From the Pumpkin =. Datch by Jim bes, ¢ PEC Pumpkin Grower's Association Well folks it is time to start thinking about Pumpkinfest next October! Although there is still a touch of snow and frost around, we have to begin the planning of this coming years pumpkin patch. A good supply of well rotted compost or manure must be found and our rototillers must be tuned up. Seeds and seed genetics are very important. If you did not actually do the pollination of the flowers that pro- duced last year's pumpkin, you will be making a serious mistake if you use those seeds, Since pumpkins are part of the squash family, it is possible that the seeds produce may be crossed with a squash, a gourd, a watermelon, a canta- loupe, a zucchini or even a cucumber. This is why the more serious growers take the time and trouble to watch their blossoms develop and bag them before they open. Then early in the morning they unbag the female blossoms that have opened, pollinate them from the male blossoms that they have also protected with bags, and then bag them back up for a day or so. Pumpkin blossoms can only be pollinated for about 24 hours after they open. The bags, usually small plastic bags tied with a twist-tie, keep out the bees, flies and other little critters that might accidentally bring pollen from another variety of squash. That being said, our Association has a number of good seeds that are available to help get you into the Giant Pumpkin Growing hobby. These seeds are free to the members of our association so call me or e-mail me for more details. 393 3958 and e-mail me at Jjames.ives@sympatico.ca Membership to our association is $10.00 per year and entitles you to enter a pumpkin and receive our seeds and newsletters. Your seeds should be started inside on or around the last week of April and the seedlings should be planted out in your well-prepared pumpkin patch in mid-May. We protect our seedlings in the garden with small homemade green houses made of wood with a clear plastic tarp over them. The pumpkin green house also has to be made so that it can be opened up on the warm days and closed up during the cool days and nights. Our website is There is lots of goed information on the Internet and you can go to our website and click on the links to download many growing tips. www.pec.on.ca/pumpkinfest That's all for now so ....... Keep em growin. Jim Ives, Sec/Treasurer, Prince Edward County Pumpkin Grower's Association 1221 Ridge Road, R. R. #1, Picton, Ontario, KOK 2T0 South Bay UCW - Continued from page 2 Aids and HIV. Carried Pat reported having purchased 4 6 ft. tables from Home Depot that fold and have carrying handles. She also dis- played several cloth table cloths but the ladies decided they would have to be washed after every use and turned them down. Karen Guernsey was thanked by the group for purchas- ing, cooking and slicing the ham for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake supper at Cherry Valley. Social Convener Alice Miller finalized the plans for the luncheon for the Pathfinders Club of Belleville General Hospital for May 13th. The ladies serve breakfast after the Sunrise Service on Sunday, April 11th Pat York, Maureen Rudd and Irene Robb volunteered to rise before the sun and serve the breakfast. Making muffins for this are Brenda Minaker, Pat York, Maureen Rudd, and Irene Robb. Maureen reported on our water situation for the church. It will cost $2,000.00. The first time for a water engineer to examine our facilities and advise what is needed. It has to be examined every year thereafter and will cost $500.00 per year. Karen Guernsey volunteered to instruct anyone who is in- terested in making a rag quilt from flannelette on Tues- day, March 30th, at 9:30 p.m. Bring sewing machine, board, cutter, ruler and flannellette. Collection was taken and dedicated. For Alice Miller's program, she asked Floral Minaker to demonstrate how to put together quilt blocks called bro- ken glass or stained glass. She makes it look so easy but it requires a lot of skill to make them come out right. Karen Guernsey thanked her on behalf of the group. The ladies then gathered around to enjoy birthday cake and ice cream served by Marge Drury and Alice Miller. They were thanked by Maureen Rudd even though they hadn't made any of it. - Alice Miller Press Reporter