We planted Upper Ground Sweet Potato Squash this year. It's supposed to be a good squash for the south and the fruits are only supposed to be 4-6 pounds, at least that's what I read. It is also supposed to do well in unfavorable conditions. So, with that in mind, how do you think it has responded in my environment? You can click the photo for a better view.
This was taken from the roof of Nate's workshop, and believe it or not, there are two 4x10 raised beds under that jungle. Okay, I really don't have alot of real estate to devote to something like this, but it just seemed to take on a life of its own, and I didn't have the heart to try to contain it. I mean, could the blob be contained?
"I think you should send us the biggest transport plane you have, and take this thing to the Arctic or somewhere and drop it where it will never thaw." The Blob, 1958
These photos show one of the squashes before it ripened, but the perspective with Nate's hands is good. They ripen to a light creamy orange and the flesh is about the color of a sweet potato. I cut the first two ripened squashes off the vine last weekend, and they each weighed 40 pounds! I just went outside and counted 9 more on the vine that are almost ripe. The ones left are not as large as the first two, but pretty close to it. I would say probably 30 pounds each. We did lose a few more to the chickens pecking them when they were very young and soft, and I found two this weekend that had become separated from the vine before they ripened and were starting to rot.
This weekend I cut open one of the harvested squashes and managed to shred 19.5 lbs of squash for the freezer. And, the first recipe I tried was one of my favorites for zucchini. It turned out delicious.
So, even though I'm a failure with summer squash because of the vine borers, I have totally redeemed myself with this winter squash. I'm super excited to try more recipes with it.
Happy homesteading,
Candace
Holy flipping Bat Man that thing is ginormous! Congrats on a bountiful harvest, super fun. I am still getting some over here but it hasn't been easy. feeding a lot and fingers crossed i'll have some to save.
ReplyDeleteIt is ginormous! I never imagined this would do so well. I'm pleasantly surprised. Good luck with yours.
DeleteWow. I am impressed. Are they tasty? I need to keep this one in mind for next year!
ReplyDeleteThey are very tasty, very delicate. I've made the squash cakes above and now some squash bread. Both very good. The seeds came from Baker Creek.
DeleteYour squash looks like a watermelon in the picture! You must have needed a hand truck to get it into the kitchen. Then a fork lift to get it on the counter. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt does look like a watermelon, but once it ripened, it became a tanish color. No fork lift, just a strong husband. He's good to have around for things like this. I can tell you the chef's knife and I had a big task cutting that baby up.
DeleteWow! Congrats what an amzing squash and I would say the conditions were perfect :)
ReplyDeleteI know, Wow! Thanks! We are going to be eating alot of squash this winter, and I'm so happy about that!
DeleteHey! I just recently read through your blog and I'm sad to see you haven't been updating. Hopefully you will check this tho because I found something I thought might be helpful to you with your squash situation. Another blog I just started reading has quite a list of natural pest remedies from companion planting to natural pest sprays (like lemon balm and powdered kelp). Here's the link: http://wellnessmama.com/2524/organic-gardening-natural-pest-prevention-and-control/
ReplyDeleteHope all is well and good luck with your homestead this year!
@Anonymous: Thanks for the link. I'll check it out. I'm going to try to grow more vine borer resistant varieties this year and stay away from the summer squashes. They say you can plant summer squashed later in the season after the vine borers' laying time frame, but I've seen them on my squash plants as late as September, so apparently the vine borers in my neck of the woods don't read the same articles I do.
ReplyDelete