Jeffslodigarden

Jeffslodigarden Vegetable and fruit tree growing, gardening, and giant pumpkin growing. Author. JeffreysMcLain.com Giant pumpking grower, blogger, and author.

Author of book titled "Backyard Big: How to Grow Atlantic Giant Pumpkins in your Backyard". Vegetable grower and orchardist. Sharing success and failures in my garden.

06/01/2026

This is my Tomcot apricot tree. It never ceases to produce large,juicy apricots and is one of my first trees to produce fruit after cherries.

05/30/2026

I had some extra time today to tinker with my compost. I usually make a hole in the middle and water the pile to keep it moist. I had an extra piece of pipe and I drilled holes in it and put it in the center. My hope is that I can water it easily and also allow oxygen to get to the center of the pile. Since it is getting hot this week, I’m covering it to keep the sun off the pile.

05/28/2026

I wouldn’t say it is rare to be raining in late May in Lodi. But it is not common. I feel bad for cherry growers, but my experience is a little bit of rain is loved by my vegetables. Hopefully the sun will come out later and things will dry out. Of course I had several hundred onions drying in the shade and they got wet. Looks like I get to get the leaf blower out this afternoon!

05/26/2026

It has now been several weeks since I transplanted the giant pumpkins. I started a little bit later this year, in hopes of avoiding the use of heating cables and temporary greenhouses. Of course it has been unseasonably cool and things have been slow. Nevertheless, they are starting to lay down. The primary vines can be seen. Once the vine starts moving across the ground then all the hard work begins.

05/26/2026

Hello, garden friends. I wanted to introduce myself! I live in Lodi, California, USA. As my bio says, I mostly document the wins and failures associated with my gardening adventures, including my giant pumpkin growing endeavors. I am a happily retired fish biologist. I spend my time with my family, at church, and in the garden. I tend to write a book every year or so and enjoy the creative process. I hope you have great success in your garden this year!

05/23/2026

Things are starting to roll in the garden. Onions are out and drying and the summer stuff is starting to produce. I am trying to plant a balanced crop that we like to eat. No eggplant! 😂

I am so glad I put up fencing around the pumpkin. Not only did it help with the winds that we had last week, but there a...
05/20/2026

I am so glad I put up fencing around the pumpkin. Not only did it help with the winds that we had last week, but there are rabbits everywhere. Hopefully they don’t find their way threw the barrier.

05/15/2026

I definitely can’t complain about my walk to the pumpkin patch. It is absolutely beautiful. Well kept vineyard oak trees lavender, oh my. This is the Calabasa patch and I just put two pumpkins in the ground yesterday I’m gonna give them a little bit of water and seaweed. The weeds are going crazy, but the ground is so soft. It’s extremely easy to pick them. I just turned the soil lightly with a shovel and they come right out. I can’t believe this soil. It is amazing.

05/12/2026

Nearly three weeks later than last year. I finally got my giant pumpkin plant in the ground. I have some catching up to do, but at least the weather has stabilized. This is the 1,605 McLain (2245 Andrusz x 1,073 McLain). I am hoping for a beautiful orange giant pumpkin!

05/09/2026

Since I am growing more pumpkins this year, I started more. I am excited that three of my 1605s graduated from a red party cup to a one gallon pot. I can’t wait to see what these pumpkins will look like. I am a little later than last year but there is still plenty of time!

Address

8679 Schmeidt Road
Lodi, CA
95240

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12094525269

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