[Ag-eq] Gourds

Thu Oct 22 17:43:32 UTC 2015

Tracy: what does passion flower look like?

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

> I'm only guessing that moving the squash plants would deter the borers, but
> your experience makes me doubtful.  Maybe the squash bugs fly around and
> zoom in when they see what they're looking for.  Guess I'll have to ask
> Google.
>
> Gourds and morning glory sounds interesting.  I had my gourd on a trellis
> with passionflower, morning glory, and some pole beans reaching over.  It
> was a bit crowded in the end, especially since the squash was more
> aggressive than I remembered.
>
> I think the Indian squash might be bitter, so a person would need to know
> how to deal with it.  It certainly is vigorous, though.
> Tracy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nella Foster via
> Ag-eq
> Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2015 9:18 AM
> To: Agricultural and Equestrean Division List
> Cc: nfoster at extremezone.com
> Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] Gourds
>
> 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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