Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: J_B on October 08, 2013, 23:51

Title: Turks Turban
Post by: J_B on October 08, 2013, 23:51
Every year i try and grow something that i have grown previously, this year while browsing through my localfarm shop came across a squash plant going @ 50p on a special....it had a label called Turks turban squash....had not heard of it before so decided to try it out.....easy to grow end result some great looking squash....one was made into some great soup yday...so what have you grown new thi syear....would like to know and even better if you can share photos
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: allotmentann on October 09, 2013, 07:24
Turks Turban are pretty spectacular aren't they? I grew several varieties of courgette and squash that I have not grown before, unfortunately the miserable weather early in the year meant that I lost plants and they got moved around and the labels all lost and muddled. So although I have had a good harvest, I have no idea what I have grown!
I grew two new varieties of climbing beans, Cherokee Trail of Tears (a very old bean), that was good, but the other variety I grew was really disappointing, and I can't remember what variety that was either!
Lesson for next year - better labelling!  :)
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: dugless on October 09, 2013, 07:39
Turks Turban are pretty spectacular aren't they? I grew several varieties of courgette and squash that I have not grown before, unfortunately the miserable weather early in the year meant that I lost plants and they got moved around and the labels all lost and muddled. So although I have had a good harvest, I have no idea what I have grown!
I grew two new varieties of climbing beans, Cherokee Trail of Tears (a very old bean), that was good, but the other variety I grew was really disappointing, and I can't remember what variety that was either!
Lesson for next year - better labelling!  :)
Me too I think I will remember what the were and what I had done ::) but I forget :ohmy:
will need to keep a record of every thing, there is no excuse for not doing it but I just forget to do it. :(
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: compostqueen on October 09, 2013, 08:29
I grew them once but they are not great in the eating stakes.   I don't bother with them now, as there are many more varieties which are as beautiful and edible  :tongue2:
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: mumofstig on October 09, 2013, 08:37
I grew them once but they are not great in the eating stakes.   I don't bother with them now, as there are many more varieties which are as beautiful and edible  :tongue2:
I'd agree with that, but sometimes i grow them for winter decorations, cos the are such lovely shapes and colours  :)

If you thought Turks Turban tasted good - then wait til you try some of the others  :D
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: J_B on October 09, 2013, 08:56
so please give me ideas for squash that look pretty andd taste nice as well...
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: Yana on October 09, 2013, 08:57
I grew them once but they are not great in the eating stakes.   I don't bother with them now, as there are many more varieties which are as beautiful and edible  :tongue2:
I'd agree with that, but sometimes i grow them for winter decorations, cos the are such lovely shapes and colours  :)

If you thought Turks Turban tasted good - then wait til you try some of the others  :D
I've grown Turks turban for the first time this year and was amazed at the harvest I got. Preparing them is tricky but the taste is lovely in curries and stews and I've got a fair few for storage and use over the winter months.

What others should I try MoS?
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: mumofstig on October 09, 2013, 09:18
I rarely grow big squashes because there's only me to feed.
The High-sugar range which includes Celebration, Harlequin, Festival and Sweet Lightning ( all have similar markings and I find it hard to tell the difference between them  :D). They are all small, fruitful, pretty and lush, hard to beat for taste IMO  :)

Uchiki Kuri is also another good one.

The trombone squash Tromba d'Albegna can be used small like a courgette in summer, but if you leave them to mature, after storage they become much sweeter, with quite a firm texture. It has an 'interesting' shape rather than look pretty though. I like these more each year I've grown them up a tripod with sweetpeas.

Last year wasn't good but this was my harvest
(http://i659.photobucket.com/albums/uu317/mumofstig/DSCI0117.jpg)

Thelma Sanders is the pretty cream one, it's the most reliable and prolific of the ones I grow but is less sweet than the others.

Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: Yana on October 09, 2013, 09:23
I rarely grow big squashes because there's only me to feed.
The High-sugar range which includes Celebration, Harlequin, Festival and Sweet Lightning ( all have similar markings and I find it hard to tell the difference between them  :D). They are all small, fruitful, pretty and lush, hard to beat for taste IMO  :)

Uchiki Kuri is also another good one.

The trombone squash Tromba d'Albegna can be used small like a courgette in summer, but if you leave them to mature, after storage they become much sweeter, with quite a firm texture. It has an 'interesting' shape rather than look pretty though. I like these more each year I've grown them up a tripod with sweetpeas.
I've jotted those names down so will give them a try next year.
Thanks  :D
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: BabbyAnn on October 09, 2013, 10:02
Despite amazing summer weather this year, I have not got as many fruits from my various winter squashes than I would have expected.  The first flush of fruit set was good but thereafter despite loads of flowers, I think I only ended up with one fruit per plant - but good sized ones so not all bad.

Any road, Potimarron (a lot like Uchiki Kuri/Red Kuri but slightly bigger) is my favourite, followed by the high sugar ones MoS mentioned.  This year I've grown lots of new ones for me - Blue kuri, Blue Hubbard, Green Hubbard, Galeux d'Eysine, Buckskin and Australian Butter so I'm looking forward to trying them out  :D
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: sunshineband on October 09, 2013, 10:07
Winter Festival are small and tasty, as are Harlequin. Prolific too  :D
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: Aidy on October 09, 2013, 12:02
I have grown two new vege's this year.

