Squash Seeds - Winter

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.

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.