Crown prince question for Two Sheds....or

[muckdiva]

anyone else who knows about Crown Prince squashes....

I've got two Crown Prince squashes on a vine which was planted out fairly late (July I think). The squashes look ready, shiny gray, but I'm not sure how I'd tell if they are ripe? Any ideas for a failsafe method. I'm a bit worried they'll get frosted if I leave them on much longer... fleece has been suggested - could that work?

I know TS harvested a Crown Prince Squash not long ago and said it tasted unripe, and would be leaving the others to harvest later.....wondered whether said squashes had now ripened ok?

[Marfax]

Try rapping on the squash with your knuckles. If ripe it should have a deep hollow wooden sound. I would imagine that the leaves are probably dying back and or going pretty mildewed. If so there probably isn't a lot more growth going to occur no matter what the state of ripeness and as you say you wouldn't want a frost to catch them.

I usually cut squash with a "T" piece of vine i.e. leaving the squash's stem attached to the vine cut the vine bout 2" either side. Hope this makes sense.

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SQUASH

Regards,
Marfax

[pigletwillie]

As above but get them in soon. They will keep until spring if kept in a cool place. They are one of my favourites.

[Brengirl]

How and where do I get the seed for Crown Prince. I presume it's a winter squash. Is it like butternut? I can't offer to swap cos I havn't anything you may be interested in.

[organic]

Brengirl,
I'm sure many other places sell them, but I do know Garden Organic sell them (they are seeds from non-organic plants but not treated with anything after harvest) for £2.71 a pack of 10 seeds.

The Organic Gardening Catalogue

Garden Organic sell organically grown seed wherever possible, but where that's not available they take seed that isn't from an organic source but don't treat them with chemicals to control things like fungus or storage pests.
Again, there will be other places to get it, but that's one.

[Brengirl]

Thank you Organic. I bought some Waltham seeds back from S. Africa a few years back. They were very successful considering the size of my garden. Since then, however, all squashes have developed mildew which put me off a bit. I will give the Crown Prince a go and look forward to pronouncing a success.

[organic]

Just had a quick flick through the G.O. catalogue I have here and it mentions that "White Large" is "very resistant to diseases".
I don't know if that's what mildew is counted as here but it could be worth a go.
"Medium-sized variety (3-5kg) with re-orange flesh."
10 organic seeds for £2.71

[Brengirl]

Just had a quick flick through the G.O. catalogue I have here and it mentions that "White Large" is "very resistant to diseases".
I don't know if that's what mildew is counted as here but it could be worth a go.
"Medium-sized variety (3-5kg) with re-orange flesh."
10 organic seeds for £2.71

Thanks for time and trouble

[organic]

No trouble at all...
It's not like I don't thoroughly enjoy poring over the catalogue anyway.

In fact, I'm now looking at all the pumpkins and squashes and deciding which ones to grow on my allotment!

[Two_Sheds]

I've brought my remaining 3 Crown Princes home, but not dared to eat them yet (I'm a bit punkinned out, tbh)

[muckdiva]

Thank you all for the advice, next dry day and in they come.

[Brengirl]

How and where do I get the seed for Crown Prince. I presume it's a winter squash. Is it like butternut? I can't offer to swap cos I havn't anything you may be interested in.

I have just bought a 1kg crown prince from our local Farm Shop for £1.90. I am hoping to eat it and save seed. Is it best to ferment first then dry and does anyone freeze the seed for a short time?

[northepaul]

I have just bought a 1kg crown prince from our local Farm Shop for £1.90. I am hoping to eat it and save seed. Is it best to ferment first then dry and does anyone freeze the seed for a short time?

Ooh me too...must be a glut of them on the south coast at the moment,
£1.99 at the farm shop....couldnt resist

Please let me know how you are going to cook it?
Thea

[piskieinboots]

....

Please let me know how you are going to cook it?
Thea

I have made risotto which was really yummy, soups, straight roasting - all have been really good

[HayleyB]

I've got Marina's on the table outside and still about 8/10 Winter Festivals still to use that are inside but like TS I'm a bit pumpkined out as well. The Marinas'll be coming in when it's dry and then we'll be pumped up again