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Resources The information contained in Growing Groceries presentations is based on WSU home gardening publications and other science and research based materials. Resource lists are provided on the King County Growing Groceries website and at the end of some presentations. Class 10: Growing Cucurbits To enliven the learning experience, speakers may use examples from their own garden experience and draw Gordon Polson and Sue Kraemer from their personal gardening successes and failures. Master Gardeners
The Cucurbits Mainly Grown in the PNW are Cucurbitaceae Cucumbers, Summer & Winter Squashes is Latin for Gourds, which come in a huge range of shapes and uses
Native to the Andes & Mesoamerica
About 985 species in Cucumber Delicata — winter 95 genera squash (with garlic)
Photo credits: Territorial Seed Co.
Photo credit: Territorial Seed Co. Zucchini — summer squash
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Cucumbers (Cucumis sativa) Cucurbit Growing Needs Telegraph Pepinex All cucurbits have a few growing Greenhouse ○Telegraph Improved needs in common ○Poniente Slicing They all like: ○Picolino ○Pepinex ● Warmth ○Sweet Slice ● Moisture Pickling ● Quick draining soil so they don’t ○Diamont become waterlogged Photo credit: Territorial Seed Co.
Picolino Diamant
Cucumber (Cucumis Sativa) Use Vertical Space Soil Temp Seed Days to Thin Distance Average Growing ● Increases crop yields by 2 to 3 times — better air flow & disease for Germ. Depth Harvest Plants To Apart Yield Needs control Varies Good mix ● Less damage to vines during harvest; more thorough harvesting Minm. 55°F 1/4" 45 to 70 1 per hill approx 3ft w/variety of compost ● Fruit hangs vertically and ripens properly; can discolor on ground & culture and sand ● Prevents slugs from taking a bite • Direct seed late spring or plant in pots and move when soil temperature allows • Easy to grow • Full sun best • Harvest before they reach full size to keep them coming • Best grown up trellis or similar • n.b. ‘Hills’ are mounds of enriched earth which allow water to drain easily — Cucurbits do not like to sit in wet conditions Photo credit: Harris Seeds
Photo credit: Gardeners Supply Co.
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Summer Squashes (Cucurbita spp.) Summer Squash (Cucurbita spp.)
Time to Seed Days to Vine Hill Average Hill Prep. Plant Depth Harvest Spacing Spacing Yield
Good mix After last 2 vines 10 -15 1/4" 60-70 days 4’ - 5’ of sand & major frost per hill per vine compost
• Best sown in spring • Make hills free draining to encourage heating by sun • Direct sow after last killing frost • Start indoors 4 weeks before transplanting in spring Photo Credits: WSU • Avoid heat to prevent bolting Photodit - WSU • Harvest as soon as mature to avoid bolting Zucchini & Crookneck Squash
Photo credit: Territorial Seed Co.
The Cucurbit Family Some Summer Squash Varieties
Male flower Female flower
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Cucamelon aka Mexican Sour Gherkin Hand (Melothria scabra) Pollinating … when ● Heirloom native of Mexico bees don’t ● Matures at about 1” long ● Cucumber flavor with a Photo credit: Territorial Seed Co. tangy, citrus twist When the pollen in the male flower is plentiful & ripe, carefully remove the ● Good in salads and cocktails! whole flower. Peel back the large one-piece petal, exposing the pollen-bearing stamen. Gently touch the stamen to the female stigma, leaving as many grains ● Pickles well of pollen as possible. If your intent is to produce pure seed & fruit, gather the female petal together and snap a small rubber band over the tip to hold it together, excluding any insects that could introduce pollen from other plants. Photo credit: Territorial Seed Co.
Cucamelon (Melothria scabra) Melons (Cucumis melo) Sowing Seed Days to Vine Pot Average Hill Prep. Needs Depth Harvest Spacing Spacing Yield Melons do not grow reliably Spring- One per Free in this area. They need a time, in 1/4" 75 days 4’ - 5’ Prolific pot draining long hot season. The BDG warmth has a special raised bed that • Best sown in spring to allow ample time to fruit has been successful in • Pot on singly and place where plant can climb, once soil bringing the fruit to maturity. temp hits a min of 60°F It is recommended that you • Able to thrive in drought conditions once grown see this bed if you wish to try • Before frost, cut stem at soil level and bring inside over growing this fruit. winter • Harvest frequently to encourage continuous supply
Photo credit:Territorial Seed Co.
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Melon (Cucumis melo)
Start Seed Days to Vine Pot Bed Average Yield Seeds Depth Harvest Spacing Spacing Prep.
