included have experienced spousal abuse and the related anxiety due to pumpkin growing activities. When the opportunity to vent on the Marriage Ref TV Show is not available, I've found that heavy and regular doses of Black Velvet whiskey seem to help deal with this.

Steve - after growing for several years, I sure haven't acquired that "professional" attitude either. As far as consulting with Dr. Phil, I've found one of his quotes online that may save you a $500/hr visit to that head shrinker:

"Life is a marathon, it's not a sprint."
I think this applies to the normal learning curve of pumpkin growing . . . unless you have access to midnight sun, then anything is possible LOL

9/9/2011 2:47:59 PM

[email protected]

first off there is nothing normal about pumpkin growing! once you figure that out it's all good,like someone said to me it's more of an obsession,and fairly accurate! You never get used to the anxiety, you just learn to roll with whatever comes your way...

9/9/2011 3:00:16 PM

beer if after drinking many cans you dont feel better use both hands

9/9/2011 3:03:21 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Steve, off subject, but did you by chance burn your 1059 with one of those tarps to get that scar?

I did early on so was just curious.

9/9/2011 3:21:11 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

The anxiety ends when you poke a finger through that soggy spot on a bottom rib.

9/9/2011 3:51:31 PM

Colorado

When the dust settles its just a pumpkin. Thats whats so great about the hobby.A serious seasonal pursuit of a trivial and fragile giant pumpkin. No need to slash ones wrists if things dont go well-theres always next season

9/9/2011 4:29:25 PM

South Hero, VT

Luke, the scar on the left side of the pumpkin(facing blossom end) was caused by a sponge placed between the fruit and vine to move vine away from fruit.

First and last time I'll do that. I probably lost at least 15 pounds off the weight doing that. :-(

9/9/2011 4:48:52 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Steve, polish off a bottle of that Vermont's finest that you turned me on to.....you wont care about anything pumpkin for a day or so.

9/9/2011 5:16:03 PM

Benson, Vermont

Guess I am very, very lucky, my wife likes to grow pumpkins & long gourds, hunt, fish, trap and watch Red Sox games on the NESN every night that they play. Hell, she even goes to the GPC conference yearly and takes notes for me. Three years ago I drew a moose permit and she shot it. To top it off she is a RN and dresses out her deer every year. And she is pretty.

9/9/2011 5:29:38 PM

Long Island,New York

Whiskey.....does she have a boat?

9/9/2011 5:44:06 PM

Joliet, IL

i subscribe to Don's way of coping. lol. in my case it is my good friend mr. budweiser!!!

9/9/2011 6:46:57 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Steve, my scar was mych deeper and really made a lopside on the back of the pumpkin. All it needed was one inch of tarp touching it on a 100 degree day when it was ~15 days old.

As to your o.g question, I drink myslef happy too. I wear one of those little beer helmets when working the patch with the 2 tubes that go straight into my mouth. Also watch lots of football, and go fish when you can.

9/9/2011 6:48:04 PM

Muddy Waters

Fishing great for anxiety!!I was addicted to fishing till my uncle handed me Ray Watermans seed Mailer in 1995 Now im hooked on Giants!Is there a rehab for this??Anxiety is a way of Life for most people now a days!!

9/9/2011 7:49:17 PM

South Hero, VT

Found answer to anxiety, thanks to Whiskey Runner. http://cocktails.about.com/od/atozcocktailrecipes/r/lng_islnd.htm

Make sure you have a handler/designated driver if you try this.

9/9/2011 9:28:52 PM

Littleton, Colo

.......The more you loze, the more you grow.........I know, it'z very deep but true.

9/9/2011 10:41:14 PM

Anchorage Alaska

The anxiety..doesn't end until you've had a good look at your pumpkins bottom...lol.. if good ...then relax and have beer..if not see Don's post above

9/10/2011 12:11:23 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Yo...RondoniZ seedZ coming your way

9/10/2011 11:28:38 AM

South Hero, VT

Wiz, you just made my day mucho mejor!

9/10/2011 11:38:33 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

this is my 24th year growing, it' doesn't end, at night the dreams pickup where the anxiety left out

9/10/2011 11:53:56 AM