Help... I might have planted everything too soon😅

[Snoop Puss]

Just asked OH for you Snoop - apparently he has a FLIR thermal camera thingumy. I've not really got much of a clue about it but I'm sure Google would sort you out. x

Thanks. I'll check it out.

[Melmel]

The bad news is I'm afraid you've definitely planted your pumpkins too soon. They're looking like they've been confined to a small pot for a long time, so you've got sickly-looking leaves and your flowers will come to nothing. I'm sorry to say that those plants will be unlikely to thrive when you plant them out.

The good news is you're in time to start some more. Have a look here for advice on growing pumpkins and winter squash:
https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gu...inter-squashes

The Vine has got lots of useful growing guides for both fruit and veg here: https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/guides/fruit

When you open that link, click on the green down arrow to select either fruit and veg.

Most seed suppliers also give useful growing info on the seed packets, such as when to sow, how to care for the plants and when to expect a harvest.

The other thing you can do is follow this thread so you can see what other Grapes are sowing now: https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ng-thread-2025

I was suspecting this, that's really helpful to know I think I'll take them out and sow something else in it

[Snoop Puss]

When did you sow your pumpkins? You might need to use new compost for your new seedlings. The yellow leaves on your pumpkin plants suggest that any nutrients in the compost has been used up.

[Melmel]

I think I sown the variety "patty" summer, in February, but I'm not really sure

[Andraste]

Here's an example of a blowaway greenhouse (available at other stores/prices/sizes also - I can't endorse the seller): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Denny-Inter...A3IJBCK2ZC057Q

[Andraste]

I find this thread useful to follow as a prompt of what I should be thinking about doing https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...96#post2594933

This flows nicely alongside the seed sowing thread that Snoop Puss mentioned and the what I did today thread.

Penellype also has a lovely thread where she posts photos from her plot on the 1st of every month which is well worth a look (I'll grab a link for that & come back with an edit). https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...pe-s-allotment

[Snoop Puss]

I think I sown the variety "patty" summer, in February, but I'm not really sure

If you mean "patty pan", that's a variety of summer squash, a bit like an interestingly shaped courgette. For info on growing courgettes, which will apply to patty pan squash, have a look here: https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gu...ing-courgettes

Recommended sowing date is four weeks before your last frost. If your last frost is at the end of April, you'd sow your squash and courgettes at the end of March. Around now, in other words. So if you have some seeds, give them another go in fresh compost.

The growing guides are really useful, but I know that when I started, I found a book which had all the information in the one place invaluable. There are some recommendations for books here: https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ardening-books If you're lucky, a local library might have one you can borrow so you can see if it's the kind of thing you need.

[Melmel]

Thank you! Yes I'd really need a book with everything in one place, I've been watching lots of videos but it never seems enough so much to learn but I'm into it 😁 I'll check this out thank you!

[Snoop Puss]

I bought Joy Larkham's Grow Your Own Vegetables when I started. So I have a soft spot for it. But there are lots of others. Look for secondhand before buying new if you can. Some of the old books might be a bit out of date in terms of varieties, but the info is spot on and because you should easily be able to find them secondhand, they'll be considerably cheaper. Meaning more money for seeds! Good luck.