BUTTERNUT SQUASH BUD

Just had a wander round the garden - I was wearing my pink robe, if you are interested - and took several photographs to show that autumn is really here.  However, I then looked at the butternut squash plants that Mr. HBC has tied in to a frame he made and I was willing them to produce just ONE butternut squash!

The wonders of the internet mean that we can find out many things - and I checked on why there is no “fruit” on our plants.  It is probably because the weather has been so cool - but I also found out that sometimes they may need “hand pollinating”.  

Apparently, you can try to hand-pollinate plants yourself by removing a male flower (no swelling at their base) and brushing the central parts against the centre of a female flower (female flowers have a swelling at the base – this is the beginning of the fruit).  All a bit of a faff really, but Mr. HCB says he will grow them again next year, and perhaps he needs to try the hand pollination - when he’s not at cricket, of course!

There are still plenty of green tomatoes in the greenhouse;  I also spotted a green pepper in there which is about 3 inches long, as well as a couple more cucumbers growing.  Of course, mustn’t forget the VERY LONG Enorma runner beans that Mr. HCB picked yesterday, along with the courgettes and a few mange tout peas, and whilst wandering, I noticed we still have a few blueberries, raspberries and blackberries - but just ONE butternut squash would be the “icing on the cake” so to speak!

“We gardeners are healthy, joyous, natural creatures. 
We are practical, patient, optimistic. 
We declare our optimism every year, 
every season, with every act of planting.” 
Carol Deppe
The Resilient Gardener: Food Production and Self-Reliance in Uncertain Times

P.S.  Just been to have a look at the butternut squash plant - and it appears, from what I could see, that there are only male flowers - this needs looking into!