Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #278000 in Books
• Published on: 2004-11-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 216 pages

Synopsis
Detailed instructions on how to plant, cultivate, harvest, and propagate a variety of pumpkin, squash, and ornamental gourd varieties are accompanied by more than 150 glorious color photographs, horticultural tips, and delicious recipes.

Customer Reviews

Simply Stunning!!!
If you only ever buy one book on squashes, this is the one to get! Okay, so it's an american book, hence the 'incorrect' spelling of 'compleat' (spelt 'complete' in the uk), but they are experts on the subject of squashes; after all, native americans were growing squashes long before europeans arrived to pillage their land. Politics and linguistics aside however, this book is a work of art.

It is well written and no expence has been spared with the photography and it is lavishly and lovingly illustrated throughout. The author provides artistic photographs of hundreds of squashes and gives you the 'low down' on their culinary quality and other details.

Each squash has the following 'info' issued next to them:

Size:
Weight:
Rind Colour:
Flesh Colour:
Colour Rating:
Fibre:
Best Use:
Synonyms: (other names)
Seed sources: (where possible)

Most also have comments next to them containing such subjects as origins and history.

The book does not cover every squash in existence, but then you would need a book three or four times the size of this one, at least, to get them all in (assuming you devoted the same space for them per page).
To be quite frank, this book makes me drool and I wish I owned a good few acres of land to fully scratch my 'squash itch'.

It's worth mentioning though that many of the varieties are not available in the UK and you would have to order them from abroad. The states will allow the shipping of seeds to this country, but remember, you may need to give some of them extra heat by growing in a greenhouse. Fortunately, those requiring more heat are noted upon in the book and I suggest you give them as longer growing season as you can (cloches etc).
The americans also seem to be more generous with their seed quantities, so you get your moneys worth even with high P&P.

Squash lovers, go buy this now! And if anyone mocks your squash/pumpkin obsession, drop a generous sized 'Dills Atlantic Giant' on them from a great height.
Please note: I accept no responsibility if you put your back out trying to do this. Neither am I responsible for the demise of persons having said squash dropped on their cranium.