Contains the following baby plants
- DELIVERY INFO: Now taking pre-orders for Spring Plants for 2024. Bare-Rooted Fruit plants will be shipped in Dec/Jan. See FAQs for further info.
Pumpkin & Squash Patch – Plug Plant Collection
£19.99
Colourful, decorative, fun and ever so tasty
This is a lovely collection of pumpkins, winter and summer squashes that will provide you with colourful and tasty vegetables throughout the summer and autumn months. Growing pumpkins and squash from our plug plants is very easy – just plant them in a sunny part of the garden, and refer to your growing guide (provided with every plant delivery) for growing advice.
Number of plants: 15 plug plants
Space required: If growing on the ground, allow approx 15 metres growing space. If growing vertically, against a trellis or fence, you could pack the plants in a little closer, allowing 10 metres space, or grow them in big containers (15 containers, 1 plant per pot)
In the kitchen: This collection of pumpkins and winter squash are all delicious and are great for stuffing, roasting, using in soups or to make delicious pies.
THESE PLANTS WILL BE SHIPPED IN SPRING 2024
Delivery Info: Available to order now for delivery from late April 2024 until July 2024. Please see FAQs for up-to-date delivery info.
Planting/Growing Advice: Please see our growing guides for each individual advice for each plant type and for spacing between plug plants.
When to harvest: Please see our growing guides for each individual advice.
*Transplants suitable for organic growing.
Full sun & fertile soil
Full sun and fertile soil are important – Squash are hungry plants so make sure you dig in plenty of organic fertiliser when you plant them.
Traditional Plot or Raised Beds
Squash tend to be large sprawling plants so are best grown in raised beds or traditional plots where they have space. Alternatively, you can grow them in large pots and train them up a trellis. Tie the vines in frequently, and when fruits start to form you may need to help support them by making little hammocks!
How far apart?
Plant squash 1 to 1.5 metres apart
Don't plant out too early
Plant them outside when the risk of frost has passed and the weather has warmed up. Until then, keep them in pots under cover. If you do have to plant out early, use a cloche to protect them.
Watering & feeding
These are thirsty plants and need a lot of water. We’d suggest you water them daily during dry spells. Try not to let the soil dry out. Should you start to notice any discolouration in the leaves it’s probable that they’re not getting enough water.
When to harvest
Summer Squash: Harvest regularly once the squash reach a good size.
Winter Squash: Harvest in late September/October, before the first frosts. The stalk of the squash should have started to dry up and turn brown/yellow, and the skin should have hardened enough that you can’t pierce it with your thumbnail.
Powdery Mildew
This fungal white coating on leaves is nothing to be worried about and is very common in all pumpkins and squashes. During the early part of the season, leaves should come through nice and green, and towards the end of the season you start to see powdery mildew creep in. If you do have it earlier in the season, remove affected foliage and keep plants well watered to strengthen them.
Nutrient Deficiency/Lack of water
Any yellow or brown patches forming on the leaves can usually be attributed to a lack of nutrients. Make sure your squash plants are getting enough water so that they can draw up the nutrients that they need – the soil should be consistently moist – and use a liquid feed fortnightly once fruits start forming.
Storage Tips
Summer squash can be kept in the fridge for a few days once picked. Winter squash will keep well for several weeks (sometimes months) stored on a windowsill in your home.
Ways to cook
Winter squashes are great for creamy risottos, and lovely roasted for soups as well.
Summer squashes can be cooked in much the same way as courgettes.
Do I need to sign for them?
All our plug plant orders are dispatched with an overnight courier* to mainland UK and do not need to be signed for when they are delivered, but will be left somewhere safe. When placing your order, please let us know where you would like the plug plants left if you are not in when the courier delivers.
We will keep you posted
You will receive an email approximately a week before your order is dispatched and another on the day your plug plants are packed and leave us so you know to expect and prepare for their arrival.
