pumpkins & squash

[Salina]

I tried growing squash this year but it failed miserably, I'd say it was my fault though! Anyway, this/next year I want to have another go and actually get some fruit! I haven't reaslly got a clue and find squash and pumpkin growing very confusing, so could anyone provide a step-by-step guide or at least some tips on how to grow squash/pumpkins? especially when to sow the seeds, when to plant them out, also, can I leave them in pots or do they really need to be planted out? (I'm living in a fancy rental at the moment so can't really start digging the lawn up!) what sort of soil is best, will ordinary soil in the bag do? thanks!

[Cutecumber]

Salina

This summer has not been good for pumpkin and squash, so don't think it was all your fault!

You want to aim to give your plants plenty of room and a rich moist soil, wherever they end up. They like sun, but they need plenty of water so bear that in mind. Start the seed in pots - say 5 inch - in a sheltered spot at the end of April or May - they won't be happy with cold temperatures, so you'll have to be careful. They should grow pretty quickly at the start, so make sure you are ready with a nice spot for them. Don't over-water when they are young or you risk rotting the stem. Plant them up once you are happy that they are growing strongly. There are no hard and fast rules about this.

A container needs to be generous in size as they are very greedy. A mixture of compost and a rich soil (a John Innes mix) would be suitable if they are not going in the ground. I doubt if a growbag will have anywhere enough space or nutrient for a squash.

Once some fruits have formed you may want to stop the plant setting any more - this allows it to put its limited energy into a few good fruit. This is particularly important if you are growing in a restricted space. Don't be frightened to tell the plant where to grow - pinning the stalks round in a circle is a useful way of keeping it under control.

Well, that's what I did and I got some useful squashes. I generally left it to its own devices, but the summer I am thinking of was warmer than this last one!

[Salina]

thanks! what size container minimum would you recommend?
and would the normal bag soil mixed with compost/manure be rich enough? thanks!

[Cutecumber]

I've not tried them in containers, Salina. What do you mean "normal bag soil" ? Is that grow bag (compost) or loam (soil) ?

The nearest equivalent I can think of is a courgette - I have to say that I didn't get a very big crop from one I put in a 40 cm diameter (45cm deep) pot.

Have a search on the forums and see if anyone has successfully grown squash in containers.

[momol]

Hi Salina and CC,

I have grown 1 of my tiny squash ( pomme d'or) in a container (45 cm diameter) it does produce some 7 squashes ( I pinched out a lot of them). But... the same plant that is grown in ground produce some 3 times more. So it is possible ( but has to go for mini fruit type and if possible go for compact plant) and frequent extra liquid feed (per 2 weeks, manured water) and extra manure/ fertilizer.
I used compost 60% compost soil and 40%( cow) manure in the pot and occasionally they get high potassium fertilizer ( when the flowers starts to bloom).
And start the seedlings early indoor(4 to 6 weeks before the last frost) to make sure they have enough time to ripened their fruit ( the best choice will be choosing the early maturing type).

Good luck,

Momol

[Alice]

hello Salina, I've grown mine outdoors in containers with good results. The variety was Butternut squash Sprinter. I used 12" pots minimum and filled them with a mixture of compost from a growbag and manure. They like to be well fed and watered.
I start them indoors March or April to get them well started for going out when frost is past. They get big quite quickly so you can't start too early.
They are a bit prone to stem rot so don't overwater the seedlings and when you pot them on be careful not to plant them deeper than they were in the previous pot.
The only other thing about them is they are a bit fussy to harden off and faint at even a puff of warm breeze when they first go out. I make a wee fleece tent round them for the first few days of their outdoor lives and harden them off very gradually. Asides from that if you put them in a good sunny spot and feed and water well they should get on well. I got a couple of dozen this year in a terrible summer. Good luck with the project.

[Cutecumber]

Alice,

How many did fruit did you get per plant in those pots?

[Hazel at the Hill]

I got a couple of dozen this year in a terrible summer. Good luck with the project.

Well I grew three butternut squash plants - admittedly late sown - planted them out at the Hill and they took over an area 15' by 5' - and would have spread further - and yielded a grand total of ONE squash.

[Vegmonkey]

I tried to grow squash this year...and it all turned into a rotten mess! I've bought some Uchiki Kuri seeds for next year, as they are meant to grow brilliantly

[Alice]

Hello Cutecumber, I got about 4 squash from each plant. They were grown on a very sunny south facing terrace, over gravel, so little pest problem.
They were nothing like as big as last years, but useful just the same. See here.