I went out to the pumpkin patch yesterday to see what was developing and found that the Guatemalan Blue Banana Squash were ready to harvest, as the stems to the fruit had withered and died. I'm in Maryland, U.S.A., just north of Baltimore, for growing region reference.

I found eleven in all: 2 gigantic, a bit over two feet long at 32 and 27 pounds; 2 extra large, which I would estimate at around 15-18 pounds each; and 7 medium, estimated 8-10 pounds each. They're filling a rack in the basement where we keep the winter squash; I may have to build another rack when the cheese wheel pumpkins and blue hubbards are ready. I hope we like the taste and texture; this is the first time we've grown this variety. Well, if we don't, our sheep appreciate a good squash in the middle of winter.

They grew in an old garden section, about 25' X 50', which had lain fallow for a couple of years. I tilled it this spring, digging in a lot of compost, and set out hills spaced 6' apart, planting various varieties. I kept up with the weeding as well as a man with a full-time job can do, but eventually the weeds sprang up with the squash vines down below. I'll be retired next summer so I can take better care of the garden.

Paul