Author Topic: Trying For the First Time Pump/Squash (Read 3991 times)

TULIP-23 · « **on:** January 09, 2006, 10:34:46 »

Im sure I will recieve a load of Help .....so
thats great. ;)

Ive Very Kindly been sent some Seeds By Reedos [Andy] 8)

Id like to Try particularly Pumpkins....Not really sure about
Squashes!! :o

I mean how to prepare for Cooking or Eating[ Squashes].
Pumpkins also for that matter!!
Love Courgettes Will try those too :P

I believe you have to prepare the Soil with Paard[ Horse]
poop....how long be fore you TRansplant the Seedlings ...
or is it better to sow Direct.

How best to sow the Seeds...I correct I think EJ said on there sides!!

Well any help you can give...will not be wasted

Sorry to be a Pain...But Absolute Beginner here ;D ;D

Jesse · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2006, 19:18:05 »

I start my seeds off in pots indoors otherwise the slugs have a good old munch on them. When they're big enough (at least their first true leaves) and last of the frosts have finished I plant them out. They grow away quite quickly once germinated so don't start them off too early, mine are ready for planing out about 3 weeks after germination when started off in a warm conservatory. They like lots of manure as they're very greedy plants and need good watering thoughout the season as well. Sowing them on their side is good, when they're germinating they need moisture but not too wet otherwise they rot. If you search through the recipe section you'll find lots of recipes. :)

grawrc · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2006, 20:39:55 »

Full sun?

BAGGY · « **Reply #3 on:** January 09, 2006, 22:06:12 »

I always put them on damp kitchen paper til they sprout - like when you did runner beans at primary school. Then I pot them up in paper cups. When they have a few leaves and I can see the roots when I hold the cup up to the light I plant them out. When I put the seeds directly into the compost the germination rate was not as good and the mice dug up and ate the seeds. I had good sucess sprouting seed for loads of thing last year (except peas which will never work for me) so will do the same again.

TULIP-23 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2006, 10:53:02 »

Jesseve/Grawrc/Baggy

Thqanks very much for your input....done a bit of research on the net....Interesting.

Downloaded on to Diskette.a lot of Material to read.

But your practical advice is Fine and a great help....
Like the idea of the Kitchen Roll shall try that in a Propagator
As you say Same for Runner Beans.

Plastic Bekers or see-through Material Excellent

teresa · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2006, 21:25:45 »

I grew pumkins jack o'lantern first time last year the only tip I can give what I did was dig a large hole spade and a half down a spade width. fill up with kitchen waste ( I collected in a large plastic bucket outside the kitchen door) and filled the hole up to the last 6" that was soil left for a week to settle and plant the pumpkin plant in.
Daily watering for a week or so to settle roots and off they romp.
From 4 plants I counted 30 fruits salvaged last 7 still green to bring home either light fingered gardeners or children?
So if yours are just turning colour cut and bring home they do ripen on a window ledge.

TULIP-23 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2006, 12:06:18 »

Teresa ;)

Many thanks for your kind help....Yes can try...Kitchen Waste.

Have planted anything as yet...my First time this season

But thanks everything duly noted
Mike

busy_lizzie · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2006, 13:53:02 »

Good luck with your squashes and pumpkins Tulip. You will enjoy growing them, I am sure. All good advice on the other posts. I planted 2 seeds (got my seeds off DorisP) per pot. I put them in the airing cupboard first to germinate in the dark and warmth and when the little seedlings appeared they were placed on a well lit windowsill. They are such a rewarding plant as they really grow very robustly in a very short time. I re-potted them when they got big enough and kept them in my greenhouse. You do have to watch for frost before you put them out. I planted mine out in a very very well manured ground and kept them very well watered. They were wonderful and I found them a very rewarding thing to grow. Don't know if it was beginners luck but I had no difficulties with them and can't wait to try again this year. :) busy_lizzie

TULIP-23 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2006, 19:46:59 »

BL ;)

Thanks thats very encouraging to know 8)

jennym · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2006, 20:00:15 »

Tulip - I do these things:
1 - grow the seeds inside the house May 15th +
2 - put the small plants outside June 15th, for one squash or pumpkin plant allow 2m x 2m minimum, for courgette 1m x 1m minimum
3 - remember to water !

And yes, horse poop is good, but it must be OLD horse poop, smelling sweet...!

Derekthefox · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2006, 20:16:04 »

I have to smile here, because surely, the sweetness of horse poop is a very subjective matter ... ?

TULIP-23 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2006, 10:18:07 »

Jennym ;)

Depending naturally on the weather climate.....can you begin earlier than May!!

Very interesting the Spacing....2x2 mtrs....golly thats nearly half my little patch ;D ;D ;D ;D

busy_lizzie · « **Reply #12 on:** January 13, 2006, 10:41:52 »

Hope you don't mind my answering this question too. They do seem to take over the plot. The way to get over that is to build some frames for them to climb up. I got this idea from Doris P. There was a pic of her frame on a4a, sometime ago, but I haven't been able to trace it. It is amazing how even the most heavy pumpkin can quite happily hang from one.

You do have to watch for frost, so do have to be careful when they are planted out, it all depends on your particular weather condition how early that can be. :) busy_lizzie

Derekthefox · « **Reply #13 on:** January 13, 2006, 12:12:56 »

Yes climbing is one solution for the smaller size squashes, with my 'hundredwieght' pumpkins coming in at about 30-40 lb each, I don't think a frame would have enjoyed that.

The alternative which I use is to interplant amongst other tall plants, eg climbing beans, or in my case, sweetcorn ...

Doris_Pinks · « **Reply #14 on:** January 13, 2006, 21:57:14 »

Here is what mine grow up, not a great pic but the best that I could come up with!

TULIP-23 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 13, 2006, 22:18:49 »

Yes the Frames in the Back Ground......What is in the Fore Ground!! NIce Picture

Doris_Pinks · « **Reply #16 on:** January 13, 2006, 22:27:31 »

UMMMM Mike now you are testing my memory! ;D ;D ;D In answer, I have no recollection! ;D Foreground looks like marujuana, but as I have never grown it, can't be! ;D Think it was potatoes.

Bed to the left was sweetcorn...................and this whole thread makes me kick myself again and think I must write a DIARY! ;D

TULIP-23 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 13, 2006, 22:47:56 »

Debs ;D ;D ;D ;D Whacky-Baccy I curled up with that one

Sorry still chuckling here ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(haha

Good Idea keep a Diary girl.......I do on Diskette...easy to change if you need too.....you computer buffs have Branders
or something like that....for smoking your Whacky-Baccy !!

Doris_Pinks · « **Reply #18 on:** January 13, 2006, 23:53:01 »

Believe me mike, if I grew it the OH would be smokin it, and be a happier bunny! ;D ;D ;D OH actually might take more interest in the lottie too...............................................hmmmmmmmmmmsmmmmmmmm DP formulates a cunning plan!
Actually he is going to amsterdam on a stag night this year which is a little worrying!! ;) ;D ;D ;D

TULIP-23 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2006, 16:59:37 »

Oh my God..........................Sin City ;D ;D ;D ;D

He certainly would be a very Happy Bunny.....Mind you he can always
try the Koffie-shops in Amsterdam....quite Legal.

Too look around very interesting City....mind only been twice in 16 years!!

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Author Topic: Trying For the First Time Pump/Squash (Read 3991 times)