Round Squash

I vow, again, to be better at this. I probably will not be. But hey!

Back in December, Andre' proposed to me after five years of dating. So I'll probably talk lots about our wedding in the next few months. If I actually remember to post, hahaha.

This post is on round squash.

Okay, so the one in the front isn't round.

I sowed the seeds back in March. It was Burpee's Ball Mix Squash packet. It didn't list which kinds of squash are in it, but I've deduced that 8-ball and Round de Nice are the dark green (not pictured) and light green (pictured), respectively.The yellow is One-ball.

I let them get to various sizes, but you can pick them as soon as they're golf-ball sized, even with the flower still attached.

So far my best producers have been the One Ball and Rond de Nice. Last year, I grew 8-ball and it did well. There are a lot of advantages to these kinds of squash that I have personally found, and a few disadvantages.

Advantages:

1. They're adorable.
2. They're perfect for stuffing.
3.  They're smaller than standard squash plants and can thus be planted in 1-per-square-foot in SFG's, and grow well in pots (10 inches or bigger.)
4. They have great flavor and texture.
5. They're prolific.
6. They have attractive foliage and bright yellow flowers, and make good ornamental plants.
7. They make fabulous projectiles for catapults,  large slingshots, or general throwing-at-people purposes.
8. Their skins don't seem to damage easily, which is nice when chucking into someone's head.You can give someone a concussion and a casserole within a 60-minute time period, all from the same vegetable. 
9. Kids get all excited by the prospect of bright, round, throwable squash. If your kids are being picky with vegetables, these may be a good option for you to grow. "You can only damage the china cabinets if you EAT YOUR VEGETABLES FIRST."
10. They keep their pretty colors and patterns when cooked.

Disadvantages:

1. They're fairly small- from golf-ball to softball sized. Some people like big, 3-foot-long squash, so this isn't for those people.
2. It confuses people that they're round.
3. It confuses people that they're yellow or striped.
4. It confuses people that they're small.
5. It confuses people that they're so pretty and adorable.
6. People are generally confused by these squash, so you have to sit there and explain to them that it's no different than regular zukes. They won't believe you, however. No matter how much you try to explain it. Eventually, you're just going to have to say "JUST TAKE THE DAMN THINGS AND TRY IT."
7.  You neighbor may get annoyed at you and tell you to grow "proper ornamental plants".
8.  If you want to actually beat someone with one, it's difficult because of the round shape- standard zucchini has much more of a handle. This can be remedied, however. See #8 in the advantages list.
9. They seem to be slightly more susceptible to the heat than some other varieties. This is mostly the Rond de Nice- my One-balls are still producing like mad. They also seem to be slightly more susceptible to powdery/downy mildew, a common problem for cucurbits in Central Louisiana, but really haven't had too much of a problem, yet.
10. Technically all squash keeps its pretty patterns when cooked, so I guess that doesn't really count.

Another fun thing to do is grow various kinds, then you can take pictures of squash in dirty positions.

Cherry tomatoes add to the effect.

All in all, I think these are a great asset to any garden, particularly one where space is a premium, e.g. square-foot gardens, patio and container gardens, or other small setups.

I guess I look like an alcoholic with all those wine bottles. I fill them with water and they help keep it moist during the hot, miserable days.

Rond de Nice on the bush