so pleased

[purplesparkle]

Hi everyone-I have at last got a butternut squash and melon on my plants-i'm so pleased. Lets hope I can get them to grow bigger to eat
The rest of my veg (potatoes, toms, sweetcorn, chillies, peppers, carrots etc) are also doing really well. I know it sounds like I'm bragging-but I have never grown so much and am LOVING it!

Chickens can't get near the veg-although they will get the left overs-

If any one has any advice to keep the melon and butternut squash growing them please let me know!!!!!!

[kated]

I managed to get a butternut squash to grow as well! For the first time! I usually grow a couple of courgette plants but added to them this year. They are a very hungry breed so you need to make sure they don't run out. One of the courgettes looked a bit peaky earlier and was in poorer soil than the other so I threw some blood fish and bone meal at it (a bit at the others and on the petunias as well!) They are all thriving now. They also need a lot of water, every day in hot weather but I expect you knew that.

[Dusty]

Having just moved house I was too late to plant much but I managed to get some cut and come again lettuce (mainly for my aviary birds) spring onions, chantenay carrots, broad beans and mange tous in and they're fantastic.

Not tried butternut squash............down on list now for next year

[purplesparkle]

Don't you just love it-it's all about watching the seeds turn in to plants for me-FANTASTIC!

Any ideas what I could grow in the autumn/winter-I have parsnips already but want to do more!

[NannyP]

To keep you butternut squash growing and not rotting, lift it onto some straw. Then pinch out the growing tip of the plant so it doesn't put energy into any others (UNLESS YOU WANT OTHERS) (oops sorry hit wrong button).
Leave your squash until the stalk is drying and then once removed from the plant, allow it a week somewhere dry and warm so the skin can ripen.

I grew several last year and the year before, and mostly made this with them,

http://www.channel4.com/food/recipes/chefs/hugh-fearnley-whittingstall/stuffed_butternet_squash_p_1.html

[purplesparkle]

Thanks NannyP-will get some straw under now! Sounds like a yummy recipe

[kated]

Love the look of that NannyP - here's one in exchange which comes highly recommended.

Butternut Squash And Ginger Soup

Serves 4
Ingredients:1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
15g/½ oz butter or 15ml/1 tbsp vegetable oil
700g/1½lb butternut squash, peeled and chopped
10 ml/2tsp freshly grated ginger root juice
salt and freshly ground black pepper
900ml/1½ pts light vegetable stock
To garnish:20ml/4tbsp cream/creme fraiche/concentrated soya milk
a few fresh chives
a pinch freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
Method:
1. Saute the onion and garlic in the butter or oil for 5 minutes covered, without browning.
2. Add the butternut squash, ginger juice, nutmeg and a little seasoning. Cover and continue to cook for a further 10 minutes stirring occasionally to prevent browning.
3. Add the stock, bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes or until the squash is tender.
4. Puree the soup in a blender or processor.
5. Reheat to serve and garnish with a swirl of cream or creme fraiche, (I use yogurt) sprinkle with a little nutmeg if liked and arrange a criss-cross of chives on the top.

[NannyP]

and this.....can be made with BQ or Deep Orange Pumpkins

http://winter-recipes.suite101.com/article.cfm/butternut_squash_soup_with_coconut_cream_chili

I am now wishing I'd grown some more pumpkins this year! Maybe next year

[kated]

YUM! Butternut lends itself really well to soup doesn't it? To think I only "discovered" it about 3 years ago

[purplesparkle]

Have to agree with you Kated-I always tend to make soup with butternut sqaush yummy yummy yummy