New to this! SWEET DUMPLING SQUASHES, question!

[FalconRich]

Two sheds, I just bought that book, it looks like a good read! So thanks for that! Wont those roots grow into the weeds again? interesting thought with the forests! I checked my compost today and its teeming with life! should I add the compost just before I plant stuff or after? Reading about 'leaching' currently Thanks for that link Vc! Very helpful! and hello PyreneesPlot! Unfortunately I never got a chance to go to the Pyrenees Maybe next year!

Thanks Guys!

[Two_Sheds]

Wont those roots grow into the weeds again?

Depends what kind of weeds/roots they are. Dandelions will regenerate from roots, as will grass ~ pumpkins won't.

should I add the compost just before I plant stuff or after?

Use it as a mulch.

[Rhoda]

I also have some questions about sweet dumpling squash....

1. Can you grow them in a container?

2. Do you need to pollinate each flower?

Any help would be great thanks

[rustylady]

It's my first year growing them, and mine will be going in open ground on the allotment. The fruit are small, so I presume the plant won't be huge like a pumpkin and I would think you could grow in a large container or growbag. You do need to keep on top of watering in containers though.

Pollination should be taken care of by insects.

[horticultural_hobbit]

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

This is one of the Freebies. It looks as though it is planning world domination.

[ukfapower]

World Domination achieved!

The free seeds germinated well and I put out four babies and re-homed the others. They looked so sweet when they went out and I thought they'd be small to match the fruit size. But they grew vines as big as any other variety of squash I've ever grown. I put 2 Sweet Dumpings at the south end of one bed (growing up an old climbing frame) and that was a mistake as they totally out-competed 2 x Spaghetti and 5 x Butternut Squash (Harrier).

Another bed worked out better. It had greek giant beans, normal red runner beans, 3 pattypan and a round courgette. The sweet dumplings (with a bit of redirecting) rampaged above the summer squash, below the beans and over the fence into the allotment car park It was my most productive bed of the year.

Haven't tasted them yet but if they can compete on taste as well as growth, I will definitely be growing them again but I will give them more space and they can go at the back of the bed!

[horticultural_hobbit]

Had one roasted with sweet potatoes yesterday. Couldn't tell the difference between the two; but was lovely. Mama had thrown in Rosemary and fennel seeds


www.horticulturalhobbit.com
http://twitter.com/#!/HorticulturalH
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Horti...085870?sk=info

[rustylady]

Not overly impressed, either with the growth or the taste. I think I'll pass on these next year.

Having heard others say they were dry, mushy or tasteless I cut the top off one, scooped the seeds out, added a knob of butter and a sprinkle of chilli powder, and baked in the oven with the rest of my dinner.

Taste was OK (may have been the butter and chilli), but the texture was strange.

[Two_Sheds]

Having heard others say they were dry, mushy or tasteless

Mine grew really well and were very attractive fruits, but I couldn't eat them: the flesh wasn't firm enough for me (I like a butternut squash), I'd say the flesh was mushy, slimy even