[Ag-eq] Gourds

Thu Oct 22 13:18:17 UTC 2015

Tracy:

I wonder how those borers knew that there would be squash here, there hasn't
been a garden on this property in years.

So you think if I move the squash to a different location next year I might have
better luck?

I couldn't believe how fast they died.

A friend of mine vined gourds and morning glories on the same trellis and it
looked really neat.

Maybe we should try those Indian squash.

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

> 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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