Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Welcome => New Across The Site => Topic started by: John on September 14, 2019, 20:18

Title: Pumpkins & Squashes
Post by: John on September 14, 2019, 20:18
Back in July I decided to start bringing some more land into production for next year using a sort of permaculture method. Since I don’t like wasting resources and land is perhaps the most important resource we have, I decided to use the space this year for squashes and pumpkins.

Pumpkins & Squashes (https://www.allotment-garden.org/garden-diary/6600/pumpkins-squashes/)
Title: Re: Pumpkins & Squashes
Post by: Growster... on September 14, 2019, 20:56
I'm all for growing these guys John, but there is a spot where one has to decide what to do with the produce!

We regularly froze squash, and grew pumpkins for the kids, but nowadays, - ooooh, does it really mean that much...

If we lived in a commune, I'd do all this plus much more - it's in the blood, but now, at a very young age (check if you want to), I feel a little bit weary of digging for victory and giving everything away to much-loved chums, and sitting there with Mrs Growster, tincture in hand, and admitting that it MAY not have been all worth it...

Negative? Me?

Naaaah, just see what we're doing back at home with the garden full of fruit bushes, wires and a greenhouse bursting with toms!
Title: Re: Pumpkins & Squashes
Post by: mumofstig on September 14, 2019, 21:55
The seed in your packet couldn't have been Hunter squash to start with, John  ::) I'd certainly complain to whoever sold them to you.
Cross pollination this year, only effects the seed inside and the fruit/plant that grows from that seed next year.. It wouldn't change the shape of this years fruit.
I usually grow 5 or 6 types of squash each year, and the fruit grows true to type - saving seeds from a mixed patch is too risky. It's just too much of a faff to hand pollinate and make sure they don't cross, so I buy new seed as the packets empty.
I hope the 'unknown' tastes alright - mind you if it is only for Halloween, that doesn't matter
Title: Re: Pumpkins & Squashes
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on September 14, 2019, 23:14
That's really interesting, my Hunter squash this year have produced just one tiny yellow round fruit. Maybe a bad batch of seeds this year?
Title: Re: Pumpkins & Squashes
Post by: John on September 15, 2019, 08:19
The seed in your packet couldn't have been Hunter squash to start with, John  ::) I'd certainly complain to whoever sold them to you.
Cross pollination this year, only effects the seed inside and the fruit/plant that grows from that seed next year.. It wouldn't change the shape of this years fruit.
Thanks for the clarification on that. I wasn't sure but it seemed so unlikely that they'd have sent out hundreds of packets of duff seeds.
That's really interesting, my Hunter squash this year have produced just one tiny yellow round fruit. Maybe a bad batch of seeds this year?
That would seem to be the case.
I'm all for growing these guys John, but there is a spot where one has to decide what to do with the produce!
I can see me putting a table by the road and an honesty box the way things are going!
Title: Re: Pumpkins & Squashes
Post by: New shoot on September 15, 2019, 19:20
Crown Prince store really well and they are tasty .... but they are massive and once you cut them open .... well let's just say get ready for a soup-a-thon  ;)  :lol: