Last time we reported that "The Dog Ate My Homework".
The Payson Pumpkin People (PPP) were attributing the loss of one of their three pumpkin plants to a dog.
Specifically a dog named Harley.
Here is Steve's report:
The two pumpkin plants look great, here’s a photo of Harley’s attack on the 3rd, and actually, it might make it.
It was both a surprise and a discouragement to see this guy flattened. Harley and I had quite a chat that afternoon.
The pumpkins should start flowering in the next week or so, with the males one to two weeks before the females. We’ll remove all flowers within 10-feet of the base of the plants, and just let those farther out produce, the concept being the bigger the plant, the bigger fruit it can support. To hand pollinate the flowers, we have to do it the day both he male and female bloom out, so we have to watch pretty carefully. The vines should fill that patch fully, and spill over into the upper patch later on. In the end, we will cull so that each plant is supporting just one pumpkin toward the mid-to-end of July. After that it is maximum growth for 2.5 months, and see what we end up with. If these guys do well (and if we do well supporting them), they will grow at 10-15 pounds a day through those months, with that growth occurring over 65-75 days.
I think our pumpkins have the best start we’ve ever had, and I’m hearing the same from around the state. Jenny’s plots down at the Star Valley Community Garden are just amazing for what they are producing, and with most of that green produce going to the Senior Center in Pine, for their in-house meals and meals-on-wheels program. Spring was perfect for these gardens in the area. 
Steve
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