Plump pumpkins and swelling squashes

Giant but a long way off ripe

Top tip: Apparently mildew isn't a problem for winter squash - leave leaves (even if infected) on until they brown in October and dry the fruit for a couple of days to make sure they keep over the weekend. Next year prepare a bed with lots of nutrient rich  and water retaining material (try shed loads of household waste (no meat)) for the plants to discover while growing.

Medium

Thanks to a fellow allotment novice I have finally found a tasty way to use our Patty Pan summer squash.  Boil them with the skin on then sprinkle with a little cinnamon and spread with butter. a great side dish - tastes buttery even without the butter. A grating of cheese wouldn't go amiss either.

Marrows, courgettes, squash and pumpkin are all related and it has been a cracking summer for me for them all. I discovered a great traditional 'Halloween' pumpkin ripening under the brassicas and there is a tiny butternut squash developing. I hear that you should stop a plant after it has set fruit twice so it doesn't divert energies into fruiting more over making the existing fruit a viable size. But I am very greedy and live in hope they are wrong and I can get even more put of the plant.

Mini mini mini! Tasty.....