Successful squash growing

You'd think squash was invented especially for gardeners. In October, when harvest baskets lose their appeal, with tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants having all but disappeared, squash arrives in the vegetable garden, a veritable explosion of shapes and colors. It's true that it's a bit confusing: are they pumpkins, gourds, squashes? The answer isn't simple.

Originally, there was a large family called Cucurbitaceae from which a few large species were born: Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita mixta, and finally Cucurbita ficifolia and despite appearances, there are notable differences between species. Cucurbita pepo, characterized by their angular stalk and rigid leaves, are the most represented in the garden: pattypan squash, spaghetti squash, Halloween squash and pumpkin. Cucurbita maxima, which corresponds to pumpkins, have the same general characteristics as Cucurbita pepo but are distinguished by their cylindrical stalk, becoming corky at maturity, which distinguishes them from them. These squashes generally produce large fruits. Less demanding in heat than Cucurbita pepo, they are more easily grown in cool areas. Cucurbita moschata are neither pumpkins nor squashes. They are distinguished by their soft leaves and short calyx. These are butternut squashes. Cucurbita mixta is very rarely found in vegetable gardens. This species, native to Mexico, has bright green foliage speckled with white and is very heat-demanding. Finally, there is Cucurbita ficifolia, which is identified as a very runner species, represented by the Siam squash, with its thin, angular stalk, six or seven ribs, and black seeds. This classification makes it possible to adapt the different squash species to the vegetable garden.

Cultivated for at least 8,000 years in Mexico and Guatemala, squash have developed a remarkable variability of shapes and colors. Originally from America and arriving in Europe with the return of Christopher Columbus, their cultivation quickly spread mainly along the Mediterranean coast. Gourds (or calabashes) of the genus Lagenaria, on the other hand, had long been known in Europe. They were mentioned under the name cucurbita in the Capitulary De Villis* at the time of Charlemagne.

The word "courge", the first written record of which dates back to 1256 in the form "cohourde", derives from the Latin "cŭcŭrbĭta", which also gave rise to the French word "gourde".

Given the diversity of shapes and colors found in squash, it would be surprising to find only one flavor. They almost all have this sweet, slightly musky flavor, but some of them have more original flavors. For example, the winter horn has an almond flavor, while the tancheese butternut is closer to carrot, and the baby boo is closer to chestnut.

"You know, I'm not that fond of squash": it seems odd to make such a presumptuous statement, given how different flavors can be from one to the next. Make no mistake, whether monstrous or more modest in size, they contain almost nothing but water, usually 90%. From a nutritional point of view, with its very high beta-carotene content, the pumpkin holds a special place. Squash are fruits intended for winter consumption when, theoretically, we only have root vegetables and seeds available. They are then a valuable source of "fresh" matter. Ultimately, it is in fact their seeds, from which oil is extracted, that are the most interesting. They are rich in protein (around 30%), lipids (around 45%), have deworming properties (around fifty grams can detach the head of the tapeworm) and help prevent prostate hypertrophy.

Like many other vegetables, squash has entered the everyday language. Being called "squash" won't necessarily delight the recipient of the compliment. Paradoxically, as with any twisted meaning of a word, this method demonstrates the popular attachment and success of this vegetable.

Winter melon squash: Chieh qua shixijegua, Chieh qua guixingyihao, Fenpidongua, Heijiangjun, Twonga, Xiaodonggua. Butternut squash: Butternut, Futsu black rinded, Heipijiangbinggua, Longue de Nice, Muscade, Pleine de Naples, Sucrine du Berry, Tancheese, Trombocino d'Albinga, Violina, Yuxijiangbinggua. Pumpkin: Anna Swartz Hubbard, Atlantic giant, Berrettina piacentina, Bleu de Hongrie, Blue ballet, Blue Hubbard, Blue kuri, Buttercup, Peruvian squash, Sweet green Hokkaido, Galeuse d'Eysine, Turban giraumon, Golden Hubbard, Green Hubbard, Yellow gros de Paris, Marina di Chioggia, North Georgia, Little Turk's cap, Potimaron, Quintal jaune, Rainbow banana, Red kuri, Very early red Etampes, Tristar, Olive green. Decorative gourds (inedible): Squash, Clawed gourd, Indian mix gourd, Sponge gourd, Mini calabash, African gourd, Amphora gourd, Pelerine gourd, Flat gourd of Corsica, Powder pear gourd, Marenka gourd. Other gourds: Tourraine pumpkin, Acorn thelma, Baby boo, Chinese mini, Twisted neck, Siamese, Delicata, Jack be little, Jack o lantern, Lady godiva, Edible luffa huadiansigua, Melonette jaspée de Vendée, Navajo calabacita, White squash, Orange squash, Variegated warty squash, Pepita squash, Small sweet squash, Golden apple, Snake squash, Sweet dumpling, Table gold, Vegetable spaghetti, Winter luxury.

