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Post by binnylou on Jul 23, 2020 23:11:37 GMT -5
Last year, I posted about starting the personal sized butternut squash in July heat. I had great luck.
This year, I presprouted the seeds on a coffee filter in a plastic bag. Again I’m following the garlic crop with the squash. I pulled back the straw mulch, gave the planting hole a stir and added more mulched leaves. Carefully, I removed the sprouted seeds from the coffee filter and placed them on planting medium. Tucked them in and covered them with a box made of hardware cloth. With straw scattered over the top, the squash babies get protection from harsh sunshine and drying winds.
if I had more of these boxes, I’d use them for direct seeded veggies.
I checked the babies today and they look great.
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Post by Mumsey on Jul 24, 2020 3:45:57 GMT -5
I put in some yellow crookneck seed last week. They sprouted in 2 days. Also put in late crop of beans, sprouted in 3 days. I watered them everyday for 4-5 days. Now they are on their own and looking great.
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Post by gardendmpls on Jul 24, 2020 5:50:46 GMT -5
Squash loves warm soil for sprouting, but actually does better when the nights are cooler, which is why planting now for fall does so well. Also might miss those vine borers.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jul 24, 2020 6:51:24 GMT -5
Think I'll plant a new zucchini as well...Already seeing vine bore damage on the first planting. Good ideas binnylou, Mumsey, gardendmpls,
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Post by emmsmommy on Jul 24, 2020 10:00:20 GMT -5
I planted my squash seeds late then birds ate most of the seedlings so I replanted them and covered with wire. The hot weather hasn't helped as they're just now starting to grow. Planted yellow crookneck, zucchini and butternut.
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Post by SpringRain🕊️ on Jul 24, 2020 14:07:32 GMT -5
I'm glad to read of these successes. I missed the entire month of June planting b/c of the extensive cottonwood droppings, which caused me to cough and choke even with a mask. July was just hot and miserable. Hopefully August will be better, but even if it isn't, it's a lot easier to plant a few squash seeds than rows of other veggies.
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Post by Wheelgarden on Jul 24, 2020 15:45:19 GMT -5
I'm glad to read of these successes Me too. My spring plantings of yellow straightneck have done well, but are declining. Never planted it in July or August for fall, but since we like it so much, I'm going to give it a shot. Meanwhile, the spring-planted Candy Roasters are spreading and setting nicely.
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Post by gardendmpls on Jul 24, 2020 18:41:49 GMT -5
Harvested my first two squash today, a greyzinni and a raven. Roasting in the oven with a vegetable medley right now,
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Post by binnylou on Jul 25, 2020 1:09:04 GMT -5
If I were starting the squash in spring, I’d probably use a gallon jug to protect it from the weather. I think the babies might just cook under a jug with the temps we’ve been having. That’s why I like the screened shelter...it gets air movement through the sidewalls, and shelter from the sun.
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Post by James on Jul 30, 2020 10:35:50 GMT -5
Omigosh, about mid may go out in the garden and poke in some seed. I like to put 5 seeds in a spot then take two steps and put in 5 more seeds. Repeat for as many as you want. Bear in mind the vines will go out like the spokes of a wheel and you end up with a clump about 6 to 8 feet wide. So you do need some space.
That is for the crookneck and zucchini. The Hubbard, Banana and pumpkin vines grow much longer. I have seen them go to 20 feet.
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Post by breezygardener on Jul 30, 2020 18:01:54 GMT -5
There are lots of nice bush varieties available now - both summer & winter squash. I grew two plants of "Astia" zucchini in a tub & not only were they very well-behaved, but I still got more very nice delicious squash than I knew what to do with. So don't think you can't grow squash because you "need a lot of space". Not true.
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Post by tbird on Aug 9, 2020 11:26:38 GMT -5
Jul 24, 2020 at 2:07pm SpringRain said: I'm glad to read of these successes
Me too. My spring plantings of yellow straightneck have done well, but are declining. Never planted it in July or August for fall, but since we like it so much, I'm going to give it a shot. Meanwhile, the spring-planted Candy Roasters are spreading and setting nicely.
Is it too late to try one now? In chicago?
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Post by James on Aug 17, 2020 9:33:07 GMT -5
"Is it too late to try one now? In chicago?"
Seems late. One can always try. See what happens?
Please keep a notebook, and record your experiences.
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Post by tbird on Aug 19, 2020 12:35:57 GMT -5
I've decided not to try - too much going on right now. Planning a fall garden that has a good chance of success, rather than a potential experiment.
I can feel the fall in the air now, so best to wait on squash till next year.
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Post by gardendmpls on Aug 19, 2020 23:20:16 GMT -5
Planted some a few weeks ago and they are up and running. Will let you know how it works out.
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