pumpkin & squash

[janeyo]

Hi when is the best time to sow pumpkin and squash, my gardening book just says 'spring' lol.

I don't have a greenhouse, but do have a cold frame.

And is it best to put them into individual pots when first sowing, or multiples in a seed tray?

Thanks

janeyo

[shirlthegirl43]

I found they get quite big quite quick but you can do 3 in a 3 inch pot if you prick them out fairly sharpish when they get the first proper leaves. Wouldn't sow them till next month if you have nowhere to keep them warm though - they can pop up overnight!

[Paul Wagland]

I'd agree it was a touch early still. I tend to sow them two seeds per cell in a module tray (the bigger cells are best, four cells in a half-size tray) and remove the weaker seedling.

[veg4681]

My earliest sown courgette was in mid Feb and it's doing fine. It spends most nights in the unheated greenhouse unless the weather forecast falls below 5 when I bring indoors. I've only just pre-germinated winter squash seeds, wrapped them in damp kitchen paper towel and sealed inside a plastic bag (as I tend to rot them if I sow them in pot of compost). By the time the seeds have sprouted and repotted (each in 3" pot), I'm sure we'll be well into April so I don't feel it's too early, just my opinion.

[spud57]

Thanks for asking that, janeyo! I have often wished planting instructions in some books etc would be a little more specific when they say " spring" or "late spring" !

[Cutecumber]

To be fair, the books say that for a reason - "spring" hits me down here at a different time than it hits someone in Liverpool, and so on. You need to understand what "spring" means, i.e. suitable temperatures for sowing and growing.

To the OP, wait til at least the first week in April for your sowing, particularly if you are using expensive seed. It is easy to wreck young plants with cold and wet conditions and they will crop perfectly well even from a late April or May sowing.

[Flummery]

By the time the seeds have sprouted and repotted (each in 3" pot), I'm sure we'll be well into April so I don't feel it's too early, just my opinion.

Well into April is still the cold season here veg4681! It isn't advisable to put anything tender outside until half past May in Yorkshire. All this depends very much on your local climate.