RMI's determined gardener

I have been an avid gardener for years with some decent successes in my flower and vegetable gardens. But one goal has eluded me - the Great Pumpkin. I'm not sure when I first decided that a pumpkin is not "Great" unless it hits 100-pounds, but I've been trying to grow one that size for years.

I've been through it all. My first attempts were dismal. Then, I proudly produced a couple of 12 and 14 pounders. In a following year, a fungus hit the patch and killed them all. When I tried last year, the pumpkin vines were like crack to the woodchuck. So far, my crowning glory is 59 pounds.

But I am determined! I dug and composted and fed and mulched my pumpkin bed and planted the seeds on May 27th. The seeds have actually sprouted and once again I am hopeful. I am open to any secret tips anyone cares to share. But, stay tuned - I'll let you know how they turn out.

7/9 UPDATE: The great pumpkin is making progress - check out what it looks like today!

8/5 UPDATE: I was getting very worried that the fungus was back - 2 tiny pumpkins just dropped right off the vine. But - now it looks like there might be some life. I'm feeding it almost daily and keeping my fingers crossed.

8/15 UPDATE: I'm so excited!!! I have one real one that seems to be growing by half every day. And now there are new ones showing some promise. Lots of food, lots of water and we'll see what happens........

9/7 UPDATE: I think it might be getting close to 10 lbs.!

9/26 UPDATE:
Well, at least one pumpkin is really getting there. I'm sure it won't hit the 100 lb. mark, but it is big, round and orange. Just when I thought it was the only one, a few more came to life. Might even be another one that could beat it out. Not sure there is enough time left in the season for the rest of them to grow up, but with what Mother Nature handed out this year, I'm not too disappointed.

10/6 UPDATE:
I finally admitted to myself that my pumpkin would not get any more orange and would not be growing any larger. So, I bit the bullet and picked it on Sunday. It is a perfectly beautiful pumpkin, but unfortunately it only registered a measly 20 pounds. I'm still hoping for the johnny-come-lately pumpkin to keep on growing for another couple weeks. I think it already has beaten the 20 pound mark.