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Muddy Waters

I want to clear up some gossip down the wise crack of lines.Some folks seem to think Im trying to commercialize the hobby.I was recently talking with a nice gal from New York & she stated She couldn't believe how small our prize money was for all the effort we growers put in to this exciting pastime.My motive is to make money on this Great Hobby/Sport.The purpose of the money is to build the prize stucture for the entire community.You will see the prize money double & possibly triple as this hobby explodes in popularity in the next few years.I am a promoter and I will work diligently to make this happen.Please don't feel threaten,the growth will be so great every ones cup will runith over.Theres more then enough Sponsors for all.

7/20/2013 7:06:22 AM

Upa Creek, MO

You can't commercialize this hobby as 90% of the population has the room nor the commitment. This hobby would have one of the highest 1 year turnover rates next to aspiring bullriders.

7/20/2013 8:02:03 AM

formerly RGG

I think once we have grown a giant vegetable, most of us continue to grow year after year. At least as long as we are healthy and up to a challenge and believe we can be competitive we keep trying.I think it is human nature.

7/20/2013 8:16:40 AM

formerly RGG

I think you are a big benefit to our hobby Mark.Keep up the good work.

7/20/2013 8:18:00 AM

Muddy Waters

Well good Luke I dont want to commercialize it.So thats good to hear.I think thats about 99% wouldnt commit Its tooo much work.,.But 1% of the world is a lot of people.Thanks Dennis,more folks will see as time passes.

7/20/2013 8:59:13 AM

Rhode Island

no one will ever get rich growing and entering giant pumpkin competitions. the top twenty percent of the serious growers will always represent themselves well because of their comittment to the hobby, their work/gardening attitude and of course research and application of their findings.
nothing wrong with wanting to win,or putting a full effort into anything you undertake. if you dont? your just a tag along whos entry and exit from the hobby will be very brief.
having said that though?
i also like the fact that some organizations also structure their awards to give various levels of growers a chance to win something.
cudos to the sngpg for holding their annual member/growers competition that allows all classes of pumpkin weights to have the opportunity to win something.
pap

7/20/2013 10:09:12 AM

Omaha, Ne.

Competing is not my motivation.(but I am inspired by those who are).. Smiles are my reason, others and my own. Plus being passionate about something that is alive, reminds me that life is short and unpredictable. It is my empty nest solution. Taking care of pumpkins rewarding and heart braking just as kids can be. The pumpkin growing community is so much more then a sport/hobby Its a passion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passion_%28emotion%29

7/20/2013 11:33:48 AM

NILES , CALIF

That would be good for all the growers Pap;
If they could structure the competitions where they would
allow more growers to win somethin;
Its getting to a point here at the half moon bay one,
If you don't have anything over 1400lbs your chances of
a ribbon are slim

7/20/2013 11:37:13 AM

Midway, UT

Some of the Colorado weigh-offs have prize money that goes pretty deep and I think that is great. The prize money isn't big, but watching the young (or young at heart) appreciate a giant pumpkin and the work that goes into it makes up the difference. Promoting the sport is a good thing. If it isn't growing it is dying. Just need to make sure that growers have the right attitude about it and that money isn't the ultimate goal or people will lose their heads.

7/20/2013 1:41:30 PM

Elk County, PA

When did being a capitalist become such a bad thing. If you can make money on your success I say do it. Not saying that's what your doing but you should never have to apologize for generating wealth for yourself.

7/20/2013 3:29:15 PM

Mnt.pleasant ,tennessee

Its the american way to be able to make money off a hobby you enjoy.every little bit helps now a days

7/20/2013 4:37:44 PM

Elk County, PA

Participation Trophies for EVERYONE! It's time these heavy hitters pay their fair share and give some weight back the community. Going forward anything over 2000lbs will be taxed at 100%

7/20/2013 6:22:39 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

might not get rich but sure as hell line there pockets.I got $600 for my 1811 lb pumpkin ...How much did Ron make this year??????????

7/20/2013 7:04:18 PM

Nottingham, UK

Were you not happy with $600?

7/20/2013 7:17:52 PM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

Ive grown pumpkins for years, ive just always liked them, they tickle me. Admittedly this is my first year w the big guys, truthfully if i look out my window and see a big orange/yellow hump out there, im gonna be one happy girl. Not having been in the giants world for long, i dont know how much growth, haha, there has been. I do know that society as a whole doesnt contain many people with enough dedication to grow them year after year- its a labor of love.....that said... " grow you £€++&©{}]#%@* grow!

