Sunday 14 October 2012

The One And Only

I've managed to get one squash to maturity this year. This is Sunburst, a patty pan variety. There's lots more on the plant but I doubt they'll grow large enough to eat now that the colder weather has arrived. It's a shame that they took such a long time to get going, I think the plant would have provided us with lots of fruit if only it had started producing earlier. I've never eaten this type of squash before so I'm looking foward to trying it.

The beetroot which were transplanted in to the old bath on the allotment have come to nothing. That's another failure this year, though I probably shouldn't have waited so long to start some seeds off at home and transplant once they got going. I've always sown them direct in the past and haven't had a need to do this, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I've had to do lots of things differently this year.

Hubby is in the middle of taking all the spent compost from the containers in the garden to the allotment to empty on to the beds there. It's surprising how much compost we actually use in containers, but once it's been used it doesn't go to waste, it's a great soil improver at the plot, and some of it is recycled and used again.

28 comments:

  1. I'm looking forward to hearing about how the squash tastes - we don't even have one squash this year!

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    1. I didn't think we were going to get one either. I'm looking forward to tasting it.

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  2. That's the one I tried growing this year. I've still got a few seeds so will try again next year.
    I had no beetroot either. Flighty xx

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    1. I'll be trying everything which didn't succeed this year again too. It was such an awful year that I suspect most things will do well if we try again with them.

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  3. You managed one more squash than me - I got zilch! They started growing and as each one got to about two centimetres in diameter they dropped off the plant! Completely rubbish! :(

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    1. I've had lots drop off the plant too, plus there's loads there now which aren't going to make it to maturity.

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    2. Hi too had the same problem- they looked so promising and then suddenly dropped off the plant. I read somewhere that it was to do with overwatering!!! April

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    3. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. That would certainly explain things given the wet summer we've had.

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  4. Probably harvested in the nick of time. Although the thermometer says we haven't had a frost yet our courgette plants on the plot look like they disagree.

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    1. I think there was a slight frost this morning. The bean plants look as though they've been caught.

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  5. My experience this year has been very much the same - my solitary Patty Pan is still on the plant, and still tiny. Will you grow them again next year?

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    1. I would have said not this type of squash, but looking at the plant now, I think they could be prolific given the right conditions. There's loads of tiny fruit on the plant at the moment. I just hope I like the taste when I try it and then it will be a definite to try again next year.

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  6. Oh I look forward to hearing your verdict on when it comes to the taste test Jo. Are you going to share it with the family or claim it as your own? :) I have grown 'Sunburst'in the past but not for a while. What a good use for your left over compost

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    1. I don't think it's big enough to share, but I suspect we'll all have a little piece to try. I need the kids to start eating a wider variety of veg so it would be good if they like it.

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  7. Well, one is better than none! Hope you enjoy eating it after all that wait!

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    1. I'm happy I've managed one. At least it gives me a chance to try it so that I can make a decision whether or not to grow it again next year. I do hope we all like it.

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  8. I am going to grow some patty pans next year. They will be of a white variety which I saved some seeds from as someone on the allotment gave me one. I think we have all had many failures this year due to the weather...a lot of what we are sued to having in abundance. I am looking on the bright side and saying repeatedly to myself..'Two years in a row can't go like this!!'

    At least you have one squash to eat though Jo...and it will be the best squash you EVER tasted!!

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  9. I hope so. We're having it tonight so I'll let you know the verdict. It looks like patty pan's could be a good squash to grow in usual summers so I hope we like it.

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  10. It looks lovely Jo and one is better than none! I hope you find a yummy recipe to try it out in :)

    My own squash and pumpkins and gherkins were utter failures and the courgettes didn't even begin producing until September. I wonder if there's a curbis variety(s) out there that do well in wet and cold summers? Maybe it might be a good idea to sow some of those with the warmth loving varieties for just in case...

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    1. I didn't think I was going to get any this year, so I'm pleased with this. The rest of my squash haven't made it to maturity, and like your courgettes, mine were late too. I think with our weather, the belt and braces approach is sensible.

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  11. I grew those patty pans too but I've been quite disappointed with them. They're aren't as prolific as courgettes and I haven't liked their flavour. I'm sticking to courgettes for next year.

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    1. Looking at all the immature squash on the plant now, I would think they could be every bit as prolific as courgettes given the right conditions. I'm definitely going to give them another go next year.

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  12. I think I managed to harvest two little patty pan squash this year. They tasted great. I will definitely try again next year. I think I will sow more and possibly keep them protected longer before planting in the ground.

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    1. I'm definitely going to give them another go next year, and like you, I shall sow more too.

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  13. This year has been a bit poor on my plot largely due to the weather although my squash's didn't do to bad

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    1. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment. The weather's had a lot to answer for this year. Glad you've managed a decent year with your squash, I shall give them another go next year.

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  14. I'm the same I've had one patty pan squash, I did also manage one trombocino squash (a very rude looking thing) but other than that I think its just been a poor year for squash especially up north! Last year I had a bumper crop.

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    1. It looks as though they'd have done ok if only they'd started producing earlier, or if the season lasted a little longer as they're trying to get going now but it's obviously too late. I'll try again next year.

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