[Puenktchen]

Hi

I wonder if it is possible to sow the pumpkin seeds directly in the soil where the pumpkin is supposed to grow (after the last frost in May)? I have read somewhere that the pumpkin develops a better root system if sown directly. Has anybody tried this?
The same question for the other Cucurbitaceae, courgette, cucumber and squash. Is it worth trying out to sow them outdoors in May?

[boosh]

Hello There

I sowed butternut squash straight in the ground last year.
but i was really late when i did it.
i got 3 decent squash's and the rest i used in soup.

I have started some in the greenhouse this year and will start a couple directly outside again. but earlier, coverd with a coke bottle clotche. to see if there is any differance.

hope this helps

[galen]

Boosh beat me to it - I admit I did start them all  in pots last year, new allotment and I was still trying to sort things out, but there is nothing to stop you sowing directly 2 or 3 seeds per station, thinning to the strongest (possibly the reason people start them in pots is using less seed?)

Although courgettes and marrows are usually ok I think it's recommended to start the others under a cloche to get them off to a good start.

[DD.]

I start mine off in pots, but not too early so as to not get root bound.

50 Butternut squash off 5 plants and 13 pumpkins of 3 speaks for itself.

[Puenktchen]

Thank you for the answers. So maybe I try both. Sowing half in pots indoors, the other half outdoors, protected with cloches (I already bought big water bottles to use as cheap cloches  ).

[boosh]

Thank you for the answers. So maybe I try both. Sowing half in pots indoors, the other half outdoors, protected with cloches (I already bought big water bottles to use as cheap cloches  ).

They do last longer than poundland cloches