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Butternut Squash
Do the growing tips need to be pinched out?
Natalie |
Butternut Squash
"Natalie" wrote in message Do the growing tips need to be pinched out? Didn't when I grew them and we got a superb crop. Ran everywhere though. -- Bob www.pooleygreengrowers.org.uk/ about an Allotment site in Runnymede fighting for it's existence. |
Butternut Squash
" Didn't when I grew them and we got a superb crop. Ran everywhere though. Thanks for the reply Bob. I'm growing them at school...they'll be able to chase the children ;-) Couldn't understand why the ones inside the school were being eaten until I found a slug in a pot. God knows how it got there! Natalie |
Butternut Squash
In article , "Sue & Bob Hobden" writes: | | "Natalie" wrote in message | Do the growing tips need to be pinched out? | | Didn't when I grew them and we got a superb crop. Ran everywhere though. I have never got anything. They are very iffy in the UK, as they need a fairly hot summer - C. moschata needs one only slightly hotter than C. maxima, but the UK is very borderline. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Butternut Squash
"Nick wrote in message | Do the growing tips need to be pinched out? | | Didn't when I grew them and we got a superb crop. Ran everywhere though. I have never got anything. They are very iffy in the UK, as they need a fairly hot summer - C. moschata needs one only slightly hotter than C. maxima, but the UK is very borderline. I was under that impression too Nick, but having saved some seed from a Sainsbury's bought BS I planted them as per other cucurbits and they grew well producing fruit exactly the same as is for sale at the supermarket. The best one grew out of seed that had been in the compost bin; I plant all cucurbits in a bin sized hole filled with compost and when the original incumbent, a Marrow, died (Virus I think) the BS simply germinated from in the compost and grew alarmingly producing 9 full sized fruit. Best stored for 3 months before use to develop their flavour though, but then that's the same for most cucurbits. -- Bob www.pooleygreengrowers.org.uk/ about an Allotment site in Runnymede fighting for it's existence. |
Butternut Squash
In article ,
Sue & Bob Hobden wrote: "Nick wrote in message | Do the growing tips need to be pinched out? | | Didn't when I grew them and we got a superb crop. Ran everywhere though. I have never got anything. They are very iffy in the UK, as they need a fairly hot summer - C. moschata needs one only slightly hotter than C. maxima, but the UK is very borderline. I was under that impression too Nick, but having saved some seed from a Sainsbury's bought BS I planted them as per other cucurbits and they grew well producing fruit exactly the same as is for sale at the supermarket. The best one grew out of seed that had been in the compost bin; I plant all cucurbits in a bin sized hole filled with compost and when the original incumbent, a Marrow, died (Virus I think) the BS simply germinated from in the compost and grew alarmingly producing 9 full sized fruit. Well, I have failed several times. What I can't say is that I have failed in years when I have done well with other cucurbits, but I got SOME fruit from the others and none from the butternuts. Yes, that's how I got my seed, too .... Actually, I don't like them all that much, anyway - too sweet, slippery and sickly - I much prefer hubbards. The same thing goes for the orange versus white sweet potatoes, but you can't get the latter around here any more :-( Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Butternut Squash
"Sue & Bob Hobden" pushed briefly to the
front of the queue on Mon, 12 May 2003 23:05:14 +0100, and nailed this to the shed door: ^ ^ "Natalie" wrote in message ^ Do the growing tips need to be pinched out? ^ ^ ^ Didn't when I grew them and we got a superb crop. Ran everywhere though. Exactly what he said, except we didn't get a superb crop. Three or four good fruits and dozens of proto-fruits. Andy -- sparge at globalnet point co point uk "There's no better way to get to know a man's character than to get him tight and see how he talks then" Nevil Shute, "So disdained" |
Butternut Squash
"Nick wrote in message Actually, I don't like them all that much, anyway - too sweet, slippery and sickly - I much prefer hubbards. I think Sacha and Ray are rather nice too. :-) The same thing goes for the orange versus white sweet potatoes, but you can't get the latter around here any more :-( Oh! Real sweet potatoes (and fried plantain) takes me back!!! I can almost hear the Reggae band and smell that smoke. :-) -- Bob www.pooleygreengrowers.org.uk/ about an Allotment site in Runnymede fighting for it's existence. |
Butternut Squash
Have you tried growing sweet potatoes on your own? It is a challenge and
rewarding when you dig them up and find that you have suceeded. I still have some and some butternut squash from last fall in my storage room. I grow both on raised rows. Easier to keep watered, weeded, and they dont suffer from too much moisture. Dwayne "Sue & Bob Hobden" wrote in message ... "Nick wrote in message Actually, I don't like them all that much, anyway - too sweet, slippery and sickly - I much prefer hubbards. I think Sacha and Ray are rather nice too. :-) The same thing goes for the orange versus white sweet potatoes, but you can't get the latter around here any more :-( Oh! Real sweet potatoes (and fried plantain) takes me back!!! I can almost hear the Reggae band and smell that smoke. :-) -- Bob www.pooleygreengrowers.org.uk/ about an Allotment site in Runnymede fighting for it's existence. |
