Gem Squash

[Barnowl]

A friend with very limited space has asked me about these. Haven't grown them myself so does anyone on here rate them or have a better suggestion?

[Barnowl]

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

if you mean "Little Gem" squash from Simpsons (for instance) we've grown them this year. Amazingly prolific, though I havent harvested them yet so I don't know exactly how many. I'd guess about 50, but thats not too much help, as I can't remember how many plants there are. Grew them in an arch (more like a cage). Easier to cope with that the Sweet Dumplings, which were monster vines (still growing now)

[plot51A]

Haven't grown gem squash, but this year have grown some golden nugget squash which I think is similar - compact plants, small to medium size fruits. Took pity on 3 small plants at an open day garden sale having decided not to grow squash this year - and have been very pleased with them. Have produced about 4 fruits per plant and they are lovely roasted - ate the first one last week. Would definitely recommend them for limited space.

[1066]

I've tried them for the 2nd time, and really like them, they have produced about 4 per plant and the plants themselves aren't too rampant, fairly small leaves etc. And they kept very well last year over winter. So I guess for your friend a potential YES  :D

[chriscross1966]

If youwant a slightly bigger squash that climbs then bon-bon will set fruit and hang them OK... I've got one that's occupying the border fence with the neighbouring plot and it's hung a couple of fruit on the fence... about 8-10" across, maybe 6" high buttercup type. It's an inveterate explorere though... you'd want a nice tall trellis I'm expecting....
Winter festival is prolific with smaller fruits though it doesn't seem as willing to climb (but then it doesn't wander off in quite the way that Bon-Bon has....

chrisc

[Barnowl]

Thanks for all the advice. I think it's safe to give her the go ahead. :)

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

97 squash off about 9 plants 8)

[1066]

97 squash off about 9 plants 8)

:o  :o  :o  :o  :o

What's the secret?! I only seem to manage 4 per plant, mind you mine did go in a bit later than planned

1066

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

well the Table Queens I grew in the arch only managed 3 from 4 plants, so I guess I got lucky with the Little gems. The Sweet Dumplings produced only about 3 fruit by the first week in August, but then they went ballistic and i've got about 25 off 6 plants. Still growing just  so I haven't harvested them yet

[djbrenton]

I grew 6 plants last year and must have had upwards of 60 off them.

[1066]

You guys must be doing something right! well done anyway.
I'm looking forward to trying this years crop, most of mine are also still on the plants at the mo

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

according to the Telegraph, this has been a good year for squash, or pumpkins anyway - they had a picture of a bloke in the New Forest area with 150,000 for Halloween - what a waste!

I dig a big hole, fill it with compost, manure etc, cover it over with soil and plonk the squash on top. It's probably a good idea to put a cane in near the plant so later you know where to water if they go crazy. This year I fed them on chicken manure pellets a couple of times

[1066]

I didn't really give them any extra feed - a bit of seaweed extract stuff a couple of times, they had plenty of rotted manure to start them off. It's also been a dry summer here (I know some parts of the uk have been wet again), so watering them has been essential
I was given some chicken manure pellets so I'll have to try and remember to use them !!

[Bean_Queen]

I grow Golden Nugget every year ... it's compact like a bush courgette, and each plant gives about 6 child's head-size pumpkins ... enough for 2 people.

Microwave: 5 mins then make into soup.  Yum.