Telling them apart has much in common with distinguishing between a stoat and a weasel: you can weaselly tell because they’re stoatally different, as the old gag goes. Squash ‘Uchiki Kuri’ Also called onion squash, ‘Uchiki Kuri’ produces sweet, round, compact fruits – great for training on a frame. Moderately heavy soil such as clay which also drains well. The distinction is best made in the kitchen: although most are edible, gourds should be left as ornamental, pumpkins are best hollowed out for Halloween and squash are, by some distance, the most delicious. Squash and pumpkins are good growers in the kitchen garden. Once ripe, these squashes store well.  Many can be eaten when soft-skinned and immature (popular in China), but most people allow them to mature before eating. I excavate a hole bigger than required and add a few handfuls of compost. 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These multi-colored squashes with a squat little shape are both pretty and edible. Neutral to slightly alkaline soil ( pH level of 6.5), but squash are not picky about this. Another C. maxima type, the fruit never get too large for easy handling, and they are just the right size for a family of four to demolish. They are very hungry … To grow squashes, you may need to build in one side with additional supports for the squash to climb. Squash need a good summer to fruit well. Some are stringy (though not the excellent ‘Musquee de Provence’) but roasting or steaming overcomes this. Yet nothing quite matches the words I heard a respected Irish grower give a new allotmenter, anxious that he might have bitten off more than he could chew: ‘Sure as shite, y’should give up half of it to squash. Sibley Squash This is a really, really good variety from the 'Hiram Sibley & Co' seed catalogue of 1850, that grows well in the UK (pictured in our barn in Wales). Reliable and delicious, its flavour is sweet, earthy and much more complex than many one-dimensionally sweet squash. So, here are some of the best pumpkins to mix up your Halloween. Zucchini types will be best harvested immature, about 6 … Cucurbita maxima squash, aka Crown Prince. Stir in the eggs, ground almonds and spices. Yes, this means that this fruit requires warm soil to grow in, like the one that is 15 to 18 degrees C (60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit) warmed by the sun. Full sun. As with Uchi Kuri, Crown Prince roasts and mashes beautifully. The seeds can be sown straight into the garden once the danger of late frosts has passed, but this will give in a later crop. Winter squash are ready to harvest from mid-late autumn and are ideal for storing to use over the winter months. This vegetable plant needs around 2 months to mature. This is a classic French variety of C. moschata with sweet, fine-flavoured flesh that is superb for roasting, soups and purées. ‘Peter Pan’ AGM:(Summer squash) A uniform crop of light green, scallop-shaped fruits which should be harvested when small. Very productive and keeps well.Â. They’re amongst the most rewarding of veggies to grow too. In years of growing all sorts of different types of squash, Mark Diacono has formed strong opinions on the best varieties to try. You want them to give you plenty to eat, to taste amazing, and ideally to look great, too. The most useful definition I can offer is that you should eat squash, hollow out pumpkins for Hallowe’en, and save gourds for hitting burglars over the head with. And let’s be clear: a marrow is a  rubbery canoe in which no amount of spiced filling can counteract its ­intolerable blandness. Boston Squash A Hubbard-type squash, one of the easiest to grow and an ultra-early producer even in colder parts of the country, with a strange long yellow/orange fruit. A hot summer with plenty of rain is ideal for these varieties to thrive. Reliable and delicious, its flavour is sweet, earthy and much more complex than many one-dimensionally sweet squash. You need to be a subscriber to join the conversation. Buy pumpkin and squash seeds as a very easy to grow staple for the vegetable plot. Set aside a generous portion of your plot to grow them in and add plenty of organic matter, such as homemade compost or well-rotted manure. We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future. Watch out! It looks ridiculous to space them a yard apart, but the leaves will fill the space, mulching weeds out and keeping soil moisture in. Includes ­butternuts, crooknecks ­including ‘Tromboncino’, cheese pumpkins such as ‘Musquee de Provence’ and Japanese squashes.Â, This is a highly diverse species, including most of the summer squash (such as courgettes) – varieties that are eaten before the fruit has matured and while the skin is edible. It is a classically wide, squat plump shape, like a ribbed cheese, with a perfect Farrow & Ball combination of light grey/blue skin and bold golden flesh. Return purée to pan and stir for a few minutes to drive off any water that remains. With these tips you can learn to grow them all. The world of squash, pumpkins and gourds is a complex one. As with most vegetables, I grow at least one variety every year that is new to me and one old favourite: this keeps the harvest varied. