New seeds, has anyone grown them before

[caseylee]

I bought the following seeds today
-gourd  ( 10 commandments )
-papaya pear squash
-white cucumber

I was wondering if anyone has grown them before and give me a little advice on which is the best way to do it

[caseylee]

[Jeannine]

The squash you mention is a summer squash, yellow pear shaped, grow it like any other summer squash or courgette.It is a semi bush plant and will not creep all over your garden, but it will be a bit longer than a compact bush. The fruit will not keep,you need a winter squash for that, use them when small and pick frequently  even if you have to give them away. The surplus can be used in muffins, breads etc.

If you need help with sowing  the squash get back to me.

The gourds you  mentioned would  be sown about the same time, same way, they are not good to eat and they will cross with your squash, they will dry out after harvesting and keep for years, but they will wander all over probably. Better known as Crown of Thorns

The cucumber is the same as any other but for the colour, just grow as any other variety

XX Jeannine

[caseylee]

Thank you for that.  I bought  the gourds as I beleive they make a beautiful decoration for the xmas table so hopefully I grow them right.  Witht he yellow pear when is the best time to sow them in a cold greenhouse or inside

[Jeannine]

Casey lee, I made a mistake in my wording and I have corrected it.I wrote they will not cross with your squash, I should have written ..they will. Why?
because these are not true gourds , they are the same family as your papaya pear ie pepo. You answere dso fast you beat me to the correction. XX Jeannine

[Jeannine]

I start mine inside, in single cell jiffy pots, but you can use yogurt containers fillled with potting soil, just make a drain hole in the bottom. I sow some very early and take a chance on the weather but for you if they are new to you stay with the right time.  Don't plant loads of seeds to a pot, just one, or if you have plenty plant two and if both grow snip one out with scissors.Sow them about 1 inch deep in damp soil, I do mine in a propagator . pop the lid on and put it in  the airing cupboard, watch them daily and bring them into the light as soon as the seeds break the surface.They will rot if you have the soil too wet They grow rapidly once germinated so don't sow too early as the weather needs to be safely warm to put them out. Aim to have them ready to go out by Mid May,  so start them  inside about three weeks before, don't be in a hurry as they don't like to be root bound. They like well manured ground  and full sun. You do not need to prune them. If they cross with your gourds the fruit this year will not be effected but the seeds they produce will give you odd fruit.

Have fun

XX Jeannine