[Ag-eq] Gourds

Wed Oct 21 15:00:09 UTC 2015

Yeah, the borers killed my squash, too.  Next year, I'll have to move them
or try the diatomaceous earth.  Or I think I can cover them with a fine net
until some strategic time has passed.  The trick would be to stop the squash
bug from laying its eggs, but allow the bees to get the flowers when they
appear.

I've only grown the birdhouse gourds.  I've thought about luffa, though.  If
you fancy it, go for it!  Like I said, the seeds are cheap, and it doesn't
take a lot of effort, unless you need to put in something for them to climb
on.
The best climbing support I have is made of plumbing pipe.  It's basically a
half rectangle, standing up, with its feet buried about a foot in the
ground.  It was a job to get the feet well down into the ground, but, once
it was done, it's lasted decades.  All I have to do is periodically put new
strings on the top bar for things to climb.

My neighbors are from India, and they grow this Indian squash that's pretty
scary.  It's about 3 feet long, with ridges along the sides, and it spirals.
I've no idea how to cook them, but the Indians love them.  They don't seem
to be bothered by pests, either.
Tracy

-----Original Message-----
From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nella Foster via
Ag-eq
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 10:48 AM
To: Agricultural and Equestrean Division List
Cc: nfoster at extremezone.com
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] Gourds

Tracy:

The borers killed my squash; I just got a few and then they were murdered!

What kind of gourds have you tried?

I thought I might like to grow some loofah gourd.  You can use them for
cleaning and such.

Nella
Quoting Tracy Carcione via Ag-eq <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>:

> So far as I can tell, gourds are incredibly easy, especially if you 
> have something for them to climb on.  My neighbor puts them on the 
> fence, where they tend to leap over and invade my yard and attack my
trees.
> The birdhouse gourd I have is very vigorous, and doesn't seem to be 
> bothered by the borers that bother my zucchini.  The vines are fuzzy 
> and have a big smell, so maybe that stops the bugs.
> If anyone wants seeds, I can send some. But there's a big variety to 
> be found online, and they're pretty cheap.
> Tracy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nella 
> Foster via Ag-eq
> Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 10:20 AM
> To: Agricultural and Equestrean Division List
> Cc: nfoster at extremezone.com
> Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] how is everyone
>
> Tracy:
>
> I'm always amazed at the variety you have.
>
> I've always wanted to plant gourds, but have never tried it.
>
> Nella
> Quoting Tracy Carcione via Ag-eq <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>:
>
> > Hi Nella and everyone.
> > A donkey!  How exciting!  I just think donkeys are neat.
> >
> > We had an unusually early frost Sunday, which killed off my tomatoes 
> > and beans.  I was very sorry to see them go, especially the pole 
> > beans, which were still flowering.  I love pole beans.  Some of my 
> > garden this year has been the definition of abundance for me--lots 
> > of
> harvest for almost no work.
> > I got a huge apple crop, and all I had to do was pick up apples and 
> > process them, and thank my beautiful tree.  Much the same for pole 
> > beans--put up supports, which I did years ago, plant the beans, 
> > replace any climbing strings that need replacing, occasionally check 
> > that too many vines aren't climbing the same string, and pick the 
> > harvest when it's ready.  I planted Aztec runner beans, and I've 
> > gotten lots of both fresh and dried beans.  I think the flowers are 
> > purple or red, and the beans are big, in 6-inch long flat pods that 
> > are
> very tasty fresh.  Like I said, I love pole beans.
> >
> > I also had a gourd that was killed by the frost.  It produced one 
> > big birdhouse gourd, which I'm going to dry.  It looks like a jug, 
> > with a big bottom, narrow neck, and fat head.  The vine kept trying 
> > to take over the world, though.
> >
> > I still have chard, kale, and turnips, which I covered with a cold 
> > frame when the frost came.  They should be good well into the cold.
> > I tried planting lettuce and spinach about a month ago, but it never 
> > came up.  I might try it again in the cold frame.
> > Tracy
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nella 
> > Foster via Ag-eq
> > Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 9:52 AM
> > To: ag-eq at nfbnet.org
> > Cc: nfoster at extremezone.com
> > Subject: [Ag-eq] how is everyone
> >
> > Hello All:
> >
> > The list has been pretty quiet lately so I just thought I would see 
> > what everyone is up to.
> >
> > How are the gardens?
> >
> > I'm still getting tomatos and peppers.  I was lazy and didn't get my 
> > act together to plant a fall garden.
> >
> > Who is planting a fall garden?
> >
> > Four of my goats are pregnant and will be kidding in mid to late
January.
> > I'm looking forward to having fresh milk again.  I can't wait to 
> > make yogurt and cheese.  I'm going to get a cream seperater and 
> > hopefully make
> butter.
> >
> > Cruiser the horse is at a local trainer and I'm happy to be riding
again.
> > He's doing really well and we're having fun.
> >
> > I'm going to look at a donkey today.  He's being used as a guardian 
> > for smaller livestock, which will be his job here.  He will also be 
> > a friend for Cruiser.
> > Cruiser was attached to my old mule and has been a little lonely 
> > since his death.  Hopefully the donkey will be as well behaved as 
> > the owner says; if so he will be delivered tomorrow.
> >
> > Well, that's about all that is going on here.  I hope the rest of 
> > you will update on your lives.
> >
> > Nella
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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>
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