Harvesting squash

Discussion in 'Fruit and Veg Gardening' started by marlingardener, May 23, 2014.

  1. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    I picked this morning, and brought these in.

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    Squash harvest ( photo / image / picture from marlingardener's Garden )

    I combined all my left-over squash seed from last year and planted. Now we have a nice variety, including one that I have never seen before!
    Starting with the bent one (a Striato d'Italia), there is a light green Coosa, the almost-white whatsit?, another Striato, yellow crookneck, a black zucchini, and three more Coosas.
    Fortunately, the food pantry accepts squash!
     
    Frank, Sjoerd, Jewell and 6 others like this.
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  3. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Nice selection, Jane!
     
  4. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    Did you save your seed or buy them ?
     
  5. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Mart, I purchased the seed last year (2013) and used the leftovers up this year.
    Most were "experiments"!
     



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  6. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    The "whatsit?" squash seems to be Vegetable Marrow--a British heirloom variety. It's strange that we have it since I never ordered those seeds! A stray VM seed must have gotten into a packet of the ones I did order.
    It's meaty, and when I pick a larger one, I'm going to split and stuff it. Next year I will order Vegetable Marrow seeds.
     
  7. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    I have also had odd seeds show up in purchased packs.
     
  8. AAnightowl

    AAnightowl Young Pine

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    Nice squash. I guess it is not so early for TX.
     
  9. carolyn

    carolyn Strong Ash

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    Jane, I had my first farmers market yesterday and there was a young couple there with small children. I was giving away a plant to the childrer, as I always do for the first market, and I had a zucchini for one of them. When I offered it to the liitle girl the father ( I am not sure what nationality he is...maybe middle eastern?) but her called it "coosa" to the little girl.

    Hmmm, interesting, I thought.
     
  10. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Carolyn, when you see them at the market again, ask if they are from Lebanon. The coosa is a Lebanese squash, which somehow made its way to Africa, where it was named "Koosa."
    How nice of you to give away plants to children. :smt049
     
  11. Jewell

    Jewell Incorrigible Gardener Plants Contributor

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    Very nice. You are a good six weeks ahead of us. Makes my mouth water think of the grilled veggies to come. Great job.
     
  12. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Funny you should mention grilled veggies, Jewell. Last night I grilled herb-marinated chicken, and put a sliced Coosa brushed with olive oil on the grill. If I do say so myself, it was delicious!
     
  13. Beeker

    Beeker In Flower

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    Nice squash!
    I also try to keep with heirloom varieties. I'm a bit nervous because I have 4 different varieties in a 12x12 plot. I'm not sure if there is enough space to prevent cross pollination and gourds. But I love my squash!

    *brushed with olive oil, roasted on the grill... Dreamy... Sounds delicious!*
     
  14. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Beeker, just buy fresh seeds when needed. With four types in a 12'x12' plot, you will get cross-pollination. That doesn't affect your squash this year (each will be true to type) but any seeds saved might give you crosses. Not necessarily a bad thing, a lot of great vegetables are the result of "accidents"!
     
  15. Green Fingers

    Green Fingers Seedling

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    Oh my, how did I miss that post...I love seeing the harvest pictures. What a collection of squash you harvested, well done :)
     
  16. Sjoerd

    Sjoerd Mighty Oak

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    That basketful looks very nice. It is nice to have a variety, isn't it...it looks spiffy as well.
     

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