5 Of The Best Pumpkins And Squash To Grow

This season is associated with carved Jack O’Lantern pumpkins and spooky goings on, but here are some alternative gourd varieties to try, says GYO’s Laura Hillier

Always an impressive plant on the vegetable patch pumpkins and squashes are fascinating to watch as they grow from tiny seeds, to little green seedlings, right through to enormous monster plants with their variety of fruits in a range of sizes, shapes and colours. If you have a small garden, though, there are still options for you! Most varieties will grow happily in free-draining soil in a sunny spot with partial shade. They can be greedy when it comes to feeding and watering, but in general are really simple crops to grow, and crop reliably given adequate space and care. Dig in some well-rotted manure before you begin, but make sure this is broken down and not fresh, otherwise it can scorch the plants. As with any crop, research different varieties before you buy your seeds to make sure what you choose will suit your space, but there are so many different varieties and families of squash, whatever your tastes and garden needs. Here are some of our top choices, showing off the exciting and varied world of pumpkins and squash!

1 Butternut squash

Height: 45cm
Spread: 150cm

A classic on allotment plots, butternut squash are generous, rambling plants that produce fruits with delicious, creamy and sweet orange flesh – ideal for soup making. They also store well, provided the fruits are undamaged, so you can enjoy them right through the autumn – however, the skins are quite thin, so do make sure any with any knocks or splits are used first, and the others are stored in a cool, frost-free environment. Sow the seeds in early April and plant out after the risk of frosts have passed.

2 ‘Crown Prince’

Height: 35cm
Spread: 200cm

This squash is a real stunner, and a personal favourite, with its steely grey/green skin, and vibrant orange flesh. The flavour is slightly nutty, and the flesh is thick – making excellent curries, stews and thick, filling soups. It is also rarely available in shops, so growing your own gives you the opportunity to make the most of this gourmet veg. Sow seeds under cover in April-May, and plant out after the risk of frosts have passed.

3 ‘Jack Be Little’

Height: 45cm
Spread: 200cm

If you fancy growing the classic pumpkin but don’t have the space, this is the perfect solution for you, as they can be trained to climb vertically – and they are great for young gardeners, too! If you will be growing vertically, you will need to build a frame, and it is a good idea to pinch out the growing tips once it reaches the top. This encourages the plant to put its energy into the fruits, rather than just making for foliage on the plant. They are great for serving as individual portions.

4 ‘Spaghetti Squash’

Height: 45cm
Spread: 200cm

This squash may not look like anything special on the outside, but the inside is a different story. The unique flesh inside the fruits separates into individual, spaghetti-like strands. Sow under cover, March-May and plant out once all risk of frosts have passed. Once fruits start to form, thin out the weaker specimens to allow up to seven of the strongest ones to grow on. Harvest when the skins have turned a golden yellow, and make sure they have been picked before the first frosts.

5 ‘Turk’s Turban’

Height: 45cm
Spread: 200cm

Extremely distinctive in shape and almost looking like an ornamental gourd rather than edible, these delicious winter squashes are perfect for roasting, baking, or making into hearty winter soups. They will be a real talking point on the plot! They also keep well. As these are quite large fruits and use a lot of the plant’s energy to grow and ripen, pinch out the weaker fruitlets and choose five to continue growing on to full size. Harvest once the fruits have reached full size and colour, and sound hollow when you knock on the skin.

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