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Muddy Waters

Thinking for the 2015 WWGG contest I would like some ideas & suggestion.We will be splitting some of the contests this year in to 2 contests.

Giant Watermelon Novice

Giant Watermelon Seasoned grower

My question is What would be the cut off weight?
Please leave your responses here.Not looking to debate it. If you have a suggestion or dont want to go public with your input.please send to Mark@worldwidegiantgrowers.com
example:
Say its 200 lbs.If your PB is under that your in the Novice contest.If over that your in the seasoned contest.However a confident newbie can join either contest. Please post the weight below you feel would be fair.
Thank you Very Mulch!!

2/22/2015 8:36:23 AM

Deerfield, Michigan

One class works for me.

2/22/2015 6:06:21 PM

Muddy Waters

Wow! Where is everybody??

2/22/2015 6:16:57 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

There has only been 1 over 200# grown in Iowa to the best of my knowledge.

2/22/2015 8:58:02 PM

Mt.Pleasant,Iowa

It took me 10 years to get one over 200. May need to lower the weight for Novice. Say 175 just saying.

2/23/2015 5:45:51 AM

Bethlehem CT

I just went to the GPC page only 39 pumpkins were over 200 last year out of roughly 250 entries. I would put novice somewhere between 150 to 175.

2/23/2015 7:33:21 AM

Wixom MI.

I think 175lbs is a good cut off number!

2/23/2015 10:23:44 AM

Muddy Waters

Great input,I will lower the number down,maybe 175 is a better number

2/23/2015 7:54:28 PM

Mi.

I like 175

2/23/2015 8:30:53 PM

Bloomington Indiana

Yea I'm a novice never have hit 175.

2/23/2015 8:37:42 PM

Grant, AL

Novice here too! 175 sounds good!

2/23/2015 8:56:42 PM

Williamsburg,KY

One class is best. How would you judge novice? If someone been growing for years and hasn't hit 200 lbs, well isn't that person considered a seasoned grower? One class and be done.

2/24/2015 7:03:08 AM

The North Coast

175 may be state records in a couple states. If the goal is to grow the number of new melon growers then maybe the cut off should be much lower. I like 100 pounds.

2/24/2015 7:20:14 AM

Muddy Waters

No it would strickly be weight thing.If you been growing melons for years & havent hit 200 lbs your a novice or live on the north pole.lol JK. I know it wont please everyone ,but I think a lot of new growers would like a beginner contest.Maybe I will re word these contests. How about.Beginner growers contest. only beginners less then 3 years growing in competitions allowed plus the weight requirement.would that be better???

2/24/2015 9:57:40 PM

Manchester, TN

One class, is my vote

2/25/2015 5:06:21 AM

Muddy Waters

Ok Im hear you guys,But what Im not hearing is the beginner who is so new he is afraid to post publicly.Remember when you first come on board as a grower?Who are these awesome gardeners?Wow! I would like to grow a big one.But I couldnt keep up with these fellas.I will sit on the porch & watch the wheels go round and round.I really love to watch them roll.lol There afraid to speak up.A few have sent me notes saying so..So for the big contests Giant Watermelon AG Pumpkin Giant Mater.We will pay 5 places instead of 10 places.Then there will be a beginners contest for growers with less then 5 years of growing competitively.plus meet the weight requirement.This will get em of the porch I hope and get there kids involved in a great hobby/sport.

2/25/2015 7:14:37 AM

Muddy Waters

Then heres the Kicker for everyone who joins a Bronze membership(300$) or higher gets entry into 3 veggie contest with that membership.You also can choose to have your favorite contest add a place to it.

Example Dan joins mater contest with bronze membership.He states in comment box on membership form.I want to add a another prize to mater contest.So Bubba now pays 6 places instead of 5.This will go on & on with no limit.

2/25/2015 7:22:12 AM

Wixom MI.

I wouldn't put a years of experience on any beginer or novice only a weight limit what ever it may be. Their are many seasoned growers that cannot compete even after 10 years for many different reasons. Besides not having techniques figured out, growing in the far north or far south like Edmonton or Arizona they may never be able to compete with the big boys ! They may always be a beginer or novice grower because of region or skill level. I would stick to weight class not experience level.

