SQUASH & PUMPKINS
The cultural requirements of squash and pumpkins are similar, and there is often sometimes confusion in differentiating the two. One of the first pumpkins to arrive from france was the ‘Rouge Vif d’Etampes.’ It is also called Cinderella Pumpkin and it is a beautiful French heirloom pumpkin. It first became available in the U.S. in 1883. However, T.W. Whitaker and G.W. Bohn presented evidence in 1950 that at least five species of Cucurbita, known as pumpkins and squash, originated in the Americas. They defined the terms pumpkin, summer squash and winter squash as follows:
Pumpkin- the edible fruit of any species of Cucurbita, used when ripe as a table vegetable or in pies; flesh is somewhat coarse and/or strongly flavored, hence is not generally served as a baked vegetable.
Summer Squash-The edible fruit of any species of Cucurbita, commonly C. pepo, used when immature as a table vegetable. Summer squash generally do not store well and are to be eaten when picked. Some varieties such as Delicata, Blue Guatemalan, Butternut and the Dakota Dessert Squash are ready in the summer and can be stored for a time.
Winter Squash-The edible fruit of any species of Cucurbita used when ripe as a table vegetable or in pies; flesh is usually fine-grained and of mild flavor, hence is suitable for baking.
CULTURE: Planting should be delayed until the soil has warmed to 68 degrees F at a depth of four inches and all danger of frost has passed. The use of summer squash transplants should be considered if early harvest is important.
Fertilizer and lime applications are best based on soil test results. General recommendations, when using black plastic mulch, would be one pound of actual nitrogen, two pounds of phosphorus and three pounds of potash per 1,000 square feet. On bare ground, increase the amount of nitrogen by 25 percent. This would best be done as a sidedress application when vines begin to run. Lime should be applied only if indicated by a soil test so as to maintain a pH between 6.5 and 6.8.
-Delicata Squash - #GHS-1
10-16 oz. Fruits. S-1. Delicata Squash -Heirloom -80-100 days. Also known as the sweet potato squash because of its delicious flavor. Delicata is very productive and stores well. Enjoy this fine grained, light orange squash steamed or baked. Plant 3-4’ apart. Mod. Water, Full Sun.
- Ronde de Nice Squash - #GHS-2
(Cucurbita pepo) (aka Eight Ball, Round Nice) An heirloom French “summer pumpkin” from Provence, traditionally eaten when very small and tender. Can be grown as a “fall pumpkin” but the rind is not intensely orange. Beautiful large leaves mottled with silver. 50-55 days. Indeterminate.
-Guatemalan Blue Squash - #GHS-3
(Cucurbita maxima) Belongs to the Banana group of squashes, noted for their fine table quality. This selection is dark “blue” with light stripes; golden-yellow flesh is thick and firm. Fruits range up to 20 inches in length and average 5 pounds. We like to keep this one in the refrigerator after the initial cutting and continue to slice off small rings that can be baked or roasted. Hills should be spaced 6’ apart in all directions. 90-95 days.
-Starship Patty Pan Squash - #GHS-4
43 days. Starship consistently maintains its refined scalloped flying saucer shape and glossy, dark green color through multiple harvests. Terrific for baby vegetable dishes. Full Sun- Mod. Water.
-Table Queen Acorn Squash - #GHS-5
Squash plants (green) produce a bush-type acorn squash. It is a early maturing winter squash variety. This heirloom variety bears dark green acorn shaped fruit on vigorous vines.The uniformly ridged and grooved fruit are 5 ½ inches by 4 inches and weighs 1 ½ pounds. They are generally heart or acorn shaped. The rind is thin, hard, dark green with yellow ground spot and occasional sun spot. The flesh is yellow, thin and tender with good flavor. Acorn squash is picked and can be stored for several months in a cool and dry area. 55-65 days.
-Yellow Crookneck - #GHS-6
45 days -Heirloom, 8-9 in. Easy-to-grow, bush, yellow summer squash has been a favorite for over 150 years. Abundant producer of yellow-skinned, white-fleshed summer squash. Plant Spacing: 3’ Full Sun Moderate Water.
-Butterstick Squash - #GHS-7
52 days. Vigorous 3 foot open bushes produce bright yellow straightneck fruit several days before other early varieties. Best when picked at less than 10 inches, also great as a micro veggie. Plant Spacing: 3’ Full Sun Moderate Water.
-Raven Zucchini - #GHS-8
-48 Days. Great Zuke! Dark green skin contains higher levels of lutein, a highly effective antioxidant. In research conducted by Dr. Navazio at the Univ. of Wisconsin, Raven had four times as much lutein as standard, lighter green zucchini varieties. Open, easy-to-pick plants are high yield nice glossy, cylindrical black zucchinis. Not pictured. Med sun and water.
-Wood's Bush Squash - #GHS-9
- 43 days. This prolific squash grows as a bush instead of a vine- consistently maintains its refined scalloped shape and glossy, white cream color through multiple harvests. Terrific for baby vegetable dishes. Full Sun- Mod. Water.
-Small Sugar Pumpkin - #GHS-10
110 days- Outstanding for processing and pumpkin pies. This is the one for cooking but still makes a great Jack o' Lantern. The fruit is six to eight inches in diameter and weighs about six pounds. The flesh is thick and sweet and has been one of our family’s canning favorites for years. Full Sun- Moderate Water.
-Cinderella Pumpkin (aka- Rouge Vif D’Etampes) #GHS-11 -This Pumpkin ‘Rouge Vif d’Etampes’ is a beautiful French heirloom pumpkin. It first became available in the U.S. in 1883. It is a deep orange pumpkin with pronounced ribs and is quite flat. I can see why Cinderella used it as a coach to get to the ball, it truly is a lovely pumpkin! That really is one beautiful pumpkin, and the pie looks absolutely delicious. Excellent in pies, and as a winter squash. 100 days.
-Butternut Squash #GHS-12 -Beige colored and shaped like a vase or a bell. This is a more watery squash and tastes somewhat similar to sweet potatoes. It has a bulbous end and pale, creamy skin, with a choice, fine-textured, deep-orange flesh with a sweet, nutty flavor. Some people say it is like butterscotch. It weighs from 2 to 5 pounds. The oranger the color, the riper, drier, and sweeter the squash. Butternut is a common squash used in making soup because it tends not to be stringy. Available year-round - peak season lasts from early fall through winter.
-Uncle David’s Dakota Dessert Squash #GHS-13 -has the appearance and size similar to Buttercup. Bred for better flavor, yield and thicker flesh, it includes crosses with Hubbard and Gold Nugget Squash as well.. Days to germination: 3-8 days. 95-105 days to maturity.