Real World Gardener

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June 14th, 2010

I nervously waited all week for my pumpkins to germinate. I thought for sure they’d be up by Thursday, but Thursday came and went and still nothing. I began to worry. I’m not usually a worrier, but I guess when it comes to my pumpkin patch, I am.

But by Sunday, five of my nine hills had sprouted.

Now I can start worrying about my seedlings.

Tags: pumpkin, pumpkins, seedlings, squash

June 7th, 2010

Whatever else it is—squash zone, gourd garden, cucurbit corner—I will always refer to it as my Pumpkin Patch.

Each hill consists of a wheelbarrow’s worth of screened topsoil and organic compost set upon a piece of plain brown cardboard as a weed barrier. The hills are about three feet in diameter and about a foot high. I planted about 7 seeds per hill and will thin to three or four of the strongest seedlings.

The next phase of the project is mulching between the hills. I’m going to cover the space between the hills with several sheets of wet newspaper and a very thick layer of old hay. I bought ten bales from a local farmer for very cheap.

I ought to consider some kind of row covers for my seedlings when they emerge.

Here’s what I planted: Small Sugar pumpkin, Butternut squash, Zeppelin Delicata squash, Jack-o-lantern pumpkin, Blue Ballet squash, Marina de Chiogga squash, Big Max pumpkin, Atlantic Giant pumpkin, and a smattering of little ornamental gourds.

Tags: pumpkin, squash

June 2nd, 2010

This is my pumpkin patch. I know it doesn’t look like much now, but in my imagination it’s quite impressive and extensive. Last night I took stock of my seeds and I’m going to plant small sugar pumpkins, butternut, blue ballet, zeppelin delicata, jack-o-lantern, giant pumpkins and an assortment of small gourds.

And this is my Three Sisters bed.  I planted the corn last weekend. When it gets to be about 4 inches tall I will plant some pole beans and winter squash, probably delicata and blue ballet. I’m going to have a lot of squash this year.