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How big should the Futsu be before I harvest them please? I don't want to make the same mistake as with the (surprise) pattypan-which I was given as a round courgette-and let them get too big. Also how do I know when the Jaspe de Vende is ripe? I've only grown butternuts before and I'm a bit clueless. ::)

the patty pan is a summer squash and you have to pick it promptly. It doesn't matter with Futsu and Jaspee, they are winter squash and you can leave them on the vine till the vine dies, then store them through the winter. You can pick them when immature but they won't keep so use them as summer squash

Thanks Jeannine. Can you recommend a good squash book please? Now I've started I'm hooked ;D
Going to bake the pattypan-stuffed-tonght.

Oh yes.. I sure can, but it is expensive.Amy Goldmans book called The Compleat Squash,a Passionate Growers guide to Pumpkins,Squashes and Gourds..(her spelling of squash by the way) It is packed full of smashing pictures ,and info on a great many types. A bit of an indulgence though so I would try the library and see if they can order it for you. ISBN 1-57965-251-4. You will be able to see it on Amazon I think. She also does one on Melons too which I also have.

You  can find a lot about squash generally on the net, I have a journal that I have kept for years stuffed full on info now but still I learn daily.

If I can help you in any way let me know.

I find squash is relatively new to the UK as is corn so there seems so little info around here. That is fast changing which I find smashing, There are several good  US and Canadian companies that sell squash seeds that give quite a lot of info on their sites too.

XX Jeannine

PS I have hundreds of seeds if you want a few of something. take a look at a few sites, there is a good chance I have them

Got a birthday soon..... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D.
Thanks once agin Jeannine. I have fished about on the net and seen some I'd earmarked for next year. Will pm you soon if I may.

Must admit, I have a knot of excitement in my stomach.

It's my first year of growing pumpkins and I have some in my garden

which I will trail along a flower border - flowers are getting moved from

their sunny border, in favour of the veg ;D

Jeannine, I would love some seeds if you could spare some & the

book sounds like a must-have.

Dear Santa.... ::)  ;D

Debs :)

I'm hooked on squashes too! I got only three fruits from three plants last year but it was enough to get me hooked... I have Marina di Chioggia and Tokyo Kabocha this year, both are doing really well.

I think winter squashes are great, much prefer them to potatoes. They have so much flavour and sweetness and comes in different shapes, sizes and colours too. 8) My mum used to cook kabocha almost every day when I was a child. I didn't particularly like them then but love them now!

Jeannine, I've put down that book on my birthday wish list.  :D Does it have practical information on cultivation as well? It looks such an attractive book. I can't wait to get my hands on it. ;D
Talking of squashes, I lost all the plants grown from seeds you kindly gave me.  Also lost all Supersprout squashes. :'( I have foxes living in my plot and they dug the plants up... I have a couple of seeds left so am going to try next year again.

I was thinking, we should do a squash pass the parcel or something this winter since so many folks here are passionate about squashes.  :)

I have something coming later in the year, still working on it. Will be available for sale, raising money for something. Assortment of squash seeds, possibly 10 types,with history of each, growing tips, and a booklet and some recipes. Still in the starting up process but it is something I have wanted to do for a while,

there may be a bean one. and a tomato one too. Or perhaps a tom, pepper and aubergine  one.

Still in the process.

I will let you know.


XX Jeannine

Cor ! that sounds brilliant Jeannine. Awaiting with baited breath ;D

(Have put request in to children for my birthday pressent.....I'm just so easy to buy for ;D ;D)

I've just been very clever - I think  ;). I went to Amazon.co.uk and saw that they sell the Compleat Squash book for £17.57, but if you sign up for their Mastercard credit card they will give you a £15 discount - so I did! You have to activate and use the CC at least once within 90 days, but no big deal eh? It doesn't mean it has to be used forever more!  By clicking on Supersaver delivery I also get the book delivered free, so I shall be getting this lovely book for a grand total of £2.57 sometime between the 24th and 30th of this month. Can't wait  ;D ;D ;D!

Jeannine,  I will be asking you if you have some of the seeds of varieties mentioned in the book, I am sure  :P.

Tricia

Jeannine,

Looking forward to your 'later in the year' venture sounds ideal-

seeds, recipes and tips on growing !!

My name will be on the list!

Debs x

Jeannine you have a buyer here too ;D

Cant wait  ;D

I'll buy in as well Jeannine..
;D

OOh me too. Would love a book like this. I now have another 5 poles so I can plant more squashes!

QuoteI find squash is relatively new to the UK as is corn so there seems so little info around here. That is fast changing which I find smashing,

I'd say that's about 99% due to you, Jeannine.

Take a bow, girl!

;D ;D ;D

Ohhh Jeannine! I'll definitely buy seeds from you too. Sounds smashing! ;D

there is another lovely book produced by Konemann "The Squash - history, folklore, ancient recipes" - beautiful pictures and plenty of modern recipes as well - a must for the squash addict

Count me in Jeannine.................Tricia

Can I squash in too please Jeannine   :)

Just wanted to let you all know it is going to be at the end of the year, I will contact Dan of course and then let you all know what I am doing, thank you for the interest, I didn't mean the comment to sound like an advert,cos it really was not,  I promise I will let everyone on A4A know what is happening when it is done. XX Jeannine