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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: minerva on April 16, 2004, 12:30:41

Title: squash and pumpkins
Post by: minerva on April 16, 2004, 12:30:41
i have lots of different squash plants on my windowsill and they are now getting pretty large (some are 30cms tall), is it too early to plant them out, it is quite warm down here (bath) already,
thank you
sam
xx
Title: Re:squash and pumpkins
Post by: aquilegia on April 16, 2004, 12:35:44
I'm not putting mine out for at least another month.
Title: Re:squash and pumpkins
Post by: philcooper on April 16, 2004, 12:36:57
As ever, it depends.

They are very susceptible to frost - the merest touch will finish them off.

If you have afrost free spot or can cover them wih cloches or fleece to keep the frost off you're ok.

The alternative is to put them in larger pots and keep them in the coolest, frost free but light place you have

Phil
Title: Re:squash and pumpkins
Post by: cleo on April 16, 2004, 12:37:42
I would still say it`s a bit of a gamble to put them out now-------but better to get them out rather than let them get pot bound.

If there is going to be a cold night cover them with something-fleece or newspaper whatever is handy.

Stephan( makes mental note to get round to sowing his :))
Title: Re:squash and pumpkins
Post by: minerva on April 16, 2004, 14:59:57
i have some fleece, will that really stop the frost killing them, it always looks a little like wishfull thinking, i have never used it too scared?
Title: Re:squash and pumpkins
Post by: philcooper on April 16, 2004, 15:08:11
Scared of fleece - sounds like a case for a psychiatrist!!  ;D

The heavy fleece is claimed to give 5 degrees worth of protection

Phil
Title: Re:squash and pumpkins
Post by: minerva on April 16, 2004, 15:26:02
 ::) 5 % should do it,  just one off my many phobias,  ha ha ha, actually the only thing i really do have a phobia about is fish, they are soooooooooooooooooo well fishy, especially the way they move cannt stand them,
Title: Re:squash and pumpkins
Post by: Moggle on April 18, 2004, 13:06:06
I'm wondering the same thing about my toms. They're now about a foot tall in their little 3" pots.
I think I'm going to take the risk and get them out as soon as I've hardened them up, and use a free (although less effective I expect) alternative to fleece - plastic shopping bags.
Hopefully my little 2nd floor balcony won't get much frost any way.
Now I just need to find a web site that emails you when there's a frost expected  :-\
Title: Re:squash and pumpkins
Post by: danny_lewis on April 19, 2004, 18:49:06
hi, i didn't know anything about them and i planted some about 3 weeks ago, goes out to see how they are doing ang they had died!!!!!! >:( aargh well i will try some others ;D
Title: Re:squash and pumpkins
Post by: philcooper on April 20, 2004, 12:26:28
Moggy,

If they're not clear plastic, they may cut down the available light and make them leggy.

They should be ok on your balcony, drape a bit of fleece or old net curtain over them overnight if frost is forecast

Phil