2/25/2015 11:16:26 AM

Home of happy lil plants

one class With a novice grower Reward price structure meaning first would be the melon weighing exactly 175
2nd being the melon weighing 174
maybe there is a gap in the weights to the next melon member this one was 164 for example
ONLY member biggest melon of season counts

example why... you will always have someone loophole into novice class
-I am at 3rd year of growing only 2 years of gpc weighing so how would You know how to judge that , 2nd year growing melons this year will be the 3rd This year with melons

-someone may have grown 180 lbs but it was unofficially(this one can be avoided by taking only GPC results and just use that)

Done deal easy

pumpkins would need 3 class lists using same concept
Biggest 1-5places
1500lb for the semi-pro class 1-3 in this class?
1000lb even cutoff for novice grower 1-5 places?

2/25/2015 12:36:02 PM

Home of happy lil plants

Make life easy I don't like to think about things

2/25/2015 12:36:19 PM

Linden, Mi.,

One class !

2/25/2015 7:43:45 PM

Muddy Waters

Wow! I really didnt think it needed to be this complicated.I think everyone is over thinking it.We are growing to have fun.I had my best year in 2014 not just because I grew my new PBS.I also had a great time with a new grower just 2 miles from my house.We have lived in the same town for 25 years or more and just became friends last summer as he grew his first kin at 1197 lbs.Todd rode with me to Canfield & Sturgeon Bay & Chicago.This hobby is about relationships & having fun.Its not about the money! So lets have a beginner contest for the new growers.If no one enters the beginner contest I will not have it next season.We will only pay 3 places.So not a lot of money.But I think it will help bring new growers on for a good time.Thanks for the input Thanks for voicing your opinions.Its AWL GOOD!

2/25/2015 10:37:42 PM

Muddy Waters

BTW Great suggestion Spence.I hear a lot of issues I may have with this so.I will keep it simple so it doesnt turn out bad.

It will simply be a beginner/novice contest If you have never grew anything big & dont consider yourself a HH you will be allowed in the contest plus meet the weight guideline that I set.If I feel your reputation as a grower is to good to be in this class I will tell you so.That simple.

Example Dan grew a WR Field pumpkin he thinks he can grow a big melon so he wants to join the beginner watermelon contest.Sorry Dan your a proven HH I cant let you in.The purpose of this is to bring new folks on board & let growers who have never hit the ball out of the park win something.So we will keep it simple.The beginner grower and the guy who loves the hobby but hasn't achieved his or hers full potential yet need to share in the fun.If you have a problem with this contest.Just join the other one.This wont take away from the first one & will only be 3 places paid.I may base the prize money on the amount of entry's.

I think we should do this contest in the top 3 kins/melons/maters

2/26/2015 7:23:54 AM

Muddy Waters

Im BACK!! LOL If your the child/married to a HH you wont be allowed in this contest.There will be no hanky panky in regards to this contest!lol!

If your mom dated a WR holder at any point & time in her life you wont be allowed in.lol JK

2/26/2015 7:34:38 AM

Muddy Waters

Thanks for the input I really appreciate it.These forums are great and we hear a lot of great ideas & feelings.I have discussed this with Chris Kent & others.Once you understand what Im doing you will like it. & I dont think everyone fully understands what we are doing here.No dividing anything just adding on to already a great thing.We will be starting a beginner/novice contest in 3 categories Giant Kin Giant watermelon And Giant Mater.They will only pay 3 places & be a plaque for the winner only.The big contest will pay 7 places & plaques for top 3 spots.The prize will be 200$ for 1st 100 for 2nd & 3rd.I will have all the details up this Sunday & a video to explain it to you?Membership opens tomorrow.

added note! A novice can join both contests if they want.So if he grows a 6.5 lber he is in like Flynn.Its the HH that cant win the novice.It will really help some new and long trying people win a prize.Cheater Cheater pumpkin eater!! Bubba will be real careful on who joins this new beginner/novice contest.

2/28/2015 6:01:39 AM