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Paradise Mountain, New York

Seems like there is very little going on with growers growing squashes this year. I was wondering, what would be considered a good size squash for this time of year? Anything at 500 and over? Maybe 400 and over....Here in Central New York with record wet and cold Spring and Summer, things are way below normal. Our county set a record for most rain fall and floods since records were kept.

8/20/2013 8:47:53 PM

Colorado

pretty sure joel is way about 1000 already...

8/21/2013 10:35:01 AM

Colorado

"above"

8/21/2013 10:35:13 AM

Claysburg , PA

alot of the big time squash growers will not show any of their hand before weighoff time . It must be a green only thing .

Anything over 600 now seems pretty good to me because you still have several more weeks to go . Watch out for the normal green guys like Haist , Jarvis and Vincent plus the Euro group .

8/21/2013 12:24:44 PM

St.thomas

(Don't think I'm way above' 1000...got squash issues here too;)

Just a guesstimate, but up here most of us should have a 'good' 30 days to grow...averaging 10 lbs a day (bit more earlier, little less later) I figure a healthy squash, depening on age should be able to eek out another 2-300lbs...more maybe if they're getting babbied:)

All the best.

8/21/2013 5:09:35 PM

Cameron

Over 1000#. Wow. I don't know what your doing Joel, but you seem to be a long way ahead of the other growers i've talked to. The cold nights here (7-11 C) have really dropped our growth rates over the past 3 weeks. Now we're getting a few warmer days, so hopefully we'll get some better rates. Squash have always gave me troubles, so this will be the last time I waste a spot for them. Any tips for a fellow Ontario grower trying to beat our PB this year? LOL.

Good luck. We look forward to seeing it in Port Elgin & hope you beat your own PB.

Jane & Phil

8/22/2013 11:11:38 AM

St.thomas

You nailed it already phil...I think (and it's been documented) temperature plays a huge role in the growth of these things (plant & fruit)...thinking we might call it one of those 'macro-variables'.

I try to keep my fruit cool early till i'm sure they're set, then warm them (and try to keep them warm) through the rapid growth phase...then cool them off at the end and let them 'coast in' to the finish...doesn't always work, but that's what I do.

Hope it helps...

all the best

8/22/2013 2:34:56 PM

Colorado

Joel, how to you warm the fruit and keep them warm? thanks!

8/22/2013 3:15:41 PM

St.thomas

Nothing high tech. I use a clear plastic canopy with open ends. Fruit will still warms up, but not like total exposure to the sun. On those single digit nights...blankets go missing;)

8/22/2013 4:03:40 PM

Cameron

Thanks Joel. Night time temps have been cold here, so we have been exposing our squash to the sun for a couple hours each day once it warms up enough. At night we put 2 blankets & a comforter over it to help keep it warm. Last night it dropped down to 10 C & it's going to be down to 7 C tonight, so I might have to find another blanket. Buuurrrr.

We appreciate your help & wish you all the best. Take care.

Jane & Phil

8/23/2013 9:17:29 AM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

After my green monster died I had given up getting another squash.....I kept feeding plant though as it was so healthy. Then, wa-la!!! It set 9 girls in 1 week. Boys were an issue though. Happily my new squash, nicknamed "Bell", as she is an exact bell shape is nice and steady. She won't beat Green monster- but I had one boy flower on the plant, I pollinated her funky little mis-shapen 3 lobe flower never thinking she would take- she is at DAP 19 and gains on average 3" in circumference each day. I just hope it makes it to seed maturity!! I want to do this plant again, and she is the only one self pollinated with herself. There are two growing on the plant, she is the grower, the other one sorta putzes along at 1/2" a day. I haven't culled it off in fear of splitting Bell with all the rain we have had.

8/24/2013 7:43:03 AM

Deer Park WA

Well our squash X 1610 Lieber expermiment resulted in a blaze orange "squash" so no greenies this year!

8/27/2013 4:23:06 PM

President - GPC

Any pics Gadberrys..... be interested in seeing how blaZe orange it waZ

8/27/2013 4:46:17 PM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

i only grow squash for the master gardener.. and to eat..

8/27/2013 5:43:43 PM

Farming- a bunch of catastrophies that result in a lifestyle

Shut my mouth, Bell, the funky little three lobe is over 100 pounds today, thus beating the green monster. She is gaining 8-10 pounds a day.......please don't split, please don't rot, please don't stop growing, please, please, please.........

8/28/2013 7:07:50 AM