Of the Cucurbitaceae family, generally climbing or trailing plants which include squash, pumpkin, cucumber, gourd, watermelon, and cantaloupe. Don’t leave cucurbits in containers too long as they become root bound and stunted. Cucurbits have both male and female flowers, though the fruit only grows from the female flower, but both need to be flowering at the same time to enable pollination. Hand pollinate, if desired, after the dew has dried in the morning, using a small paint brush, or kissing the flowers together. Below I’ve described a few that are available in our Garden Centre today.

VARIETIES
Cucumber Diva – Deliciously sweet, with a distinct tender, crisp texture. Matures in 8-9 weeks.
Cucumber Long Green – A long tapered cucumber with crisp, juicy flesh. Plant in mounds or grow on a trellis. Mature in 8-9 weeks.
Cucumber Burpless – Tapered Juicy cucumber to 30cm. Easily digested crisp flesh. Matures in 8-9 weeks.
Cucumber Crystal Apple – Round cream to white, with excellent flavour. Matures in 8-9 weeks
Cucumber Lebanese – Thin Skin. Sweet, crisp, short fruit. Matures in 8-9 weeks
Cucumber Hybrid Telegraph – Thin Skin. A long tapered cucumber with crisp, juicy flesh.

Cucumber Wonder White 

Thin skinned & burpless.

Plants will produce a heavier crop

if allowed to climb and fruits are

harvested promptly when mature.

Mature in 8-9 weeks.

Butternut – Pear shaped yellow pumpkin. Thin neck and deep orange flesh. Can be grown on a trellis.

Kumi Kumi – A heritage variety of pumpkin with green ribbed skin and marrow like flesh. As it matures the skin hardens making it suitable for winter storage. Matures in 14-16 weeks

Pumpkin Buttercup  – Medium sized fruit with sweet, dry, deep orange flesh and green skin.
Pumpkin Crown – Popular variety that has smooth, grey green skin with tasty bright orange flesh.

Rockmelon 

Large oval shaped fruit with rought,

thick skin and sweet, orange flesh.

Pick when fruit pulls easily from stem.

Eat uncooked as a dessert or snack.

Matures in 8-9 weeks

Scallopini Sunburst yellow 

A variety of squash,

that has bright yellow glossy skin,

with attractive scalloped edges.

Used for hot dishes & salads.

Matures in 6-8 weeks.

Should be picked continuously for a good yield.