Butternut Squash
" I was under that impression too Nick, but having saved some seed from a Sainsbury's bought BS I planted them as per other cucurbits and they grew well producing fruit exactly the same as is for sale at the supermarket. The best one grew out of seed that had been in the compost bin; I plant all cucurbits in a bin sized hole filled with compost and when the original incumbent, a Marrow, died (Virus I think) the BS simply germinated from in the compost and grew alarmingly producing 9 full sized fruit. Best stored for 3 months before use to develop their flavour though, but then that's the same for most cucurbits. Got my seeds from that source too ;-) Currently they are all growing in individual pots but will plant some out as soon as we've weeded a suitable area. We are also growing tomatoes from a Sainsbury's tomato and peppers. The object was for the children to see the food cycle. Does anyone know why the green pepper seeds didn't germinate but the red pepper ones did? Is because they were not ripe? Natalie |
Butternut Squash
In article , "Dwayne" writes: | Have you tried growing sweet potatoes on your own? It is a challenge and | rewarding when you dig them up and find that you have suceeded. I still | have some and some butternut squash from last fall in my storage room. | | I grow both on raised rows. Easier to keep watered, weeded, and they dont | suffer from too much moisture. You're not posting from the UK, right? Our problem is that our summers are usually cool and the period of high light is very short, which means that it is already getting dark by the time that squash set fruit. Sweet potatoes are virtually impossible, as they need a long growing season, and even winter squashes are borderline. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Butternut Squash
In article , "Natalie" writes: | | We are also growing tomatoes from a Sainsbury's tomato and peppers. The | object was for the children to see the food cycle. | | Does anyone know why the green pepper seeds didn't germinate but the red | pepper ones did? Is because they were not ripe? Almost certainly, though they MAY have been gamma irradiated to increase their storage life. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Butternut Squash
On 14 May 2003 07:22:42 GMT, Nick Maclaren wrote:
In article , "Natalie" writes: | | We are also growing tomatoes from a Sainsbury's tomato and peppers. The | object was for the children to see the food cycle. | | Does anyone know why the green pepper seeds didn't germinate but the red | pepper ones did? Is because they were not ripe? Almost certainly, though they MAY have been gamma irradiated to increase their storage life. Pepper seeds, like chillies, like it pretty warm to germinate, and can often take 3 or 4 weeks to even show any signs of life. I try and keep mine above 20°C. Better even warmer. Try some in the airing- cupboard. I suspect the green ones weren't ripe though, as Nick says. Soaking them overnight in luke-warm or cool water often speedsthings up a bit. Sometimes they can germinate in a day or two then. Tim. |
Butternut Squash
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Butternut Squash
You should try them roasted - cut them lengthways into 4, scoop out the
seeds, sprinkle with olive oil & roast at 180C for about 1/2 hour or so. Delicious with lamb dishes. Also great on the BBQ - cut in half, de-seed, oil & season (you can stuff them with tomatoes etc if you like), wrap in foil & bake. Jayne "Nick Maclaren" wrote in message ... Actually, I don't like them all that much, anyway - too sweet, slippery and sickly - I much prefer hubbards. The same thing goes for the orange versus white sweet potatoes, but you can't get the latter around here any more :-( |
Butternut Squash
In article , "Jayne" writes: | You should try them roasted - cut them lengthways into 4, scoop out the | seeds, sprinkle with olive oil & roast at 180C for about 1/2 hour or so. | Delicious with lamb dishes. Also great on the BBQ - cut in half, de-seed, | oil & season (you can stuff them with tomatoes etc if you like), wrap in | foil & bake. They are STILL sickly! I agree that roasting improves them, but I don't like their texture and I don't like that level of sweetness with no corresponding 'bite' (whether acid or something else). Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Butternut Squash
"Jayne" wrote in message ... You should try them roasted - cut them lengthways into 4, scoop out the seeds, sprinkle with olive oil & roast at 180C for about 1/2 hour or so. Delicious with lamb dishes. Also great on the BBQ - cut in half, de-seed, oil & season (you can stuff them with tomatoes etc if you like), wrap in foil & bake. Cut in half, roast on BBQ , scoop out the middle, mix with stilton and toasted pine nuts put back into the skin, place back on BBQ to warm through. Mark |
Butternut Squash
On Tue, 13 May 2003 23:15:42 +0100, Sue & Bob Hobden wrote:
I think Sacha and Ray are rather nice too. :-) Curried, barbecued, or stir-fried? What kind of sauce? With noodles, rice, or spuds? -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
Butternut Squash
"Jayne" pushed briefly to the front of the
