[Martifromduram]

Hi all, last year I purchased some squash from lidl to make some soup and kept n dried out some seeds which I've just planted in cells today.

Has anybody got any advice or experience from doing this?

Thanks, Marti.

[Headgardener22]

Not these in particular, but:

If they were F1 hybrid they obviously won't come true; and

I believe that squashes and pumpkins cross easily so there's a strong chance that you won't get the same as you've grown before. (When I did something similar a couple of years ago with some butternut squashes, I ended up with a range of different things, some good, some not so good).

Its always worth a try but if you want these in particular, I would recommend using fresh seed.

[Martifromduram]

Thanks headgardener, haven't got a cLue what variety they are yet alone if they are f1s! They were jus sold loose in the supermarket, about 6 different types. Will post updates as things progress.

Marti.

[sunshineband]

You will no doubt have a wide range of fruits at the end of the season, Marti ... some will be delicious, and some may be woody or have tasteless flesh.

I like squashes a lot, and we rely on them as a bit of a winter and spring staple so prefer to grow those that come true. I don't really have space to experiment, but if you do, then I wish you luck with them.

[gavinjconway]

If you have spare space to see what they produce then do it... but if you are short of space then grow from proper squash seed because you may get rubbish from them.

[diospyros]

Also, depending on what country they came from, they may not be very happy in our climate/shorter growing season.  But who cares, it's fun growing things for free!

[Martifromduram]

When in the Czech last year I saw similar squashes growing in people's gardens that's what intrigued me to keep the seed, I therefore presume they will prefer a warmer climate than the north east of England, there's no cost but time so why not. If they germinate I plan to grow them vertically, trained up some pig netting. Anybody got any advice there?

[gobs]

Heavy.

[gavinjconway]

When in the Czech last year I saw similar squashes growing in people's gardens that's what intrigued me to keep the seed, I therefore presume they will prefer a warmer climate than the north east of England, there's no cost but time so why not. If they germinate I plan to grow them vertically, trained up some pig netting. Anybody got any advice there?

Most squashes are vine type so they can normally climb up and through and out and back again on almost any type of structure... Mine grow on my security panels surrounding my allotment.. and through the sweetcorn and the .... everything else..

[Martifromduram]

Thanks for the advice.

[Headgardener22]

I put pig netting over pallets last year, the pig netting to climb and the pallets for strength. Seemed to work well, I got a better crop than normal and much less slug damage. (It could of course have been the season ). But I plan to do the same again this year and include the rambling courgettes.