Got the garden cleaned up. Have a question!

[Southern Gardener]

Now I'm ready to plant: lettuce, spinach, Komatsuna, radish, carrots, broccoli, and brussel sprouts. :bee

Is it too late for me to plant this squash? I've never planted winter squash. Here is what I have:

Table gold acorn squash, Table Queen Squash, Butternut Waltham squash and Butternut Rogosa Violina Squash.

 

[desertlady]

Im zone 8 and already planted mine ! If your weather still warm go for it !

 

[wsmoak]

When is your first frost expected? Winter squash tend to take a long time, around 90 days (it should say on your packet). As far south as you are, you might make it.

-Wendy

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't know if it's too late for you or not. What have you got to lose by trying it? Maybe nothing, maybe something. I don't know your specific conditions. Winter squash can be picked and eaten like summer squash if you get it early, just like summer squash can be left to mature and eaten like winter squash. They are not developed for those specific uses so there will be some differences but you might at least get a use out of it even if it does not mature.

I know this has been a strange unusual year for me. Our spring came about 6 weeks earlier than normal. I have no idea when our fall will get here, but I'm starting to put things out now as if I knew what I was doing. I wish I really did.

I don't pay a whole lot of attention to days to maturity in the spring, let alone in the fall. Those "days to maturity" are for people that have the very specific climate the product was tested on. My climate is obviously different than they use. I use "days to maturity" to compare which one might mature faster, but even that does not always work out the way it should.

What really messes it up now is that in the Spring the days are gradually getting warmer and longer. In our fall gardens the days are going to get cooler and shorter. Totally different conditions.

 

[vfem]

Go for it! I would. Late October is our 'average first frost date. However, last year we got a first frost early october. Just the 1 though, then we covered everything and it was fine. Didn't get anorger frost until November. I'd risk it, you'd be cutting it close, but I think you'll be just fine in your zone.

 

[Southern Gardener]

With this crazy weather we've had the past two years, I'm beginning to believe I can plant all year round. I think our first frost date is sometime in October, but last year I remember it being hot until January! I'm going to go for it and plant the squash!

 

[desertlady]

Yay! Its like gambling ! you never know if your gonna win or lose it ! I know weather has been so unpredictable this year !Good luck lets us know how it turn out ! My squash is now sprouting !! (six days old)

 

[lesa]

I think you are smart to try. I had a bunch of older "extra" seeds laying around. I planted them when I harvested and had an empty spot. I figured, I had the seeds, they weren't getting any younger- so why not! I believe every thing we once thought about weather has changed completely... Let us know your results.

 

[baymule]

Go for it! If a frost threatens, cover it all with a thick layer of hay. Then pull it off when the sun shines. You might get a few more weeks that way.