Flo Whitaker

Pumpkins, courgettes and marrows, (collectively labelled ‘squash’) are members of a diverse botanical group: cucurbits. They are well-adapted to outdoor living – although the cucurbit family also includes aubergines, cucumbers and melons that typically require the protection of a greenhouse.

It may still feel like winter to us, but plants are responding to the lengthening hours of daylight. Time for some early seed-sowing...

The USA’s economy may be about to nosedive, but they’re still at the top of the insanity index, writes Flo Whitaker