Weed or squash?

[tall corn]

Good morning - I have started to learn how to grow, and some things have taken off (Basil is going to be my "money" crop) and some things not. I created a mixed plant variety raised bed on the north side of my house and one thing I didn't plant has grown well. Some of my friends have identified it as a type of squash, my wife says it's a weed. Either way I like what Newt said in his tag - if it pulls easy, it's a valuable plant..

Anyway - the first two pictures are the leaves of a couple sugar baby watermelon vines that are producing (yay! first try!). The next two are of the "whatzit" plant. Both have similar leaves, so I'm hesitant to pull it

This is my first year at trying this kind of stuff - I'm a computer guy, not a farmer or gardener. I haven't collected all my information resources yet as there is only so much time in a day. Anybody got an idea what this is?

Thanks! Tall......

[Newt]

Hi Tall,

So glad to know your garden is doing so well. I think you have an imposter growing next to your watermelon. The one with the thorns looks like buffalo bur. Those thorns are a give away.
http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/200...ry-evil-plant/

What do you think?

Btw, I'm a she.

Newt

[tall corn]

Newt - first of all, a most humble apology for the mistaken gender. This, like planting cantelopes next to watermelons, will not happen again.

Secondly - good call! Your idenitifying this as buffalobur nightshade was right on, even down to the burs that I recognized in the picture. I have since getting home from work have donned leather gloves and this evil weed is now removed and thrown on the pile of cut branches going to our local organic dump.

Quick question: what's a good resource of indentifying plants for a novice like myself?

Then great news: we're expecting! I counted 8 little baby tomatoes on my grown from seed beefsteak! Ah, I'm such a proud parent!!!!!

Thanks - Tall.......

[Newt]

Newt - first of all, a most humble apology for the mistaken gender. This, like planting cantelopes next to watermelons, will not happen again.

Not to fret, it happens all the time. Most folks think of that Gingrich guy when they see my name.

...this evil weed is now removed and thrown on the pile of cut branches going to our local organic dump.

Organic dump? That's fantastic that you have such a wonderful resource. If you have the space, consider starting a compost pile so you can make your own compost.

Quick question: what's a good resource of indentifying plants for a novice like myself?

This won't be a quick answer as I need some clarification and need to explain how I found the imposter. I'm wondering if you want to id weeds or garden plants or both as I have several sites I use. Many weeds are geographic specific, so it would help to know where you live to see if I can find you a site to id weeds.

Now to explain how I found your imposter. I googled with the term: watermelon plants and clicked on 'Images' to see the similarities. I had never seen one with thorns, and none of the pics I turned up showed any either, so I then searched with the term: watermelon plants thorns. That's how I found the site that listed the buffalobur as an imposter.

Then great news: we're expecting! I counted 8 little baby tomatoes on my grown from seed beefsteak! Ah, I'm such a proud parent!!!!!

Not much can compete with the taste of a sun warmed tomato picked right in the garden and eaten there imo!

Thanks - Tall.......

You are so very welcome! Let me know what type of sites you want for reference and what state you are in if you are in the US.

Newt