Get into gardening

There’s nothing more rewarding than watching and nurturing your very own squash and pumpkins right up to the day that they are ready to be picked. Not only is it fun, but it’s quick, easy and cheap too.

When to plant?

March – June

When to harvest?

Squash: September

Pumpkins: August – November

Where to plant?

Soil bed or large containers

What to do:

So that the fruit doesn’t rot, you’ll need to make sure that your soil is well-drained. To do this, fork a little gravel through the soil.

Plant two or three seeds together roughly 2cm deep and about 50cm apart. Seeds need to be laid vertically, as laying them flat could see them rotting before they are given a chance to grow.

Squash and pumpkins need a good drink, make sure that the soil is kept damp rather than wet. For best growth, squash and pumpkins need room around them. So, if you see any sprouts that look weak and unhealthy, pull them up with your fingers.

Keep your fruit well watered, and once every two weeks mix the water in your watering can with liquid feed to stop your fruit getting hungry.

When you have allowed the skin of your fruit to ripen and harden in the sun, your fruit will be ready. To pick, cut at the stem of your squash and pumpkin with a knife.