RSS

Tag Archives: grammy’s pumpkin patch

Here Come the Giants!

1-2-3 seeds to a hill

1-2-3 seeds to a hill

What a great Spring day for planting!

It is always a tough call as to when to plant.  Each variety has it own expected timetable; however, this timetable assumes a normal growing season.  When does that happen???  So the planning begins.  We spend way too much time watching weather patterns, checking the local weather forecast, studying planting grids and graphs, predicting when the rain will come (and not come), pulling out temperature assumptions, and consulting the almanac-all the time looking for the “perfect planting time”.

When it comes down to it, we always end up poking those seeds in the ground whenever the weather cooperates.  The last two weeks of May and the first two weeks of June end up being reserved for planting-just in case.

So today ended up being the first day of planting-not too wet for Johnstown’s soil (fairly heavy on the clay), yet hopefully rain in the next few days.  The Johnstown Giants were planted first because they should mature in 120 days (give or take).  That is the longest maturation rate of the varieties we will plant this year.  I can picture them now!

Papa has some great helpers this year!  Thanks Charis and Ben.

Papa has some great helpers this year! Thanks Charis and Ben.

Grammy’s Pumpkin Patch 2013 – McPherson, KS

 
1 Comment

Posted by on May 24, 2013 in Grammy's Pumpkin Patch

 

Tags: , , , , , ,

Burning, Burning, Burning

We put our pumpkin patches to rest this past weekend by burning the fields. There are a few reasons to burn a field after a crop. One of the most important reasons for us is to kill the squash bugs that like to overwinter down in the soil. We choose to use as few chemicals on our fields as possible (pesticides, herbicides, etc), but when it comes to squash bugs, there is no great organic solution that has been offered to us to control the nasty bugs over acres of pumpkin fields. We use field rotation in an attempt to “outrun” the insects, guinea hens to eat the live bugs, and field burning to kill the overwintering insects. Despite these efforts, there are times when we need to spray, but these measures do help. If anyone has any suggestions on efficient and effective squash bug control PLEASE let us know!

We didn’t even have to call the fire department this time.

Grammy’s Pumpkin Patch 2012 – McPherson, KS
 
Leave a comment

Posted by on November 5, 2012 in Grammy's Pumpkin Patch

 

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Final Weekend for the Season

I can hardly believe that this weekend is the final chance for families to come out to celebrate autumn at Grammy’s Pumpkin Patch. Somehow the past 5 weeks have flown by! We have enjoyed meeting many new families and students this season.  Join us for one last hurrah this weekend! There are still pumpkins waiting to be chosen, train rides to be taken, pumpkins to be smashed, and family memories to be made. Sundance Farm will have Scotty out to pull the wagon on Saturday, so bundle up and come on out!

     

Grammy’s Pumpkin Patch 2012 – McPherson, KS
 
Leave a comment

Posted by on October 25, 2012 in Grammy's Pumpkin Patch

 

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

This Weekend

This weekend should be a great one to get out to the patch! Today’s wind is blowing in some nice weather for Saturday and Sunday.

The Johnson’s Strings will be providing live music out at Grammy’s.  Check out their website at http://www.johnsonstrings.net

Kurt Krehbiel will also be out Saturday with his potter’s wheel throwing all kinds of creations.

We are looking forward to Sundance Farm bringing Scotty out on Sunday to pull the horse wagon again. I’ve been meaning to get a good picture of him pulling.

On Sunday, Nick Mourn, our pumpkin carver will be working on some crazy creation. Here is his pumpkin from last year:

Of course, there are still lots of pumpkins to choose from so you can carve your own at home!

Grammy’s Pumpkin Patch 2012 – McPherson, KS
 
2 Comments

Posted by on October 18, 2012 in Grammy's Pumpkin Patch

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Johnstown Giant

The annual Johnstown Giant Pumpkin contest took place at Grammy’s yesterday evening. The largest pumpkin, a Dill’s Atlantic, weighed in at just over 160 pounds!

 

The giant was grown by Daryl and Kola Johnson of Johnstown.

 

The evening was such fun with filling food, conversation, and music! Corky explained the founding of Johnstown with several others adding in details as well.  I love the stories of my family and heritage and last night was full of them.  Leland led in singing, and the grandkids led in dancing. Quite the perfect night!

     

Grammy’s Pumpkin Patch 2012, McPherson, KS

 

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on October 16, 2012 in Grammy's Pumpkin Patch

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,