Too late for squash?

[MissC]

I've just been given some squash seeds, little gem and butternut. Is it too late to plant them for this season? Would it be better to save them for next year?

[craftymarie]

Hi, I don't think it is too late. My packet of butternet squash says you can sow March to May so you're still within that time frame I'd get sowing them now personally.

[astraman1]

stick them in pots in the green house they will soon catch up mines only been in about 2 weeks

[Snoop Puss]

Go for it. Keep them well fed and watered once they're off and you should get a crop. There's a lot to be said for sowing squash when the temperatures are warmer and the days are a bit longer. They soon catch up and fairly race away.

[MissC]

That's great! Thanks for the replies everyone!

Would squash be okay to follow potatoes? I've got a patch of earlies that will be ready in about 5 weeks.

[Kirk]

On the local Saturday markets around here there are squashes going for 70p each - I bought 2 with a courgette (£2). Just thinking that if you want a squash (or 2) then it could be easier to pick one or two up at somewhere similar. I expect that a pack of 3-4 seeds will cost as much or more.

[MissC]

On the local Saturday markets around here there are squashes going for 70p each - I bought 2 with a courgette (£2). Just thinking that if you want a squash (or 2) then it could be easier to pick one or two up at somewhere similar. I expect that a pack of 3-4 seeds will cost as much or more.

Thank you for the advice. The seeds were given to me though, so no cost there! Plus other than the standard butternut, I've never really seen any other types of squash at the farmers market or supermarket, so it'll be nice to (hopefully!) eat something I've not tried before.

[SusieG]

Go for it. Keep them well fed and watered once they're off and you should get a crop. There's a lot to be said for sowing squash when the temperatures are warmer and the days are a bit longer. They soon catch up and fairly race away.

Snoop, a quick question re feeding.
I have :2 tromboncino, 1 butternut squash, 4 pumpkins
All still in fairly smallish pots, on kitchen windowsill: some of the leaves are now not as green looking and a bit 'wilty'
Think they need feeding (with what do you suggest, if yes) and perhaps potting on?
Thanks

[astraman1]

the seeds dont cost that much i got 30 butternut seeds off ebay for about £1

from this i am planting 20

i will get anywhere from 60-100 squash from these

which will see me through the winter

[SusieG]

i will get anywhere from 60-100 squash from these

which will see me through the winter

So, do you like butternut squash ....?

[Alison]

the seeds dont cost that much i got 30 butternut seeds off ebay for about £1

from this i am planting 20

i will get anywhere from 60-100 squash from these

which will see me through the winter

What type are you growing and have you grown them before? Assuming you're in the UK, you MIGHT be being rather optimistic re cropping rates as they don't often do so well as other types of squash in the UK as our climate isn't quite right. If you can get that many then can you share your secret . Not that I'd have enough room to grow 20 with everything else I have on my lottie.

[sparrow100]

What type are you growing and have you grown them before? Assuming you're in the UK, you MIGHT be being rather optimistic re cropping rates as they don't often do so well as other types of squash in the UK as our climate isn't quite right. If you can get that many then can you share your secret . Not that I'd have enough room to grow 20 with everything else I have on my lottie.

I get 3-5 butternuts per plant if I feed them properly, so that estimate sounds about right to me. Not that I can grow that many ere either! (or eat that many!!)

[Alison]

I get 3-5 butternuts per plant if I feed them properly, so that estimate sounds about right to me. Not that I can grow that many ere either! (or eat that many!!)

What variety do you grow? Maybe it's because you're a lot further south but I've given up on butternuts these days as the yield has been well down on other squashes for me unless we get a heat wave style summer that is nice and long. They just seem more choosy than other squashes.

[SusieG]

a quick question re feeding.
I have :2 tromboncino, 1 butternut squash, 4 pumpkins
All still in fairly smallish pots, on kitchen windowsill: some of the leaves are now not as green looking and a bit 'wilty'
Think they need feeding (with what do you suggest, if yes) and perhaps potting on?
Thanks

Help re the above - any of you squash growers, please!

[Kirk]

Only offered the idea as usually the seeds are sort of £1 for 3 and maybe 5 if lucky. Where I visit have them at 3 for £2 and they are a couple of inches high with a good set of leaves. Sort of instant plant. I ended up with 2 good squash and a courgette, all for the £2.

At that price anything that I fail with - like my squash's - means I can cheat and purchase one/two. Suppose it also basically means that for some items where I want just one or two it is easier. Sowing say 5 or 6 squash means I could end up with 5 or 6 and I do not reallistically want that many.

Still trying to decide where to plant the 2 I have. One option is to build another raised bed and drop them in that.