From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Santa Cruz, CA

I was wondering if serious pumpkin growers ever take summer vacations. If the answer is "yes", when would the best windows to do that be?

4/20/2006 4:56:17 PM

ordinary,VA

Vacation? we dont need no stinking vacation..
this year Santa Clause stuffed Sox vs Yankee tickets in my stocking for early May.
So my patch will be in the hands of my son.
one week away fom my baby, I'll miss my son too:)

Just have someone you can trust.

give'em a crash course.

just in case buy a timer for your hose,drip whatever watering system you might use..

4/20/2006 5:47:09 PM

Ontario

We take an annual vacation starting last week of July and runs into the first week of August, usually 12 to 14 days. Have neighbors take care of them but have run into stem stress issues and overwatering last year from babysitter. But again family is more important children are only young once and our annual camping trip is too important. Wife says we could go earlier or later but I don't think anytime during the months of July and August there is an ideal time.

drew

4/20/2006 7:34:45 PM

Spanish Ontario

if you take vaction in summer you will PAY BIG TIME I DON,T TRUST ANYONE WITH MY PLANT,S

4/20/2006 7:59:20 PM

Spanish Ontario

if you take vaction in summer you will PAY BIG TIME I DON,T TRUST ANYONE WITH MY PLANT,S

4/20/2006 7:59:32 PM

Greencastle, PA

I'm going to start taking an annual vacation to Welty's patch. I just hope I don't forget the 2-4D.

4/20/2006 8:21:06 PM

Western NY

i've done it once or twice. luckily, i have a grower near me who i consider to be as (or more) knowledgable with the pumpkins.

but normally, never away from home for more than a day from may until october

4/20/2006 9:45:31 PM

Massillon, Ohio

define "serious" pumpkin grower ?? am i serious ? who isnt serious ?? if you are on b.p. you are serious in my book. LOL.

i usually have cross country camp for one week in late august (but nick cares for plants...see last years results..eww).

but a 2 week honeymoon to alaska this summer in june should make life interesting !!! :)
YAYAYAA !! i'm so excited.

4/20/2006 9:48:54 PM

Greencastle, PA

That's great. You should ask Nic to watch your patch while you're gone. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Meanwhile...

4/20/2006 11:44:13 PM

Deer Park WA

We take our vacations in early July so we can stay home and pollinate/tend the plants! In December we head off to sunny Mexico to kick it on the beach!

4/20/2006 11:55:32 PM

Chico, Ca

no

4/21/2006 12:14:01 AM

San Diego

I have to laugh, yes, it is ok to be a serious grower and have a "life" outside pumpkins. I just think it is funny that people won't even take a vacation and relax. Just do your vacation at the easiest growing time. I would recommend after pollination is complete and fruits are between day 10 and 20. By this time the fruit is positioned already and you can do all your "hut" protection, under neath protection etc before you go. This time is usually pretty low in the work column and most problems arise as the fruit gets bigger. Just use a timer for consistant watering. Jimmy

4/21/2006 1:13:36 AM

So. Maine

Playing in the giant pumpkin patch is my vacation.......

4/21/2006 1:19:27 AM

Napa Valley, CA

Usually in August.
I just put the patch on auto pilot.......and leave.

4/21/2006 4:26:13 AM

[email protected]

If you have a good on on the vine, then taking a vacation is a really big mistake unless you have another good grower nearby who can watch the plants for you. In my own personal experience, the "bosses daughter" or other "good kid in the 'hood" is NOT a great patch sitter regardless of the time spent training them.

Joining a local Growers Association can be a real help if there is sufficient local interest. Hillsboro Co New Hampshire & Rhode island are fine examples of groups who get together as a team when a member has a good one on & the vacation deposit is at risk.

4/21/2006 7:52:55 AM

Indiana

oh come on Christy...2 weeks in june isnt going to do anything bad to the plants they will be midget plants then

4/21/2006 9:15:47 AM

Minerva,ohio

Hey!
I've noticed this also. . . no summer vacation last year, (first year growing) This year vaction will be homebound, next year may possiably be off-season due to Husband's vacation time mounting up and him threatening to take one on his own(just kidding),but who knows? time will tell, maybe Pumpkin Regatta may be as close to a cruise I get for awhile:)
Michelle

4/21/2006 9:21:18 AM

Taber, Alberta

My wife "allows" me to grow these things. The only stipulations are: any prize money won will go into a fund and we take a nice trip to Vegas (so far, the fund is empty). Second, they don't run our lives in the summer........other than at pollination time. The first 10 days of July are out off limits for leaving the house for an extended period of time, except when there's a family wedding, like this year.

Go ahead, take a vacation. Life is too short to get all worked up over this.
Alan

4/21/2006 9:40:44 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

we vacation on th nh/maine border, i actually have to drive back home, just to take care of the patch wilste on vacation.

4/21/2006 10:06:49 AM

addison Il

me and sis are taking my son to disneyworld for the first time in july dont worry all we will have the pumpkins set bye then but will leave the care in charge of our older well paid sister who has been reading the sites post and books till her fingers where sore. and we will have the cell with us should any thing occur. My son is young now and being a single mom i want to give him a great vacation i love my plants and would never hurt them on purpose but my childs smiles and the memories come before all.We are young and have many yrs of pumpkin growing to come and i want him to have fun on this vacation before he turns too old and starts to think family vacations are lame LOL. have fun all and grow em big

4/21/2006 10:25:06 AM

ENGLAND

I've not had a vacation/holiday for 15 years now so another year at home, if plans do not work out, is not going to make any difference. I am hoping that the trip over to Owen's in Germany for the Euro Patch Tour/Meet will prove to be at 'just the right time' but who knows.

4/21/2006 10:33:31 AM

Wilmington.Ma.

Vacation starts when school out.Check the patch early AM
Go to the boat and fish all day come home and check the patch.Who needs a vacation??

4/21/2006 10:54:33 AM

Waquoit Mass

ah no lol

4/21/2006 4:30:36 PM

Windsor Maine

HA`HA! ( i'm taking Leave for prime pumpkin pollination timeframe! ( end of june- beginning of july here- vacation in the pAtch! (yeAyY!))) MAn! I LOve those beAutifuL eArLy mornin's in the pAtch that time of yeAr! whewW! ~* SOooo Nice! ( my plants get a weekly vacation from me as it is- as, work takes me away most every other week...

4/22/2006 1:50:21 AM

Deer Park WA

LOL @ Lish!

4/22/2006 3:18:42 AM

Rhode Island

My vacation is the pumpkin patch. Its been relocated out of ear shot of my wife. So now she wants walkie talkies -- Im screwed ever which way. LOL
PAP

4/22/2006 9:03:41 AM

ordinary,VA

lol@pap !!!!

4/22/2006 11:25:07 AM

Litchfield N. H. 03052

Last year the last weighoff Oct 16. Left for vacation Oct.17.
Bill

4/23/2006 4:42:26 PM