Squash Advice

[Telford Grower]

Hi all,

This is my first (and I guarantee not my last) post on this forum as I have been reading for a couple of days and have become addicted

I've created some raised beds in the garden and in one I was hoping to do sweetcorn with French climbing beans and some squashes as was on the TV the other day.

I was hoping someone could provide some advice on suitable squash varieties that will not take up much room? I'd ideally like 2 / 3 varieties but only have a 10 x 4 foot bed - is this enough space ?

I tried Butternut (I love the taste) last year with no success (isn't it frustrating when the packet describes as easy to grow!! ) and this seemed to take over, with the fruits developing before just dropping off before they had reached any size at all !

Hopefully someone will be able to provide some tips on whether this is a good idea and recommend some varieties.

Many thanks

[shirlthegirl43]

Hello and welcome to the vine Telford Grower.

Sorry, can't help with your query - going to try growing squash for the first time this year. I am sure some expert squashers will be along before much time has passed though.

[Two_Sheds]

My 2005 Butternuts were terrific - got about a dozen off 3 plants. 2006 - not a sausage (drought?). Trying again this year, & planting them over a bean trench type thingy

[Mrs Dobby]

Welcome to the vine Telford Grower, hope you enjoy it as much as the rest of us grapes!

Sorry I cant advise what varieties to grow, as its going to be our first year growing squashes too! We've plummed for some Butternut Squash (both bought Ponca and some saved seed) and 2 types of pumpkin, (bought Ghost Rider and some saved seed). We're going to be growing them separately aswell as a part of the 3 sisters bed, (with Ovation F1 sweetcorn and Borlotti beans).

Anyhows, I'm sure one of the more experienced grapes will be along shortly with an answer or three!

[Two_Sheds]

fruit dropping off

I tried Butternut with no success: the fruits developed before just dropping off before they had reached any size at all !

Fruit will drop off squash if the flowers haven't been pollinated. Or it could be the disease 'blossom blight'

[Telford Grower]

cheers for the welcome everyone

[welsh veg grower]

I had the same issue last year with pumpkins. When you say about pollinating I think that could have been my issue as they were at the end of the poly and not likely to get natural pollination. Should I a) put them outside or b) can I hand pollinate???

[Mrs Dobby]

You could try both!

Hand pollinate any inside the polytunnel (just remove a mature male flower and push it inside the mature female flower, rub it around and you should get pollination), and try growing some outside aswell!

Can never have too many pumpkins!

[Two_Sheds]

I've just been onto Real Seeds and found a smaller butternut variety, doesn't sprawl as much as usual...
http://www.realseeds.co.uk/wintersquash.html

[Raised Beds]

Found these links that might help growing squashes in a raised bed.
http://greenleaf.uncg.edu/photo_albu...lis_squash.htm
http://greenleaf.uncg.edu/photo_albu...op_trellis.htm
Squashes are very much desert plants and I reckon like to grow outside in hot weather.

[jools]

Welocme TG & thanks for the question. I'll be trying to grow squash for the first time too. Thanks for the links guys, found them both very useful.
Jools

[Elmo]

I'm going to be doing winter squash for the first time this year as well, fingers crossed it all goes well but at least with so many of us having a go we should be able to help each other out, even if this years not great we should be experts by next year

[welsh veg grower]

Thanks for the help with making my squashes and pumpkins grow in the polytunnel.

[lyndap]

I to live in Telford,and last year was a waste of time for my butternut squash,but the year before was great!I'm planning to grow one plant to a large tub this year and use a spare mini greenhouse frame to grow it up.I've just brought 'winter festivel f1'.Has anyone else grown this type?

[wellie]

This year I'm doing my usual Butternut 'Sprinter', Crown Prince, Uchiki Kuri, Buttercup, Baby Bear, Turks Turban and Sweet Dumpling.

Like most of you, I shall be doing a Three Sisters Bed combination for the first time.

So, if it helps, my Sweetcorn variety is 'Incredible', the Climbing French Beans are (sorry, I've lost the varietal name) but they're a flat-podded yellow one, much like a Runner Bean in shape, which I bought from Franchi Seeds, and the Squashes/Pumpkins at their feet will be Turks Turban and Crown Prince.