I don’t know, let’s see.
Today is July 18th. I have commenced fall planting, which hurts me to say honestly. This last winter was a long slog heartbreaker and summer flies by too fast.
I am not ready for anything fall.
Two years ago, the first frost was not until the day before Halloween. An anomaly for sure, but I have noticed that fall seems to get pushed back a bit each year. So with a bit of help from Mother Nature, I may still get winter squash in the fall, if planted today. Another help are the current temperatures. Daytime temps are in the eighties, a warm nursery for new plants. Most plants planted in the heat of summer grow faster than plants transplanted or seeded in spring, with a few exceptions.
I planted a hill each of Delicata (C.Pepo) and Sweet Dumpling (C.Pepo). I already have some planted, but I used seeds I harvested that turned out to not be true to type. I may have a Delicata, but not yet sure. In any case, I am not one to pass up the opportunity to experiment. Many of us appreciate variety in our fall displays.
The seeds were planted where the first potatoes were dug up, in the hugel. Digging up the remaining potatoes will not interfere with any baby squash plants, as the potatoes are due to be dug up in the next couple of weeks.
I did take some video, I will update with the results in October and post the results at that time.
RESULTS
The warm season was extended, the frost did not arrive until later in October. However, with the waning sun and warmth, it was not enough to fully ripen the winter squash. All the fruit were turning color, and were added to some dishes we ate. However, they were not fully ripened. Close enough to be a week or two from perfection, however.