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. Its flavour is nicely balanced between sweet and nutty. With butternut squash I like to be extra safe and use cloches to cover the freshly planted seedlings when I transplant them to their final growing position at the allotment. There are so many squash varieties, some grow to the size of a small pumpkin and some are the size of cricket balls. Without this additional growing time, many squash varieties won't have enough time to come to maturity in short-season locations. Ripens from bright yellow to red-orange. You must be told that the growing season of Butternut Squash is through summer. When established, with four leaves or so, and you are beyond certain that frosts have passed, plant them out. If I were to grow only one squash, this would be it. After experimenting with over fifty different vegetable crops, here are ten I’ve found to be amongst the very best. The three best winter squash varieties to grow. Summer squash requires 50 to 65 days to reach harvest. 1.5m apart. Many, including the ­butternut varieties, have a high sugar content, hence their tendency to occasionally be (to my mind) overly sweet. The joy of growing your own squash is in revealing a diverse world of flavours, textures and looks. (Herbs and fruits to […] Ken Thompson investigates, The Gardener's Advent Calendar: 24 easy jobs to do in December, Peat compost is 'environmental vandalism', Monty Don says,  Melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat and cook the shallots and leek gently, stirring frequently, until softened. When the fruit is grown, it’s important to leave them to ripen as long as you can; ideally until frosts are imminent. Squash do not need to be part of a crop rotation plan however it's advisable to … By early autumn, you’ll be taking armfuls of beautiful, impressive squash to the kitchen and, at a time of high harvest, it is one crop that there’s mercifully little rush to use. They’ll grow for any clown.’ This is gardening gold, pure and simple. Squash grows big and can end up rampaging over your plot! If they get plenty of sunshine, water and have room to grow, then there’s almost no stopping them. Training summer squash up stakes or trellises will increase air circulation and keep plants off the ground and clean and away from pests and diseases. An excellent variety of C. moschata that produces earlier than many butternuts, giving you more of a chance of a harvest in an ­ordinary summer. Squash. Given an Award of Garden Merit (AGM) by the RHS IN … Find out more, The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. Squash need to be pl… An unusual vegetable that is very difficult to buy in supermarkets. There’s no rushing about to get them sown early by a particular date or desperation to pick them, as there is with cauliflower. This makes them easy to prepare and a great choice for roasting and using in soups and risottos. My best pumpkins- for their looks - are the verdigris-skinned ones such as ' Crown Prince ' and pumpkin 'Queensland Blue', and the French pleated squash, 'Potiron Tristar Triamble', which has its own weird beauty and looks eyecatching in the centre of the kitchen table. The bulbous, pear-shaped fruits are ready to harvest in autumn and have dense, sweet orange flesh and thin skin. How To Grow Sweetcorn, Beans and Squashes Using The Three Sisters Method Detailed advice on how to plant and grow Sweetcorn, Squashes and Beans using the Three Sisters method. Pumpkin, Squash & Courgette Seeds. WHERE TO GROW SQUASH AND PUMPKINS. Stir in the caster sugar and honey, and cook for a couple of minutes. Those I love best I recommend with a vigour bordering on decree: these really are the ones to grow. Mark Diacono explains everything you need to know about gooseberries, the fruit 'that's really two fruits in one'. It ripens nice and early, making lots of grey pear-shaped squash weighing about 3kg / 6lb. Uchi Kuri (also known as Red Kuri, or Uchiki Kuri) has bulb-shaped fruit that light up the summer veg patch with yellow, turning a rich, deep orange as autumn approaches. Butterbush butternut squash is a better option where space is a consideration. It is full of flavour, with a complex, honeyed sweetness. Okra. Cut them with a short stalk — it seems to help against rotting — and store somewhere light, but not warm, to ripen a little for a week or so. A greenhouse is a great asset to any vegetable plot, enabling gardeners to make the most of the sun. I’ve grown perhaps 30 different kinds over the years and, although most are as easy to grow as another, the difference in the reward is astonishing. Good for stuffing (try ricotta, thyme, lemon zest, chilli, pine nuts, and the finely diced flesh in a hot oven for 40 to 50 minutes), roasting to intensify their flavour and combining with strong flavours.