The easy guide to pumpkins

Pumpkins (Cucurbita maxima)


Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.















Also known as winter squash
Are annual and are either bushes or vines
Are hard skinned fruits picked when fully mature
Used in mainly in roasts, soups, baking and pies
Pumpkins can be anywhere from 1-50kg
Vines can take up alot of garden space
Some vine varieties could trail up to 10m(33feet)
Bush types are better for small gardens
Are related to cucumbers, squashes, zucchini and other cucurbits
Historically they come from Central and South America
Pumpkins are grown for decoration as well as food
Pumpkin seeds are edible and contain fats and protein
Can be deep fried and eaten as nuts
Some pumpkins store for more weeks or better than others
Fully mature pumpkins taste and store better










How to grow

Prefers a sunny, good, well drained soil
Requires a long growing season of up to 20 weeks
Sow seed Spring to early Summer when the weather warms up
Prepare soil with well rotted manure or fertiliser before sowing
Sow seeds 2cm(1in) deep with enough space between seeds
Mulch around plants to prevent weeds or grass growing up
Fertilise with a high nitrogen feed when flowering begins

 Harvesting

 When the vine dies and fruit is fully mature
The fruit stalk should be dry and brittle


 Varieties

Butternut - Dry and tasty pear shaped fruit to 2kg
Gold Nugget - A compact bush type with small fruits
Ironbark - An Australian heirloom with great flavour
Jap - Soft skin and a mottled appearance
Jarradale - Large grey pumpkin a on large vine
Minikin - A small tasty pumpkin
Musquee de Provence - 8kg fruits and stores for a very long time
Queensland Blue - Large vines and large fruit
Triamble - Flesh is orange and sweet, good storage
Turk's Turban - Striped colors and up to 5.9kg fruits


See More!


The easy guide to Radishes
http://cga777.blogspot.com/2017/11/radish.html

The easy guide to Potatoes
http://cga777.blogspot.com/2017/11/potatoes-solanum-tuberosum-isaiah-111.html

The easy guide to Peppers/Capsicums
http://cga777.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/the-easy-guide-to-pepperscapsicums.html

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The easy guide to broccoli

Image
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea italica) Job 14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. Also known as calabrese or green sprouting broccoli A fast growing (vigorous) plant Is a close relative of cauliflower Is easier to grow than cauliflower Has become very popular Comes in purple or green colors It is best grown through the cooler months Is a good source of vitamins A. C and E It is also rich in calcium, minerals and folate Grows up to 90cm(2ft) tall 10 plants is recommended for a family of 4 Broccoli can be steamed or boiled How to Grow Grow in the same methods as cabbage Sow seed Spring, Summer and Autumn Sow seed 45cm(18in) apart in rows 45cm(18in) or Sow seed in punnets/pots and transplant them when 10cm(4in) tall Apply a liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks Harvesting Cut the central head while it is still firm Harvest any sideshoots that come along later
Read more

The easy guide to lemon balm

Image
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) Jeremiah 8:22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? Is a bushy and frost hardy perennial Not to be confused with lemon verbena Is an easy plant to grow It is related to mint, peppermint or spearmint Is a vigorous plant It can grow to 1.5m(5ft) high It has a lemon fragrance and flavour It is used in a range of dishes and tea Cold teas can be made from fresh or dried leaves The leaves can be dried It has very small white flowers The plant regrows each spring from the roots Honeybees love lemon balm How to Grow Sow seed Spring and Summer Or take cuttings in Spring Or divide clumps in Spring or Autumn Plant in rich soil in open sun It will grow in different soil types It is tolerant of drought and shade Harvesting Collect leaves at any time See More! The easy guide to Potatoes http://cga777.blogsp
Read more

The easy guide to watermelons

Image
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) 1 John 5:8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. Are warm season plants Grown in temperate, sub tropical and tropical climates They are grown like squashes or cucumbers There are seeds and seedless varieties The need plenty of space Vines can run 4 meters or more Melons cut in half can be used as bowls The flesh contains 95% water They yield one or 2 fruit per plant 4-6 plants is sufficient for a family Children love watermelons They were grown in ancient Egypt How to Grow Sow Spring and Summer They need a long growing season Fertile well drained soil A warm and sunny position Soil temperature must be 20oC or more Sow seed 1-2 meters apart When flowering begins fertilise the plants Watermelons like watering to grow well Harvesting Pick when fully ripe That is when the stem dries and the fruit changes colour Melons stor
Read more

The easy guide to Eggplants

Image
Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Job 6:6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg? Also known as Aubergine, Brinjal, guinea squash and mad apple Can be big or small in colors white, purple, black, yellow, red, orange or green Eggplant is a native to India The fruit is widely used in cooking throughout the world China, India, Iran, Egypt, Turkey are the biggest producers of Eggplants The plant grows anywhere from 40 to 150 cm (1.3 to 4.9 ft) tall Therefore they can be grown in larger containers One eggplant is composed of 92% water The small seeds can be eaten but taste bitter The flowers are white or purple The stem is usually spiny Eggplant can be hollowed out and stuffed with meat, rice, or other fillings, and then baked. How to grow Sow in Spring or transplant commercial seedlings before Summer It likes fertile well drained soil in a sunny position Place plants 40cm(16in) apart, in ro
Read more

