Gardening to me is very much like Christmas! That stomach churning excitement you get as you rip the paper from a gift is the same as I get seeing seeds pop from the ground! Quick germination varieties such as radish, okra, beans and squash are a joy to observe, developing daily.
Squash is one of those vegetables you either love or hate. There are so many types – summer and winter – that come in so many shapes, sizes and colors. They’re just fun! The plants grow rapidly, bloom quickly, and develop fruit practically overnight. We of course love our yellow crooknecks, but also grow yellow straight necks, patty pans and zucchini in summer and acorn, butternut and numerous pumpkins in winter.
With my children, when they were small – it was “Squash! Yuck!”. It’s amazing how taste buds change. Now that they’re adults it’s, “Can we squash tonight? I’ll go pick some for you.” Now we all love it! And for most of my family, it doesn’t matter how I cook it: baked with onions, cheese and bacon, deep fried or pan fried, casserole or stewed – we love them all!
This year, I seeded a few pots early in February and kept them in the greenhouse until the soil was warm enough to plant. Yeah for me! Early squash. Then, I seeded a few more for another rotation which I planted with the originals. Then, of course, I planted the long row with not just yellows, but also zucchini and pattypans for the bulk crop.
By the end of July, all of our pumpkins will have been planted, as well! We are so excited to try a bunch of new varieties this year! McTier Family Pumpkin Farm….here we grow again!