To late for winter squash from seed?

I was cleaning up some of the rubbish from the fire and I came across some of my seeds. They were in a little metal box and they seemed unharmed (They were in a different area).

Is it too late to plant them you think?

Most winter squash need 70 to 100 days. That would be about the end of September. When is your zone's first expected frost? You could try an smaller squash like acorn, but I would double-check the days to harvest...as a rule it's always longer than the seed packet says!

Patti

Funny, just today I was thinking about starting a few new types of summer squash; probably some zucchini. My plants are looking a little less than enthusized all the sudden. They produced so quickly so I wondered if I could toss a couple of seeds in the ground and try a new plant or two.

I'm pretty sure I have enough time for summer squash but not sure about winter squash.

Let us know what you decide!

First week of october

chocolatepop wrote:First week of october

My greenhouse still had squash and cucumber plants for sale, maybe you could find something in your neck of the woods and get a head start. It wouldn't hurt to try! Let us know what you decide and how it goes.

Patti

they did but they all had PM

chocolatepop wrote:they did but they all had PM

Well, that not good for sales. Sounds like they need to use some Neem oil spray!

Patti

it was silly HD, I dont even think those kids know what a squash is, how to spell it, let along neem oil haahaahaa

chocolatepop wrote:it was silly HD, I dont even think those kids know what a squash is, how to spell it, let along neem oil haahaahaa

Okay, I'm getting lost in the abbreviations...what is HD?

I don't do texting and my daughters think I am way behind the times. I use my cell phone for long distance only.

Patti

haahaa, no texting abbreviation. Just me Home Depot

chocolatepop wrote:haahaa, no texting abbreviation. Just me Home Depot

Patti

we've all been there.

here is one squash i was considering:
http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/PD/5296

here is the other
http://www.reimerseeds.com/cucuzzi-gourds.aspx

also wondered about these
http://www.reimerseeds.com/baby-corn.aspx
http://www.reimerseeds.com/japanese-hulless-white-popcorn.aspx

I have no experience with these, but they were safely tucked away and I just found them all! I figure most I'll be unlucky and have to wait til next year

Chocolatepop,

I planted two pumpkin seeds over the 4th of July weekend. (it was the 4th or the 5th... I think it was Monday the 5th because I remembered thinking to myself that I'd better get it done before I went back to work on Tuesday.)

Anyway, they are already have a very small second true leaf. They are supposed to be 95 days, which puts them early to mid-October. I'm giving it a try anyway. Even if the pumpkins aren't big enough to harvest yet, it ought to look pretty cool on Halloween!

Note: The cucumber beetles seem to think of them as a favorite snack, so I am keeping the seedlings heavily sprayed with Neem oil.

It is probably a bit late for some varieties of winter squash, especially those that take over 90 days to produce.

Although I am finding that my acorn squash is producing much faster than the package says it would. Package says >90 days but I have 2 acorn squash on one plant that seem to be doubling in size each week and many more flowers on the way; the largest one is already over 4 inches in size. It has been so nice and warm that my squash seem to be ahead of schedule. I started them from seed late May.

My summer squash are also really quick -- I have white custard pattypans, yellow crookneck, and sunburst pattypans. I also started them late May. Lots of flowers and will have squash shortly. They also don't need to grow long before they should be picked and eaten. Supposed to pick them young so they are tender.

If its warm and you still have lots of growing season left you may be able to squeeze some in! It's worth a try.

I so intended to plant all of the above - acorn squash, pumpkins, etc., but I let the days slip away. Sigh.

If you have the room, don't despair. Go ahead and plant them anyway. For all we know, this year will be a long, warm fall, with no frost until late. Take a chance!