Buttercup Squash - When to harvest - July 2011

[anexartetos]

Thank you! I laughed when I saw how your plants ran amok. One of our plants climbed halfway up a cherry tree.

[webcajun]

@anexartetos ...LOL they do need some space......Donald

[player33due]

How do you save your okra seed? This year when I planted the seed I saved they didnt sprout.

[webcajun]

@player33due ... Check out my video on saving okra seeds. You have to let them completely dry out on the plant before collecting the seed......Donald

[jude1c9v]

sorry im off topic, but i got a question about corn, three years now i have grown corn and no matter how much 7dust or spray i use i always get those worms that eat my corn. how do u get rid of them, or do u have that problem??

[webcajun]

@jude1c9v ... I think everybody has that problem. I just break off the end with the worm and really don't worry about it. I don't think it's worth the cost of the spray........Donald

[prairiepatch]

I always love your videos Donald, don't ever stop making them. Beautiful garden and beautiful squash. I remember my Mom saying that they would store their melons and squash deep in the grain bins for the winter. Even in the coldest of our Canadian winters it would keep the produce above freezing. She said it was fun to dig around in the grain searching for a squash or whatever.

[webcajun]

@prairiepatch ... I could see how that would work real well. Glad you enjoy the videos.......Donald

[sakinehbs]

yes it is beautiful. what a color. nice job man .

[webcajun]

@sakinehbs ... They get even more orange with age.....Donald

[finderoftheway]

Donald what about cutting them in 3/4 slices and frying them in butter

[webcajun]

@finderoftheway ... Never tried it but it sounds good. Maybe slice a little thinner......Donald

[shartne]

That looks like its doing great Some kind of twitching fast bugs killed my squash plants one day they where fine the next day the bugs killed them quick. I couldn't get the seven dust on them fast enough. I think they were potato bugs.

[webcajun]

@shartne ... I sprayed em a few times with Liquid Sevin before they bloomed and didn't have many bug problems....Donald

[shartne]

@webcajun I will have to do that next time spray ahead of time just to keep ready for bugs.

[GardenMatreshka]

Great video! I've never seen this variety of squash, as I am VERY new to gardening. Sounds delicious!

[webcajun]

@GardenMatreshka ... They are good, give em a try.......Donald

[ilsdmspjs]

great video, that's my favorite squash right there! I know what my mystery plant is now. PUMPKIN! I've got a few now...couple just went orange so I guess the mystery is over lol

[webcajun]

@ilsdmspjs ...lol.......Donald

[eggplanthead44]

hey Donald can you make a video on trimming of the tomato suckers? Or do you let them grow at will? "Lache pas la potat"

[webcajun]

@eggplanthead44 ...I rarely pinch the suckers on my tomato plants. I want those tomatoes to get as much shade as possible.......Donald

[jsbattlenet]

great video. Looks like someone has learned some new video editting skills :)

[webcajun]

@jsbattlenet ...Just a little something from PhotoShop......Donald

[jsbattlenet]

@webcajun well it looks great. Videos are looking more and more professional every time

[Rustico62]

Hello Donald, Looking good over there as always. Maybe I missed it, but I haven't seen how you do soil prep for melons,cucumbers, squash, etc. It looks like you just pop the seed in anywhere you wish? Do you dig in compost or anything into the hills or does you soil have pretty good organic matter from tilling in crops? I just ask this because everything you read about this kind of crop says to put lots of compost or rotted manure.

Happy 4th of July!

[webcajun]

@Rustico62 ...I till my crops back in so I’ve got pretty good organic matter. I till the area I want to plant, push the seeds in with my finger, give em a little Miracle Grow a couple of time a month and let em grow. I keep it simple…….Donald

[karl9x]

The seeds taste real good roasted and salted too.

[webcajun]

@karl9x ... Thanks, will have to give em a try......Donald

[markhess]

Oh man, now I'm hungry!! Nice video Donald! - Mark

[webcajun]

@markhess ... we put one on the grill for supper along with a couple of steaks. I still full.....Donald

[StatenIslandSlim]

Have a Happy 4th Donald I hope You are Just Sitting Back & Enjoying Americas Birthday!

[webcajun]

@StatenIslandSlim … I worked in the garden awhile then put some steaks on the grill with one of the buttercup squash ... had a tomato and cucumber salad right out the garden. Life really doesn’t get any better. Happy 4th to you too……..Donald

[crazyfool8839]

Great video, thanks for sharing. 

[webcajun]

@crazyfool8839 ...You're welcome. Will be putting some on the grill this afternoon.....Donald

[MrLarryHorse]

Actually the stem when it gets it cures and gets hard prevents the squash from rotting the in the root cellar. I kept Acorn and Butternut squash here up North almost til March. I'll bet that makes an awesome soup!! Roast it with garlic, sage, hot pepper flakes, onions and puree for a savory recipe.

