Questions from newbie

[Sandyp]

I have had my allotment for one year now and every day come on to this site to learn and its been an amazing journey learning from everyone here, this is my first post as I have a couple of questions.....
I am growing squash and not to sure when to pick them, is it the size, the colour or do you pick them on a certain month.
I have had my kale in the ground now since sewing the seeds in the spring but have no idea when to pick them either lol.
Does anyone know if I can grow regular lettuce, I think its called cut and come again, can I grow that in the greenhouse over the winter or do I have to buy winter lettuce seeds.
Thanks
Sandy
I am just finishing up a four minute video of my first year with my allotment so I will post it later on, I have really enjoyed looking at everyone's pictures and pinched loads of idea's lol, and by the way I think you are all great helping each other out.

[Bigmallly]

Hello Sandy & welcome to the Jungle, I harvest squashes when they are of a size to my liking, I then search what they are supposed to look like & let them ripen indoors.................I'll let someone else answer your other questions............Looking forward to the Vid.

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine Sandy I grow 'Arctic king' and 'all year round' lettuce in my GH overwinter but you're a lot further south than me so you might get away with regular lettuce.

[Jay-ell]

I harvested my squash when the foliage starts to die back and the squash stem goes corky. Cut off a couple of inches of the vine either side of the stem and then pop them either into the greenhouse or on the kitchen windows sill to cure.

Kale can be harvested as soon as it's big enough to handle the loss of a leaf or two. Younger leaves are tenderer.

So where's this video then - we're a nosey bunch here.

By the way hello and welcome to the vine

[Baldy]

I've had a bit of success with regular lettuce in the unheated GH - I'm just a little to the north of you - but I had by far the best results with Reine de Glaces which is a lettuce recommended for overwintering.

Squashes and harvesting depends on whether they are WInter squash or summer squash / size / colour - as per usual there's no straight answer. My winter squash this year have already had a c. 50% slug attack that has rendered them useless - last few years the slugs have ignored them (presumably due to tough skins) - so the 50% that are good will be coming out on my next visit despite them not being as large as as it like.
Look forward to your video - welcome along (as a non-lurker now )

[Sandyp]

Thanks

Thanks so much for all of your help....Bren I will check out what they look like in the supermarket and see if mine are about the same size, and I didn't know they could ripen off the vine so that is cool.....Thanks Jay, I will have a go at cutting some of the bigger one's with a bit of the vine on, I think some of the foliage is starting to die back....and will be looking for corky vine's now lol....Baldy I have made a note of Reine de Glaces and will do a search for some seeds, that is all so helpful.
I will go and see if I can upload the video somehow, it is so nice to be part of this now and not just a lurker lol....I have been lucky all year in that when I did have a question I found someone had already posted an answer....my laptop is covered in stickies and I have filled two notebooks from everyone's advice regarding different things....I don't think there is a post on here that I haven't read lol....now I am after joining the seed circle so had better start posting.
Ok off to find video....thanks again...great advice.

[Bigmallly]

Do I look like a Bren?.........................

[Baldy]

^^^^ I imagine that's why he has a pot over his head...

[Jay-ell]

Suits you BM, you ought to keep that look.

[Cadalot]

Welcome to the madhouse, no more lurking now you are out in the open

The rules on uploading videos has just changed so I suggest you upload to YouTube and then post the link. Have a think about keeping a diary in the form of a blog it's fun and really helpful as you can build links to information that helps you, plus we like to read and see the photos as well as watch the videos.

[veggiechicken]

Hi Sandy and welcome to the Vine where we grow veggies, fruit and lots of Nuts
I was tempted to say that my laptop is covered in Stickies too - mostly from spilt red wine - but I won't as your new here
I grow cut and come again (CACA) all year round in the GH. Nothing special, just any mixes that I have - although there are some special winter mixes. I usually leave some to go to seed (because I forget them) and they self seed happily.
Rocket & landcress are brilliant for this.
Anyway, make yourself at home

[Sandyp]

Oops sorry Bigmally lol, both names began with a B, oh and Veggiechicken you did make me laugh with the wine and the stickies lol, I am glad you mentioned the cut and come again lettuce as it is my favourite with its curly leaves.
Cadalot thanks for the info on the video, I had already uploaded it to youtube so I can send it to my family so I will have a go at pasting the link.
Its four minutes long, I hope no one falls asleep lol, I would just like to add that even though hubby strimmed it for me I did dig the whole allotment myself..... it took me just over eight weeks...its a shame I couldn't have got it all done in four minutes like the video, but I have to admit the digging and planting and pleasure in all of those hours and days makes it your own...thanks again for all of your help, I am going squash picking at the weekend lol.
https://youtu.be/iWLRsm1w84g

[Jay-ell]

Fantastic video - looks like you had a brilliant first year.

[veggiechicken]

Sandy, I'd just like to say,
Everything's OK.
Amazing transformation - well done

[sparrow100]

Hello Sandy *waves* Lovely to see someone from the Island. Congrats on your first year, looks brilliant.