Pumpkins...or Lack Thereof

My pumpkins aren't growing much; they do have a few flowers on them so perhaps not all hope is lost. I can't remember what type of pie pumpkin I planted (as I threw the package away months ago) so I don't know if that's normal. Going by last years pumpkins, I would say not as they grew to the point that I had to start cutting the vines back for fear they would choke out the rest of the garden. Yes, I should have realized that pumpkins are generally grown in a large field because they go everywhere. This year (having learned my lesson) I planted them well away from anything so they could take over without killing everything, but they don't seem to be doing much of that. But if those pumpkins don't survive, there are plenty on the compost pile that appear to be thriving. Last year, after discovering that cows don't really like pumpkin, I threw the remains on the compost pile. Apparently they can survive quite well wintering beneath some old, moldy hay and a few dead chickens.






My Pumpkins



Compost Pumpkins



You may notice that the compost pile appears to have trees growing on it. That's 'horseweed' aka 'giant ragweed'. If you don't keep on top of it, the weed quickly gets out of control- hence the 'trees'. I decided it was time to take care of it so Art gave me is machete and I went to town. If you are ever angry, frustrated, or just trying to burn off some energy, take a machete and start chopping sh*t down. It was a lot of fun until I got stung by one of those black-with-a-yellow-stripe-furry bumble bees. He'd been buzzing around but I didn't think much of him. Apparently I was on his turf because all of the sudden there was a sharp pain and that damn bee was circling around for another shot at me. I calmly backed up, realized the bee was following me so I continued walking away calmly. That bee must have been really pissed because he kept flying after me until I ran far enough away that it would be physically impossible to chop down the rest of his home. It having just rained and the plethora of mole hills gave me some mud to put on the sting. I'm telling you, mud is the best thing to put on a bee sting. It's much better than any other cream I've bought. It's instant relief- try it!*

I wasn't able to finish the job, but I'll try and get to it this week. Hopefully, by then, that bee will have found somewhere else to hang out.


*Disclaimer: if you are allergic to bees, wasps, or any other evil stinging insect, don't put mud on it because it won't help you and you'll just curse me while you go in to anaphylactic shock and die. I just don't want to get sued by your remaining family members.