Am planting my courgettes, butternut squash and cucumbers through black plastic which is down on my jungle to do some clearing. I vaguely remember someone saying they are hungry plants and need a good feed when planting. I don't have any manure (rotted or otherwise) and as I'm a newbie, have no compost yet. Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can use instead when I plant them, or will they do OK without anything (bearing in mind land hasn't been worked for years!).
Thanks
Piglottie (who has planted FAR too many seeds and now has loads of seedlings and no idea on the status of squash overload in the autumn - thats if they survive!)
If you can give them a good feed with Chicken manure pellets as you plant them they should be OK, not great but OK
Oh good question - I'm in the same boat! I was wondering about top dressing with something every so often as well. Any advice on what would be really appreciated.
Thats a good point, I haven't fed mine. :-[
Me too.....last week planted out cucumbers, gourds/sqashes, and courgettes in the same area with wire fencing to climb up. Have chicken pellets, Growmore and tomorite available (and fresh stable manure, not sure where to get well rotted). After care advice would be well appreciated. What about straw as a mulch also?
Hi Piglottie,
         I have two squash Jaspee De Vendee plants
ready for planting out on my allotment.
One of our senior members said to put over ripe banannas at the bottom of a 10" deep trench and plant the squash above them.
Not having grown them before, and not wishing to use manure which may be tainted with anti-biotics, steroids and the like, I am going to give this a go.
I will report my success or otherwise to this site. :-\
PS:- I will be using my evil smelling Comfrey and Nettle brew to to feed them during the season. ;D
                              PREMTAL