7/20/2013 8:22:23 PM

Citrus Heights, CA

Donkin You could have taken it to Half moon bay, would have paid ya over 10 grand. Didn't ya get an all expense paid trip to New York city for that pumpkin.

7/20/2013 8:43:47 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

i think it would have cost ME more than 10 grand to transport it there.

7/20/2013 9:06:25 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

Yes it did ...and so did vSteve Delates??

7/20/2013 9:09:51 PM

Home of happy lil plants

Im just over here like hey I like big pumpkins :)

just remember anyone can grow an ordinary pumpkin,
but it takes alot of spare time and dedication to grow a super humungo gynormous pumpkin.

7/20/2013 9:12:31 PM

Muddy Waters

Ron surely deserved every penny growing the 2 biggest Kins ever!He is a really a great grower & is very helpful and giving to all.Ron & Pap are top shelf in my book!

7/20/2013 10:38:52 PM

Mnt.pleasant ,tennessee

Yep handy they give us knowledge(seminars,news letters,emails, post on here,righting books)& seeds.what else we want them to do, grow it for us to :)

7/20/2013 10:49:31 PM

Upa Creek, MO

Got it Mark, bull riding has more turnover. Been there, done that. Best of luck to the next Tuff Hedeman aka Ron Wallace.

7/20/2013 11:05:59 PM

Muddy Waters

I think that gal on shipping wars would of drove to Cali for 2 grand!lol

7/21/2013 6:41:08 AM

Rhode Island

donkin
why the rude comments? what the hell has happened to you anyway?
pap

7/21/2013 8:02:24 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=194836

7/21/2013 11:19:16 AM

43.841677 , -79.086692

This is the way I look at it.... If you are the best in the world at something (not almost the best) you deserve to make a good buck. Ron Wallace is the best. He deserves every penny he got. Would I rather it be me that grew a 2009? Absolutely, but I didn't. I made about 6K in prize money last year but that was spent before germinating. Id much rather take the $600 that Carl made and have the bragging rights that came along with it.

7/21/2013 12:43:23 PM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

Donkin- as an aside, I actually ran the transportation cost through our system at work, just see what it would be to ship my pumpkin from NC to topsfield....135.00.

7/21/2013 12:46:58 PM

Nottingham, UK

Yep, groing an 1811 lb pumpkin and complaining about prize money.... come on! Doesn't matter who its directed at its just bad form!

7/21/2013 6:00:42 PM

Eganville, Ontario

There would be 100 activities/projects/hobbies to do that would make more money than growing pumpkins. I think everyone here does it for more reasons than a small amount of money and a ribbon.

So one grower received a nice payout last year, but if you work out the hours logged in the patch and in planning and preparation, I'd say he made less than minimum wage. The top growers who consistently perform year in year out are worth their weight in gold, but realistically, the money will never be worth the time.

There has to be more for the grower, and I think we all find that feeling of enjoyment in the patch and at weigh-offs, even without receiving and 5 foot cardboard cheque.

7/22/2013 11:36:37 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

HatZ go off to the growerZ that go to a weigh offZ and help out...without even taking a fruit themselveZ.....ItZ the fun and entertainment factor... combined with the friendshipZ made.... ThereZ AlwayZ thoZe who are SOUR GrapeZ...themZ we ignore.. aZ you cant shine a TURD!

7/22/2013 11:40:52 AM

Torrance, Ca.

That was classic Glenn!

7/22/2013 1:25:13 PM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

Dude. I'd be frocking exstatic to have a pumpkin that would even be considered big enough, let alone get to go???? That would be freaking awesome! If people are in this to make money at it, or think they should make money at it- they are in it for the wrong reason! The gentlemen who won last year has a ton of fruit out there with large weights- he EARNED what he got for breaking the world record. It takes a lot of work and time- it's a labor of love. If someone tries to get a little more prize money for the winner, I say excellent. But the people I have seen here, and that I know in real life do this because they LOVE it.

7/22/2013 2:37:54 PM

NE Kansas

Growing an 1811 lb pumpkin and getting $600 for it means you are at the top of your game, you should be as happy as a coon in a sweet corn patch! If there is one thing worse than a sore loser, it's a sore winner. You stand to lose things that are far more valuable than money in your bank account if you begrudge it...

