Cucurbits: melons, squash, pumpkins, courgettes, zucchini, gherkins and… cucumbers.

A bit “touchy” —don’t like cold spells of weather— cool southerly winds are no good; frost tender.

That’s why it’s best to sow them later in spring (from end of October onwards).

I sow them in medium-sized pots with seed-raising mix (high in organic material); these cucurbits appreciate a good organic feed (compost, sheep’s poo, Seafood Soup – a great liquid fertiliser) on a regular basis.

But what you have to be careful with is too much water when they have germinated: their new roots are very susceptible to rotting in wet potting mix!

A well-draining mix helps to keep the young roots safe from the rots.

Keep your seedling in a nice, warm spot; around 18 degrees or more during the daytime hours and no less than 7 or 8 degrees at night.

Sunlight is important: at least 7 hours per day direct sunlight.

My tunnel house easily gets those numbers (and allows earlier planting and better regulation of watering too!).

I’m not too keen on courgettes (which have a habit of becoming marrows – even worse!); nor am I a pumpkin aficionado. Let’s face it: in Winter there are heaps of pumpkins on the market and they cost bugger-all!

I usually concentrate on Cucumbers, watermelon, and gherkins.

These fruits are usually largely made of moisture – which means that when the flowers develop into fruits, the plants need more water (compared to the seedling stage); It’s the watering (liquid fertiliser!!) that really helps them to expand the fruit to a good size.

Watermelon grows nicely on warm soils – sprawling all over the place; if you want to help them with lovely warm soil, perhaps cover the soil with some black plastic.

Gherkins and Cucumbers are best grown on a trellis or climbing rack. Again: fruit develop best with increased watering / liquid fertiliser. Cucumbers need to be harvested regularly to make the plant set new fruit.

Summer snack: Pickled gherkins? (or watermelon??).

Cucurbits: melons, squash, pumpkins, courgettes, zucchini, gherkins and… cucumbers. 
A bit “touchy” —don’t like cold spells of weather— cool southerly winds are no good; frost tender. 
That’s why it’s best to sow them later in spring (from end of October onwards). 
I sow them in medium-sized pots with seed-raising mix (high in organic material); these cucurbits appreciate a good organic feed (compost, sheep’s poo, Seafood Soup – a great liquid fertiliser) on a regular basis. 
But what you have to be careful with is too much water when they have germinated: their new roots are very susceptible to rotting in wet potting mix! 
A well-draining mix helps to keep the young roots safe from the rots. 
Keep your seedling in a nice, warm spot; around 18 degrees or more during the daytime hours and no less than 7 or 8 degrees at night. 
Sunlight is important: at least 7 hours per day direct sunlight. 
My tunnel house easily gets those numbers (and allows earlier planting and better regulation of watering too!). 
I’m not too keen on courgettes (which have a habit of becoming marrows – even worse!); nor am I a pumpkin aficionado. Let’s face it: in Winter there are heaps of pumpkins on the market and they cost bugger-all! 
I usually concentrate on Cucumbers, watermelon, and gherkins. 
These fruits are usually largely made of moisture – which means that when the flowers develop into fruits, the plants need more water (compared to the seedling stage); It’s the watering (liquid fertiliser!!) that really helps them to expand the fruit to a good size. 
Watermelon grows nicely on warm soils – sprawling all over the place; if you want to help them with lovely warm soil, perhaps cover the soil with some black plastic. 
Gherkins and Cucumbers are best grown on a trellis or climbing rack. Again: fruit develop best with increased watering / liquid fertiliser. Cucumbers need to be harvested regularly to make the plant set new fruit. 
Summer snack: Pickled gherkins? (or watermelon??).

Jack Tame’s crisp perspective, style and enthusiasm makes for refreshing and entertaining Saturday morning radio on Newstalk ZB.

News, sport, books, music, gardens and celebrities – what better way to spend your Saturdays?

Jack Tame’s crisp perspective, style and enthusiasm makes for refreshing and entertaining Saturday morning radio on Newstalk ZB. News, sport, books, music, gardens and celebrities – what better way to spend your Saturdays?

Jack Tame’s crisp perspective, style and enthusiasm makes for refreshing and entertaining Saturday morning radio on Newstalk ZB.News, sport, books, music, gardens and celebrities – what better way to spend your Saturdays?