When the Tailgate Drops ...

The old saying about pumpkin competitions is finally becoming a reality for Southwestern growers. As they say:

"When the tailgate drops, the b******* stops."

The AZGPG Spring Harvest Festival is only 21 days away.  All the hopes, and dreams, that we have had for the past four months are now being replaced by the fears of the soon approaching drop date.

The event, to be held at Harper's Landscape & Gardening Centre, will include the first giant pumpkin weigh-off for the Arizona Giant Pumpkin Growers. Harper's, located at 2529 N. Hayden Rd. in Scottsdale, is the host sponsor for the group's spring event.

Bart Toftness with his Personal Best Giant Pumpkin in 2012

The event is open to all growers who wish to have their pumpkins weighed, and recognized, in a sanctioned weigh-off. The event, sanctioned by Team-Pumpkin as an official weigh-off site, is AZGPG's first event in 2015. Awards will be given to the top three growers and to all growers who establish a new "Personal Best" pumpkin.

Bart Toftness, of Team-Pumpkin, will attend the weigh-off as a visiting judge.  Toftness will meet with AZGPG growers after the event to talk about what worked, and what didn't in 2015.  He can also answer any questions members have at that time.

Importantly, there is a good possibility that a new Arizona record for giant pumpkins will be set at the event.

Go to the AZGPG website to read the rules related to the event.  For more information contact Dean Baker at DNBAKER at AZGPG.COM.

AZGPG Weigh-Off to Expand in 2016

It is hard to believe, but not everybody wants to grow a giant pumpkin. We, personally, think everybody should grow one; but it's recognized that some people would rather grow tomatoes, watermelons, or some other unusually long, or heavy, vegetable.

In order to meet the needs of more growers, and their varied interests, the AZGPG will expand its 2016 Spring Harvest Festival weigh-off to include a number of varieties that are judged by international giant growing groups. The list of categories for next spring will include:

Giant Pumpkins
Giant Squash
Watermelons
Tomatoes
Onions
Carrots (length, weight)
Sunflowers (head, length)
Cantaloupes
Long Gourds (length)
Field Pumpkins
Giant Marrow

We recognize that other vegetables could be included on this list, but we intend to focus on vegetables, and fruits, recognized by the GreatPumpkin Commonwealth (GPC). Most categories are judged solely by weight. However, a few categories are determined by its length.

Several area growers have already expressed an interest in growing giant tomatoes, watermelons, onions, squash, and long gourds for the weigh-off. In fact, a number of plants have already been planted and the AZGPG is making arrangements to get them weighed, or measured, later this spring. Please contact DNBAKER at AZGPG.COM if you have any entries you wish to have included in a Virtual Weigh-Off during 2015. These entries will help us establish base records for growers to beat next year.

Rules, and entry forms, for the 2015 virtual weigh-off will be added soon to the AZGPG website.

Harper's Landscape & Garden Centre to Sponsor Weigh-Off

The AZGPG is pleased to announce that Harper's Landscape & Garden Centre has agreed to become the host sponsor for the 2015 Spring Harvest Festival weigh-off and an expanded Spring weigh-off in 2016.

Harper's Landscape & Garden Centre, 2529 N Hayden Rd, has served as Scottsdale's hometown nursery since 1945. It's location, south of Thomas Road, will serve as the site for this year's AZGPG event.

The locally-owned company specializes in helping you create the garden of your dreams. Whether that garden is a small “square foot” vegetable garden or a resort-style back yard complete with outdoor kitchen, lighting, a water feature, and putting green – or anything in between, Harper's does it all.