Squash withdrawal

[Jayb]

I ate the last of my squash last night roasted, it was absolutely gorgeous. Called Sibley it was one of the varieties Jeannine sent to me (thank you  ), beautifully sweet and tender and now a firm favourite. I've sown the last of the seed so I'll have to get organised to save some seed this year.

Boo hoo, now the long wait for the next harvest. How's everyone else doing?

[Jayb]

[RenishawPhil]

Have started ours quite late.  Have planted two pumpkins outside under cloches that were given to me by someone of here:)

Squash are doing nicely in pots in the polytunnel

[goodlife]

MM...Sibley sounds nice.
I only just sowed my squash seeds couple of days ago. Its been so cold that nothing wouldn't been gained from earlier sowing.
Last years failed  squash growing meant that the ground that I prepared for them was still almost 'unused' condition..only odd few weeds to remove and I've given a nematode treatment to it to get rid of some slugs that hammered the plants down last year. Last night I spread loads of 'good stuff' on surface on top of old mulches and gave some fertilizer too...rain came again to wash it all down.
Hopefully I can start thinking of planting again in 'couple' of weeks time and this time resulting TONS of squashes.
I can fit to that prepared bed about 18 plants of many different varieties and another 6 or so somewhere else and then there is courgettes and other such a things
Plan is to hand pollinate few of the varieties...I NEED MORE SEEDS!

[pigeonseed]

I've only just sown mine last weekend as well - as you say Goodlife, the weather was so cold no point starting them off too soon.

[galina]

Yes Sibley is a very nice squash variety.  The only slight drawback is that it has a fairly large seed cavity and slightly thinner flesh because of it.  But a really unique flavour.  It is supposed to be one of the banana squash types, although it looks a bit different, and it certainly tastes nicer than Pink Banana.  Wonder how big yours got, JayB and did you grow them in the poly?  They are said to got to 9 pounds easily, but mine have only been half this weight. 

I have one more squash to go - also one from Jeannine - Golden Nugget.  Delicious flavour, small squash.  They are storing very well, but both handpollinated ones were seedless and the ones that were bee pollinated don't have seeds either.  Just the wrong year and too cold for pollen to be effective.  Even so, it was super to get to know this squash, which has superlative storage abilities, delicious flavour and is a nice small portion size, just right for one or two.  Withdrawal symptoms on their way too ........... but courgettes are only a few months away with any luck.   

[GrannieAnnie]

We have quite too many huge Pennsylvania Crookneck left in the basement and have found them not as good tasting as Butternut. Friends and relatives have concurred with that assessment.
Therefore, back to growing the Butternuts. The squash that are better than those are also loved by the squash borers. I still try to grow a few and outwit the borers, but they are not to be outwitted.

[Jayb]

Yes Sibley is a very nice squash variety.  The only slight drawback is that it has a fairly large seed cavity and slightly thinner flesh because of it.  But a really unique flavour.  It is supposed to be one of the banana squash types, although it looks a bit different, and it certainly tastes nicer than Pink Banana.  Wonder how big yours got, JayB and did you grow them in the poly?  They are said to got to 9 pounds easily, but mine have only been half this weight. 

That's been part of the beauty of them, they seem to grow well outside. I even had a couple to harvest last year. Not really sure of size, probably about a foot long, maybe slightly more. They store really well too and the skin is easy to cut. Flesh is a really lovely smooth texture, even my mum likes these!

Yayy for Jeannine 
I think I've grown Golden Nugget before but now I'm not sure, you do make them sound a delight.

We have quite too many huge Pennsylvania Crookneck left in the basement and have found them not as good tasting as Butternut. Friends and relatives have concurred with that assessment.
Therefore, back to growing the Butternuts. The squash that are better than those are also loved by the squash borers. I still try to grow a few and outwit the borers, but they are not to be outwitted.

I'm glad you have quite a few left, but a shame they were not as tasty as the butternuts. I'm so glad we don't have squash borers here GrannieAnnie.

[Jayb]

MM...Sibley sounds nice.
I only just sowed my squash seeds couple of days ago. Its been so cold that nothing wouldn't been gained from earlier sowing.
Last years failed  squash growing meant that the ground that I prepared for them was still almost 'unused' condition..only odd few weeds to remove and I've given a nematode treatment to it to get rid of some slugs that hammered the plants down last year. Last night I spread loads of 'good stuff' on surface on top of old mulches and gave some fertilizer too...rain came again to wash it all down.
Hopefully I can start thinking of planting again in 'couple' of weeks time and this time resulting TONS of squashes.
I can fit to that prepared bed about 18 plants of many different varieties and another 6 or so somewhere else and then there is courgettes and other such a things
Plan is to hand pollinate few of the varieties...I NEED MORE SEEDS!

Well that's a positive of last years season, your pumpkin patch is already prepared!

Good luck with the seed saving,  I'm hoping to do a few for seeds too, fingers crossed.