Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: New shoot on August 12, 2012, 13:30

Title: Of Gem squash, Huauzontle and other veg
Post by: New shoot on August 12, 2012, 13:30

Huau zon what New Shoot  :ohmy:  'Tis the unpronouncable weed a few of us are growing much to the amusement of everyone else, but  :tongue2:  ;)  :lol: Picked my first crop today  :D

From the left - bag of seed grown onions thanks to tutoring from DD  ;), some rather overgrown courgettes (never mind the dehydrator will turn those into useful winter supplies), beetroot, chard and perpetual spinich, gem squash, Blue Lake beans and a big bag of weeds Huauzontle or Aztec broccoli  :)

(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m198/suec_02/Plot%20pictures/001-18.jpg)

Gem squash were a swapsie from Gavinjconway and are a huge success - doing way better than the other courgettes and loads of fruit to come  :D

The ones picked today are to eat as courgettes as this is what Gavin recommended :)

(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m198/suec_02/Plot%20pictures/002-9.jpg)


(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m198/suec_02/Plot%20pictures/003-4.jpg)

Title: Re: Of Gem squash, Huauzontle and other veg
Post by: mumofstig on August 12, 2012, 15:00

a lovely haul  :lol:

but what does the horizontal weedy thing taste like  :unsure:

Title: Re: Of Gem squash, Huauzontle and other veg
Post by: New shoot on August 12, 2012, 18:35

Horizontal could be me later as the fruit juice wine was ready for bottling today  ;)

The weedy thing raw has a really nice crunch and a mild spinach-like taste.  Stays crunchy once cooked according to Real Seeds so will stir-fry tomorrow and see  :)

Certainly very easy to grow and very productive  :D

Title: Re: Of Gem squash, Huauzontle and other veg
Post by: gavinjconway on August 12, 2012, 18:58

Great pics NewShoot... your outdoor gemsquash  :D are better than mine  :(

Title: Re: Of Gem squash, Huauzontle and other veg
Post by: gavinjconway on August 12, 2012, 19:02

Hi NewShoot - the courgettes... are they var Lebanese type?  Mine I do are from a multi-pack called "Summer squash selaction" from Johnsons seeds.. They certainly look like it and they are the bestest cougettes of all..  The pack has 4 courgettes - normal green, yellow, round and the Lebanese, then green and yellow pattypan. A great selection and plenty enough seed to last 2 years at least..  Only done by Johnsons seeds with the Lebanese type in..

Title: Re: Of Gem squash, Huauzontle and other veg
Post by: New shoot on August 12, 2012, 19:06

The white courgettes are Trieste White Cousa  and the yellow ones you sent me , so thanks again  :D

Title: Re: Of Gem squash, Huauzontle and other veg
Post by: sunshineband on August 12, 2012, 20:19

They all look rather good  :D

Be interested to know how the aztec spinach is once cooked - pretty enough when growing  ;)

Our seed grown onions are still managing, despite the leaves being cropped back - might get another week out of them before having to take them up  :unsure:

Title: Re: Of Gem squash, Huauzontle and other veg
Post by: suziet88 on August 12, 2012, 21:13

Great pics.  Gavinjconway - I also sowed that packet of squashes and am surpised how quick the Lebanese ones grow.  Have you left yours to grow large or picked them small?

Title: Re: Of Gem squash, Huauzontle and other veg
Post by: Bernard on August 12, 2012, 22:38

Hi New shoot
Are those gem squash the variety 'Little Gem'? If so could you say who supplies the seed?
I used to grow them many years ago but they along with others were disallowed for the UK when we joined the Common Market

Title: Re: Of Gem squash, Huauzontle and other veg
Post by: gavinjconway on August 13, 2012, 09:38

Hi Suzie - i pick them small ish about 6"-8" long. I find the bigger ones dont last that long once picked..

Bernard - about the Little Gem seeds... I gave to NewShoot.. pm me and I'll send you some..