The Great Pumpkin Weigh-In

12 packages of seeds were handed out; but only four pumpkins came out for the final weigh-in.

And the winner and still champion, from the Anola area of Manitoba, weighing in at 16-3/4 lbs, was a great, green pumpkin with a circumference of 37-7/8”, for a total of 51-1/8, thereby narrowly beating out last year’s entry at 51.5, but still well behind Audrey’s first year winner at 64.1.

 

Pierre and Jane’s joint pumpkin came in at 15  lbs, with a circumference of 31-3/8”, for a total of 46-3/8, while Scott’s tall giant came in at 13-1/2 lbs, and a circumference of 29-7/8” for a total of 43-1/8. Tom and Laurie’s joint offering was a cute little darling at 5-1/2 lbs., and 22-7/8” for a total of 28-1/8.

Laurel’s soup was outstanding, muffins and cake were delicious, coffee was perfect, and it was great to get together with friends and colleagues “In honour of Public Affairs' brighter, vegetative tomorrow, by growing gourds.” Dan, although retired, promises to join us again next year now that he has his gourd growing space ready.

Congratulations to all the participants. Thank you to Lea and Christian, our  judges. We hope you had some fun today and along the way, and hope to see you all again next year.

Two for three (so far!)

I see life emerging from the soil; my second little pumpkin seedling has emerged.

Here's a photo of my newest little one. Please don't laugh at my blurry photo attempt; my camera isn't that great at close-ups. 

I also have a few extra artichoke seedlings. I promised some to Dan and to Cheryl. Anyone else want one?

Time to get serious...

Again, I’m going to try to give Alida some more competition.  Little cotyledons have emerged from the soil from one of my three seeds.  Photos to come…

2012 Pumpkin Growing Contest Kicks off

Since Dan intends to retire before the growing season ends, he passed the sceptre to Cheryl at last year's wind-up. Cheryl was up for the challenge and send out the following call on April 19...and so it begins.

The 3rd annual MPI pumpkin growing contest is soon to be underway!


Pumpkin growing?? Yes, you read that right. There is an ever growing group of MPI staffers who lovingly nurture and cultivate pumpkins from seeds to see who takes the title in the pumpkin growing smackdown held each year. This is a free event!*
Last year’s champion was Alida with her “Wallnmeyer” pumpkin which easily tipped the scales to give her the trophy over 2nd and 3rd place winners, Dan Pang and Tom Rhodes respectively.

New changes this year: with the blissful retirement of head judge Zdenka Melnyk, Lea Currie has stepped in to fill the role. Lea’s vote cannot be bought or swayed!** Also, Dan Pang has passed on his convenor’s hat to me, so I get to make the rules this year!

What about you?

Do you enjoy an exciting and high-stakes competition? Do want a shot at the title? Do you have a largish patch of dirt? No? But under your fence your neighbour does! Or would you grow a pumpkin just for a pass to the culinary feast on Judging Day?

If this sounds like too much rivalrous fun to pass up send me your name by 4pm, Friday. In the spirit of conservation I’ll give you your three seeds on Monday, the day after Earth Day. See what you can produce with a dirt, water and a little love. Pumpkins will be judged by weight and girth in September or October.

Three seeds. One title. How they grow is up to you.

Cheryl,
Convenor, Pumpkin Growing Contest

*Unlike Sawatsky’s cry for $2 for entry into his NFL/NHL pools. Pfff.
**Except with extremely high quality dark chocolate and popcorn twists.

2011 Champion Declared!

October 12, 2011 was a tense day as five colleagues brought their best to be judged for their weight and girth. Zdenka and Denise deliberated intensely, double checking results and conferring on points of contention. In the end, the winner was clear cut. Alida's Wallnmeyer stood tall (well, at least wider) than the rest with a score of 51.5 easily quashing Dan's 35.5, Tom's 34, Laurel's 28 and Scott's 21.1.

The highlight was the celebration food provided by Laurel and Cheryl. Zdenka declared Laurel's pumpkin soup, the "best I've ever had and I've had a lot of soup! Cheryl's "Intense Pumpkin Explosion" muffins were a perfect complement to Dan's President's Choice coffee.

Congratulations to all the participants. Thank you to our judges and foodies. We hope you had some fun today and along the way.

See you next year.

The Harvest

One little, two little, three little pumpkins…four little, five little, six little pumpkins…seven little, eight little, nine little pumpkins…ten little pumpkins…yum. Although I don’t think any of them are large enough to win our little contests, they’re sure to enhance many meals to come. I’m curious to meet all the other pumpkins on October 12.