Leggy Squash

[cuffbertt]

Last year I left it quite late to try growing anything, so this year I was all eager to get things off nice and early. I planted a few different squashes on the 2nd April, and the ones that have grown most so far have been the patty pans. They're now about 8 inches long and are growing horizontally with a couple of adult leaves on the end. They're thin and floppy and just kind of trail out of their pot towards the window.

They're growing on the kitchen table about 2-3 feet away from a west south west facing patio door in the South West. I've done a bit of reading and think that the lack of decent sunlight so far has caused them to go "leggy". I now know how to stop this next year, but I'm lost what to do with the ones I have now.

I don't know whether it would be best to harden them off this week and then plant them out in the veg patch at the weekend, or if they're too weak and leggy to survive and I should just compost them and sow some more?

[nickdub]

the best bet would be to get them as much sunlight as possible, well not getting cold.

Difficult to say how you could do this exactly not knowing your circumstances, but something like a piece of polythene over a frame on a table outside where you could place the plants during the day - then bring them back inside for the next few weeks would fit the bill.

BTW before you move them you might want to put some sticks in the containers and tie them in, as the stems can snap quite easily when they are young.

PS if we do get really strong hot sun again, be careful not to cook the plants - too much can be worse than too little

[cuffbertt]

the best bet would be to get them as much sunlight as possible, well not getting cold.

Difficult to say how you could do this exactly not knowing your circumstances, but something like a piece of polythene over a frame on a table outside where you could place the plants during the day - then bring them back inside for the next few weeks would fit the bill.

BTW before you move them you might want to put some sticks in the containers and tie them in, as the stems can snap quite easily when they are young.

PS if we do get really strong hot sun again, be careful not to cook the plants - too much can be worse than too little

Thanks nickdub Would it be a good idea to put them into a cold frame for a week or two and then plant them into the veg patch? My book says that summer squashes should be planted out quite early so maybe it's time to start hardening them off .

I don't actually have a cold frame, but it's a good excuse to build one

[SarrissUK]

I find that squashes and courgettes aren't really harmed by getting a bit leggy, or indeed laying down - they'll trail sooner or later anyway

[nickdub]

You're very welcome - a cold frame would work well, but I wouldn't leave them in it overnight until the weather gets a bit warmer - watch out for slugs BTW they are liable to attack squashes as being one of their favorites - something like ashes or soot will act as a good barrier round your pots, if you can keep it dry.

PS its possible to make a collapsible cold-frame out of rigid plastic sheets and cable ties, which can be stored flat, if you are short of space.

[4Shoes]

BTW before you move them you might want to put some sticks in the containers and tie them in, as the stems can snap quite easily when they are young.

Would that be squashed legs

Aye its fun when they do that. Just reading the planner and this is the week for squash, courgettes and co..