When to sow squash?

[buzzingtalk]

Last year I had a few squash and pumpkin plants. I lost a massive pumpkin to the relentless summer rain while I was away (it started rotting) and a few squash too. But managed to get one full size squash, but a lot of the other ones were still too small (could fit in your hand). I wondered weither it was that they didn't have enough time to mature? I planted them straight out as seeds in May, but was wondering if you can propogate them indoors earlier so they have a longer season outdoors?

Can you do this? If so, how?

[JamesM]

I started my pumpkins off in fair sized pots in early May, in the window of my shed. They grew steadily and by the time the risk of frost had passed they were established and more than ready to go in the ground. I ended up with one enourmous pumpkin and an average size one.

I started another pumpkin sown straight into the ground a few weeks later and there were plenty of flowers and vine growth but a pumpkin never materialised.

Suprised to hear you lost one to the rain, in the early days my pumpkins could never get enough water. If you mean rotted on the soil i was advised to put a layer of straw underneath the pumpkin to stop it's contact with the soil. Having sai all this that was the first time i'd grown pumpkins, but was pretty pleased with the results

[Two_Sheds]

I planted them straight out as seeds in May

You can start them off under glass about 3 weeks before your last frost. For me that means I sow them early April for planting outside early May.
You don't want to do them earlier, because they grow very big very fast

[Jeanied]

In the south you can sow indoors in mid April and plant out in mid May. Put a stick in the ground beside where you plant it, and plant into a hole filled with very good compost. The stick indicates where to direct the water when the foliage grows up to cover where you planted (brilliant tip from another Grape, that!).

ETA - go with Two Sheds timings - she is much less haphazard than I am!

[Nicos]

Frost sensitive and size ( as the others have said) are the limiting factors- unless you have a huge polytunnel/greenhouse!!

[Florence Fennel]

I start mine off late April indoors, or in the blowaway and plant out when I think they're strong enough. I planted them in tires last year, it made the watering and feeding simple.

[Jono]

Put a stick in the ground beside where you plant it, and plant into a hole filled with very good compost. The stick indicates where to direct the water when the foliage grows up to cover where you planted (brilliant tip from another Grape, that!).
!

I do this stick thing as well. Its a brilliant tip. I also put the plant in a dip too, which keeps the water in and around the roots.

I sow my seedlings in April, and plant out in May too.

Squashes are one of my favourite things to grow. They're really tasty, attractive, expensive to buy and keep for ages.

[Kristen]

I plant a pot next to them for watering into (but a 2L bottle, upside down with the bottom sawn off, is probably better)

Squash, Courgettes, Cucumbers hate the cold - don't put them out too early, and as they grow quickly starting them early, under cover, turns into its own problem I have started them early, intentionally growing them on in large pots before planting out, but I don't think it made any difference by harvest time.

[ginger ninger]

I sow mine in late April in the house ready for planting out when the frost has passed, usually around the back end of May for us up in Yorkshire. I've had trouble getting mine to set over the past few years, so I hand pollinate now and pop a small bag over the flower so I can save the seeds. I use a 2ltr bottles at the bottom of the plant so I know where the water is going.

[Hans Mum]

I plant a pot next to them for watering into (but a 2L bottle, upside down with the bottom sawn off, is probably better)

i do this with a 2ltr bottle & a stick through the bottle to stop it blowing away

[Two_Sheds]

I plant a pot next to them for watering into (but a 2L bottle, upside down with the bottom sawn off, is probably better).

I use a 5 litre water bottle, or a Morrisons flower bucket, to water into: they're thirsty beasts

[Kristen]

Good point T.S. The flower pots I use are about 2L size, but they have large drainage holes, so by the time they are full I expect I've already given them a couple of litres! and I water my squash every day in Summer

[buzzingtalk]

when is last frost in norfolk then? i always lived in london where frost is a bit of an urban myth what with the M11 a few hundred metres away keeping my old house warm

also, on a more general tip will it harm plants if i start them off in one place then move? I live in norwich city centre and can start stuff off there and tend to it every day but i will be planting the squash at OH's mums, which is in suffolk in the countryside about 30 miles away. i need to grow them until the frost has passed, and until they are stable enough as i can't get out to suffolk very often.

also someone mentioned cucumbers - im gonna try growing a cucumber plant in norwich, have a small but sheltered and warm spot which should be ideal - would you start them off in april too?

[buzzingtalk]

Suprised to hear you lost one to the rain, in the early days my pumpkins could never get enough water. If you mean rotted on the soil i was advised to put a layer of straw underneath the pumpkin to stop it's contact with the soil. Having sai all this that was the first time i'd grown pumpkins, but was pretty pleased with the results

i think it rotted on the soil but i'd put lots of straw underneath, and even changed the straw a few times as it was very wet, but it still rotted. what sort of straw did you use? is there any other way you can do it, as straw didnt seem to work

[sarahspatch]

I always put a flat roof tile underneath my pumpkins and squashes, before they get too big. This stops them getting soggy bottoms!