I wonder if anyone can help me identify this volunteer vine?
Volunteer squash?
Oh dear, the image came out very large. I'll try another.
It looks like it could be a melon type??
I also have volunteers coming out of my compost They look exactly like butternut squash, so I'll assume that's what they are. But I have never grown them. How do I know when they are "pickable" and edible?
Agree with Clementine, looks more like a canteloupe than a squash.
Clementine , read this forum http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/641431/
Thank you Clementine and Farmerdill for such a quick response. I checked the plantfiles for further care information but only found photos. Do you have any suggestions for the care and harvesting of this melon for an organic gardener?
If it is a canteloupe, most will change color and all will turn loose (slip) of the vine when ripe. Just let nature take its course.
Farmerdill: thanks for the link, this is just great. I suspected that I could have used these squashes like summer squashes, but didn't, there wasn't a lot of enthusiasm in my family for it. I thought they might be like patty pans, i.e. sliced and cooked in olive oil. Well next year there will be more.
And sorry sempervirens, I don't know really how to care for your cantaloupe. I really neglected my "surprise in the compost", so now I guess I have more mature ones. I just watered the compost occasionally, so the squash got some water too that way. Good luck!
Thank you Farmerdill, I hope cantaloupe can ripen in my shorter growing season.