omg SwissSue, I was just thinking today that I was likely to perform the same deadly deed. I'm impulsive and work quickly! I shall be more careful, thank you.
BobtheGardener, the idea of burying comfrey sounds a good idea and something to try next year once I have sourced the plant on the land
Good luck, Ging2, they are well worth the effort. Read up lots on the web, I did and learnt loads. Grow Harrier as they mature in 95 days, it has probably been suggested already.
I got busy at the garden centre this morning and have already sprinkled the chicken manure pellets, not a huge amount as it was difficult to spread with the leaves catching them all on their way to the soil. I also bought an organic tomato fertiliser which contained seaweed extract. I watered around each plant with the mixture. I also bought a straight seaweed extract which I shall use in seven days. The tomato fertiliser said to reapply after 7 - 14 days, I reckon using the seaweed one after a week should be good to give them a little lift. If I get my fruits to maturity I shall post a picture (when I've learnt how to do it, I'm hopeless with technology). Isn't it great this hot weather to start the ripening. My first ones are starting to get a slight tan.
DovefromAbove, I think that was a brilliant crop from two plants considering the terrible season we had for butternuts last year. The recipe sounds amazing and very healthy... time for supper!
Ging2 - I find it best to start them in small pots of garden centre compost, plant the seed on their side, it's always recommended. Water them and cover in cling film. Remove the cling film when each shoot appears. Grow on in a greenhouse, avoiding frost (sometimes I use a white fleece). I pot on as necessary until all risk of frost has passed. We are told to use mulch, like grass clippings, but as yet I haven't. I have put each squash on a tile, though. If you have access to garden compost or horse muck, it will make all the difference in the worl, but don't be put off if you haven't. That seaweed extract is amazing! It was buy one, get one free in the garden centre.
I had found that even the later butternuts that had been growing and reached about 5" were looking soft compared to the others. I could see they weren't going to flourish and snipped them off. I think it must be natures way once it becomes a bit late in the season.
Look forward to next year Rosemary. Make an early start but keep everything away from frost or wet/windy weather. They hate it. It's a bit like buying extra ripening days at the end of the season, if you can get them started even a few days early.
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Pictures speak a thousand words. Here's a developed female flower on the end of an ovary.
It will probably open the next morning.
thank you I will have a go bril
omg SwissSue, I was just thinking today that I was likely to perform the same deadly deed. I'm impulsive and work quickly! I shall be more careful, thank you.
BobtheGardener, the idea of burying comfrey sounds a good idea and something to try next year once I have sourced the plant on the land
Good luck, Ging2, they are well worth the effort. Read up lots on the web, I did and learnt loads. Grow Harrier as they mature in 95 days, it has probably been suggested already.
I got busy at the garden centre this morning and have already sprinkled the chicken manure pellets, not a huge amount as it was difficult to spread with the leaves catching them all on their way to the soil. I also bought an organic tomato fertiliser which contained seaweed extract. I watered around each plant with the mixture. I also bought a straight seaweed extract which I shall use in seven days. The tomato fertiliser said to reapply after 7 - 14 days, I reckon using the seaweed one after a week should be good to give them a little lift. If I get my fruits to maturity I shall post a picture (when I've learnt how to do it, I'm hopeless with technology). Isn't it great this hot weather to start the ripening. My first ones are starting to get a slight tan.
DovefromAbove, I think that was a brilliant crop from two plants considering the terrible season we had for butternuts last year. The recipe sounds amazing and very healthy... time for supper!
thank you ladybutternut will try Harrier next year x
Ging2 - I find it best to start them in small pots of garden centre compost, plant the seed on their side, it's always recommended. Water them and cover in cling film. Remove the cling film when each shoot appears. Grow on in a greenhouse, avoiding frost (sometimes I use a white fleece). I pot on as necessary until all risk of frost has passed. We are told to use mulch, like grass clippings, but as yet I haven't. I have put each squash on a tile, though. If you have access to garden compost or horse muck, it will make all the difference in the worl, but don't be put off if you haven't. That seaweed extract is amazing! It was buy one, get one free in the garden centre.
Sorry, Ging2, I just picked up your earlier thread and see you are not a squash beginner. Apologies!
I still have nt got any fruit on my butternut squash plants, is it too late, shall I pull them up. Only male flowers
If there outside and have no fruit, I'd pull them up. Too late now.
I had found that even the later butternuts that had been growing and reached about 5" were looking soft compared to the others. I could see they weren't going to flourish and snipped them off. I think it must be natures way once it becomes a bit late in the season.
Look forward to next year Rosemary. Make an early start but keep everything away from frost or wet/windy weather. They hate it. It's a bit like buying extra ripening days at the end of the season, if you can get them started even a few days early.