D is for decision time

What Squash will I grow this year? From a long list of 50+, yes that is fifty, as in five zero, to a shorter list to the final cut.

But how to decide?

• what has grown well for me in the past – such as Queensland Blue, Gem/Rolet,
• what takes my fancy – odd shaped like Lunga di Napoli
• what looks bonkers – Friulano
• what has had rave reviews – Summer Crookneck
• whats in my stash……..
• what swaps I’ve done over the previous year – Kikuza
• what i know is tasty – Crown Prince
• Where can I grow them – upwards?, bush types seem to be few and far between
• Because I can! – Ash Gourd
• what space I have – increasingly limited!

I guess the last point ultimately determines how many I grow.

I sift through the packets, make lists, have another sift, ponder a bit, then wander up to the plot and do a rough count of areas where I can grow the winter squash, actually that should read where I think I can squeeze them in, and then rashly decide! ultimately there seems to be no science to decision making in my head!

Having chosen, my list looks like something resembling the United Nations, only a United Nations of Squash representing a cross-section of the globe, with a few countries dominating, except a bit more orderly and there is no representation from the British! – but the French, Indian, Italian, American, South African, Australian, Japanese are all there.

Name	Family	Group
Australian Butter	Maxima	Australian Blue
Blue Banana	Maxima	Banana Group
Bon Bon	Maxima	Buttercup
Crown Prince	Maxima	Australian Blue
Potimarron	Maxima	Mamouth (?)
Boston K/A Boston Marrow	Maxima	Hubbard
Mountaineer	Maxima	Hubbard
Queensland Blue	Maxima	Australian Blue
Burgess Buttercup	Maxima	Buttercup
Orange Cushaw	Mixta	Cushaw
Black Futsu	Moschata	Japonica
Kikuza	Moschata	?
Lunga Di Napoli	Moschata	Neck
Little Gem Rolet	Pepo	Pumpkin
Cornell’s Delicata	Pepo	Acorn
Green Striped Cushaw	Argyrosperna	Callicarpa
Ash Gourd

I’m putting together some descriptions and photos, and will add these later