I've used squash vine tips from several different species. It's a crop I harvest at the very end of summer, when I know that cold will soon be stunting the vines. The trimming encourages the vines to concentrate all of their energy on the ripening squash. My favorite vine tips are from Tromboncino, which usually has several very small squashes near the tip... but almost any vining squash will work. The best tips I've ever tried were from Malabar squash (a.k.a. Shark Fin Melon, C. ficifolia) which is daylength sensitive, and requires a long season to bear fruit. It's a very rampant vine, so you almost have to trim it anyway just to keep it contained. The tips are very succulent, and grow back quickly; but the juice stains your fingers.

Well, its been two nights since I put up the solar electric fence and all is well. The unit was $99(3 mile - smallest TSC had) plus about $20 for wire and plastic insulators. Hoped it would have been cheaper but was in a rush and very determined...I already had some rebar for posts which I cut into 1/3's and had to buy a few more lengths. Pretty easy. As Grandad suggested, I put the wires at 6" and 12" off the ground and one foot away from the base of the existing fence. I made the gate swing in. The unit is mounted to a 4x4 post and has an on off switch. Still wishing I did this a while ago. Not much corn left...I'm noticing a few late ears trying to form. I may have to hand pollenate these. Every stalk had at least two ears, some have had 3 ears and apparently a couple that may end up with 4 if you include the sucker. I'm curious about watering the garden while/if the fence is on. Any need to be concerned - precautions???lol I have one grounding rod - 3/8 rebar 4' in the ground. Was told rebar would be suffice for this application vs. the more expensive copper grounding rod. I kinda gathered that more/multiple grounding rods made for a stronger shock. Is this true or necessary for this small of a fence? We both tried the fence and felt it...

If it's like the consistency of a butternut squash here is the Sicilian way :) Cube it up, toss with a lot of olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a deep pan. Bake uncovered for about 30 min tossing half way through. When it's done (should be soft) sprinkle with balsamic vinegar to taste. Delizioso!

They look like Brussels sprouts to me, based on leaf shape and petioles, although rather dumpy. They do need a long growing time. Are there any baby sprouts forming up the stalks? If they were mine I’d probably give up on getting any sprouts and harvest those tops whole. They’re absolutely delicious. They’re sold over here as sprout tops and to my taste they’re better than the sprouts themselves.