PLANT PORN: CURCUBITS

PUMPKINS! SQUASH! GOURDS! COURGETTES! MELONS! CUCUMBERS!

Arguably the funnest plant family out these, and with over 800 species, it's quite the party where curcubits are concerned.

HOW TO SPOT ONE

Curvy and voluptuous with creeping, juicy vines, a curcubit is pretty easy to spot when fruiting. In the UK and similar climates, most curcubits grown here are ready to harvest in late summer/early autumn, hence the association of piles of pumpkins and gourds with Halloween! 

RATING

Great for growing from seed for entry-level green fingers, but they do need their space and are susceptible to a host of issues once they're established, so have your best TLC at the ready.

Want to enjoy without the faff of growing? Lucky for you, the curcubit has the most species grown for food, and they happen to be pretty tasty too!