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Post by desertwoman on Jul 11, 2023 22:27:22 GMT -5
This year is looking to be one of those bad garden years. Today I went out to the veggie garden to do my morning check and my sugar pie pumpkin plant is dead. I had planted 6 seeds. 3 sprouted and then two of those 3 got eaten. Today the last one was chowed down. I have had netting, anchored around the edges, over it to protect it and it was just starting to take off. The main stem has been chewed and so all the life has been sucked out of it. It's July 11- do you think it's too late to re-seed (in another spot) or do I need to give up on our traditional Thanksgiving pumpkin pie from the garden? This, along with the very slow growing chiles and tomatoes isn't making for an abundant garden this year. Not to mention the short lettuce season that bolted weeks before it usually does. Oh and green beans that are-at best- 35% germination  |
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Post by pepperhead212 on Jul 11, 2023 23:07:28 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about your bad luck with that pumpkin. I'm sure it's too late for pumpkins, but here's an idea - though I only grew these once, something that you can substitute for pumpkin is butternut squash, and a variety that produces very early is Butterbush, by Burpee, so you should be able to find it. I didn't grow it again only because they were smaller than the usual ones I grow, but they were ripened about 2 months earlier than regular ones. Something to think about, and maybe compare the days to harvest they list, compared to other, similar bush type butternuts. The flesh in butternuts is fantastic in place of pumpkin.
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Post by Mumsey on Jul 12, 2023 5:51:11 GMT -5
desertwoman , That's disappointing, I know how you love those pumpkins! Do you think it was a critter or insects? I would go for pepperhead212 , suggestions. I've used various winter squashes in place of pumpkin with great success, even "pumpkin" bars. On the bright side, you did get some good garlic!
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Post by desertwoman on Jul 12, 2023 9:02:25 GMT -5
Do you think it was a critter or insects? It had to have been insects. I had netting anchored down around it and it was not disturbed at all. I just don't know what kind it could have been.This has never happened before. I'm going to check my favorite nursery to see if there is, by chance, a pumpkin start waiting for me. Otherwise I will look for early butternut (or other winter) squash seed . |
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jul 12, 2023 9:18:29 GMT -5
t's July 11- do you think it's too late to re-seed (in another spot) or do I need to give up on our traditional Thanksgiving pumpkin pie from the garden? I would try if I found 1. And with weather being what is it there may be a later frost date this year. |
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Post by datgirl on Jul 12, 2023 9:20:18 GMT -5
Aww@desertwoman,that's too bad,but I know how you feel. My cucumbers got mowed down early, so they are now just starting to climb. Our peach tree has very few peaches. Not sure if it was the drought and a cold snap we had in the spring, but I'm so disappointed we won't have many this year. Hopefully you can find a substitute for your pumpkin.
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Post by gianna on Jul 12, 2023 11:32:15 GMT -5
Much of the canned pumpkin in stores is said to be from Butternut squashes, and other winter varieties. One main variety, Dickenson, looks to be somewhere in between butternuts and pumpkins. Smooth tan skins with obvious gentle ridges. Even rich Kabochas can be used. desertwoman , It's just the middle of July. If you can get your hands on acceptable plants soon, and get them in, give it a shot. If you accept replacement plants might not be successful, what have you got to lose? |
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Post by pondgardener on Jul 12, 2023 15:40:51 GMT -5
desertwoman, I had a late start this year in June and I may try something that was mentioned in the linked article. Good luck with what you decide. frost protection
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Post by desertwoman on Jul 12, 2023 22:56:55 GMT -5
So I shopped around today... no pumpkin starts and not a single packet of winter squash seeds or plants of any kind, let alone butterbush. That bed is empty now that the garlic is harvested. So I think I might try some pumpkin seed again (this time planting it right where then garlic was, not at the end of that bed) and try the frost protection that pondgardener , posted . Any other suggestions for a late planting in that bed, taking into consideration it is and will be in the 90s for the next 10 days or more? I don't usually have a blank bed to consider anything else so I'm at a loss. |
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Post by gianna on Jul 13, 2023 8:46:58 GMT -5
Any other suggestions for a late planting in that bed, taking into consideration it is and will be in the 90s for the next 10 days or more? Zinnias? They like the heat, and take about 90 days to bloom. If you want something edible, do you have any bush bean seeds? They should work too. Good for the soil, and are yummy.  |
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Post by pondgardener on Jul 13, 2023 9:40:59 GMT -5
Yes, bush beans...I started a late patch a few days ago and with our recent 100˚ heat, they are breaking ground already.
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Post by Tomato Z on Jul 17, 2023 12:16:38 GMT -5
desertwoman, because my home garden had to be re-seeded the last week in June, I say go for starting almost any seeds, especially bush beans, beets, turnips, etc. I just finished digging up the garlic (2 weeks later than usual) and just started the above in the garlic area. I know this Spring and early summer was brutal for much of the West, but we will endure. Frustrated? Very sure. I just won’t be canning or freezing much this year.
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Post by alpacasock on Jul 17, 2023 14:16:55 GMT -5
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Post by desertwoman on Jul 17, 2023 15:21:35 GMT -5
Maybe see it as an opportunity to try something new? I like your attitude! |
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Post by alpacasock on Jul 17, 2023 15:57:39 GMT -5
desertwoman , I'm just use to making the best of failure  
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