What Betty grows

                                            Part of the crop 

Tonda Padana is an Italian variety which I grew for the first time in 2006.

Seed from Seeds of Italy - click here

Sumo

 I won the 'Heaviest Pumpkin' competition at the allotments in 2005 with this Sumo weighing 160 pounds.

Uchiki Kuri

Seed from The Organic Gardening Catalogue - click here

Crown Prince

In late October it was time to pick the crop.  I lined them up on the path and gave them a wash so they could dry in the sunshine before I stored them.

This is Galeuse d'Eysines - a very unusual variety which develops strange crusty growths that look a bit like peanuts all over the skin as it ages.

Seed from The Real Seed Catalogue -

click here

Tonda Padana

This is a superb variety, really excellent in soup or roasted with Italian herbs.  I might have to borrow more of Norman's plot next year because I will be growing lots of these!

                   Pumpkins always wear their seat belts!

Sumo was taken by my son Antonio to a Sikh temple in Bristol where it was cooked for the community to enjoy 

I grew Uchiki Kuri like runner beans, up 8 ft canes.

They are an ideal size for small families and the plants were quite productive.

Crown Prince is another favourite of mine.  The one on the left was grown on my allotment and picked in late October 2006.  I took the photo on 25th January 2007.  It had been stored in an unheated greenhouse since it was picked, and was in excellent condition.