 |
| Buttercup Squash |
This week I picked the first couple of Buttercup squash that looked ready, that is their stems were pretty dried up. These two will be marked for seed as I'm pretty sure the other squash nearby were not blooming when these two were set.
 |
| Baby Blue Hubbard |
 |
| White & yellow scallop squash |
Along with some scalloped squash and of course some Tromboncinno (I didn't take a pic of the ones I picked)
 |
| Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry |
 |
| Tomatoes |
Besides the usual harvest of small tomatoes, I finally got a few bigger ones. Top row is Italian Heirloom, next some volunteer paste, the 3rd row is Amish Paste and at the bottom is another volunteer.
 |
| greenhouse |
I also picked about 1 1/2 pounds of yellow wax beans, but forgot to take a picture of them. Got a few eggs from the hens, their molty so not laying much.
You can see the outside of the greenhouse and the sea of squash on this post. That post also shows off some the youngest ducklings I have but this one shows most of the Muscovies that I bought in July.
I will be culling the flock and putting meat in the freezer just as soon as the weather begins to cool off a little more. I really hate having to fight the yellow jackets when I'm dressing meat!
The squashes look so good! Don't you just love winter squash? We also grow Aunt Molly's ground cherries and this year the creatures are actually letting us keep some. They make a nice snack. Great harvest!
ReplyDeleteVery impressive squashes!
ReplyDeleteNice harvest of squashes this week. The trombocini squash growing up and over the greenhouse is amazing. I have seen it before when you shared, but am totally amazed by the jungle it is creating.
ReplyDeleteActually there are only 2 Tromboncinno in there; but also about 4 Butternut, 3 melons and a spaghetti squash
DeleteYour greenhouse is starting to look more like a squeezehouse! LOL.
ReplyDeleteEverything is looking very good!! That green house looks like a fun little retreat!!
ReplyDeleteOh my - I remember ground cherries from when I was a kid! My grandma used to have them and I just loved them.
ReplyDeleteGreat squash collection. Sure is crowded in your greenhouse.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if your ground cherries taste any better than the goldie husk ones I tried last year. They were too sour or tart and my daughter did not like them at all (me either).
ReplyDeleteWait until they fall off then they are very sweet; if they are still on the plant they taste more like a green tomato
DeleteI'm curious as to how you use the ground cherries. I have the same variety, but I've never grown them before.
ReplyDeleteright now there are so few at a time I just eat them as snacks. If I ever grow enough to have a lot at once I might try some preserves.
DeleteI have thought about raising Muscovies. I've read the meat is very good. Do you have any pictures of their housing and yard? I was thinking of providing them some kind of stilt housing and letting them free range, just give them enough food to keep them home. Predators might get some of them but from what I've read they can take care of themselves. I processed chickens last year when the buffalo gnats were at their peak and that was not fun.
ReplyDeleteThey are just in a large pen made of chicken wire with two strands of electric fence wire on the out side for predator protection. I have some bamboo screening rescued from a dump pile wired on the sunny side of the fence for shade and some pieces of plywood propped up for more shade. Several plastic tubs for water/bathing. They usually don't go in the chicken house at night (really just a 4x5 foot box with a roof) but maybe when it gets colder. Some of them go in during the day for the shade. So far none show any inclination to fly and the drakes are so big I don't think they could get off the ground any way
DeleteA great harvest of squash that you are getting! I am wondering if your scalloped squash is what I call my patty pan squash. I pick mine little tho as don't like the seedy centers. Would your squash retreat be a good place to sit for a glass of ice tea?? I have never tasted ground cherries. Nancy
ReplyDeleteYes, the scallops are AKA patty pan; I have Bennings Green Tint and Scallopini (yellow) The ground cherries are sweet and fruity. There is hardly room in the greenhouse to put a chair but maybe I'll rearrange it next year to put a chair and table in there.
DeleteYou are definitely the queen of squash. I still marvel at that Trombocino. And it's amazing how lush its vegetation looks this late in the season.
ReplyDeleteNice harvest! Love your squash!
ReplyDeleteReally amazing squash! After the season you've had, I do believe I will *have* to try the Trombocinos next year!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary,
ReplyDeleteYour shady greenhouse retreat sounds so nice! Glad your garden year is going so well.
Oh, what cute squash!
ReplyDelete