2015 Grow-Along Challenge: Squash Wars - Roll Call!

Wow, Julie, good growing!

Thanks, Carole! Started them in my sunroom under a grow light. They are about 6" tall right now. Going to fertilize them and start hardening them out today!

I have just found this board! Yay!! I live in Middle TN as well, but in the southern part. Squash is my favorite thing to grow. However, last year was a terrible year, so I'm hesitant to join a challenge, but why not? Nothing to lose, right? My problem is limiting to 5 types. Here goes!

1) Fordhood Zucchini

2) Yokohama winter squash

3) Long of Naples

4) Queensland Blue winter squash

5) White Bush Scallop (I have never attempted a scallop type before.)

Thanks for this challenge!

Kristen in TN

Welcome, Kristen! I know what you mean about it being a real challenge, but I'm determined to not let the squash bugs win this year :-)

Hi and welcome, Kristen. I know what you mean about the bugs around here. :(

Yes, as Terry noted, when you have seedlings, go ahead and post pictures in PlantFiles. We are all on different climate/growing schedules, so as you get to that point, go right ahead and upload them. Let us know if you need help!

Hello everyone,

Here is mine, I've decided that when I have my seedlings sprouts, that is when I official listing them. Here is my first one. Pumpkin 'Casper'. I may have several varieties, 3 or 4 more. All of mine will be in container culture.

My sprouting method; soaked the seeds in luke warm water, then transferred over to damp paper towels. These sprouted after 4-5 days. I'm getting ready to pot them in their temporary container today.

Kim from Alabama

edit for update 04-03-2015: My 'Casper' seedlings sent out their first leaf. Since I posted last. I gained access to a raised bed in our neighborhood. So some of my planting will be in containers, other will be in the raised bed.


This message was edited Apr 3, 2015 2:35 PM

update 4/11/15
Let's the fun begins!

I prepare the raised bed to day. My Pumpkin seedlings are showing their first 3 true leaves; so I'll be transplanting them into the garden this weekend.

This message was edited Apr 11, 2015 6:45 PM

I am interested in a little quirk I see here.
You people all start your squash inside & transplant. We, up in the frozen north, plant seeds in the ground. Especially the winter squash types. Some times we do transplant Zucchini trying to get earlier crop. But sow seeds & transplant the same day, & seeded ones will be ready first.

Agree with CG. I always direct sow my squash that way it doesn't have to be acclimated. If the soil isn't warm enough I wait until it is.

I'll most likely be a tail-ender. Can't plant til towards the end of May.

We usually plant squash & pumpkins first week of June.

Added my seedlings to Plant Files! :)

I also direct seed squash. They do a whole lot better that way. Less work too. lol

Some folks sell off their xtra sprouts to the feedstores and such, some folks don't have time til last minute to get garden in, don't have seeds or don't wish as many plants is why the sprouts can be found. I direct sow. 5 seeds to each hole, then thin if necessary later on. Lots of bugs. Okra needs more heat than squash does tho.

I am limited to what I can do because of health problems, so I start a lot of seeds in my sunroom. Most of my varieties will be planted in containers and trellised. My sons are helping me clear ground for the 'Black Forest' Kabocha (Pumpkin).

My dad always direct sowed his seed according to the Farmer's Almanac. He was always telling me when to plant, etc. Finally, he started buying a copy for me every year. I miss that now that he has passed. He taught me so much! ♥

I direct sow as well.

Happy lookin seedlings Julie! :)

LOL @ Corn...never made any sense to me either. $1 per plant= 1/2 ears, $1 for a package of 30 seeds = 30/60 ears..makes ya scratch your head haha

I direct seed squash as well...in fact, the only plants I start inside are tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. Everything else gets dropped directly where they will grow...but I do have a lovely long growing season.

LOL, I should confess that last year I bought okra seedlings. But I had a fairly decent rationale; by the time I decided I wanted to grow some okra, it was too late to find the red-podded variety in seed packets. So I served up a plate of crow for myself, and walked my six-pack up to the register, ruefully chuckling at my own lack of planning. Every once in a while, you have to walk in the other guy's shoes, even though they never fit well. Keeps us humble, I guess.

Chuckl. Am glad sometimes the stores were hoping they could help.

Thanks, Amanda! Went to Lowes this morning and got huge containers for $9.99! Got trellises marked down to $7.49 each! Got to get soil and I will be planting out next week! :)

I would like to claim Neck Pumpkin Squash. It is the color of a butternut but usually much larger with a loooooong neck. I got my original seeds from a squash sold by the Amish in PA. They make pies with them. My choices will be:

1. Neck Pumpkin
2. Blue Hubbard
3. Buttercup

We have had bad problems with squash bugs and borers in the past, and my garden is organic, so WiSH ME LUCK!

This message was edited Mar 19, 2015 6:32 AM

So many folks have squash bug problems, let's discuss what we do to help control them.

First of all...learn to recognize the eggs. They are little oval orange or dark yellow eggs laid in groups on the underside of the leaves. Pick them and squish them.

Next, there are times when the bugs are more active. If you have a long growing season, plant squash in early summer as opposed to early spring. There won't be as many adults looking for a place to lay their eggs then.

Vigilance is important. Keep a close eye on your plants and if you see one, pick it off and stomp it. They move slow and don't bite.

And then we have the infamous Bug Thicket of our Piney Woods! Double vigilance!!

New gardener but stubborn here.The varieties that I planted are already taken but maybe you can consider them for comparison (what not to do, hahaha)
After a catastrophic intent last summer,(I lost the fight with Central Florida nematodes, scorching temperatures and fungus feeding humidity). I decided to grow as much as I can in containers and raised beds, vertical and organic.
All planted in 3 and 5 gal containers 3/3/15

Smooth luffa
Seminole pumpkin
Tatume
Cucuzza
Scallop, round, dark and coccozelle zucchini.

Thanks, Melody, for the info on the bugs! UGH!

Off the subject, but my daughter gave birth to twin girls today! All are doing well. I'm a proud moma and Nannie! ♥

Congrats on the grandbabies - how wonderful!

Totally a wonderful subject. Congrats to all.

Meet Kali and Juno! ♥

Beautiful

Congratulations Julie!

Oh, good news, Julie. How beautiful!

Happy belated birthday Terry. I hope you had a great day.

Awww, thanks, Linda! Just for the record, I DID NOT (and rarely do) see my shadow :-).

Happy first day of spring, everybody! I'm ready to get out and plant something, even if it's not my warm-season stuff just yet.

OH my gosh!! Aren't those babies darling?

Happy Spring Everyone!!!

How much Kali and Juno weight? I know wayyyy of topic but they are super cute.

Thank you, Cindy and 1lisac! They are beautiful.
Babies are more then GREAT! JUNO 6lbs 11 oz and KALI 6lbs 13 oz, they are both 19 1/4 in length.

Back to squash: Going to buy soil for my containers today. Planting my little seedlings out tomorrow! Will throw in a few extra seeds just in case seedlings falter during transplant. I'm so ready to play in the dirt! :)

So happy for you Julie! Best wishes to the beautiful babies and the entire family. I'll be back to add more of my seedlings progress.