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Little-TON - Colorado

It'Z now the off season.....yeah yeah terminator.....lol and well, WiZ iZ already bored....lol

Would like to hear your commentZ regarding surpriZe patch visitZ and the like. Grower miZdirection, ExaggerationZ on non-growth or abortZ, and overall grower patch EddieKit, OK educate....

There iZ no wrong or right answer....I am just intereZted in kickin it....

Cut and paste: your answers....to the following....or not.
If you feel safer emailing me....then WiZ iZ juZt curiouZ....and will not share! if you say not to.....
[email protected]
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Would it be OK for a grower to just pop in unannouced and check your kins covered up in a signed fenced patch?

IZ Uncovering to check'em out OK, or iZ it look but dont touch?

Would it be OK if the grower called first to request permission to check them out without you there?

Would it be OK for a grower to measure your KinZ without your knowledge?

If asked to club tour your patch.....what would you say?

Is it OK to totally deny total access to your patch to anyone, club friend or foe when others show theirZ?

How far would you go to protect your priZe kinZ?
IZ a Mine Field OK?
....lol

This iZ not meant to offend or accuse, but juZt interested...in your thoughtZ.....on patch tour ruleZ, grower education, and patch tour etiquette..... There, got it spelled right.

I like cheeeZe.....lol do you like cheeZe?
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It'Z going to be a long off season......Thank you.

And

GrowZ'em BIG
WeighZ'em HEAVY
DropZ'em HARD
Till'Zem DEEP
and .....>
well I cant tell you all my secretZ Iceman........

QuizZZY Wizzzy

10/25/2011 8:27:24 PM

Deer Park, WI

Wow. Wiz fell off the deep end and the weighoff dust hasnt even settled yet. Like I'm one to talk...here I am responding to the message. Guilty as charged. Doh.

Would it be OK for a grower to just pop in unannouced and check your kins covered up in a signed fenced patch? Yeah, that whole "midwest nice" thing infects us pretty good up here. Im ok with this.

IZ Uncovering to check'em out OK, or iZ it look but dont touch? So long as no foliage was broken on the way in and no fingernails scratch the paint, we're good. Just be sure to get the sheet back on the way i had it.

Would it be OK if the grower called first to request permission to check them out without you there? Sure, but pull a couple lamb's quarters & pigweeds on your way through as the "visitor's toll" and if you bring the kids, they better be on a tight leash or slugging each other in the car.

10/25/2011 9:20:02 PM

Deer Park, WI

Would it be OK for a grower to measure your KinZ without your knowledge? oooooo, this one starts to skirt on uncomfortability. There's a couple of guys in my inner circle that i'd entrust the tape to, but they are not the type to show up at random to feel up my fruit. That's kinda weirdish.

If asked to club tour your patch.....what would you say? Come one, come all, and make damn sure you got some beer in that cooler. Oh, and dont wreck anything. I work my ass off for this operation.

Is it OK to totally deny total access to your patch to anyone, club friend or foe when others show theirZ? I ask what's the benefit in secrecy? Other than some quasi-pathological expression of power over your kingdom? Doesnt make sense to me. Patches are not "Skunk works", they are places to crack open 12oz's of the nectar of the gods and solve the world's problems. ".....yep......"

How far would you go to protect your priZe kinZ? Depends on the threat, of course. Animals can be expedited to animal heaven, weather has pulled me out in the middle of the night in my underwear (God bless freak hailstorms), vandals can be tagged with paintballs, family members.....ooooo, this one is sticky, better bite my tongue. This list could go on and on but I fear a knock on the door from "social services".

10/25/2011 9:20:10 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

JoZe,
I love man.....thank you for your frank answerZ to my queerieZ...I mean...queriesZ....
May the Punkin godZ grace your patch with future BIG oneZ.....and itZ.....QuaZI......lol If You ever show up to my patch...you gotta stay the night....cuZ we like beerZ..
GrowZem BIG my friend.

10/25/2011 9:41:53 PM

Massachusetts

joze! now thats entertainment!! great reading toooo funny!!

10/26/2011 6:23:59 AM

Joliet, IL

Good stuff.....lol

10/26/2011 8:55:07 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Looking over the fence is okay....
No uncover or feeling up someone's fruit unless they're there.
Most of the time if you drop in here it's fine, I can sort out a patch visit if there's something there.
Yes I'd 'tour out' my patch if we had enough to put together a tour.
I have rampant black widows so stepping in my patch is at your own risk if you go without me. Your body will make good patch amendment!
If the widows don't get you and I do, you WILL be weeding.
Is it November already???? hehehehe

10/26/2011 9:54:09 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

OK...here we goeZ,

Would it be OK for a grower to just pop in unannouced and check your kins covered up in a signed fenced patch?
*****NO, No one person takes care of their plant/fruit like the owner. I would never uncover someone elses hard work! And this year, my 1810 went down because of this, whilel I was away for 4 dayZ!

