Growing Winter Squash in Glasgow

[Ananke]

Does anyone up here successfully grow winter squash outside?

I've tried a few times but just don't get much, if anything, back.

I've grown some nice sized BNS in the greenhouse border but don't seem to be able to grow any of the other varieties I've tried outside.

I start the seeds off in the GH around April and plant them out after the last frost in holes back filled with manure, homemade compost and a sprinkling of chicken pellets. They are fed every couple of weeks with comfey and I hand pollinate when I can.

The only one that ever produced was a tennis ball sized squash (don't remember the name) but I really want to grow bigger ones. I was thinking maybe start them off earlier in the greenhouse to give them a head start.

Any advice on varieties that might do well here?

[bario1]

Hi Ananke,

I've grown a few types over here, last year I got two decent sized Crown Prince. Others I've tried are Harlequin, Uchiki Kuri, and Thelma Saunders. I do much the same as you, except perhaps start them a little earlier, maybe mid March?

[Ananke]

Thanks Bario, it's worth a try, might even go for early March and sow more in mid March. The only other thing I can think of is a plastic cloche or maybe keep them in the GH until end of June instead of end May, get them quite big before they go out. It was such a rubbish season, weather wise, last year, I'm sure that didn't help.

I think this will be my last attempt at growing them, seems like a waste of seed and I could grow something more productive in that space.

[bario1]

They are lovely when they work though! I think it's about timing - too long in pots and they panic, plant them out too early and they perish! And of course, you have to hope for the best Scottish weather...

Oh, and a cloche is a great idea, i've got a couple of 3m long tunnel cloches that I put over my Crown Princes at the start and end of the season, and I think it made a big difference.

[Ananke]

I think I always thought the humidity in a cloche would have been a problem. I'm going to try it and thanks I wouldn't have thought to put the cloche back on at the end of the season too, makes sense

[bario1]

I put the cloches on when they were young because it was wet and windy and they weren't getting going... and at the end of the season just to maximise any sun and keep any early frosts off the fruit. Seemed to work. I left the ends of the cloches open to allow air to flow through. Luckily they were very 'linear' plants, so this worked well. Try it! And good luck. Let us know what you choose to grow and keep us updated on your progress.

[4Shoes]

They are a bit hit and miss.

Had a few 2016... only one 2017 - Was very wet

[Small pumpkin]

You might find this helpful
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ase_94803.html

[Snoop Puss]

^ I was going to recommend exactly the same thread! I learnt loads from Zelenina's contributions, so much so I've even bookmarked page 4 of the thread just to make sure I never forget it.

Good luck, Ananke.