The first is a new squash for me based on the report from the RHS... Sweet Dumpling.
(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q75/Aidypunk/sweetdumpling_zps84720b32.jpg) (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/Aidypunk/media/sweetdumpling_zps84720b32.jpg.html)

And the second new veg is Scorzonera.
Always fancied this and it has been really good.

(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q75/Aidypunk/Blackpool-20130908-00286_zps314d811a.jpg) (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/Aidypunk/media/Blackpool-20130908-00286_zps314d811a.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: chillimummy on October 09, 2013, 12:30
I have some seeds for sweet dumpling so will try them next year. Had no space this year. They look really nice. Tried turks turban but a few of them rotted before had chance to lift them off the ground.Only had one in the end! 
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: J_B on October 09, 2013, 13:44
ok just went out to Wyvale n bought the following packs at 50p...lets see how they fare...outdoor Wonder gala melon,ogen melon,pepito melon,bardot melon...alsong with teh saved turks turban will be good fun next year...oo i also grew a nice khol rabi for t first time as well as purple mangetout....
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: Flowertot on October 09, 2013, 22:41
I grew sweet dumpling last year and although it looked very pretty, I found it tasteless and didn't grow it this year.  I am wondering if I should try it again (I have some seeds left) as it might have been my fault it was tasteless  ::) (although it was definitely ripe).  Does it fall into the "supersweet category" or would I be better off trying one of the ones MOS listed?
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: BabbyAnn on October 10, 2013, 06:04
I grew sweet dumpling last year and although it looked very pretty, I found it tasteless and didn't grow it this year.  I am wondering if I should try it again (I have some seeds left) as it might have been my fault it was tasteless  ::) (although it was definitely ripe).  Does it fall into the "supersweet category" or would I be better off trying one of the ones MOS listed?

last year the weather was pretty poor or you harvested too early (?) which did not allow the sugars to develop properly.  I definitely found them to be sweet but the fruits were small and difficult to get in to as the skins were rock hard (I grew them during a very dry year so might have been the main reason)
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: Flowertot on October 10, 2013, 07:38
I grew sweet dumpling last year and although it looked very pretty, I found it tasteless and didn't grow it this year.  I am wondering if I should try it again (I have some seeds left) as it might have been my fault it was tasteless  ::) (although it was definitely ripe).  Does it fall into the "supersweet category" or would I be better off trying one of the ones MOS listed?

last year the weather was pretty poor or you harvested too early (?) which did not allow the sugars to develop properly.  I definitely found them to be sweet but the fruits were small and difficult to get in to as the skins were rock hard (I grew them during a very dry year so might have been the main reason)

Ah, I am definitely going to blame the weather then  ;) and give them another try
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: compostqueen on October 10, 2013, 12:29
I like the Crown Prince best. Potimarrons, the uckiki, Festival, Harlequin, Thelma Sanders are good eaters as are the Baby Bear and New England Pie. I've grown the heirloom variety Muscade de Provence which is one I'd also recommend for cooks

I just love growing them  :)
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: Aidy on October 10, 2013, 13:43
My dumplings have taste, wouldn't say they are as good perhaps as the RHS says but not bland by anymeans.

Agree with CQ, Crown Prince are stunners.....

(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q75/Aidypunk/Blackpool-20130929-00327_zps9e43b111.jpg) (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/Aidypunk/media/Blackpool-20130929-00327_zps9e43b111.jpg.html)
just a few curing in the sunshine
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: rowan57 on October 10, 2013, 18:50
Oooh Aidy, you have pm.
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: Totty on October 10, 2013, 19:24
Butternuts and crown prince to be harvested tomorrow, will post some pics.
Other than that, both shallot "Zebrune" from seed, and celeriac Ilona have been amazing and are massively recommended.

Totty
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: compostqueen on October 10, 2013, 23:09
I haven't managed to grow as many as that but I'm happy with the final count  :tongue2:

I've got just the one butternut  :nowink:  The rest of the fruits grew to full size but for some reason resemble deflated rugby balls  :unsure:
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: Yana on October 11, 2013, 06:59
My dumplings have taste, wouldn't say they are as good perhaps as the RHS says but not bland by anymeans.

Agree with CQ, Crown Prince are stunners.....

(http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q75/Aidypunk/Blackpool-20130929-00327_zps9e43b111.jpg) (http://s133.photobucket.com/user/Aidypunk/media/Blackpool-20130929-00327_zps9e43b111.jpg.html)
just a few curing in the sunshine
I planted three plants..... Lost two and got one fruit from the remaining one.
One of the 'more experienced' guys at the lottie told me that it was a 'shame that one of my pumpkins had rotted' when spotting the blue hue of the crown prince!!
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: Aidy on October 11, 2013, 09:07
I actually got 18 Crown Prince of 4 plants this year, they loved the tropical sunshine we get  ;)
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: Yana on October 11, 2013, 10:36
I actually got 18 Crown Prince of 4 plants this year, they loved the tropical sunshine we get  ;)
What's the secret Aidy? Sunshine alone can't be the answer.  :D
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: compostqueen on October 11, 2013, 12:17
Plenty of muck under them  :)

These are some of mine.  I still have some large French jobs for marmalade making and one or two New England Pies still to pick. Quite please with the haul though  :)

Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: Lupin lurcher on October 11, 2013, 12:58
Very impressed
Title: Re: Turks Turban
Post by: carlrmj on October 13, 2013, 14:03


    this is what I grew this year ,I left out spaghetti squash as I grew them last year