Pumpkins in June?
It’s never too early to start thinking about fall pumpkins. That’s my motto; and luckily the opinion of Farmer Bill and the folks at the family-owned City Farmers Nursery in San Diego.
This weekend City Farmers kicked off their annual pumpkin growing contest for kids; and of course, Sophie was in line to get her pumpkin seeds. City Farmers gave us a quick lesson in pumpkin growing, and supplied the kids with pumpkin seeds we will harvest in our backyard. The idea around the contest is not necessarily to win. But to get the family together in an outdoor, organic activity, where kids feel a sense of ownership and pride knowing they are helping to actually grow something from a seed to a, well, pumpkin.
This coming weekend, Bryan, Sophie and I will plant our pumpkin seeds and watch them grow. I’ll keep you posted on our pumpkin progress until the big October day when the pumpkins will be weighed and judged, just in time for Halloween!
Thank you, City Farmers, for a wonderful family activity! Sophie and I can hardly wait until October!
Sophie picking her pumpkin seeds.
She got a little carried away picking seeds.
Sophie and Farmer Bill, the owner and founder of City Farmers Nursery
My seeds!
Not only is City Farmers an incredible nursery and garden supply store, they also have goats, horses, chickens, turtles, fish, bunnies and a half-beagle on the property. It really is a farm … in the city.
Wow what a fab idea!! Loving the qhole family taking part in something!!
May have to look into the possibility of something similar here in the UK
Thanks
Now I’m no expert, but I’m guessing there are pumpkin seeds in the UK, right? Thanks for commenting!
Lovely post! I know Sophie (and you) will have fun with this! I remember when my son was about Sophie’s age and he entered a pumpkin contest — it was such fun to watch the pumpkins grow all season! I can’t wait to watch all summer long with you guys!
I think I’m more excited than Sophie! I love pumpkins and watching stuff grow. Can’t wait to see the progress as we get closer to the fall!
That’s great! How lovely to have someone so good with kids! I can’t wait to see you pumpkins!
Thanks! I hope they turn out. Although after Sophie tried to take way too many seeds, hopefully we’ll get at least one good one in the mix.
Great idea. I enjoy seeing what you and Sophie are up to. This sounds like fun. And once again, you’ve included great pictures!
Thanks so much! I had so much fun at this nursery. I want to go back and just sit and observe.
A farm in the middle of the city… paradise. What fun you’re going to have with Sophie’s pumpkins!
I can’t wait to see them grow. You have to check this place out. It’s amazing!
Leah, I enjoyed your post so much this morning! What a bright, beautiful way to begin my day! Your sentiments are lovely.
Blessings!
Thank you so much, Cynthia! Glad I could brighten your morning.
Awww…she looks so proud of her seeds! Good luck — alas, I have no room for pumpkin growing — but I wish I did!
Mikalee
Check out my latest post, “My Big Fat Poop Wedding,” at http://www.mikaleebyerman.wordpress.com.
Well lets hope we have the room too. Apparently they are Big Mac seeds, which means BIG pumpkins! I’ll be sure to check out your blog too.
What a great lesson for kids of all ages! Congrats on being Freshly Pressed!
Kathy
Thanks so much, Kathy! It’s so fun to do stuff like this with kids. I’ll drop by your blog shortly!
We just planted pumpkins yesterday… Love the turtles!
Any advice for a newbie pumpkin grower is appreciated! Do you grow them each year? Thanks for commenting.
Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed.
Thanks, Tom! It was a nice surprise on a Monday morning!
Leah, what a fun and educational activity! I love it! I can’t wait to see future posts and pictures of the pumpkins!
The shots that accompanied this post are fantastic. Sophie is a cutie!
Thanks for your nice comments about the photos and Sophie. I’ll be sure to share our progress with you all.
Such a fun family day. Congrats on Freshly Pressed. I love pumpkins.
I love pumpkins too! If I could get away with it, I’d keep them around my house all year. That’s why I love fall so much. Thanks for visiting my blog!
I love gardening! It’s always amusing to me when I plant seeds that I am more apt to eat than plant – like sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds. It just feels funny planting a snack! Like planting a Dorito or something.
Can’t wait to see the final results of your pumpkin adventure!
Thanks, Lindsay! That’s funny about planting seeds we snack on too. Although if you find a Dorito plant, please let me know! Stay tuned for the pumpkin adventure!
Thanks. http://calogeromirafoodand.wordpress.com
Thanks for visiting!