Singly in 4” 2-3 per vine, One per Free pots 1/2" 75 days 4’ - 5’ depending on pot draining @75°F conditions Growing Cucurbits: Winter Squash • Sow in spring in warm, dry conditions • Preheat raised bed by covering with plastic sheet • Plant in bed carefully to avoid disturbing roots • Irrigate with warmed water only (see BDG example) • Support fruits above soil when they start to form • When ripe, fruits will slip off the stem
What’s the difference? Pumpkins and Winter Squash Cucurbita Pepo Pumpkin Species
Cucurbita maxima Cucurbita pepo Cucurbita moschata Beppo Pumpkin Sugar Pie Pumpkin Reno (acorn) Squash Squash Species
Cucurbita moschata Cucurbita maxima Cucurbita pepo Delicata Squash Spaghetti Squash Sweet Potato Squash
WHAT?!!!
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Cucurbita maxima Cucurbita moschata
Amish Pie Pumpkin Cinderella Pumpkin Banana Squash
Fairytale Pumpkin Butternut Squash Butterkin Squash
Hubbard Squash Buttercup Squash Sweet Meat Squash
Winter Squash and Pumpkins (Cucurbita species) Harvesting Winter Squash and Pumpkins
Soil Temp Seed Days to Thin Row Seed Fertilizer for Germ. Depth Emergence Plants To Spacing Life Needs
1 - 3-4 Medium 65-85°F 5-10 1-2/hill 3-6’ 1 1/2" years to high • Needs fertile well drained soil • Warm season crop!
• Monoecious: need bees and insects for pollination! Photo Credits: diynetwork.com • Start indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting (careful • Leave on vine until mature; rinds should be firm when transplant, roots don’t like to be disturbed) • Cut stems leaving 2-4 inches and wash • Direct sow when soil 65°F • Move to warm dry area to cure (time depends on variety) • Store at 50-60°F with good air circulation
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Curing and Storage Varies! Favorite Recipes
Squash Curing Time Storage
Cucurbita pepo not required 2-3 months Squash soup Pumpkin pie Cucurbita maxima 10-14 days 4-6 months Cucurbita moschata 10-14 days 4-6 months
Photo Credits: Sue Kraemer Photo Credits: paleoleap.com
Squash, onion, apples, carrots, Pumpkin puree, eggs, evaporated broth, and spices milk, sugar, and spices in butter crust
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Identity pests • Prevent problems before they start • Monitor with careful observation Growing Cucurbits: • Control with mechanical and biological practices first Pests and Diseases (not eradicate)
Photo Credits: Wikipedia
Photo Credits: Sue Kraemer
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Squash Bugs Stink Bugs
Affected Crops: all members of the family Affected Crops: squash, melons, and pumpkins Prevention and Control • Hand-pick and destroy Prevention and Control eggs, nymphs, and adults ○ Hand-pick and destroy • Natural enemies: eggs, nymphs, and chickens, praying mantids, adults and others ○ Clean up debris • Row covers
Photo Credits: hortsense and wikimedia
Photo Credits: extension.entm.purdue.edu
Spotted and Striped Cucumber Beetle Angular Leaf Spot
Affected Crops: all members Affected Crops: all members of the family of the family
Prevention and Control Prevention and Control • Pick and kill individual • Plant disease-free seed beetles • Rotate crops • Attract beneficial insects • Plant resistant varieties • Row covers • Avoid over-watering
Photo Credits: territorial seeds and hortsense
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Powdery Mildew Cucumber Mosaic Virus
Affected Crops: all members Affected Crops: all members of the family of the family
Prevention and Control Prevention and Control • Remove affected leaves • Plant resistant varieties • Rotate crops • Control aphids and • Space plantings for air beetles circulation • Control weeds • Prevention: spray with 10- • Remove infected plants 50% milk solution
Photo Credits: territorial seeds
Ending Extra: Quest for Mimi Sweet Verticillium Wilt Failed attempt at discovering new squash variety Affected Crops: all members of the family
Prevention and Control • Rotate crops • Plant when soil is warm • Clean up debris
• Be careful if you save seeds! • Cross-pollination can happen between plants within in a mile of each other
Photo Credits: hortsense
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Resources • Home Vegetable Gardening in Washington, #EM057E • Growing Cucumbers in Home http://www.mgfkc.org/resources/growinggroceries Gardens, #FS096E • Growing Squash in Home Gardens, Gardener Education #FS087E Supported by • HortSense: http://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/Se arch/MainMenuWithFactSheet.asp Thank You to the Issaquah Grange x?CategoryId=5&PlantDefId=55 for donating • Territorial Seeds: classroom space!
www.territorialseed.com Photo Credits: Sue Kraemer
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