General Chat

Hi, does anyone have any knowledge or experience of growing either Melons or Butternut Squash. I have found a space, that I do not know what to do with, and thought I would have a go at the above. I grow everything else bar these.
Suggestions please.
Julia in Derbyshire

Lol, no, but I shall watch your space with interest!!

Love

Daff xxxxx

Morning Daff, you made me laugh, with that. I am goin up the garden centre tomorrow, and thought I would buy some plants of these, as I have a space where I used to grow tomatoes, in one of those little plastic framed greenhouses. I think Puss had one a couple of years ago.
I decide that this year, I would grow my tomatoes, which are all baby varieties, in large pots on the greenhouse bench, after it has been denuded of all the fuschias etc, for the hanging baskets. So, I thought I would try these, as I do not know what else to grow in the given space.
Will keep you informed. Ha,ha,ha,
Julia in Derbyshire

Lolol Julia... I have two of those little mini cold frames... they are chocca, at the moment... tumbling toms and cucumber are hardening off in there, plus I have put all sorts in there to start off... they need protection from any night frosts, but other than that should be ok... in my *improvised* plastic bag over their heads system, I have.... basil, marigold, oregano, strawberries, coriander, big beefy tomatoes, courgettes, erm, and other stuff too...... anyway, my improvised system is (are, cos there is more than one, lol) do you know those plastic zip up bags that bedspreads, and some bedding, pillows etc come in??? Well... I hung onto them, I knew they'd come in handy!!

In each corner I have put something to *prop up* the bag and stop it falling onto emerging seedlings... and then popped the trays into it, on a plastic table outside, and on trays in here.... when they need watering, unzip and just pour a bit of water into the bottom... simple and effective!! Once seedlings have started to emerge, they come out and are put onto a tray wherever they need to be... coldframe or on a windowsill indoors.

So far, I have been 100% successful with germination...... can't wait for my new babies to show!

I have in a small area, in bags, pots and a small raised bed... beetroot, onions, shallots, peas, green beans, broad beans, potatoes, carrots, rocket, lettuce (about 5 different varieties) tomatoes and strawberries (they'll go in hanging baskets and such like) coriander, dill, parsley, mint, basil, oregano, tarragon, thyme, sage, cabbage, cucumber, courgette, peppers, spinach. Oh, and some newfangled pea/asparagus type plant, just to try

Still to go in are cauli, parsnips, broccoli, sweetcorn.... and of course, will need to rotate some of the salad crops... and put in a sowing of main crop potatoes in a couple of weeks...

I think we are being very adventurous, but we have a pact... we shall all blame each other for anything that fails to thrive, and anything which does well will be all my doing ;¬)) I am the main carer, you see.

Oh... Pak Choi... I bought some seeds yesterday.

Love

Daff xxx

Julia is a Butternut squash the same as our Butternut pumpkin? Or are butternut squash the little golden squash you can cook whole and slice for salads? If so they should do well. Rockmelon or honey due melon also great. Melons would be just lovely.

We did not have much success with our garden this year mainly due to drought. We did get loads of cucumbers and zucchini (courgettes?) loads of carrots and the pumpkins are still going and all over a very large hen-house. OH reckons about 40 pumpkins. Just waiting for a heavy frost so can pick them.

Gail

Daff, you sound just like me with your produce, but I have all mine together in the greenhouse, which I know you do not have.
I improvise with things, such as cutting plastic 'pop' bottles in half to use as individual cloches. Even the large 4 ltr. squate water bottles I cut in half. Also, old net curtains get draped over the fruit bushes on the allotment, to protect from the birds.
I too am the sole carer for all my babies, as is OH on HIS allotment. I prefer it that way, because then you are in charge of monitoring the watering.
Had a look at my Pak Choi this morning, and am now going to stand in the heat of the greenhouse to acclimatise myself to carry on the Cuprinoling. Although it is nice here today, it is pretty cold, with a wind.

Gran Of Ruby Slippers.
The Butternut Squash that I mean are the ones available i n the supermarket, which you can roast, and make soup with. They are a pale/orangy colour, and about 6/8 ins. long,but the T&C rules forbid me to describe the shape.LOLOL

Julia in Derbyshire

PS. Daff, try this website for good information and recipes
www.allotment.org.uk

Hi Julia - I LOVE butternut squash and grew some last year for the first time. I planted 6 seeds in a tray and kept them warm and damp - waited AGES and thought they'd died, but overnight they sprung up about 4 inches! I lost all but 2 of the plants and stuck them in the ground, not with much hope as they looked pathetic. They went beserk! Serious amounts of foliage which protects the flowers and eventual fruit. I had about 4-5 good fruits. Would advise planting in their own bed, as the foliage takes over, and shades everything else. Also, don't eat the fruits right away when picked, leave to ripen off a bit. Good Luck xx

I grow Butternut squash each year in my tunnel or outside but I have a walled garden. If planting outside don't put the plants out untill the end of May. Pumpkins will take over a huge space so have to be planted outside. If you want to grow a HUGE one only allow two pumpkins per plant nipping out the growing tip two leaves past the fertile fruit. All side shoots back to two leaves and stop all further growth on other shoots.

Oh and when you plant the seed set them on their sides as if they lay flat they tend to rot.

Mmmmm..... wonders where I could squeeze in a couple of pumpkins.

I have just joined that site, Julia... hopefully they won't mind it's a garden not an allotment....... lolol!

Love

Daff xxxx

Thanks ladies for your imput.

Mel, I am getting my butternut squash from plants at the garden centre tomorrow,if possible. Now, my burning question is, does the plant grow horizontal, in a bed, or do they grow upright, with the 'fruits' hanging down.
I know Melons grow upright, and it is best to hang the 'fruits' in tights, or similar for support.
SheilainWestWilts, have noted your comments not to eat the fruits straight away.
Daff, I am sure they will not mind you having a garden rather than an allotment. I do not have space for pumpkins, nor do I have any use for them. So I will give those a miss.LOLOL

Julia in Derbyshire

i once planted some melon seeds
and grew a giant honey dew melon
the size of a small lemon what a disappointment lol

*Imagines Julias garden festooned with lumpy tights and fairy lights* wmsl!!

Love

Daff xxxx

edit..... lolol Joy!!

we bought two water features today
cant wait to hear running water in my garden
and not on the kitchen unit where they are now

its either either side of the summer house
or either side of the decking

must report Benson only dug one pot out today
so it was a good day

Okay, have googled as was confused. :0

We call them butternut pumpkin. I also love these, though not as successful at growing these as we are the jap pumpkin or the Queensland blue pumpkin.

I have a great recipe for pumpkin and bacon soup, if you are interested, freezes well if extras.

To answer the question on the butternut growth, they usually run and will grow either on the ground or over a fence hedge or anything, growth is as a normal pumpkin, just different size, You can also pollinate them yourself, pick a male flower and strip all the petals off, find your female flower and dust it with the male flower. Great if not many bees around, You can also use a small paint brush, by first dusting over the male flower then take the pollen to the female flower and dust the paint brush laden with pollen over the inside of the flower.


Gail