Black Beauty The standard summer squash, introduced in the 1920s. Large bush plants grow semi-upright and open, and are loaded with glossy dark green fruits with firm creamy white flesh and fine flavour. Plants are productive very early, and over a long period. Best eaten when under 20cm (8" long). Black Beauty zucchini seeds are the best variety for freezing. Black Beauty zucchini is a 20th Century heirloom that won the All American Selections prize back in 1957. It was first introduced to American market growers in the 1920s, and was commercially available as seed from the 1930s on. Matures in 60 days. (Open pollinated seeds)
Shokichi Green Mini Kabocha C. maxima. Compact vine forming plants produce five to seven fruits each with grey-green skins patterned with light grey streaks. The sweet flesh is bright orange with fine texture and a flavour reminiscent of roasted chestnuts when baked. The single-serving fruits average 350g (¾ lb) each. Shokichi Green Mini Kabocha performed really well in our field trials, alongside its sister product, Shokichi Red. The fruits had an appealing kabocha shape, with a good ratio of flesh to seed cavity. We also noticed a very high rate of successful pollination, with apparently no aborted fruits. Matures in 100 days. (Hybrid seeds)
Delicata Squash Seeds (Sweet Potato Type) Heirloom Vegetable. Short vines produce fruit about 15-20 cm (6-8″) long and 9 cm (3.5″) in diameter that are cream coloured with attractive thin green stripes. Unlike most of the winter squash, Delicata has a thin edible skin so no peeling is required before eating! This unique looking squash has very sweet orange flesh and is excellent for stuffing and baking. A good winter keeper. C. pepo. Try Delicata squash seeds for a mild tasting, thin-skinned, delicate squash. The smallish 15 x 8cm (6 x 3") fruits on this sometimes sprawling plant will store well for months after harvesting. Sweet and lovely. Delicata squash fruits are oblong and creamy white, striped with green bands. They have a very sweet, appealing flavour that people frequently compare with sweet potatoes. Allow the fruits to ripen fully on the vines, but harvest before frost. Give each fruit a wipe with a weak bleach solution, and then store in a cool, dry place and enjoy the squash all winter long.
Futtsu Black Early C. moschata. This is an old Japanese heirloom, cultivated for hundreds of years. Futtsu Black Early squash forms decorative and tasteful pumpkin-like fruits of medium size. A typical fruit from this unusual and highly prized squash weighs around 1.5kg (3 lbs). The fruits start out round and dark green — almost black — with deep ribs and some wrinkles. As they mature the fruits turn dusky grey-brown, and the nutty flavour and sweetness really improves. Cutting into this remarkable fruit releases a strong scent of cantaloupe. The squash will keep for months in storage. Plants grow 80-140cm (32-55") wide, so provide lots of space as well as fertile soil. The fruits are eminently decorative for fall displays. Matures in 100-120 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)
Goldilocks F1 A unique, bright orange acorn squash that is both flavourful and ornamental. AAS judges highlighted Goldilocks as preferred for both taste and texture. This compact bush yields numerous 0.4-1.3 kg (1-2 lbs) fruits per plant, making it a great choice for growers with limited space. It matures early in the field too so makes a fantastic choice for northern gardeners with shorter seasons. Furthermore, this acorn squash thrives in coastal climates as is boasts resistance to Powdery Mildew.
Reno F1 C. pepo. Reno is a classically shaped acorn squash with moderate furrows and a dependable dark green colour. The strong, single-stemmed, bush plants are very productive. Reno acorn squash seeds produce fruit that have golden yellow flesh that is fine textured with a sweet nutty flavour. If you grow Reno, it won't be a gamble. Sometimes acorn squash plants produce vast foliage and few fruits. Reno acorn squash does quite the opposite. Flowers appear earlier in the year than some other varieties, so there is a greater potential for a long harvest window. Be sure to plant lots of bee-attracting flowers nearby so that every female blossom gets the best potential for setting fruit. Matures in 70-75 days. (Hybrid seeds)
Sunburst F1 C. pepo. Sunburst scallopini seeds produce a big bush bearing vivid deep yellow pattypans that look like jewels. These dazzling miniatures are best picked at 5cm (2"). Steam them whole or saut̩ée in a little butter. These tasty summer squash remain tender up to about 15cm (6") in diameter, but we prefer picking them shortly after pollination. The female flowers can also be picked the morning they open and stuffed, with the immature fruit ovary attached at the base. This makes a very striking addition to any gourmet meal, and the edible flowers are mild and delicious. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Matures in 50 days. (Hybrid seeds)
Tromboncino C. moschata. Tromboncino squash seeds produce rambling vines with very long, pale green Italian summer squash. Tromboncino fruits can grow to 2m (6') long, with a tiny seed cavity just at the blossom end. Flavourful and firm, the seedless texture is a treat in the kitchen. This unusual squash has a mild flavour, but it is great when steamed, stir-fried, or even pickled. Trellis Tromboncino to get straight fruits (they will form hanging down), but the unique shapes of fruits that form on the ground are really fun. Harvest while still tender at 20-45cm (8-18") long. Matures in 80 days. (Open pollinated seeds)
How to Grow
10-12 seed/gram Squash are a hot weather crop. They need full sun and deep, rich, well drained, organic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Before planting, work in lots of compost. Directly plant seed outdoors from late May to mid June 2.5 cm (1″) deep in hills 2.4 m (8′) apart with 4-6 seeds per hill. After germination, thin to 3 plants per hill. Seed can be started indoors 3 weeks before the plant out date. Squash do not transplant well–use paper or fibre pots that can be set directly in the soil. Protect mature squash from frost and cold temperatures.