IZ Uncovering to check'em out OK, or iZ it look but dont touch? ....See above....

Would it be OK if the grower called first to request permission to check them out without you there?
****** Only A seasoned grower and friend, perhaps, but I would rather be there to uncover and talk about them, answer, or ask my own questions. But I would not want them to uncover them any longer, not after this year. And they must stay on the walking boardZ. I have found broken water lines and footprints across a newly tilled patch, by careless visitors...Too much hard work goes into my patch. Now if I need a babysitter cuZ I am unable to attend, thatZ diff...

cont.....

10/26/2011 11:02:06 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Would it be OK for a grower to measure your KinZ without your knowledge? NO, If they are that interested they can help me measure....or look at my chartZ. IT's an open book.

If asked to club tour your patch.....what would you say?
****I say Yes, and have and every year, and to every grower that has asked. Visualization is worth a thousand words, and growing the sport is very important to the WiZ. It also allows growers better than me to provide me with help as I need too. These are simply too amaZing to keep to ones self. Education of new growers is number 1.
And showing them doesnt make them grow smaller or bigger, just the smileZ.

Is it OK to totally deny total access to your patch to anyone, club friend or foe when others show theirZ?
******* What comeZ around should be shown around, whatZ good for the gooZe should be good for the gander....

How far would you go to protect your priZe kinZ?
******If I had more money, I would fence in a chainlink 8 foot high all around with a filler or tarp to add as a wind break. A concrete moat filled with water to keep out the voleZ, rabbitZ, but also allow me to dechlorinate and treat before application to my patch. WIth foutains to add humidity to our dry CO air.

I would hire BrookZ to guard me patch, and IceMan to dance while I work away....Joe JutraZ would be opening them long necks like he did at Niagara, and I would have LaZy BOy chairZ with a built in beer holder for every WR record holder to help WiZ grow a State Record!

......At the end of the day...they are juZt a pumpkin.....and the friendshipZ built around them are priceleZZ...

10/26/2011 11:02:13 AM

Littleton, Colorado

Jackie says she likes the paintball gun idea, Joze! If anyone ever gets shot in my patch for unannounced visits, I truly want it to be with a paintball gun, not Jackie's .22! Actually, my wife doesn't like for anyone to visit unannounced, whether it's about pumpkins or anything else in the universe. She actually has no particular interest in protecting my pumpkins or plants from the carelessness of unannounced visitors, but she ferociously will run anybody off if they visit without her having any prior knowledge of their intended visit. Nobody knows this better than you do Wiz and Cojoe, since this is exactly what you did & had a bad experience with Jackie.

10/26/2011 1:19:50 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Do you want to clean some of this up Barry? Or do you want me to do it for you? You posted as to diss me and Joe......I left you and the gun out of it....BUT there iZ a lot more to this story Iznt their AnkleBarry.

10/26/2011 2:52:32 PM

So if I read this correct the Wiz and Cojoe went to see Barry's patch and were ran off with a 22 rifle.
That falls into the a bit extreme I would think.
As for your questions their Wiz. We grow for fun cause there is only a few dollars in it.
So share your kins with who ever wants to see.
Hiding plants and fruit from your fellow growers isn't cool in my books. Biz would never do that to his Bro, OR WOULD HE!!!!!!!!!!!

10/26/2011 5:52:53 PM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

I feel 'no tresspassing without permission' is an important etiquette behavior. I believe I would feel like I'm violating someone's space/property otherwise and it would be disrespectful.

Once upon a time I had vadalism, so the sheriff was notified, electric fences put up, guard dogs were placed in patch, shining light and tools of deterence were kept by the bedside.

Bottom line is I have no right to see anyone else's patch w/o their permission.

10/26/2011 8:29:47 PM

Littleton, Colorado

Just in case anybody got a wrong implication from your last post Gary, I certainly never approved of my wife coming out to greet you with her .22! You're exactly right, Nematode--she took extreme measures. I am glad to have anybody stop in to visit me and my patch. Ron and Connie Hoffman know this, as many other growers do as well. The single greatest challenge I face in growing (whether it's pumpkins, squash, or fruit trees) is my wife's dislike for whatever hobby I choose to enjoy! I try to strike a balance with it, but it is what I would liken to what it must be to walk a tight rope. I got caught in the middle of a conflict between my wife and 2 of my pumpkin growing friends. That's a tough one!