[webcajun]

@MrLarryHorse ...Thanks for the info and recipe. I hope they hold well in our Louisiana heat.......Donald

[TheMrsVolfie]

I bake them and then mash in a little butter and pepper and brown sugar...I planted a whole bunch of seeds I got from last year..some sugar pumpkin..some butter cup and butter nut...But I forgot to mark which was whick..lol so it will be a surpise!

Bev

[webcajun]

@TheMrsVolfie ...Hey Bev, sometimes suprises are the best.......Donald

[2Bibleppl]

An agriculture agent told me that it's best to always scoop out some of the membrane with the seed and let it ferment. He said that this helps the seed to germinate the next year, is this true in your opinion? Thanks for your vids and knowledge.

[webcajun]

@2Bibleppl ... I know that's done with tomato seed guess it would work with these too......Donald

[TheClownCentral]

Happy 4th of July from Ireland!!!

[webcajun]

@TheClownCentral ... Thanks......Donald

[Jimaera]

Awesome vid, Donald! I really love the down-home style of your videos. Makes me wanna go right outside and plant some squash, hehe.

[webcajun]

@Jimaera ...Go for it, it's not too late.....Donald

[TheMrsVolfie]

MMMM...MMMM..MMM!!!! My Favorite Squash!

[webcajun]

@TheMrsVolfie ...Mine too......Donald

[buckstarchaser]

Looks like there's a lot of meat in one of those. Say, do you know how to tell when potatoes are ready? I don't know when to dig mine up and don't want to ruin any. I only have 8 plants.

[webcajun]

@buckstarchaser ...One squash will feed 4 people or 2 Cajuns. When the tops start dying, dig em up......Donald

[buckstarchaser]

@webcajun I thought Cajuns were people too, haha. Thanks for the info on potatoes. For some reason it's been hard to find that part out. I even watched a documentary on potatoes to try and find the answer with no luck.

[twbigdogsgirl]

Thanks Donald. I just love all kinds of squash. I wish my garden was big enough to grow them. My hubby wasn't too happy when I grew zucchini and yellow crook neck last year as it took over the yard.

[webcajun]

@twbigdogsgirl ...LOL......Donald

[Peskey2010]

Thanks for the video!

[webcajun]

@Peskey2010 ....You're welcome........Donald

[anyusmoon1]

Just wondering if you have tips about plant squash seeds. Also if you have ever baked them as one might pumpkin seeds?

Thanks Donald.

[webcajun]

@anyusmoon1 ...I plant em about 1 inch deep, 3-5 seeds per hill and thin out to 1 after they come up. Keep em watered every day until they come up. At this time of the year shoule less than a week. Never tried baking the seeds.......Donald

[anyusmoon1]

@webcajun Thanks for your usual courtesy and promptness in replying Donald.

[StatenIslandSlim]



Donald another great video, I to grow the same squash great tasting...... keep the videos coming one a week would be great!!

[webcajun]

@StatenIslandSlim ...One a week? Ya'll would be bored with me then. LOL......Donald

[gardeningkiwi]

Yum. I love Buttercup squash and grow it every year. I cant wait for spring so I can plant some more! Thanks for clarifying when to actually harvest them - I always guess or wait until the stalks are brown. Try stuffing them with sundried tomato, garlic and feta cheese and roasting them! S :o)

[webcajun]

@gardeningkiwi ... will be giving lots a recipes a try cause I'm picking lots of these things and they are still blooming. LOL.......Donald

[knyquol]

Great Video!! I want to grow these maybe next year I've eaten some from a friends garden and it was VERY good, I'm not sure about these but I do know the butter nut and Hubbard squash will last in our basement from October clear through to march early April, i just make sure to check them often and cook up what needs to be asap!

[webcajun]

@knyquol ...Heat is our biggest problem down here in Louisiana when it comes to storing vegetables. That's where that big canner comes in. lol......Donald

[mhpgardener]

Great video D. Love the pic in pic, just beautiful. For just 4 plants, thats incredible. Thanks for the warning ! Also, do they "tap" the ground with new roots? I've got a blue hubbard thats vining real nice, saw little shoots coming out along the runners, thinking I might need to pile some soil on it. I'm not familiar with this type of squash. Again, awesome video... professional quality ! ;-)

[webcajun]

@mhpgardener ...No I don't think the vines will root. Give em plenty room to grow......Donald

[gardenvespers777]

@mhpgardener Do you see the candy Webcajun's got on that rack back there?? (at the end of the video)... lol

ohh mannn.. you need to do that now that you have them too.. lol makes a nice backdrop!

[mhpgardener]

@gardenvespers777 I noticed them too. Looks like a rack of bowling balls ! ;-) Hopefully ours will be frozen or dehydrated soon. We'll leave some dry for sure, but nothing like what D has.

[jerrydff7]

cool video =)

[webcajun]

@jerrydff7 ...Thanks.......Donald

[waypastprime]

I love to see people have success with squash... I ALWAYS get raided by vine borers and rarely get a good crop. Do you sell your produce? I looks like you produce quite a selection and volume. Thanks Donald.

