what do I have here?

These took over my garden, but I have no idea what they are. HELP ! How do I cook them? What are they?

Anyone know what this is? It's striped, but shaped like a butternut or birdhouse gourd, and it's green... something crossed with zucchini???

#1 Looks kinda like an acorn squash that got mixed in with something else?

Did you buy seeds or use saved seeds? Did they come off the same plant?

I bought seeds but their packs got thrown out accidentally. This is the first time I've tried to grow squashes... Yikes!

If you bought seeds, then we need a side view of #1. If it is heart shaped it will be an acorn. The second is a Cushaw, probably Green Striped , but possibly a more rare Tennessee Sweet Potato. You should remember what you bought at least to type.

It's way bigger than an acorn squash. Probably 10 - 12 pounds! I'm gonna cut them open and see what I can do for our supper tonight, Will post pictures and report on taste. Cushaw is exactly what the smaller squash is. Can't wait to cook it.
:)

At that size if it is round, most likely one of the Asian C. maximas. Kabocha type. If wheel shaped it could be one the Asian C. moschatas, but these usually turn a terra cotta color when fully ripe.

The first looks like a Kabocha to me as well. I, like Farmerdill, also think the second is a Cushaw. Both squashes appear to be cut early. Is there a reason for cutting your squash with green stems?

Just that I didn't know what to do with them, is the only reason. Somebody school me - how and when should I harvest? I have many of the round big ones. Thanks in advance for your help! I have no idea how to grow these things....

Evidently your growing them just fine for somebody who has no idea how to do it.LOL

Thank, 1lisac.

I have a butternut that has grown into my chain link fence. Birdhouse gourds are coming but are very late... not sure why. I have a feeling there are a lot of treats just waiting to be found.

I have never harvested any of these before... red beets, beans, corn on the cob, Stevia, parsnips and rutabaga from seed, carrots from seed, kale, which I leave to get kissed by the frost... This I need to re-sow to get some babies started for next year. I have let lamb's quarters go to seed because it can be eaten like spinach and is hardy and problem/pest free.

Whew!

I have so many questions... thanks for all your input! I love DG/

Janie

They look good. Both are winter squashes and develop their sugars with some curing. In the garden the flavor is developed by letting them stay on the vine until the vine leaves turn yellow and the vines brown. Once harvested they continue to ripen over the next weeks. They can hang around the kitchen without refrigeration. If you harvest while the stems are green or the skins are soft they will be more bland. Good growing. How many did you get on each plant?

I have 6 enormous Kabocha squashes on each vine.
I have 3 on each Butternut. I want as many as possible of these.
As for the unfruitful vines, I believe someone is munching on the blossoms and therefore we have only a small percentage bearing fruit. First time we planted squashes... We have fallen in love with the nutty flavor of carnivale and will grow these next year...

The vines from a mixture of things (thanks to rain and critters that love to eat seeds) ...

I'll post pictures if someone can help me trouble shoot how these things grow.



Thanks!

Janie

Like 1lisac said, it seems you have the growing part under control. Photos are always nice.