24,795 Garden Web Discussions | Vegetable Gardening

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nancyjane_gardener(Zone 8ish North of San Francisco in the "real" wine country)

I'm counting 7 plants? How many in your family? For the 2 of us one plant of each zuk and crookneck are more than enough for us and the neighbors! Just a thought! Nancy

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Belden Rowley
Yeah I started a bunch of seeds. Mainly because I knew I was new at this and it gave me plenty of room for screw ups. I started with a dozen of everything and have already thinned them out. Some were real stunted and I was worried about damping off so I chucked them early on. I also have some friends and neighbors that are interested in plants If I don't use them.

Last year I did one of each and had problems with powdery mildew and what I think was poor pollination (we only picked about 4 squash and zucchini ) . So I hope to have 2 of each this year. I put in soaker hoses instead of overhead watering to help prevent powdery mildew and hopefully more flowers will help with better pollinating.

I'm only growing 5 or 6 types of veggies this year so I have the space. Next year I hope to try some new things once I get the hang of all this.
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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)

Seeds for them are available from several sources and then you can grow your own plants. Easy to grow just like the other members of the cucurbit family but they do need a long growing season. There are some cuttings for them listed over on discussions on the Asian Vegetables forum here and Google pulls up several different sources for plants.

Dave

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barrie2m_(6a, central PA)

I planted basil yesterday but under cover of high tunnel. Balloonflower is correct in temp for basil yet in my high tunnel temp dipped to 40*F at 5:00 this morning before I started a propane heater and it looks OK.

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Molex 7a NYC

Harden the plants off by reducing water and fertilizer as well as exposing them to outside conditions.

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barrie2m_(6a, central PA)

It could be that your growing area is very dry and regular watering is needed. If your experience is that this is the case I would suggest transplanting everything now to larger pots. It may not seem the thing to do but I always can skip watering for a week after potting-up. Rootbound plants may actually need watered more than daily and those should not be allowed to remain in that situation for long anyway.

Your alternative solutions don't seem feasible. Maybe I don't understand your setup but why do you have those particular plants(other than tomatoes) Started nnow?

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sleevendog (5a NY)(5a NY)

More info needed. I often leave my garden for a week or three, but do check the local forecast and might call and ask someone to check on things. They get the added benefit of harvesting for themselves as well.

A week is fine as long as it gets a good soak with proper mulch to keep that moisture in. We all have different set-ups for holidays depending on climate and what time into the growing season extra care is needed.

(i do have a drip system, but it can clog with newts after a heavy rain)...so i have a neighbor check...

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vm3y(7a (N. Va))

I also have a 12 inch deep bed, and grass did come up through all that soil, so I would definitely use cardboard. I don't know what type of grass I have, but I live in northern VA.

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charlieboring

Actually, the cardboard works great. It deters grass and weed growth from below and provides a welcome attraction to earthworms that improve your soil. This raised bed has a layer of cardboard under it and it supports artichokes and has supported tomatoes.

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lasteenblik

thank you for all of the help. I can't remember the types of zucchini of the top of my head. When I get home I will let you know.

They are two different varieties. I'm glad that the sliver leaves aren't concerning, and that everyone thinks they look good.

As Peter said my main concern is the wilting and brown spots.

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lasteenblik

OK the two varieties are costata romanesco, I believe the ones with the silvery leaves is a raven.

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celestial(Zone-Enabled)

I remove suckers in the greenhouse (to train the plants up a trellis) and leave 'em be in the garden where I don't have capacity issues.

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Philothea Francis

Galinas and Celestial,

Thanks so much! Both your responses were also helpful :)

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vgkg(Z-7)

Not flea beeltes, holes too big? Probably slug damage like annew says.

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tripleione(7a NC)

Also agree, looks like slugs eating your plants. Try going out just after it gets dark, when they become more active. Pick them off your plants and drop them in a bowl of soapy water.

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barrie2m_(6a, central PA)

A few years ago I might have agreed with Dave about transplanting cucs but there are often good reasons for starting indoors. One of my best reasons is to know the germination of plants and adjust planting routine accordingly. Another is that the cucumber beetles won't be devastating them as they emerge.

I like to plant both ways but I'm leaning to indoor starting when a good stand is important. Like other cucurbits you want to transplant before they start growing into each other. Mine are in the ground a week and I'm expecting them to takeoff any time now.

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Eric (zone 5b)
You are all great! This has been very helpful! My beans, broccoli and kale are all doing well outside... So we'll just have to see how the cucumbers turn out!
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nancyjane_gardener(Zone 8ish North of San Francisco in the "real" wine country)

Well, all I got with the cornmeal in the damp newspaper was a bunch of baby centipedes! No earwigs! Nancy

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gsweater

Sorry took so long to respond woohooman. Here's the one I'm referring to. I did this last year and it did in fact work. I'm not ambitious enough to go out with flashlights, filming at night like he does, but I caught a bunch. Cheap too.

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Shayne Campbell

Hi, To answer your questions:

1)Site - Hill, tranche, or as is? see #3

2) Soil amendments or new soil? I have compost, shredded leaves, pit moss, can buy any mix they sell in stores. Watermelons love rich soil. I typically plant mine in Pure compost and will add 13-13-13 though out the year

3) Is it enough space for Sugar Baby? I can let it grow to my compost piles behind. If you can let them grow in your compost pile you will be happier in the long run. As long as they get 6+ hours sun

4) How many should I plant - one or two? If two - how close to each other? You typically want to plant them 36-48 inches apart. The vines can grow 10-25 ft in length so make sure you have the space (10 feet min).

Hope that helps and let me know what you decide.

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galinas(5B)

Thank you, they should have enough sun and I have plenty of strait horse manure compost I can add. Would the water going to the planting site be an issue? Do I have to hill it up?

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theforgottenone1013(MI zone 5b/6a)

Geez, people. Perhaps the OP wants to use the raised bed simply for aesthetic reasons. Nothing wrong with that.

Rodney

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Peter (6b SE NY)

I wasn't saying there was anything wrong with it... just that might as well use it elsewhere where it will be more useful (and still look just as good)... assuming there is an elsewhere.

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Peter (6b SE NY)

In my (limited) experience, not really. You can do a bit of training, but the vines are brittle and difficult to control. You can kind of direct it in one direction but trying to keep it in one direction only I don't think will work out. If they can sprawl out in 3 directions, then ok that might work.

This is a picture of my Small Sugar pumpkins from last year, at maybe 65% size. This is 2 plants but mostly just one in the picture. As you can see, it is taking over. They had like 10x10 space in the garden but that wasn't even close to enough. They grew out over the Spirea, onto the ground.. it was a mess. That fence is 6' high.

This is in the garden when they were maybe 40-50% size - 2 plants

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uncgdc_7b

Gotcha - thanks for the pics - that helps put things in perspective. I think I'll be looking for a place on the ground to plant it, or give to someone who has a little more room.

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mystmaiden(texas zone 8)

Thanks all, I didn't know Burpee did that, will have to remember!

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theforgottenone1013(MI zone 5b/6a)

Just recently I had my own experience with Burpee selling something on an in-store seed rack but having no information online. So now if I come across something on a Burpee rack that sounds interesting and have never heard of before I'll look it up prior to buying.

Rodney

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digdirt2(6b-7a No.Cent. AR HZ8 Sun-35)
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theforgottenone1013(MI zone 5b/6a)

How are you growing them? And where about are you located?

Rodney

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