These mysterious plants voluntarily came up in my vegetable garden. I knew they weren't the cucumbers I'd planted there, but I also recognized that they were vegetables, so I let them grow. After weeks of watching these things expand and try to take over the entire garden, my suspicions have been confirmed. They are the dreaded mini-pumpkins. I thought I was rid of the little Napoleons, but they're back again trying to conquer the melon patch and strangle my green beans.
I may just let them have the beans. I've put up 39 quarts so far, and today I'm freezing some in mixed veggies. I'm one quart short of my canning goal, but we're still working our way through the last set of 40 I canned 3 years ago.
The kids will be happy to have all those tiny pumpkins around, and at least I don't have to worry about weeding them. Still, I hope they don't come back again next year.