Â, With its grey-blue skin and deep gold flesh, this is a superb C. maxima squash, with a fabulous flavour and ­exceptional storing qualities. They do need to be allowed to grow steadily, however. For best results, we recommend you start off your squash seeds either indoors or in a heated greenhouse. These varieties typically have a superb flavour, often like chestnut, with little or no fibrous material at the core; many have bright orange flesh. The seed is expensive and can be hard to source at times; the very similar Queensland Blue is a fine substitute. They can be started early and moved into larger pots in the greenhouse if the weather is still cold to give you a better chance of a good harvest. Single Plants: 90cm (2' 11") each way (minimum) Rows: 90cm (2' 11") with 90cm (2' 11") row gap (minimum) One of the pleasures of squash is their unhurried nature. I have given and received many excellent pieces of advice in my life. Perhaps more than most vegetables, variety is crucial with squash. Six of the best squash to cook with ‘Crown Prince’ W ith its grey-blue skin and deep gold flesh, this is a superb C. maxima squash, with a fabulous flavour and ­exceptional storing qualities. ‘Queensland Blue’ is a good substitute.Â, A yearly ever-present in my garden, with a fabulous chestnut flavour and waxy texture. In Asda in the UK, pumpkins are selling for £1 each right now. ‘Potimarron’. Mark Diacono grows edibles, both usual and unusual, at Otter Farm in Devon —  www.otterfarm.co.uk. Many keep for months, standing beautiful testament to your genius as a gardener for all to see. Even the smallest, unheated structure will allow gardeners to extend the seasons and produce good crops of a wide range of vegetables. The squash grow guide says 2 feet for summer and 3 feet for winter. Some of the new varieties have been bred for the British climate, so may be more successful than the old favourites. These varieties are typically mild in flavour and don’t keep well. It is not unknown for an unexpected frost to strike in late April or May. How To Sow & Grow Courgettes, Marrows, Gourds, Pumpkins & Squashes Detailed advice on sowing and growing courgettes, gourds, marrows, pumpkins and squashes - including advice on germination temperature and pollination. Mark Diacono teaches us how to grow garlic. The seed is expensive, so don’t expect too many in a packet, but then how many plants do you really need? An A-frame trellis is a less expensive option to create two slanted walls for growing squash. A compact grower.Â, Every year I enjoy this C. pepo variety more. ‘Sunburst’ F1:(Summer squash) This bright yellow squash has a nutty flavour and a scalloped shape, and is best harvested when it is about 5-6cm in diameter. Thanks so much, its just so confusing. May 29, 2020 - There are dozens of varieties of Winter and Summer squash to choose from. Drain and mash until smooth. Here he shares his wisdom. Indoors, you can begin sowing squash seeds anytime from the … ‘Never eat a biscuit that floats’ and ‘Unless it’s 1976, don’t listen to the new Dylan album’ rank highly. This autumn, I will find out whether Baked Potatoes is as nutty as I’m told and Muscat de Provence, a large, gorgeous, flat squash with deep orange flesh, makes a welcome reappearance. They are relaxing. These squashes store well and are perhaps the easiest to grow in our climate too, being more tolerant of cool conditions than most.  While most work well with chilli, woody herbs and garlic, the best varieties have a distinctive – though not necessarily strong – flavour that can stand alone without powerful ingredients. Its deep-green fruit have a wonderful ribbed acorn shape, the leaves are similar to those of rhubarb and they are one of the earliest to mature, making them reliable even in a questionable summer. Late ripening Muscade de Provence squash. I have a space around 4 feet wide and 20 feet long to try growing squash in. Productive, superb stuffed and baked, or in place of courgettes in most recipes.Â, Not the most striking C. pepo variety to look at, with its pale-yellow rugby ball fruit, but cut in half and baked until soft in a tray with an inch of water, the flesh can be forked out into spaghetti-like ribbons, ready for whichever pasta sauce takes your fancy.Â, You can use any squash for this, though it perhaps suits the sweeter C. moschata varieties best. The third variety I grow every year is Acorn Table. All squash plants are grown in the same way, requiring a lot of space and nutrients. One plant produces a plentiful supply and courgette flowers can also be eaten as fritters. They include ‘Sweet Dumpling’, ­vegetable spaghetti and pumpkins such as ‘Howden’. But many people find they get stuck in a rut, growing, harvesting, and eating the same thing every year. That must be enough reason for you to grow at least a few squash plants on your patch?. Crown Prince is also a beautiful squash. Or is that only true if growing vertical? Spoon into a small baking dish (20cm x 15cm or so), and smooth the top.Â, Blitz the almonds and the light brown sugar together to a crumble in a blender, sprinkle over the top and bake for 45 minutes or so – it should be very lightly golden.Â. Taste and season again if necessary.