10/26/2011 8:55:11 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

CornHusK,
I very much agree, in fact I was on the cell calling from the driveway asking to see if he was home and if OK if not, dogs barked, and the 22 showed up. If you have ever had a gun pulled on you, you might be surpriZed how much that could boil over into dangerous situation, for either party. I cant believe how much it upset me, because I have shared so much to so many in pumpkins.
I have never visited a patch and took my leisure uncovering someones fruit, I just dont feel good that way, I might joke about it, but never have done it, even on a patch tour. I might peak over a fence, but I let the other grower know first. I treat folks like I like to be treated.

That being said. I enjoy Barry's company, his pumpkin growing, and his energy to grow, he has a lot to teach many. I am sorry for his wife not being behind him in something he has loved to do, and has done well, for a very long time. I can relate at timeZ. In fact she doesnt want him to even have friendZ, and Barry is a great guy.

I didnt mind so much at my patches when a seasoned grower dropped by to check it out as they know how much LOVE is put into theses pumpkins, and we respect the fruit. It has only been since the last year and all the TV coverage that the patch now is thought to be open to the public, and itZ not.

10/27/2011 10:07:30 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

WrinKleZ the 1810 went down early, taping over 985 two weekZ before the weigh off. It happenZ and will again. But it could of been prevented. RabbitZ scrapped the back side 8 inches tall, three feet across the back. They sat there for dayZ, not minuteZ. VoleZ took out the front, 12 different spots. I left it covered and tucked in all around, with brickZ to keep the wind in check.
One of thoZe spots went thru even though treated, in less than a week. VOleZ have very nasty stuff on their teeth, The rabbit scrappings all healed, but voleZ, very different. One can tell the diff as voleZ sit in one spot, holeZ deeper and the width of the tooth bigger than a mouse, smaller than rabbitZ. Rabbits look more like a potato pealer. VOleZ tunnel, dig half dollar siZe holeZ, and love living under walking boardZ.
This year I learned one must hit it with cloraX faster and put bait out before the damage startZ, we have no electrical avaialble for fans, and thatZ a problem.

The purpose of this posting iZ to learn what otherZ do. Not accuse, or blame. So I can put an article of notice in me newZletter. PehapZ it will save a PB for someone else who doesnt understand the care and loving that goeZ into thiZ hobby, our friendshipZ and our passionZ.

And what can happen from a simply joy to look at theZe amaZing fruitZ. I love sharing with otherZ, and encouraging to grow. To me it'Z juZt as rewarding as growing the fruit. Sharing everything helping them grow BIG, believe or not, my fault I gueZZ. It does hurt, when someone showZ their hand in friendship, to find out they have been duped, exaggerated to, and straight out lied to. Part of the game.

10/27/2011 10:41:39 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

But I will resist the change, to grow behind the curtain and show up on WO day with a secret pumpkin. If that happened here, we wouldnt be pushing the 1 ton barrier, too many have shared it all for the good of the sport.
HereZ a quote,
Logic clearly dictateZ that the needZ of the many outweighZ the needZ of the few.
Or the one.
You are also my friend. I have been and alwayZ shall be yourZ.
GrowZ'em BIG

10/27/2011 10:42:28 AM

Deer Park, WI

Now that the dirty laundry has been washed, folded, and put away, lets return to some good ole fashioned sarcasm.

If Stevens knew how many times I've snaked through his precious patch unbeknownst, the pest control team woulda locked me up long ago. hehe

His house happens to be on my route to the airport. I fly out 1-2 times a month, usually at ungodly hours of the day. Not unlike santa clause breaking and entering, sugarplums danced through his head whilst I performed reconnaissance. Only difference was the absence of presents under his maple trees. Oh wait, I think i cut a whiz once. Enjoy the nitrogenous gift of urea. Good times.

Still have yet to stare down the barrel of a gun, but that's what keeps me coming back. Finding and tripping mouse traps under cover of darkness is like Easter egg hunting. Better times.

Lets see if i can find another holiday reference here...oh yeah, got one- a little covert Valentine's day lovin for his receptive females with my "dirty" pollen ensures crosses reflect my interests. Is 1810's papa really 1421 Stelts? "Big Max" pollen is C. maxima, right? Could see this headline on the tabloids. Or maybe we can slug out the paternity test on Springer. BEST OF TIMES.

10/27/2011 11:12:55 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

.....lol!

10/27/2011 3:51:37 PM