Can you cross-breed a Pumpkin and a Watermelon? That would be the best. The refreshing taste of watermelon mixed with Halloween. Check with Farmer Bill when you talk to him next. He seems like the kind of guy who might know how to make this happen.
I’ll be sure to ask him. It does sound like an interesting combination. Thanks for commenting!
Great Summer fun Leah, and you are FP again! Congrats!!
Thanks! I can’t believe I was FP. This is surreal!
I remember going to City Farmers to purchase giant bullfrog tadpoles for the kindergarten class. It took them FOREVER to mature into frogs, too. To any kindergarten teachers . . . I suggest you buy the tadpoles very early in the Spring so they will turn into frogs BEFORE the school year ends. By the way, the class and I would go to the near by Famosa Slough and let the bullfrogs go. If they hadn’t matured by June, it was “first come, first serve.” i.e. Whomever brought a note from home, got a bullfrog! Your pix are so much fun to look at, Leah. You’re quite the photographer. Hummmmmm, I should have bought myself one of those cameras (like that would help at all!). Thanx for sharing and grandma is excited for October, too. (Use fish emulsion as a fertilizer.)
Fish Emulsion, huh? Sounds suspicious. But we’ll try it.
That’s truly delightful, and very well taken pics as well. Thanks so much for sharing.
And thanks for your nice comments and droping by!
What a neat event and activity for kids. San Diego is so cool! And since Banana Republic has already put out their fall line in the stores despite it being triple digits this weekend in TX, I definitely don’t think it’s too early to think about fall
Have fun!
Oh, glad to know about Banana Republic and the fall line. You’re right; it’s not too early. The Halloween candy will be out soon enough!
That’s awesome that they have the kids getting involved
Nice article!
Thanks so much. Sophie is so excited to grow a pumpkin. It should be fun. Thanks for coming by!
Great pictures, looks like she’s having a blast.
She is. Although I can’t tell if she’s more excited about this endeavor or I am. We’re both pumpkin fans! Thanks for your comment.
Great Post. Congrats on being Freshly Planted,oops, I mean Freshly Pressed.
Blessings,
Ava
xox
I think Freshly Planted is perfectly appropriate for this. Thanks for your comment and coming by!
We have something similar in London… a city farm with animals nect to The City (like Wall Street). Fabulous place to take the kids. Good luck with your pumpikin!
Thank you. The city farm you describe in London sounds great. I received a comment from a UK resident hoping there is something similiar in her area. By the way, I love mix tapes. Will check out your blog!
Fantastic.
Thanks, Norman.
very interesting … Thank you for sharing a great page … I cordially greet the Polish
Thanks for your comment!
I read this post and walked right around to the city garden near work to buy pumpkin seeds. This is a perfect idea for my son and I this weekend! Thanks!
Thank you so much! That makes me so excited that we inspired you and your son. I’ll drop by your blog. Maybe you can write about it too!
You have a very beautiful daughter and its a wonderful way to bond with the kids and make them appreciate the value of nature…
Thank you very much for the nice words. I really want my daughter to appreciate nature, gardening and simple things in life. Hopefully this is a good way to start. Thanks for commenting.
Extraordinário trabalho, lindo post.
Eu não tenho mais lágrimas no meu rosto,
Grandioso trabalho que me envolve.
Muito obrigado.
Melhor
Helio.
I love all the pictures. The little one looks like she’s having a blast. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, she is. Although it’s hard to tell if she or me is having the best time. Thanks for commenting!
Love this Leah! Makes me want to check it out AND plant pumpkins!
Yes, you have to go to City Farmers! It was so inspiring!
i love pumpkins any time of year!
Me too! That’s why I was so excited for this contest. Thanks for your comment.
Sweet, sweet post.
MJ
Thanks so much, and for stopping by!
great subject my best regards
Thanks so much for visiting!
Wow! Look at how many readers liked your post, Leah. Who knew pumpkins were so popular? LOL!
Sophie looks so adorable.
I used to grow pumpkins with my dad growing up in Cali. They are so easy to grow. What fun to remember. Thank you.
I’m telling you, there’s something about pumpkins! This is the first time I’ve grown them. So any advice you have would be appreciated.
Go Sophie! Hurray for Farmer Bill. Enjoyed the post!
Thanks, Karen, for stopping by!
This sounds so fun! And Sophie is adorable.