Â, Allow the soup to cool a little before puréeing in a blender until smooth. They’re extremely tender with a flavor reminiscent of sweet potatoes. Start them off undercover in spring in small pots, sowing the seed on its edge to minimise the chance of rotting. Most will store well into the winter. There is confusion about what makes a squash a squash and where the lines separate it from a pumpkin or a gourd. As long as you get them off to a good start, a few squash plants will wander across your veg patch, filling spaces, smothering weeds, retaining soil moisture and make you look horticulturally masterful, yet ask little of you in the process. British-bred Harrier Butternut squash is the most common and reliable variety for growing in the UK. This is my top ... ‘Uchiki Kuri’. But there are a few little tricks to growing them that will give you a … Grow your Gem Squash on an 'A Frame' Trellis for best results. This variety is best harvested when the leaves are young and small, they grow back quickly for repeated harvesting. Squash Seeds. You can make more of a cheesecake of this by adding a biscuit base of crushed ginger nuts (200g crushed biscuits mixed with 100g melted butter) if you fancy, though it’s perfectly delicious without.Â, Browse our selection at https://www.telegraphplants.co.uk/. An F1 hybrid kabocha type that resembles a small round pumpkin. Its small, round, scalloped fruits (commonly known as patty pan squash) are best enjoyed young, when their flavour is creamy and nutty. Contrasting with strong flavours works well to offset the sweetness, as does ­using in pumpkin pie and other desserts. Butternut squash is one of the most popular squashes to grow. Water in well, and steadily through any dry spells. Like cucumbers, squash benefits from being started in the greenhouse so that as soon as it is warm enough outside, they can be transplanted. Add the squash, then the stock, cover and simmer gently for 25 minutes. Grow and treat as you would a courgette. We associate chillies with hot climates, but they can be grown on these shores — Mark Diacono explains how. Return to the pan, over a low heat.  , Add 3/4 of the coriander to the soup just before serving, taste and season if needed.Â, Ladle the soup into the bowls, sprinkle with the remaining coriander and serve.Â, 750g of peeled, deseeded squash, cut into 1-2cm wide slicesÂ. The south of UK have the only a realistic chance of obtaining good-sized squash from direct sowing in June. Remove from the heat. The divisions are blurry and the botanics no great help. It has the added benefit of being mobile, so that you can move it yearly. They are best harvested in autumn. They originate from Central America and are categorised as 'summer squash' when grown in New Zealand, South Africa and the UK, however in America they are classed as a 'winter squash'. If they grow 6-15 foot vines how does 3 foot spacing work? They have a … Courgettes, summer squash and marrows can all be grown in the same way. To get the best results and larger squash grow indoors in April-May and then transplant outside when the risk of frost has passed. It has a very sweet flavour and always does well for me. They are easy to grow, look good, taste great and store for ages. ‘Sunshine’. Gem Squash have sweet, firm flesh How to grow a Gem Squash in the UK When growing any type of squash you need to consider your location and spacing carefully. Harvest. It’s also quite the looker in the garden, where its large, squat, deeply incised fruit ripen from green to deep bronze. Place squash slices in a wide pan with 300ml water and bring to an idle simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes or so, until squash slices take the tip of a sharp knife. Season.Â,  Stir in the spices and thyme, and cook for a couple of minutes. Includes most of the largest squash, the hubbard, turban and banana types.Â, These varieties tend to have flesh that’s very strongly orange in colour, being high in carotenoids. 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There are so many squash varieties, some grow to the size of a small pumpkin and some are the size of cricket balls. Crown Prince is also a beautiful squash. Squash plants are in the same grouping as pumpkins and gourds but are generally the tastiest of the three. If sweetness is your thing, you could risk a butternut squash: you’ll need a sunny spot and a good summer for them to do well. It has a fuller flavour than many C. maxima varieties, with a honeyed sweetness that’s never cloying. Squash will spread vigorously so I like to plant them about 1.5 metres apart. It is more savoury than many and has a delicious earthiness that I think suits mashing, gratins and so on. And it’s one of those handy soups you can make a day ahead and it will taste even better for it.Â, Perfect for C. maxima varieties such as ‘Crown Prince’. Most popular squashes to grow too ( pH level of 6.5 ), but then how plants! Unhurried nature grow only one squash, Mark Diacono has formed strong opinions the... 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An A-frame Trellis is a good substitute.Â, a yearly ever-present in my life minutes to off. I were to grow at least a few handfuls of compost but are generally tastiest.