Other Giant Vegetables - Giant Marrows

ABOUT MARROWS: English Vegetable Marrows (cucurbita pepo) are part of the squash family.  They are considered an autumn squash.  Marrows look like overgrown zucchinis.   Marrows are popular in the UK, but are seldom grown in the United States.  It's ashame, because marrows are very easy to grow, and with little effort you should be able to get some large marrows.  You can grow giant specimens with as little as a 10 ft x 6 ft space.

(left)  Pictures of one of some of my marrows.  On my first try I was able to get 30 pound marrows with very little fertilizer, and without burying the main stem, or removing all lateral shoots.  Thanks to Bernard Lavery for sending me the seeds and the picture.

(above)  Picture of Bernard Lavery with one of his world record marrows.  Bernard Lavery previously held the record for the largest marrow at 108 lbs 2 oz. in 1990.

TIPS FOR GROWING GIANT MARROWS: 1. Fertilize the main root once a week with high nitrogen feed. 2.  Bury the main stem as it grows to promote additional roots. 3. Let the lateral stems grow until they reach the the boundary of your growing area and then bury the growing tips. 4. When the main stem reaches the end of your growing area, train the stem back toward the main root 5. When your marrow starts to develop, cut off all lateral stems. 6. For a really big marrow, allow one marrow to grow on the main stem, but a single plant can support three large marrows. 7.  Remove any other marrows that develop before they reach 10 inches.

(above)  Roger Jones with his 84 1/2 pound marrow who won first prize for the heaviest marrow at a marrow competition in the UK. Picture from article in the Westmoreland Gazette

WHERE CAN I FIND GIANT MARROWS? Not every marrow variety is a giant marrow, but you can find giants at the following sources.  All of these companies sell to the U.S.A.

Robinson's Mammoth Vegetable Seeds

P&P  Seeds

(above)  Picture of giant marrow from Exhibition Seeds

Exhibition Seeds

Medwyn's of Anglesey

GROWING MARROWS FOR FOOD: Marrows are similar to green zucchinis in taste and texture.  In my opinion, my marrows had a better taste than the common green zucchini you can buy at any store in the U.S.A.  Marrows are commonly stuffed with minced meat, or used to make jams & chutneys.  There are many smaller varieties of marrows that are great for cooking.  eSeeds.com has a large international selection of marrows that sells to the U.S.A..  The following seeds can all be found on eSeeds.com: Long White Vegetable Marrow - McKenzie Seeds Tiger Cross F1 - Suttons Table Dainty - Suttons Long Green Bush - Unwins Long Green Bush 2 Improved - Suttons Long Green Bush 3 - Smallpak - Suttons Long Green Trailing - Suttons Tender and True Globe Marrow - Unwins

MARROW RECIPES: Stuffed Marrow: http://www.letscook.co.uk/bakedmarrow.html http://www.rabites.org.uk/marrow.html http://www.greatbritishkitchen.co.uk/recipes/ vegetarian/stuffedmarrow.htm http://www.cookitsimply.com/vegetables/marrow-squash-recipes/stuffed-marrow-with-dill-sauce.htm Stuffed Marrow Rings: http://www.cookitsimply.com/vegetables/marrow-squash-recipes/stuffed-marrow-rings.html http://www.riverford.co.uk/en/recipes/ recipe.php?recipeid=126&catid=5

eSeeds.com