• Difficulty level : 2/3
• Density : 1 plant/m² for non-running varieties and 1 plant/3 m² for running varieties.
• Life cycle : Annual.
• Mode of reproduction : Sexual.
• Type of pollination : Self-pollination possible but cross-fertilization preferential.
  
• Weight per 1000 seeds : approximately 14 to 412 grams.

• Climate zone and hardiness : Squash likes warm and temperate climates.
• Soil type : Loose, fresh, light humus-rich soil.
• pH : Neutral or slightly acidic.
• Moisture : Well-drained soil.
• Exposure : Sunny
• Frost resistance : Squash does not withstand cold well and does not like frost.

• Soil preparation : It is recommended to add compost before planting and to loosen the soil well before sowing.
  
• Transplanting : Transplant the potted plants into the ground as soon as there is no longer any risk of frost, i.e. around mid-May.
• Watering :
  • Frequency: Weekly waterings.
  • Quantity: Moderate watering (approximately 15 mm per watering). Never water the leaves.
  • Period: At planting or in case of excessive drought.
    
• Tools : watering can, hoe or hoe, weeder.
• Hoeing / weeding / earthing up / mulching : Hoe* regularly before laying down a thick mulch* for the whole summer.
• Winter protection : Squash are not grown in winter and therefore do not require any winter protection.
• Harvest period : From June to November.
• Plant part : The fruits of the squash are eaten, but the seeds can also be used by removing their seed coat.
• Stage : 3 to 5 months after sowing, after the fruit is fully ripe, but before the first frosts.

Runner squash can be pruned when the plants have 4 or 5 leaves, by pinching above the 2nd leaf. Afterwards, simply pinch the 2-leaf stem above each fruit and remove the young shoots. This way, you can keep only 2 to 3 large fruits per plant or 5 to 6 small fruits per plant.

• Instructions: Be careful, even if it is very tempting to grab the squash by their stalk, as it seems to have been designed to serve as a handle, this maneuver would not fail to cause invisible lesions, certain causes of rot. The fruits must be cut as close as possible to the stem. Let them dry for a day in the sun, then bring them in a warm place, without knocking them, in a dry and ventilated place: between 12 and 20 °C. For small quantities, the top of a cupboard or wardrobe is ideal.
• Duration: Squash can be stored for a few months to 2 years.

• Culinary : The coconut curry squash charlotte is a good example of the many recipes that can be cooked with squash. Indeed, the incredible diversity of flavors and textures of squash allows you to try almost anything depending on the species and variety chosen. The list is long, some can be eaten raw grated, others in pies or flans, sautéed in a pan or as fries, stuffed, in soups or purées, and of course the stringy varieties can be prepared like spaghetti, Bolognese or carbonara. The seeds can be used to produce oil or roasted for appetizers.

It happens that the squash plant, even if it is well developed, does not form fruit. This is a common problem encountered in many plants of the Cucurbitaceae family. Two explanations for this problem. This can come from excessive heat. Sometimes the flowers borne by the feet are only male flowers (female flowers are differentiated by the presence of a swelling at the base, resembling a very young fruit). Indeed, high temperatures affect the formation of female flowers and the quality of the pollen of the male flowers. Despite the presence of pollinating insects, there is therefore no fruit. It is therefore necessary to protect the plants with good mulch, or the installation of shade in case of excessive heat. The second possibility is a lack of pollination. If the garden does not contain enough pollinating insects then pollination and therefore fruiting will not take place. The solution is to attract pollinators near crops by sowing flower mixes or other honey-producing vegetable species.