DATE:   10/23/97
WRITER: Bob Polomski, (864) 656-2604

Storing Squash

     Q:  Every fall I harvest my winter squash and store them in
a basket in the garage. Most of them have rotted by Thanksgiving. 
What am I doing wrong? I thought that they were supposed to last
all winter.
     A:  Winter squash will last all winter,  provided you pick
and store them properly.  
     Pick the squash from the vine when they've developed a deep 
color, which indicates maturity. Handle the fruit gently, for any 
injury to the rind will make the squash store poorly. Leave about
one inch of stem. Cure the rind by exposing the squash to full
sun for at least 7 to 10 days. If frost is expected during this 
period, cover the fruits in the evening.
     To store the squash, pack them in single layers in a crate, 
placing crumpled newspapers between each one. Store them in a
warm, protected  location between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures below this range can cause injury, so avoid 
storing the squash in your garage.
     You can expect to store Hubbard squash up to six months, 
butternut from two to three months, and acorn for five to eight
weeks.
Growing Sweet Peas
     Q:  My grandmother made growing sweet peas look easy, but I
just can't get them to flower. Can you help? 
     A:  About 50 years ago, sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) were
one of the most popular cut flowers in America. Their sweet
fragrance left an indelible impression on gardeners. 
     The keys to growing the flowers well are cool weather, full 
sun, and fertile soil. 
     This fall select a well-drained site in full sun.  Prepare
the bed by adding organic matter such as compost and ground 
limestone to maintain a nearly neutral soil pH. Seed should be
sown in late fall, an ideal time for gardeners in the Midlands,
Pee Dee, and Coastal areas, or as early in spring as the soil can
be worked. 
     To improve germination, nick the seed coat with a file or
rub with sandpaper, then soak the seeds overnight or for a few
days. Space the seeds four to six inches apart and plant them two
inches deep.
     Expect the seeds to germinate in two to three weeks. When
the seedlings reach four inches in height, dress lightly with a
complete fertilizer such as 10-10-10 at a rate of three
tablespoons per 10 feet of  row.
     Surround the seedlings with a two-inch layer of compost to 
conserve moisture. Provide support for the climbing types with 
wire fencing or string. When the plants flower, remove the
faded flower stalks to encourage repeat flowering and provide
plenty of moisture during  the growing season.
     In the past, hybridizers have focused their attention on 
producing sweet peas with larger blossoms and more flowers,
forfeiting any hint of fragrance. Thankfully, the tide has turned
and breeders are working to return fragrance to sweet peas. Sweet
peas that combine colorful flowers with a heady aroma include
"Firecrest," "Fragrant  Ripples," "Maggie May," and "White
Supreme."
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      If you have gardening questions or comments, write to 
Agricultural  News and Publications, A-101 Poole Agricultural
Center, Box 340311, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0311.
                              END