The Cucurbitaceae also called cucurbits or the gourd family, includes cucumbers, melons, squash, pumpkins. Cucurbits are a great addition to any summer vegetable garden for their productivity. All the cucurbits need rich soil and enough water, it's good to create rich soil and compost based mounds and direct seed these plants. You can also start them indoors, but be sure to transplant them when they are very young outside before they start getting root bound, they don't like having their roots disturbed.

Grow different varieties for different uses, Spaghetti Squash, and Pumpkins, for example, store well into winter, so you can be eating from your garden in the middle of winter. Don't forget to roast the seeds, too, they're delicious!

Cucumbers are also a garden favorite, they are delicious fresh, and nothing beats jars of homemade spicy pickles that can be enjoyed throughout the year.

The blossoms of Zucchini, Squash and Pumpkins are also amazing when stuffed, battered and fried – an extra early garden treat in the summer! Try our Squash Blossom Recipe!