Chris and Steve's Weblog - City Chickens » squash

Rain – Courgette and Squash

Chris — Sat, 07 May 2011 09:24:32 +0000

After weeks of dry weather the rain came with a vengance last night accompanied by thunder and lightening. It is still raining steadily today but a nice fine rain that is ok to work in.

I have put the flower seedlings into their final bed now and they look happy and will bed in nicely if this fine rain continues. They are Nasturtium, Lupin and Campion. I have also filled an oblong planter with Nasturtium and placed it alongside the rose bed. They will attract Hover Flies which in turn should keep my roses free from green fly.

I have potted on the biggest of the tomatoes now. Four are in place at the allotment in the lean to and the other six are at home in the garden.

Today I have sown nine Butternut Squash seeds saved from last year. They look a bit feeble though so if they don’t show through I shall have to buy some fresh seeds. The two courgette plants seem to be doing well and I have put them outside to harden off a bit.

The four Cucumber plants are still on the window ledge and look very frail. They are the long white bought last year from T&M. I don’t hold out much hope for them.

Butternut Squash Soup

Chris — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:19:22 +0000

We have loads of jobs to do in the garden but rain has stopped play today. We have had torrential rain since the early hours of the morning so couldnt carry on outside. We have come indoors and I am making Butternut Squash Soup.

One medium sized Butternut Squash

One small onion

One potato

One/Two chicken stock cube

Seasoning to taste

Cut the butternut squash lengthways and scoop out the seeds and the stringy flesh. Peel and cube. Cook with a little water until soft and put on one side. Cook the potato and onion until soft. Combine them all and mash to a smooth pulp. Add the stock cube disolved into a pint of water to the butternut, potato and onion. Season to taste and cook on on low heat stirring all the time or even put into a slow cooker on medium heat until you are ready to serve. Serve with crusty bread for a warming treat. I have seen recipes that add carrots, apple, orange or even curry but we like it simple.

A Bit of a Squash

Chris — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:30:39 +0000

Our squash harvest has been better than we anticipated. We had low germination but those plants that did make it have given us plenty enough fruit. Even our favourite butternut squash has been prolific with more fruits still growing on the plants.

Squash – Table Queen, Butternut and Sweet Dumpling

Chris — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:15:41 +0000

More squash are being sown today. Two each to a 7″ pot of Butternut, Table Queen and Sweet Dumpling.

Maybe the sweetest squash ever. The prolific compact vine yields up to 10 fruits which are teacup-shaped, ivory colored with green stripes. Store for 3-4 months. Can be sown indoors.

Butternut Squash – Hunter and Avalon

Chris — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:37:34 +0000

Today I have sown eight seeds of Butternut Squash Hunter and Avalon. We have grown these before with mixed results and I intend to sow more soon as they need a long growing time. We are hoping for a good harvest as we all love them mashed or roasted.

Butternut Squash Avalon F1

Chris — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:15:28 +0000

This afternoon I have put my last three Butternut Squash seeds into 3″ pots. I do have some saved seeds to use but these are the last of the true bought ones. As it is an F1 hybrid the saved seeds may not come true but I shall try sowing some directly into the soil.

A superb variety of compact Butternut Squash. Early to ripen, and with a rich sweet orange flesh, Avalon is perfect for baking and roasting. The fruits will also store well, for up to 6 months. Sow April to May. Prefers well drained, moist, rich soil in full sun. Also grows well in cooler climates. Harvest August onwards. Cut and store before frosts. info from eSeeds.com