7/22/2013 3:46:28 PM

Fairfield, CT, 06825

Who cares what somebody else made!!! I thought we do this for pure pleasure it brings, as well as the bragging rights. There is something truly special about caring for something 6 months out of the year and constantly learning as you go. The people you meet and the friends you make along the way are payment enough in my book. Find another hobby if $ is on the back of you mind. Maybe you should just stick with tomatoes and pick up Golf, I know golf tournaments pay out pretty well.

7/22/2013 7:37:09 PM

Rhode Island

nice to see some decent folks commenting. i can tell you that from 1989 thru 2000 ron and i spent more money chasing a dream then we could have ever immagined. if we were in it for the money we would have gotton out long ago.

the first couple things that come to mind when i look back on my years in the hobby are the friends i have made, the kids we have helped via the oaf coats for kids program and, the excitment a big pumpkin can bring you. everything else? just iceing on the cake.

pap

7/22/2013 8:04:23 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Good stuff Pap, good, good stuff!

7/22/2013 8:28:31 PM

Central NY

I'm in it for the money....daddy needs a new fogger....

7/22/2013 9:51:16 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

After a long season of hard work ( and some disappointment )
who comes out in the black? I know I don't. You know what, after the kids are tucked in and there is some daylight left, what better high than going out and checking the pumpkins, tomatoes, long gourds etc. Some people golf, some travel and some play bingo. All good, I can't put a price on the satisfaction I get from going out and getting dirty in my garden. I have some ribbons that are nice, but the journey is my motivation. Bust or boom, the ride is the reward.

7/22/2013 9:57:14 PM

Central NY

Umm....yea....new fogger, gas powered...

7/22/2013 10:27:07 PM

Central NY

I started charging people a quarter to pull back the sheet......

7/22/2013 10:32:20 PM

grimsby Ontario Canada

i'm new this year to growing the A.G and do have to agree with Andy H . Not knowing and just going with it and coming to this sit for help and friendly advice and spending what ever free time you have in the garden is reward itself, here i ontario we just had a big storm i had 3 trees come down and landed in and around my kins and crushing a few , and crushing my heart no matter i was out there till dark with flashlights fixing and repairing to still make the best out of them because the reward is what you have at the end no matter the size and you can say its mine and i grew it myself.

7/22/2013 11:24:12 PM

Butler,PA

Here's a few lines from an ealier post I made and it's still relevant on this sport/hobby of growing big vegetables. I'm a second year grower and it goes something like this: "I wasn't aware growing big vegetables was all about the money. I thought it was all about the challenge. I attended the OVGPG weigh-off this past October. It was my first one ever, I was like a kid at Disney World. I heard about giant vegetables and even saw pictures of them. I couldn't believe what I saw; there was Quinn Werner's 1730.5, Tim Park's 1670, Paul and Cheryl Fulk's 1643 and Allen and Julie Brady's 1608.5 pumpkins. Four pumpkins over 1600 lbs. I saw Dave Rumancik's 119.75 L.G.-found out they grew up and down and not along the ground. And when I was younger, if I only had a couple of John Matson's 5.08 lb tomatoes to bombard the neighbors house, it probably wouldn't have taken me so long and I probably wouldn't have gotten caught. I was lucky enough to see a few records; Lee Zappa's 27" Pennsylvania record sunflower head, Bill Neptune and Ken Buckley's 270.5 Ohio record watermelon. Two world records, Quinn Werner's 209 lb field pumpkin and the top 10 pumpkin average of 1553.25--this is what this sport/hobby is all about. It's about the challenge to grow something heavier and longer than someone else. It ain't about the money. There were a few things I didn't expect my first season; I didn't know pumpkins don't like 90 degree temps. PM didn't refer to the time of day and why are those wasp-like flying insects so interested in my vines. Me...this year I'm going to spend hundreds of dollars on chemicals and fertilizer, spend countless number of hours in the garden away from my family just thinking about my next visit to Disney World at the weigh-off in October." This sport/hobby is about the challenge. By the way, I grew a 274.5 pumpkin and won a $50.00 drawing at the OVGPG weigh-off and I laughed all the way to the bank.

