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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: David P on May 28, 2013, 23:19:13

Title: Squashes
Post by: David P on May 28, 2013, 23:19:13
Hello all

I am about to plant out some summer squashes (patty pan) which I have grown indoors and are now ready to go out.

I am just now too sure how far apart to sow them... do I grow them up something??  I am sure I have read somewhere that this can be done

I have never grown them before so not too sure what to do now......

Also I have a few chitted potatoes still, can i put them in or is it too late???

many thanks

Dave
Title: Re: Squashes
Post by: daveylamp993 on May 29, 2013, 00:17:43
I`m not sure about squash,but I put 2 rows of early potatoes in yesterday, they should be OK to harvest end of august until end of September
Title: Re: Squashes
Post by: RenishawPhil on May 29, 2013, 08:04:29
just shove the spuds in:)

With regards to the squash just give them room to spread along the ground,

We put all our squash and pumpkins out this week but they have all got their own individual cloche to give them a good start for next few weeks.
Title: Re: Squashes
Post by: galina on May 29, 2013, 08:23:08
DavidP,

They are almost certainly bush plants, not climbing - 3ft apart in all directions should do the trick, 4 ft is even better if you have the space.

If you still have the packet, you might like to check, but I have never heard of a climbing pattypan.  In any case 4ft would do for a climbing variety as well.

Slugs love newly planted out courgettes and squash - I put a layer of crushed eggshells in a circle around the plants to deter them or cloche the plant until it is established and big enoough for slugs not to do so much damage.

Best of luck.
Title: Re: Squashes
Post by: galina on May 29, 2013, 08:28:28
PS - just checked and you are in Nottingham.  Please be aware that in your part of the country and certainly if you are on an exposed site, frosts are still a possibility into early June and squash are very easily affected by a nippy night.  If you can cloche them or delay planting out another week, it might be better. 

I am in Northants, right at the Beds border and we certainly get frosts into early June and so do others in the Midlands.   
Title: Re: Squashes
Post by: RenishawPhil on May 29, 2013, 08:31:09
Quote from: galina on May 29, 2013, 08:28:28
PS - just checked and you are in Nottingham.  Please be aware that in your part of the country and certainly if you are on an exposed site, frosts are still a possibility into early June and squash are very easily affected by a nippy night.  If you can cloche them or delay planting out another week, it might be better. 

I am in Northants, right at the Beds border and we certainly get frosts into early June and so do others in the Midlands.   

Am in Nottingham to,  Hence why have cloched all of ours , just uncovered them yesterday for the rain and put them back under cover until Saturday, certainly finds its it brings them on , especially the pumpkins