Jul 27, 2026 - News

A hopeless update on the giant pumpkins

Jason Clayworth

Close-up of a partly developed pumpkin resting on a white surface, with green garden plants blurred in the background. — 🤳🏾 My text to Linh: *"I'm a little bit concerned about Hope 2*. This looks like it's shriveled, rt?" Photo: Jason Clayworth/Axios

Jason here. Linh returns to work Monday after participating in RAGBRAI, and I'm preparing to answer for what happened on my watch.

Friction point: She left me to help care for her giant pumpkin plants, Hope #1 and Hope #2, and they had a very tough week — intense heat, a storm, and, worst of all, my supervision.

Zoom in: My first official act as pumpkin caretaker was amputating a rotted fruit from Hope #1.

Later, Linh ordered me back to her house at midday with another ice pack and a fan after I sent her the above pic and reported that Hope #2's biggest pumpkin appeared to be shriveling.

What's next: Linh will issue her findings in an update soon.

I've already retained counsel.

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A hopeless update on the giant pumpkins

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