Squashes etc

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

I have resisted sowing much in the way of squashes/cucumbers and courgettes so far - aside from a few of the ones that state March sowing in UK packaging. Even then I managed to sit on my hands until last week and have only done a few.

I have lots of squash seeds here just waiting. I am however a bit wary of doing too many too early.

Has anyone sown any butternut or other winter squashes yet? If so what? I am eager to sow (crown prince/thelma sanders etc). I also have collective farm woman melons and a plethora of other things.

They all say April - I am eager but my gut says wait a bit longer.

[Florence Fennel]

I'm waiting too David. The squash seeds grow so vigorously I think it's worth waiting until at least the end of this month

[Thelma Sanders]

Yes, please don't sow me until the end of the month - I don't like the cold

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

Phew, you know how it is. Been working stupid hours the last month or so. Been getting withdrawl symptoms from the garden and it is stressful seeing piles of seeds you want to sow.

[Alison]

Definitely too early yet.

[bretty666]

Collective farm woman melons lol.....iv planted loads into plastic cups and have some at ten cms. i plan on growing maxi pumpkins,potirons,waltham butternut,medium pumpkins,atlantic giant ones,prince squash, patissons???,decorative gourds?? And i think thats about it..i have pregerminated most in a damp napkin placed inside a foodbag and then in a tuppaware tub in the west window...the weather here in france is pretty similar to the uks

[Alison]

iv planted loads ..........

I hope you've got lots of space to keep them warm until you can plant them out as they grow so fast you can almost see them getting bigger

[bretty666]

In the process of making cold frames...well thats my intention anyway.i have gathered my materials together so i should end up doing it. as for growing space.. iv got nearly 17,000m2 id like to supply my commune with pumpkins for halloween. pretty much all my seeds arr self saved so its nit costing anything but time

[batman]

I'm leaving mine in the box file for now, and am concentrating on slower growing, hardier plants. Squashes always grow really quickly for me, so I can't nurse them inside for too long.

[MartinRSharpe]

I've sown 2 of each of the following

Blue Hubbard
Harrier (Butternut Squash)
Spaghetti Squash
Sweet Dumpling
Pumpkin Big Max

The first 4 have all germinated in the last day or so. They will live in the spare bedroom window for a while yet and then go out into the polytunnel.