[webcajun]

@waypastprime ...I use Liquid Sevin which helps control the SVB. I put up all we can use then give the rest to family and friends. You're welcome......Donald

[webcajun]

@Gardensandcabins ...Glad you enjoy em and hope they help......Donald

[webcajun]

@sirdevlon ...Now that's a lot of squash.......Donald

[Trex1268]

You have such an amazing piece of land. I like watching your videos just to get a look at it. Thanks!!

[webcajun]

@Trex1268 ...Thanks, glad you enjoy. I was born and raised here on the bayou, very good soil that will grow just about anything.......Donald

[medicjimr]

That is impressive with just 4 plants thanks for sharing Donald Jim

[webcajun]

@medicjimr ...Hey Jim, like I said give yourself lots of room for these things. They have made a ton of squash and they are still blooming......Donald

[Hoovesandpaws61]

A squash question... Here in NC we are getting some sort of squash worm that over night seems to get into the stem of the squash and kills the entire plant in a day. The last 2 years I have lost all of my squash to this. So far this year all is good. Do you have any suggestions on how to prevent this? Every morning I go out expecting to see one or two plants wilted and on the way out. So far, so good, but I don't know how to prevent or treat this problem. Thanks.

[webcajun]

@Hoovesandpaws61 ...Those are called Squash Vine Borers (SVB) and are a problem all over the country. I sprayed Liquid Sevin at the base of the plants where the adult lays her eggs and it helps.......Donald

[Hoovesandpaws61]

Delicious! I really do love your videos. You inspire me and my garden is 3X as large due to watching you. BTW, you helped me with planting onions this year. They turned out excellent. Will plant twice as many next year! Thanks so much.

[webcajun]

@Hoovesandpaws61 ...Lots of folks think they can't grow onions but once they see just how easy it is they do real well with em. Got to give em time to grow......Donald

[gardenvespers777]

Ohh that does sound tastey....roasted with butter etc. yum!

I see those onions curing in the background on those racks back there! :-)

[webcajun]

@gardenvespers777 ...Yes and they are just about ready to bring inside. I'll cut the dry tops off and store em in the utility room where it's not so hot.......Donald

[loislaney23]

Your plants look very healthy!! Good job as usual!!

[webcajun]

@loislaney23 ...As long as the vine borers stay away they do real well........Donald

[FIyingPengwin]

how many acres of land do you have?

[webcajun]

@FIyingPengwin ...You see 5 acres in the videos and I have an additional 2 acres along the bayou ... across the road / levee.......Donald

[tigratigratigra]

These look amazing, i've got some of these planted it's the first time i've grown any and i hope they turn out just like yours, great Video :)

[webcajun]

@tigratigratigra ...Water them about once or twice a week during the dry spells and they'll do just fine......Donald

[kokonutbaby1]

Nice info. I just planted some of those. Have never eaten one before so I can use all the info. I am glad they taste like sweet potatos then I will surely enjoy eating them. Thanks, Donald ........from Angie in AR

[MadBadVoodo]

★★★★★

[webcajun]

@MadBadVoodo ...Thanks.......Donald

[baddogonline]

Yum, I don't have a garden yet, but I sure enjoy your videos. I'll have to buy some of those at the store and try them...

[webcajun]

@baddogonline ...Google some online recipes, I think you'll really like em.......Donald

[jplerwill]

while still wet from the squash we soak the seeds in water for one night to wash the membrane (the slimy part) off, then just like you let them dry out on a paper plate. We are very much a squash family. We dedicated a quater acre of the property for the garden at our old place. Two weeks ago we mved out of state and havent found a new piece of land yet. Boy it hurts to go buy all these veggies from the store. We are so used to having them in the back yard.

[webcajun]

@jplerwill ...It's so easy to go shopping in the back yard and the vegetables taste sooooooo much better......Donald

[marthale7]

Thank you!

Fungus is killin mine now :( 

[webcajun]

@marthale7 ...I haven't had that problem YET. Looking for a spot to plant a few more for the fall......Donald

[prettyroads]

I don't have the room for even one plant! My brother-in-law will plant squash in his yard and they grow up his tree and hang down. It looks like he has squash trees in this backyard!

[webcajun]

@prettyroads ...I think it was last year that I had one growing up a tomato plant / cage......Donald

[shartne]

Reminds me of acorn squash. I love acorn squash mine are trying to burn up in these hot temperatures everyday of above a hundred degrees. We have not gotten any rain. Tap water is not as good as rain water. Its been a hot dry summer here in southeast Oklahoma, I sure wish it would rain.

[webcajun]

@shartne ...We have the same conditions here. These have been watered since the day I planted, if not they would have died.......Donald

[GriffinElliot]

Good vid. Never even heard of buttercup squash (or seen one) thanx



[webcajun]

@GriffinElliot ...Google for recipes then give em a try.....Donald