queue on Wed, 14 May 2003 09:53:05 +0000 (UTC), and nailed this to the shed door: ^ You should try them roasted - cut them lengthways into 4, scoop out the ^ seeds, sprinkle with olive oil & roast at 180C for about 1/2 hour or so. You mean naked? (Yes, the squash, not the chef). Only I'm still trying to do one at the moment - I cut it in half to deseed it, filled the little cavity with a few sliced fried mushrooms, reassembled and wrapped it in silver foil, and put it in the oven in a dish at 180C... 45 minutes later, it's hot, but still completely uncooked. ^ Delicious with lamb dishes. Also great on the BBQ - cut in half, de-seed, ^ oil & season (you can stuff them with tomatoes etc if you like), wrap in ^ foil & bake. Breaking news - After 2 and a quarter hours, it was definitely cooked. Over-cooked, actually. But not terribly overcooked. So I reckon maybe an hour and a half compared to your half an hour. Hard to believe that the difference in the two ways of presenting the squash in the oven can account for a factor of three in cooking time - did you really mean half an hour? Andy -- sparge at globalnet point co point uk "Personally, I would rather share the road with a good driver with 80mg/l than some of the clowns I see every day cold sober" Martin Dixon, uk.rec.sheddizen |
Butternut Squash
"Andy Spragg" wrote in message ... "Jayne" pushed briefly to the front of the queue on Wed, 14 May 2003 09:53:05 +0000 (UTC), and nailed this to the shed door: Breaking news - After 2 and a quarter hours, it was definitely cooked. Over-cooked, actually. But not terribly overcooked. So I reckon maybe an hour and a half compared to your half an hour. Hard to believe that the difference in the two ways of presenting the squash in the oven can account for a factor of three in cooking time - did you really mean half an hour? Definitely only takes half an hour on the BBQ Mark |
Butternut Squash
"Nick wrote in message "Dwayne" writes: | Have you tried growing sweet potatoes on your own? It is a challenge and | rewarding when you dig them up and find that you have suceeded. I still | have some and some butternut squash from last fall in my storage room. | | I grow both on raised rows. Easier to keep watered, weeded, and they dont | suffer from too much moisture. You're not posting from the UK, right? Our problem is that our summers are usually cool and the period of high light is very short, which means that it is already getting dark by the time that squash set fruit. Sweet potatoes are virtually impossible, as they need a long growing season, and even winter squashes are borderline. Marshalls do sell slips of a sweet potato that has been bred to grow in cooler climates like ours. I tried them last year and unfortunately they were delivered over one month too late. Did get some small SP's but the slugs holed them all, even worse than normal spuds. I haven't bothered this year. -- Bob www.pooleygreengrowers.org.uk/ about an Allotment site in Runnymede fighting for it's existence. |
Butternut Squash
In article , Andy Spragg
writes "Jayne" pushed briefly to the front of the queue on Wed, 14 May 2003 09:53:05 +0000 (UTC), and nailed this to the shed door: ^ You should try them roasted - cut them lengthways into 4, scoop out the ^ seeds, sprinkle with olive oil & roast at 180C for about 1/2 hour or so. You mean naked? (Yes, the squash, not the chef). Only I'm still trying to do one at the moment - I cut it in half to deseed it, filled the little cavity with a few sliced fried mushrooms, reassembled and wrapped it in silver foil, and put it in the oven in a dish at 180C... 45 minutes later, it's hot, but still completely uncooked. ^ Delicious with lamb dishes. Also great on the BBQ - cut in half, de-seed, ^ oil & season (you can stuff them with tomatoes etc if you like), wrap in ^ foil & bake. Breaking news - After 2 and a quarter hours, it was definitely cooked. Over-cooked, actually. But not terribly overcooked. So I reckon maybe an hour and a half compared to your half an hour. Hard to believe that the difference in the two ways of presenting the squash in the oven can account for a factor of three in cooking time - did you really mean half an hour? I find wrapping in foil really lengthens cooking time. That and reassembling it, and adding the margin of error associated with the words 'or so' and you could easily turn half an hour into an hour and a half! And maybe your squash was bigger than hers ;-) -- Kay Easton Edward's earthworm page: http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm |
Butternut Squash
In article ,
Sue & Bob Hobden wrote: "Nick wrote in message Sweet potatoes are virtually impossible, as they need a long growing season, and even winter squashes are borderline. Marshalls do sell slips of a sweet potato that has been bred to grow in cooler climates like ours. I tried them last year and unfortunately they were delivered over one month too late. Did get some small SP's but the slugs holed them all, even worse than normal spuds. I haven't bothered this year. Sorry, but no. They are bred to grow in cooler climates, but not like ours. That means (say) 40 degrees north, as distinct from where they are normally grown. Marshalls are usually a bit less economical with the truth in their blurb. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Butternut Squash
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Butternut Squash
