Author Topic: wondering what to use to feed my squash plants (Read 14591 times)

Squashfan · « **on:** July 23, 2009, 11:19:58 »

Hi everybody, Trying to grow my squash (butternut, etc) and I think they could use a boost via the watering can. Any suggestions for what I could into a watering can (aside from the water) to help them along? They're already planted in compost heaps on a fairly open allotment. Thanks for any advice

daileg · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2009, 11:30:55 »

well there is various methods some use comfrey tea some high potash feed most use tomato feed what your looking for is a good NPK rating the higher the better

If you still have access to the soil around best results will be from Chicken manure pellets as there the better NPK rating and more balanced

Ishard · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2009, 11:31:36 »

They should be ok with just the compost heap but if you want to give them a boost then perhaps tomato feed?

Suzanne · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2009, 12:10:32 »

I give mine a treat now and again with seaweed extract.

Squashfan · « **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2009, 12:12:03 »

Ah good, I was thinking of tomato feed but worried that it might do some harm instead of good. Will give it a whirl tonight. Part of my problem was I planted a few plants near fresh horse manure (schoolgirl error!), so they definitely need a nitrogen boost. I think I'll also have to invest in some fish blood and bone meal for next year. I'll also dig around for my seaweed extract. Think it's lost in the shed.

Thanks guys!

daileg · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2009, 12:14:59 »

good to se your around Suzanne my amish are massive three plants are taking over the back garden great cant wait now to try them i have one that has setted so far 4 gems to jack o lantern butternut plants are growing loads of male flowers hardley any female yet though

exciting to see how long they take ;D

daileg · « **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2009, 12:32:28 »

found this intresting read http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-24.html

thifasmom · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2009, 12:37:14 »

I'm not feeding or watering mine i prepared the holes i planted them in with some rotted rabbit droppings and bedding with a little BFB as well. I was worried they would not have amounted to nothing as the were quite pot bound when i planted them out but as of today I'm quite pleased, see my post in my blog this morning...

http://kellasvegeplotandothermusings.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-pumpkin-winter-squash-patch.html

shirlton · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2009, 13:15:56 »

We put a good bucket load of well rotted manure under all of ours and thats it.

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #9 on:** July 23, 2009, 14:14:07 »

Quote from: shirlton on July 23, 2009, 13:15:56

We put a good bucket load of well rotted manure under all of ours and thats it.

And my squash-growing-officiando says don't fertilize until after it sets fruits. Just like eggplants etc.

saddad · « **Reply #10 on:** July 23, 2009, 16:54:32 »

Similarly... muck in the pit... may get some tom fertiliser later in the season...
:)

Squashfan · « **Reply #11 on:** July 24, 2009, 15:19:30 »

Yup, gave the ones not on the compost piles a good watering with tomato food last night. The rest just got a really good watering this morning. The ones on compost seem a lot happier. The rain keeps threatening in SE London, then not happening. >:( I think now that I've soaked them, it's no doubt pouring.
Kella, you have good reason to be pleased! My poor winter squash are nowhere near yours in maturity. They look fab.
Daileg, very glad that the Amish worked out and thanks for the link. My toms are going absolutely jungley out back in the pots. Squashes seem to do lots of males first for some reason, might be because it takes more effort for female flowers?
In other news, I've got two colleagues on tap to donate chicken and horse manure! I think this autumn/winter is going to be big time rebuild the allotment plot soil for us. We've been planting continuously for five years (winter and spring veg) and I think we've sapped the soil somewhat, so the squash are suffering, even with the compost piles. Some would say it's the weeds... ;D

Digitalis · « **Reply #12 on:** July 24, 2009, 15:50:02 »

I use Bone Meal for most of my plants, including squash.

1066 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 24, 2009, 17:17:26 »

I also haven't bothered feeding mine, they seem to be romping away fine without any extra assistance, but then they are planted in rotted manure :D

Thifasmom - your squash and your plot is looking fab! I can see there's been lots of hard work

simmo116 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2009, 17:31:52 »

has anyone tried feeding with beer? i've heard its good?

thifasmom · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2009, 00:35:08 »

Squashfan and 1066 thanks for the lovely comments :-*.

1066 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2009, 05:54:03 »

Quote from: simmo116 on July 24, 2009, 17:31:52

has anyone tried feeding with beer? i've heard its good?

Haven't heard that 1 before, think I'd rather sit back and look at my pumpkins while I drink the beer ;D . But maybe someone on here has heard of this?

1066 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2009, 05:56:59 »

Quote from: thifasmom on July 25, 2009, 00:35:08

Squashfan and 1066 thanks for the lovely comments :-*.

Your welcome Thifasmom. Looking at your pics of your pumpkin patch made me look at mine again, and in case I forget could someone remind me to buy seeds for bush pumpkins! i.e. not to grow mainly trailing types next year :P ;D

Digeroo · « **Reply #18 on:** July 25, 2009, 07:25:47 »

My pumpkins are on a mission to take over the world. Do not seem to need feeding at the moment. Got a bucket of manure and one mulch to start.

Quote

bush pumpkins

I like the sound of these bush types. Can anyone recommend some? The trailing type are putting down roots all over.

I've heard about the beer especially for growing prize size marrows. Saw something on TV (Can't remember when I saw it) about a guy who got a bucket full of waste beer from his local every day. Smells better than comfrey tea. ;D ;D

zaz283 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 25, 2009, 07:27:28 »

Hi squashfan..... I've started using nettle fertiliser this year and all my plants are really benefiting. Really easy to do provided you can stand a bit of a swampy smell. If you fancy giving it a go click on the link to my blog below & do a search on 'nettle'. Regards, John

http://allotmentheaven.blogspot.com/

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Author Topic: wondering what to use to feed my squash plants (Read 14591 times)