Volunteer Leaves Safe

[HeatherKellyB]

Yes they get really long vines. My pumpkins were planted by early May so as you see in the picture they are making pumpkins now. I planted a small sugar pie pumpkin so they fruit a bit sooner than a large jack o lantern type. Maybe it will set fruit soon. If you ever decide to plant some always put 2-3 in together. I will often set 6-7 seed in a spot and thin out if I need too. Then stand back they grow like crazy. The duck water/poop is probably helping them grow!
Bees love the pretty yellow flowers too!
I get odd volunteers most years. I move a lot of compost around from the chickens so plant seeds all over plus just come up around their pen. I noticed recently I have a cherry tomato growing in a flower bed in my front yard among some lantana and vinca. Never know what I'll find!

Thank you so much! I will be watching the video you linked. Is there any specific fertilizer that you recommend? Or anything else that you suggest? I've been thinking about planting some fall/winter fruit/veggies and this is making me want to even more, but of course in the raised beds made for gardening. Cherry tomatoes are the only plants I've got going right now, well, other than this, but I purposely planted the tomatoes I'll certainly be using your tips. I'm sure it's too late for a lot of things, but maybe not for all Thank you again for everything

 

[Quatie]

There is actually a bit you can still plant in the fall. Lettuces are a popular one. They prefer the cooler temperatures. Carrots can be planted later. Some people even say the fall crop tastes better. I know there is more. I am going to try and plant fall crops this year, but I haven't looked into exactly what I can plant in my area.

 

[NanaK]

Thank you so much! I will be watching the video you linked. Is there any specific fertilizer that you recommend? Or anything else that you suggest? I've been thinking about planting some fall/winter fruit/veggies and this is making me want to even more, but of course in the raised beds made for gardening. Cherry tomatoes are the only plants I've got going right now, well, other than this, but I purposely planted the tomatoes I'll certainly be using your tips. I'm sure it's too late for a lot of things, but maybe not for all Thank you again for everything

In the veggie garden, I usually use an all purpose granular fertilizer like 10-10-10. Fertilizer prices have shot up like everything else but thankfully only takes a small amount. If I'm trying to push something to bloom (veggies, flowers too) I will sometimes use a water soluble fertilizer like miracle grow. They have a general purpose that is good but also a "bloom booster" formula (look for purple on the box) that works well to get stuff blooming. This might would help your plant make some female flowers. It is a synthetic plant food so not considered organic, but neither is the 10-10-10 but I use very little. Just follow the instructions on the box. Of course, chicken/duck manure mix with yard wastes make a seriously good compost! I always say the best thing I ever did for my garden was get chickens!

We are fortunate in that we have a long growing season. There are many veggies that can take light frosts as long as you get them in the ground and growing before it gets so cold. Things will grow more slowly that in summer but WAY less bug pressure. And yes, as @Quatie said, many things taste better when grown in a cooler season. I start with seed but many things are often available as small plants locally in the fall. I have just recently started some seed for cabbage, collards, broccoli and an ornamental cabbage. Because it is sooooo hot , I start them indoors under lights. Growing these gives us alot of fresh stuff in the fall/winter and since my chickens don't free range, I try to bring a bit of free range to them each week.

This is a planting guide I use. Check it out will give you an idea of what to plant and when.

 

[NanaK]

In looking at my planting guides thought you may like this one too. It lists a few the other doesn't. Good luck! If I can help just let me know!

 

[HeatherKellyB]

We had a pretty rough storm a little while ago so please pardon all the dirt splatter all over. I just wanted to share what I just discovered Here's hoping this one will continue to grow and bloom. As you can see by my new profile picture, the bees have been working hard to pollinate this plant. I counted 11 bees but I could have missed some. You can see in my picture that this flower had one bee inside and one bee leaving. I'll be keeping an eye out on this. This bud is by far the largest one I've seen on this plant. Hopefully the wild bunnies and deer will stay away. The geese have trampled a couple of places but not too much.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I was wrong..... I just found this

 

[NanaK]

Those bees did their job! Pumpkins for Fall!

 

[SmiYa0126]

One other thing. You spiked my interest in this so I ended up watching several videos on this subject. One man suggested pruning some (not all) of the male flowers so the plant will put more energy into making new flowers. I'm going to try this. Any chance you know if the male flowers are safe for the ducks to eat? I'll look it up before I prune them but the last thing I'd want to do is hurt my ducks.
This plant seems to grow a lot overnight

Squash flowers are not toxic, you can feed to ducks.

I've also read that you can prune squash plants a foot above their roots to help prevent disease.

 

[SmiYa0126]

You want to know how confused I get whenever this thread comes up?
"A volunteer for what?" Why would they leave a safe? Who would trust guarding of a safe to a volunteer?!"

Me too! Lol

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

Yay! I'm trying to grow pumpkins!