Tuesday, August 12, 2008

28-lb Watermelon... "Barney"

Following Skeeter's great comment about naming my garden babies after the Flintstones, I'm going to name this new baby "Barney."

Below: My younger sister with Barney


As you can tell, Barney is a big ole watermelon! He grew from a small watermelon seedling that I bought at the store. And the watermelon vine spread... and spread, until it overtook my yard. But we let it grow because we wanted to eat juicy melons this summer.

After my mom came home safely from her tip in Missouri, the family decided to harvest one watermelon in her honor. We're going to wait a few days before we split "Barney" open, but he is one big melon! He came in at a whopping 28 pounds!!!! It took two people to lift him from the garden into the house!

I don't know what variety he is. He looks like a black diamond. I think he could have grown bigger on the vine, but we have about 5 or 6 other watermelon currently growing on the plant. So we decided to harvest Barney to give nutrients to the smaller melons.

I'm sure he'll be delicious. We did thump, and it does sound ripe. We shall see, and I shall post pictures!

Below: My sister doing a little "thumping"
And finally, this post would not be complete without, yet, another photo of Luka... trying to escape Barney's grasps.

17 comments:

Carla said...

Luka is probably afraid he will be come 'lunch' like the others! Amazing you grew that! Well, it always amazed me! Beautiful-hope its a beautiful on the inside too! mmmmmmmbarneeeeeyyyyyy...

Susie said...

D.P.-Don't you just love going out into the garden and picking something so fresh to eat? It gives you such a great feeling. Barney sure is a big ole boy. Can't wait to see him sliced.

Gail said...

It's beautiful and I bet delicious!

Gail

Frances, said...

Hi DP, Barney is a beauty as is Luka and little sis. Hope he was enjoyed by all.

tina said...

That is huge! And early too! Skeeter will be honored.

Dan said...

Now that's a harvest to make a gardener proud and you have 5 or 6 more coming. You certainly have a green thumb.

Anonymous said...

Wow!!!!Barney sure is big. And you have more. You got a green thumb for sure. Let us see him when you do the "deed". Bet he is real red inside. Yummy too.

Eve said...

That is a great looking watermelon. I grew the little bitty ones, 2 lb, now I am wishing I had gone bigger.

You can make me some watermelon rind preserves with all that rind that you will have. : ) Just kidding. But I do remember Mama making them. They are so good.

Dave said...

Mmmmmm. Water melon! That one looks great, you will have to report on how it tastes!

Skeeter said...

Am glad your mom made it home safely. Such a tragic bus accident that could have been avoided with quality tires! So sad....

A Flintstone Family garden; I am so proud! LOL....

Barney is a chubby one, can’t wait to see what is under his skin!

Dawn said...

Heavens to megatroid! One large melon!
Glad you mom made it back, little sister and Luka still very cute.

Mick said...

Wow!!

Note to self:
Must try harder in the Watermelon department :)

Oh and, by the way, I'm coming over at the weekend to steal Luka!!

Mick.

Skeeter said...

Hey, how did your film thing go a while back?

DP Nguyen said...

Hi Carla,
Haha! Luka is starting to think like a cat. She has days she wants to be picked up, other times she doesn't. lol. Thanks! Barney is a cool, big and yummy fruit!

Hi Susie,
Getting food fresh out of my garden is so amazing. Always tastes much better than the supermarket food. I'll post pictures of Barney sliced when the time comes!

Hi Gail,
Barney is a beautiful watermelon. I'm hoping he's delicious too... and red!

Hi Frances,
We haven't opened Barney up yet, but I hope he's as yummy inside as he is on the outside!

Hi Tina,
I was shocked at how huge it grew! It is a bit early, but we have several more watermelon growing, so lots more to enjoy!

Hi Dan,
Thanks! I've been very happy about my gardening efforts this year.

Hi Lola,
I will definitely post pictures when I do the "deed" and split Barney open. I can't wait to see what he looks like.

Hi Eve,
I would love to grow some little ones. they do sound delicious and take much less space and time to grow, I'm sure! Rind preserves sound good.. I'll have to look up how to do that!

Hi Dave,
I can't wait to open him and taste the watermelon. I'm hoping its as good as it looks!

Hi Skeeter,
Oh I know! It's sad how one mistake could cost so many lives. My uncle's in-laws were on that bus, but luckily they survived.

You are so creative! I had to have a Flintstone family! Barney sure is chubby (like his namesake), lol. The movie came out great! I posted the film on the blog, so you can watch!

Hi Dawn,
It is a huge melon. I love your expression!!!

Hi Mick,
Haha! I'll have to guard Luka from you! My cute, little kitten might try to bite you. LoL, or not. Depends on her mood. lol. Your watermelons looked good as well! Have you eaten any yet?

Cindy said...

DP ~ WOW! What a beautiful melon. I bet it is delicious. It's so big.
I've missed you, I'm just back from vacation and catching up. I hope you are feeling better.

John said...

Wow! 28 lbs. That's an impressive watermelon.

Emily said...

That is an impressive watermelon. It inspires me to try some next year.

I enjoy reading about your garden progress.

Emily