"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message ... In article , "Dwayne" writes: | Have you tried growing sweet potatoes on your own? It is a challenge and | rewarding when you dig them up and find that you have suceeded. I still | have some and some butternut squash from last fall in my storage room. | | I grow both on raised rows. Easier to keep watered, weeded, and they dont | suffer from too much moisture. You're not posting from the UK, right? Our problem is that our summers I live in Kansas. My butternut squash have sprouted and will go into the ground in about 10 days. They will be ready to pick in August or Sept. They taste better if left on the vine until the stem has died and got completely dry. If my sweet potato slips hurry up, I will pull them and plant them about the same time. I leave them in the ground until just before the first frost. If your growing season is short, they may be smaller, but it would be interesting to try. Normally peanuts, artichoke, sweet potatoes, and celery are not grown in Kansas. I have all of them planted (celery and peanuts are in the garden, they rest are in pots or the hot house and will go out by the first of June). My aunt said that my grandpa used to raise peanuts here, and I know my mom raised sweet potatoes from slips she bought. I raise my own slips (you can to). are usually cool and the period of high light is very short, which means that it is already getting dark by the time that squash set fruit. I have seen a lot of stuff that was grown in Alaska that I couldnt believe. It is worth a try at least once. All else fails, plant the sweet potatoes in pots or buckets and bring them inside if you have to till tiem to pick (I have done that also - one potato grew per pot). Have fun. Dwayne Sweet potatoes are virtually impossible, as they need a long growing season, and even winter squashes are borderline. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Butternut Squash
In article , "Dwayne" writes: | | I live in Kansas. My butternut squash have sprouted and will go into the | ground in about 10 days. They will be ready to pick in August or Sept. | They taste better if left on the vine until the stem has died and got | completely dry. Quite. Now compare your latitude (which affects the amount of light) and average temperatures in June, July and August with the UK. | If my sweet potato slips hurry up, I will pull them and plant them about the | same time. I leave them in the ground until just before the first frost. | If your growing season is short, they may be smaller, but it would be | interesting to try. It isn't JUST that it is short, but it is also cool, and often dark. Spring and autumn are warm enough to grow many plants, but too dark for the high-altitude subtropicals to thrive. Don't ask about the winter :-( | are usually cool and the period of high light is very short, which | means that it is already getting dark by the time that squash set | fruit. | | I have seen a lot of stuff that was grown in Alaska that I couldnt believe. | It is worth a try at least once. All else fails, plant the sweet potatoes | in pots or buckets and bring them inside if you have to till tiem to pick (I | have done that also - one potato grew per pot). Sweet potatoes? It might surprise you that Alaska's summer in the more populated areas is not that much colder or darker than the UK. The differences are in the winters. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Butternut Squash
"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message ... Sweet potatoes? It might surprise you that Alaska's summer in the more populated areas is not that much colder or darker than the UK. The differences are in the winters. When you mean darker are you refering to the amount of light (as in it's allways cloudy) not actually the daylight hours as in the further north you go the more you get (in the summer)? Mark |
Butternut Squash
In article , "Mark" writes: | "Nick Maclaren" wrote in message | ... | | Sweet potatoes? It might surprise you that Alaska's summer in the | more populated areas is not that much colder or darker than the UK. | The differences are in the winters. | | When you mean darker are you refering to the amount of light (as in it's | allways cloudy) not actually the daylight hours as in the further north you | go the more you get (in the summer)? The former. But, despite the longer days, you lose out even in summer, because the angle drops. However, the insolation in the UK in high summer is not bad - the problem is that means the latter half of May, June and July, and things like squashes don't START ripening until the sunlight has become very weak. The same applies to Alaska. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Butternut Squash
"Nick Maclaren" wrote in message ... In article , "Mark" writes: | "Nick Maclaren" wrote in message | ... | | Sweet potatoes? It might surprise you that Alaska's summer in the | more populated areas is not that much colder or darker than the UK. | The differences are in the winters. | | When you mean darker are you refering to the amount of light (as in it's | allways cloudy) not actually the daylight hours as in the further north you | go the more you get (in the summer)? The former. But, despite the longer days, you lose out even in summer, because the angle drops. However, the insolation in the UK in high summer is not bad - the problem is that means the latter half of May, June and July, and things like squashes don't START ripening until the sunlight has become very weak. The same applies to Alaska. So what are the chances of growing them in a south facing conservatory in "Sunny" Shropshire, and if so how early would they need to be started. Mark |
Butternut Squash
In article ,
Mark wrote: So what are the chances of growing them in a south facing conservatory in "Sunny" Shropshire, and if so how early would they need to be started. Good. I would advise starting them as soon as the conservatory starts becoming actively warm. But they would take over quite a big one! Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
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