Previously we reported that the PaysonPumpkinPeople threw in the towel for 2020 due to Arizona's hottest August on record and "the well ran dry".
Steve has one more update with some results for people who weren't shut out. Arizona's Steve Culp is in the lead with a 416 lbs specimen.
But that is dwarfed by Utah's Andrew Israelsen with a 1608 lbs monster.
Here's Steve's comment followed by Dean Baker's AZGPG SunStroke Results (as of September 8).
It’s a crazy year, that for us started out with what looked to become the best ever, and disintegrated when the heat of summer hit hard, and drove the up-until-then reliable well, dry.
As in most of the State of Arizona, the hottest summer on record.
Our patch hostess had to make a decision in August: domestic water for her house and for her own consumption, or water for the giant pumpkins, the field pumpkins, and the corn.
I made the decision for her, and you know the outcome.
I think that reflects how the country has gone this year too, but that’s another story for another day.
At any rate, we had a “secret” back-up patch growing giant pumpkins: A patch deep in the mountains of Idaho and tended by a long-time friend and grower.
It was doing quite well, until Sunday night of this week, when the very early frost hit. That gave him just an 88 day growing season between frosts (Jun 10th – Sep 9th), and it killed not only the pumpkins but virtually everything else in his garden.
The same frost and weather system that hit our neighbors in Utah: https://www.facebook.com/teaneaner/videos/10157439836595373/
So I’m not complaining, I’m no longer ‘pissed’ as I may have been, and I guess that’s just God’s will for another year. (grrrrrrrr….)
SteveAnd here's Dean's story and results in Arizona as of 8 September 2020.
What a year. Arizona has been dealing with it’s hottest summer since 1895 (that’s when they started keeping records). No, I didn’t experience it. I read about it in the Arizona Republic.
- The average maximum temperature this summer has been 107.9 degrees.
- The average temperature this summer has been 96 degrees. (That averages in all the overnight temperatures, which rarely dipped below 90 degrees).
- The official Phoenix temperature was 110 degrees, or more, on over 50 days this summer.
And yet, we still had three people actually present giant pumpkins to be weighed. For reasons, obvious to us, we can’t just schedule a weigh-off date and have everybody show up. We have too many environmental concerns such as altitude and temperatures, which affect the planting dates and length of season.
So, We own our scales - and will travel.
Growing a giant vegetable in Arizona is a challenging hobby and we are determined to ensure an official weight is obtained by all who put in the effort.
Sadly, we lost a host of plants in Payson. Heat, critters, water issues all affected Steve Matlock and the rest of the Payson growers. He lost 3 giant pumpkins, 25 field pumpkins, watermelons, and some corn that wasn’t quite finished. Steve said he was “pissed” - and I believe him. The Payson growers have always contributed to their town’s halloween season with their plants.
Anyway, below as the standings as of September 8. The competition will run through October 30. I know there are a couple of gourds still growing out there. And, I’m hoping my fall tomatoes will produce something. I’m real tired of writing about all your efforts. I want to grow something, darn it!
Dean BakerBetter luck next year!
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