Topic: Pumpkin and Squash

[rewsal]

Hi there,
Can anyone suggest the best pumkin or Squash to grow for favour ,what size bed do i need and whats the ideal preparation before planting ?. I'm just starting my first allotment and not sure whats best.
hope you can help

Rewsal

[rdak]

Hi,

I have only grown the one type of squash -'Green Bush' marrow and I was very pleased with it. With marrows/courgetttes (I'm not sure about other types of squash), there are 2 main types- bush & trailing. With bush, all the fruits grow out from the centre where you planted the seed; with trailing varieties..well, it grows like a vine through your plot!

As for planting, most people start them inside or in the greenhouse and plant out when all risk of frost has gone. They like to be planted on a mound of compost of manure and given plenty to drink in dry periods- don't allow them to dry out. You may also need to help pollination by picking off a male flower and placing inside a female flower - the HDRA do a factsheet on how to do this, or do a google search.
Hope this is of some help.

[cleo]

For flavour I like "Butternut" squash-and they cost a fortune to buy.

For hollowing out at this time of the year-Pumpkin `Connecticut Field`

Stephan.

[Margaret]

Hi Stephan.I 've got my surprise! Please tell me what exactly to do with it!! I may be a vegetarian but i'm a bit of a boring one!!

Thanks by the way.My boss thought it was quite funny.Thinks i chat up men with strange looking vegetables all the time!!!!l

[jethro]

And what's wrong with that Maggie ;D

[cleo]

Hi Maggie

The flesh is really nice roasted. Same way as you would for aubergines and peppers etc.

Stephan.

[Doris_Pinks]

I grow my trailing varieties upwards like runner beans on a trellis type thingy, take up less space! Dp

[budgiebreeder]

What A good idea Dp.I will try that next year as space is at a premium for me.Do you have to tie them in in someway for support?

[john_miller]

Gold Nugget would be a good starter type. Very early, great flavour and it's a bush.

[rewsal]

Will look these suggestions up in the seed cats. Has anyone tried Hubbard Squash ? I have been told its got great favour.

[john_miller]

Hubbard makes huge plants and huge fruit with a relatively large seed cavity. Long season too so you may not be able to get a worthwhile crop in the UK. Flavour is subjective but I wouldn't grow it for that (or any other reason except decorative).

[Mrs Ava]

Hiya Doris, I saw an article on Gardeners world about a lady qrowing squashes upwards and decided I would give it a go next year - especially as I have 2 gothicy type archy things sitting down the end of the garden doing nothing - could look pretty cool on the lottie.  The only time I have ever growing anything like that upwards was melons, and I had to support them, but the lady on the TV didn't, they just hung there...looking a little rude I must say, or is that just my depraved mind at work!   ;D  So tell us more Doris, how do you do it?

[Doris_Pinks]

Well, BB and EJ, I dig a trench 1 foot wide  and a spade deep,and the width of my bed, which is 4 feet, fill it with manure and soil on top, make sure that the filled in soil is just below the soill level, so that when you water, the precious stuff goes straight to your plants,  then a frame of some sort, mine this year was bits of wood, and netting, planted 2 plants per trench, then as they grow tie them in, or twist them through! Butternut sprinter did well this year, and when the fruits appear, just let em hang!  ;D They seem more than capable of supporting themselves!They do like lots of water, so a bucket ful in the trench does the trick! Hope this helps! DP

[rewsal]

Thanks John for your input I may rethink Hubbard what would you suggest instead I'm looking for the best favour for making soup.

Regards
Rewsal

[Mrs Ava]

Cheers Doris, that confirms it, I am going to give it a go!  I love growing squashes but they do take up soooooo much room, this way would be marvelous!   ;D

[Margaret]

                  STEPHAN !!

            DELICIOUS !!!

              :D ;D 8) ::) :-*