The easy guide to Potatoes

Image
Potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum ) Isaiah 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: A hardy vegetable to 50cm high A very rewarding plant to grow in larger containers or in the open ground Tubers vary in size, color, texture and taste A space 4 meters square(43 square feet) can accomodate 3kg(6 lb) of seed potatoes and produce at least 50kg(100 lb) of new potatoes Potatoes grown in a kerosine tin or 5 gallon drum can give surprising results Potatoes can be planted to break up tough soil Seed Potatoes You want ones with "eyes" on them Small potatoes to 5cm(2 in) are planted whole Medium sized ones are cut longwise to get eyes on them Large ones are cut across and then again through the ends to have an eye(s) on each piece Leave the cut pieces a few hours to dry before planting How to Grow Potato tubers are planted in Spring in temperate gardens after the frosts are past In well dr
Read more

The easy guide to celery

Image
Celery (Apium graveolens dulce) Genesis 41:22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good: Is grown for its succulent stalks Is a cool season vegetable Is a biennial plant Is a challenge to grow celery well The small seeds can be used as a flavouring There are easy blanching or self blanching varieties Before harvesting celery is blanched by excluding light to plants Blanching modifies the taste and color of stalks They can used in soups, salads or cooked There are pink, red and white stem varieties of celery How to Grow Sow from Spring to Autumn In punnets or pots and then later transplanted An open site with rich soil Prepare the bed with compost Place plants 30cm(12in) apart each way Water each day in hot weather Mulch plants to keep moisture in Apply a nitrogen fertiliser every 2 weeks Blanch celery with newspaper from ground level to 40cm high Harvesting Blanch celery 3 weeks before harvesting is
Read more

The easy guide to mint

Image
Mint (Mentha species) Job 38:27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? Is a creeping perennial herb That is valuable for its leaves which can be chopped There is a big family of mints each different in some way Aromas, leaf forms or taste will be different They have pinkish flowers Mints can become invasive and compete with other plants It can be planted near a tap for more moisture Can be used in sauces and salads Can be used in drinks or cooked as a vegetable Mint rust can be treated by cutting the plant back hard Plants usually grow to 50cm high How to Grow Mint likes damp or moist soil Sow seed in Spring or Summer or Plant rhizomes from existing plants in winter or spring Plant rhizomes 5cm deep and 25cm apart Varieties Apple mint Chocolate mint Common mint Lemon mint Peppermint Spearmint See More! The easy guide to Onions http://cga77
Read more

The easy guide to cucumbers

Image
Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) 1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: A popular salad vegetable A warm season vegetable Come in many shapes and sizes Goes well with tomato and lettuce Have little food value but a good taste Have been around since ancient times 4-6 plants will enough for a family of four Can be grown on a fence or trellis Can be grown on wigwams or wires Can be grown in fruit case boxes or in large tubs Can be grown in a greenhouse or glasshouse There are mildew resistant varieties Average yield for cucumbers is 15 fruits per plant Immature cucumbers are known as gherkins How to grow Sow seed mid Spring to mid Summer Likes rich well drained soil Soil temperature should be at least 20oC Sow seeds 45cm(18in) apart in rows 60cm(24in) apart Keep the plants well watered Plants benefit from mulching When flowering begins use a nitrogen fertilizer Harvesting Cucumbers c
Read more

The easy guide to thyme

Image
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Psalms 89:47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain? Also known as garden thyme Is an evergreen perennial And is a popular culinary herb Is a low growing subshrub It grows from 5cm to 45cm in height It has tiny flowers There are over 40 varieties of thyme Thyme is used to flavour meats Thyme goes well with zucchini, carrots and tomatoes Thyme tea is a refreshing antiseptic drink Thyme oil is used to treat headaches and other problems How to Grow Needs a sunny site and well drained soil Can be grown from root division of existing plants Or from seed sown Harvesting  As needed Use fresh, frozen or dried Varieties Caraway thyme Lemon thyme Turkey thyme See More! The easy guide to Potatoes http://cga777.blogspot.com/2017/11/potatoes-solanum-tuberosum-isaiah-111.html The easy guide to Pumpkins http://cga777.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-easy-guide-
Read more

The easy guide to rosemary

Image
Rosemary (Rosmarinus o fficinalis) Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. Is a slow growing evergreen perennial It is a popular herb for flavoring It has short, tough silvery needle like leaves The leaves are highly aromatic It can withstand hot sun and drought It is an ideal border or small hedge plant It can live for 30 years It can grow up to 1.5m(5ft) high It is related to mint and sage It can be grown in pots Rosemary oil is used to treat headaches Rosemary goes well with meats and vegetables How to Grow A sunny location A gritty well drained soil is best It can be grown from seed or tip cuttings Prune the plant moderately to encourage more growth Harvesting Pick leaves as needed Use them fresh, frozen or dried See More! The easy guide to Potatoes http://cga777.blogspot.com/2017/11/potatoes-solanum-tuberosum-isaiah-111.html The easy guide
Read more