Growing Cucurbits

Pumpkins, squash, zucchini, cucumber, melons, etc.

Of the Cucurbitaceae family, generally climbing or trailing plants which include squash, pumpkin, cucumber, gourd, watermelon, and cantaloupe. These are summer-growing vegetables, harvesting into autumn, perfectly timed for winter warmer meals such as pumpkin soup.

Plants in the Cucurbit family require warm, frost-free conditions to grow. Thriving in summer, or can be grown year-round in a heated greenhouse as long as plenty of sunlight is provided. Full sun, well drained soils, and protection from wind are optimal growing conditions. Keep the soil around the plants well irrigated as the large foliage on the plants dry out rather quickly.

Seedlings in pots and punnets begin to come available in our Garden Centre in August-September – these plants should only be grown in greenhouses at this time as the season is still too cold for them to thrive outside. Late October-November is the time for all gardeners to start planting their cucurbit vegetables in the garden! For those that grow from seeds, start earlier in September, keeping your seedlings inside until they mature enough to plant out in the warm weather.

Planting & Maintenance

Don’t leave cucurbits in containers too long as they become root bound and stunted – should be planted out at your earliest convenience. Best grown in the ground or large planters. Cucurbits take a lot of space and can crowd out other plants quickly.

Some types such as squash gourds and cucumbers do well when grown up a sturdy growing frame, allowing air flow around the plant and making ripe fruits easy to access for harvest.

Prepare the ground with plenty of rich, organic matter as these plants are voracious feeders and require plenty of nutrients to produce well. Watermelon especially is known to be tricky to grow, requiring regular watering but most of all, a high quantity of nutrients to thrive.

• Incorporate plenty of ‘Ican Premium Compost’ for soil structure, health, and moisture retention.
• Gently dig a generous dressing of ‘Ican Organic Vegetable Food’ through the soil to promote strong, healthy & flavourful crops!
• Believe it or not, Tomato Food is appropriately formulated for cucurbits as well. Apply every 6 weeks around the base of the plant to keep up.
• Lastly, regular applications of a liquid feed such as ‘Ican Liquid Tomato’, or ‘Ican Fast Food’ keeps your plant in tip top shape and boosts growth in the growing season. Simply mix into a watering can and water into the soil, or apply as a foliar feed for faster & direct action.

Pests & Diseases

• Cucurbits can be susceptible to fungal diseases in warm, high moisture conditions. To help prevent this, try to always water the soil underneath rather than wetting the leaves. Spray the plant at regular intervals with ‘Grosafe Free Flo Copper’ to provide a protective coating and reduce the rick of mildews taking hold. For any severe cases, or for treatment of botrytis and rot, apply ‘Botry-Zen’.
• Insect pest problems will be minimal. Spray with ‘Yates Mavrik’ if you find issues with white fly.
• Birds are not normally an issue but may peck at the plants, particularly young, underdeveloped fruits. Cover with a net if needed.

Pollination

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.

Bees are the natural pollinators of these plants and a lack of pollinator activity in your garden will lead to a low fruit-set. Encourage pollinators by planting bee-friendly flowers and herbs in your garden, particularly surrounding the vegetable patch. This will help them find your plants and work their magic!

Bee balm, lavender, rosemary, marigolds, thyme, basil (and so much more) are among the favourites of bees.

Featured is a small selection of cucurbit vegetables generally readily available in the garden centre. Varieties may differ each year based on what is produced by our growers, and this is not a complete list. These plants are only available during the specific growing season – usually September to February. Seeds of certain types are available year round.

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 cucumber to 30cm. Easily digested, juicy, crisp flesh. Matures in 8-9 weeks.
Cucumber ‘Crystal Apple’ – Round, cream-white fruit 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. Heavy cropping. Mature in 8-9 weeks.
Cucumber ‘Mini Prolific’ – Dwarf plant with small, smooth, very flavourful fruit. Early and prolific producer.

Butternut – Pear-shaped, yellow pumpkin. Thin neck and deep-orange flesh. Can be grown on a trellis. Matures in 14-16 weeks.
Kumi Kumi (Kamo Kamo) – 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. Matures in 14-16 weeks.
Pumpkin Crown – Popular variety that has smooth, grey-green skin with tasty, bright orange flesh. Matures in 12-16 weeks.

Rockmelon – Large, ovular-shaped fruit with sweet, orange flesh. Eat uncooked as a dessert or snack. Matures in 8-9 weeks.
Watermelon ‘Sugar Baby’ – Mid-sized, dark skinned fruit with vibrant red, sweet flesh. Matures in 14-16 weeks.
Bitter Melon – Small, rough-skinned fruit with a crunchy, cucumber-like texture. Ideal for Asian dishes. Matures in 12-14 weeks.

Courgette ‘Leader’ – Smooth, shiny, dark green fruit. Good disease resistance and produces over a long period.
Courgette ‘Gabrielle’s Gold’ – Yellow skin with creamy, firm, flavourful flesh. Matures in 6-8 weeks.
Scallopini ‘Sunburst Yellow’ – Flat, rounded, bright yellow fruit with scalloped edges. Good for salads and baking. Matures in 6-8 weeks.