Cucurbit concerns

The crop that's causing me most concern this year is most definitely my squash. The harsh frosts in June meant I delayed sowing the seed until far later than usual, because I didn't have anywhere warm to sow them in pots. So while my neighbours are already revelling in a courgette glut, my plants are only just starting to come to fruition. They are in rude health, but I am not sure that they are going to have enough time to fruit and ripen now. The thought of no winter squash to see me through the cold months is not a pleasant one. I just have to hope the weather stays warm.

The second squash-related cock-up, and one that I definitely can't blame on the weather, was a labelling experiment that went horribly wrong. I thought I was being clever, marking up the names of the dozen or so varieties of squash I was trying to grow on plastic labels. Unfortunately the pen I used wasn't as permanent as it professed to be, and the writing washed off after a few days. So I have no idea what's germinated. Which I guess, looking on the bright side, does introduce a pot luck element that could be construed as fun. I think I'll try a labelling method suggested in a recent Gardeners World magazine: stencilling the name on a large, smooth pebble, which has the added advantage of the absence of the allotmenteer's curse, The Very Important Label That Blows Away.

I've also been cheered up by the unexpected emergence of some physalis plants I'd convinced myself had died when I transplanted them. They're perched in a tiny patch up against the carrot bed, crowded with self-seeded sunflowers, and I only noticed they were growing this week. In fact, I am not even totally sure these are physalis plants as I have never grown them before. Can anyone advise?

Comments

[Phillip Cook]

Hi,

Yes, that is a physalis plant! Well, it's similar to the plants we've got anyway...

We're playing "guess the squash" too, if it helps.

Best wishes,

Phill

(allotmenter, Bristol).

[Jane Perrone]

Thanks for that Phill. I've added you to my blogroll too!

[David L]

Yup, definitely Physalis but keep an eye on them cause they self seed like anyones business and are very difficult to get rid of once you have got them as I know to my cost. I have been trying to clear my front garden of them to grow other things, with limited success. The tiniest bit of root will result in a brand new plant which will bully anything else you are trying to grow into submission. Sorry to sound like the harbinger of bad news. They should be alright if you keep on top of them or plant them in a bucket or container.

David (allotmenteer, Shrewsbury)

[Jane Perrone]

Hi David

Thanks for the advice ... I only have a couple of plants right on the boundary of my plot so I hope I'll be able to contain them. I'd be interested to know if you've enjoyed the fruits, though, as an upside to this clearly troublesome plant!

[Helen Chisholm]

I wouldnn't give up on the squash yet last summer sunshine is yet to come our courgettes too were a little late going in and are just feeding us now this year I have been stuffing and frying the male flower deee..licious! But the person who does all the hard work can't think what has happened to the Butternut squash I wanted him to grow and we have some rather pathetic melons the size of tennis balls instead. Happy gardening to all.

[David L]

Do you know, I haven't even tried the fruits, for some reason assuming that the variety which I have is a purely ornamental one. I wonder if all varieties are consumable ? I inherited the plants I have got so don't actually know which variety I have, although the fruits are fairly small and tough looking. One major plus point is the skeletons in winter, which are beautiful.

[Jane Perrone]

Mine were bought as seeds specifically for growing - not sure if there are ornamental types too. Will investigate and let you know.

[Phill]

Hi Jane,

Thanks for adding us to your blogroll - we'll return the favour when we figure out how.

In the face of all the other names on there our site doesn't sound very sexy, does it? If anyone has any better ideas, I'd love to hear them. My particular little foible is the idea of mixing allotmenting with pointless business English, so if anyone wants to suggest a full rebranding - including a logo, mission statement and other flim flam - go for it.

I'm a bit concerned to hear that physalis plants turn out to be bullies. Do I take it from the postings above that people have found them to be frost tolerant?

Second question - are Future Foods still trading? Their website only has a 2004 catalogue. I'd like to buy some winter wheat (about now), and they're the only suppliers I can find, given that I don't want a lorry load. Any suggestions?

I hope FF haven't gone out of business. I've got myself all excited about the idea of trying to grow oca next year...

Best wishes

Phill

[Jane Perrone]

Hi Phill

I'll have a think about your blog name - although Horticultural isn't that inspiring as a title either!

Don't know about the frost tolerance yet as my plants are new this year.

Interesting you mention Future Foods as I'd been wondering about this myself. Perhaps I'll try dropping them an email...

jane