A Little Talk About Squash.
It took me awhile to know the fruit called Squash, cucumber is common here, its health benefit too is enormous. During my farm training days our instructor then told us we will be planting it, to some of us coming from a semi-rural, semi-urban area, we know not what is called Squash. Then our trainer showed us, for the first time, i could feel and touch this thing. A gourd kind of watermelon.
![abundance-1869448__480.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbErRsvCKa1mfW497weDRg2ydp6dibBUcnCfpFSwHk8Qm/abundance-1869448__480.jpg)
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We also learnt theorectically that Squash grows just like cucumber and watermelon, so it isn't something hard to figure out, but, there are some challenges to planting it and the reason for its non popularulity among folks here.
None availbilty of the seeds: The seeds were not something yio can meet in the market, dont forget that many of the seeds we plant in nigeria are imported, we have East-West, Syngeta, Technisem,Seminis, Chai-Thai.
Low patronage at the open market :This fruit is made especialy here as cousine and exotic dishes in hotels, to add more to it, only when foreigners come around that the chef orders for it. But in recent years now the popularity of Squash have grown, now that there are different types of it, but not yet enough for a farmer to bank on it and plant it in hectares, he's going to be in debt for it.
None Popularity : I cant stress this any further, i just asked a friend of mine if he knows Squash, he said no, to us here, Squash is to break something. Smash it, squeeze it.
[Screeshot from my phone]
Not forgeting that squash is the fruit of the halloween. Maybe that adds more to it.
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I am surprised that it is not more popular. I am thinking it would grow well in your climate. The First Nation People here used to grow corn, beans, squash, and beebalm together. The beans climb up on the corn and give nitrogen to the soil - which the corn needs, The squash leaves cover the soil to keep moisture in and later, add mulch to it. The beebalm attracts pollinators for a better yield.
Look at the many squash varieties. this picture is from the catalog of Baker's greek seed company. I don't know if it is legal to send seeds to your country...