7/23/2013 1:40:55 AM

Muddy Waters

To me it is all about the money.I won & sold the 1478.5 for 2200$ total.I spent 3000$ growing it lol.I do want to make money on this very amazing hobby so we can can have the biggest purse & most prizes available for all to win.The friends I have made along the way are priceless.The challenge & suspense of every season is better then any movie I ever ever seen.Well I told folks, some people dont think we should make any money on this hobby.They look at me and say What??And they looked very surprised and say WHY??NOT???You put so much into it.??This Hobby is going to explode!! What did Adam say to Eve on the day they first met?? Stand Back I dont know how big this thing will get!LOL
Were growing baby put on some goggles! She may blow SKY HIGH!!!!!!!!

7/23/2013 7:19:25 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

"Porkchop
Mohawk valley ny

I'm in it for the money....daddy needs a new fogger...."

I. am. dying. laughing. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

7/23/2013 7:33:06 AM

Waterville, Ohio

I started in 2007 and have slowly learned, not even making it to a weighoff in over 4 years with a fruit sucks. Still doing doing it, always will. I'm sure a lot more growers out there are like me. In regards to prize money, I couldn't give less of a shit, it's the response in friends and family's faces when they see it and the humble pride you get from growing one that makes it all worth it. But hey, like pap said, I'm sure it's icing on the cake.

7/23/2013 11:23:02 AM

Elk County, PA

I came to grow a big pumpkin for my boy. Ill stay because this community is not like anything I've found on the net. Really great helpful people on here. Hate reading diaries with bad news but love seeing someone having sucess.

7/23/2013 1:55:43 PM

Cameron

We've learned over the past 20 years that you don't make money in this hobby. At the end of the season, we can't bring ourself to sell any of our pumpkins. The many people that pass by our house & stop in for pictures is great. The smiles on the kids faces & the friends that we've made along the way is our reward. This is truly a great hobby/sport & we've enjoyed every minute of it.

Good luck this season,
Jane & Phil

7/23/2013 3:06:16 PM

Western NY

If your into growing giant veggies for the money then in my opinion your in the wrong hobby especially if you take into account equipment, ferts and transportation costs but to each his own.

7/23/2013 5:15:06 PM

Billerica,Massachusetts

if i were in it for the money i'd be on skid row by now!

7/24/2013 9:00:38 AM

nOVA sCOTIA

Sorry... i just don't see anything rude in my comment but go ahead and get your shots in as i'm sure there will be Wallace seeds in everyone's stocking this Dec.If you would like to see what is rude and ignorant i can show you a nice colorful photo of what was handed to me while in NYC.Then you decide:))#1 Bragging rights,#2 Money$$$ why else would we all be purchasing inline scales and attending weighoffs other than our own locally.

7/24/2013 11:54:30 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Carl, that would be awesome to see a photo of what is causing your obvious discontent with the whole pumpkin thing this year...you have my email...thanks for the kitty picture.

Glenn

7/24/2013 12:06:42 PM

Nottingham, UK

You need to get over yourself. Congrats on your 1811 but shame about the ego that goes with it. My 10 cents!

7/24/2013 4:43:42 PM

Central NY

Geez dandy...who peed in your Cheerios this morn?...just harmless venting going on, if that at all...so..uhhhh....yes to commercializing ...!!!...next topic please........

7/24/2013 4:52:00 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Lets see it, Lets see it, Lets see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!


What ever it is,,,,, I wish I had one.

7/24/2013 6:05:53 PM

Rhode Island

unfortunately i may have misjudged donkin. i thought he was one of the good guys but he just keeps proving hes a sore loser and a crybaby to boot.
actually hes also a one hit wonder so if i were him id concentrate on repeating his great effort of 2012 rather than running down someone whos a much better grower that he would ever be.
my last comments on the matter.consider yourself in the ignore box. lol
pap

7/24/2013 6:19:59 PM

Omaha, Ne.

you for got the :) face in your first post. Maybe this wouldn't of got out of hand. :)

We need some emotion faces on this site.:0

http://www.research-live.com/features/measuring-emotion/look-into-my-eyes/4005489.article

7/24/2013 6:21:12 PM

Michigan,up North

whata about that jaket u got ,now that worth sumthing ,,,more the 600 bucks

7/24/2013 11:12:16 PM

nOVA sCOTIA

i don't think so Pap.Please don't take this to heart but while we still have iceburgs in the Cabot Strait you guy's are pollinating pumpkins.I will invite Ron Wallace to come on down to Cape Breton Island,experience some REAL EXTREEME PUMPKIN GROWING and compete against John Cabot and myself anytime:))And now we are both in the ignore box...see you there.lol

7/28/2013 3:26:07 PM