I’ve never grown any pumpkins myself (actually, no one does here), but I have a feeling a should try it out… if the climate allows it.
Nice post!
Thank you! This is our first pumpkin-growing attempt. So I’ll be curious to see how it goes. Thanks for commenting.
very nice post. Cute Kid
Thanks for coming by. She keeps me on my toes!
How fun, and such a great idea!
Thanks, Louise. Looking forward to checking out your blog more.
nice pic
Thank you. And thanks for commenting!
I think the idea is simply great!!!!!!
Thanks. And thanks for visiting!
I really wonder what does it take to get your post pressed? Does the admin of wordpress check the post and rate it or let the readers do that? can somebody please tell me the criteria for getting pressed?
http://www.zahidmasood.wordpress.com
I have no idea how they pick the features. There is some information on their FAQs about tips for getting freshly pressed. But I have no idea what their method is. I’ve written posts that I thought may have been pressed before. And have been completely suprised when mine have been pressed (like this one). Let me know if you fnd anything out!
I also Love pumpkin a Lot. And Thanks for you Capture..its nice:-)
Thank you! Yes, aren’t pumpkins great?
You are so fresh pressed again! Great pictures and thanks for sharing the info about City Farms. I’m spending Thursdays with a gaggle of grandchildren this summer and plan to check it out!
Thanks, Colette! You will love this place. It’s so kid-friendly. We could have stayed for hours. And they have a garden store and deli on the property too. Let me know if you end up going.
I’m in the process of making a City Farmers date with my 10 year old granddaughter. They have a summer berries cooking event coming up! She really enjoys cooking and I’ve been scoping out some classes that might make memorable outings as well as what we do in grandma’s kitchen. Whipping up a berry crisp down on the farm sounds perfect!
I saw the summer berry class too! I’m tempted to try it. They have so many great cooking classes. Let me know if you go and how it is. Maybe we can both take a class together.
Congrats Leah! We’re struggling to grow pumpkins down here. Watermelons seem easier. A friends’ child spat a seed in our backyard and it grew like crazy! Your daughter is adorable as always!
Thanks! That’s funny about the watermelons. I had no idea they were so easy to grow. We’ll see how the pumpkins fare!
Holy COW did you strike a nerve with you pumpkin post! Farmer Bill’s looks so awesome. And what a great lesson you’re teaching Sophie by allowing her to share in the wonder of nature and the slow process of nurturing and growing. I love it. The photos are fab as usual!
Isn’t that crazy?! The post was Freshly Pressed on WordPress. I still can’t believe it. Must be the magic of pumpkins!
How fun! We planted a ginormous pumpkin plant last year … my baby could have crawled inside one of them!
Visiting from SITS
Thanks for visiting! Was it tough to grow? Would love any tips!
We grow pumpkins in our garden. It’s so fun to watch the progress all summer as the get bigger and bigger.
Are they easy to grow? I welcome any and all tips! I can’t wait to see them sprout.
I just had the most delightful pumpkin muffin from the Corner Bakery; made me wish for fall. So glad to know about your blog – looking forward to following it!
Thanks for sharing this local treasure!
You’re welcome!
Popped in from SITS! I like pumpkins all year round!
Thanks for visiting! Glad to find another pumpkin fan!
What a neat place!! And you’re right — it’s never too early to start thinking of pumpkins
So glad you agree! Clearly from my avatar photo, I think about pumpkins all the time!
Very Interesting! Looks like fun.
Roasting pumpkin seeds with my nephews is one of my favorite memories and Fall past times!
James Olson Dayton
Looks like a lot of fun! Although I’m not ready to start thinking about the fall, I’ve barely got to enjoy the summer with this crazy weather….rainy and cold in SoCal and it’s almost July?!
You post remembered me my childhood,when my father brought up pumpkin,every time… and we all love it so much…but now i can’t get it, and missing so much:-(
thanks for the nice information Leah:-)
I like your pictures also you give it here.
OMG, Leah! I don’t know how I missed your text but I did and I am so SORRY!
I was clueless that you were freshly pressed! This is what I get for not regularly reading the WordPress homepage–or my texts for that matter. I actually read this post Sunday, when it was posted because I always seem to be at my computer when you post, and then missed out on all the Monday excitement.
How awesome for you! You take such wonderful photos and have such a cutie patootie, so it’s wonderful to be fp’d. You deserve this so very much. Congratulations, my friend! I’m happy for you.
Thanks for a great story to share.
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