opabinia51 wrote:Great Job, Gary. The sqaush look great and your little garden looks nice to. Try growing them with beans next year, the two plants benefit one another.
And once your squash are done for the year, just cut up the vines and leave them in the soil, if you have any leaves; put them in the soil as well. (best to mulch larger leaves with your lawn mower first). Also, place a layer of grass clippings over the leaves followed by another layer of leaves. You can top the whole thing off with a layer of manure or coffee grounds (try your local cofee shop, they have buckets of them!)
You really can do as many layers as I described as you want, and vary the greens (grass clippings, squash leftovers, manure, coffee ground) followed by a layer of leaves.
Anyway, next year you will have the nicest, richest soil on your block and your plants will not only grow that much better, they will be more resistant to pests and disease
Also try to plant some flowers in and around the same area, they will attract beneficial insects that will pollinate your plants and eat insects that like to eat your squash plants.
Another thing you could do is acqure some leftover 2X4 pieces and drill holes in them, placing a piece of plastic on the top of the piece of wood and hang them around your yard. Mason bees will lay their eggs inside the holes. They are excellant pollinators, especially for apple trees if you have one.
All of that advice is much appreciated. Thanks, I have some questions though?
When I'm done with the squash for the year, I'm planning on moving my boxes around a bit as to better utilize the space in my veggie garden, will this create any problems when I come to layering the items that you mentioned? Also, I've been told that I should be alternating where I grow certain veggies as to deter pests, is this correct?
I have already started growing some foxglove around the back of the garden to attract insects for pollination and so far so good. I'll read up a bit on the Mason bees, this sounds very interesting.
These were picked last night.
[img]https://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m29/flatfourfan/my%20honda/2010.jpg[/img]
Inside.
[img]https://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m29/flatfourfan/my%20honda/2011.jpg[/img]
This lot was cooked quicker than last time and tasted great.