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Squash, Early Prolific Straightneck Organic Seeds
Cucurbita pepo
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Product Information
Squash Early Prolific Straightneck is an All-American Selection winner!
This popular, exceptionally productive variety of summer squash bears fruits that can be eaten when 10-30 cm (4-12") long. The thick, fine-grained flesh is tender and delicious. Pick when 10-18 cm (4-7") for best flavor.
Tip: Squash is over-mature if the skin cannot be easily punctured by your thumbnail. Pick regularly so the squash will continue to form.
- SKU: 139806
- Common Name: Squash
- Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo
Growing Information
Grows
Best In:
Full sun
Days to
Germination:
5 - 12 days
Water
Needs:
Moist 5 cm (2") per week
Days to
Maturity:
42 - 50 days
Key Features
- Plant Type: Vegetable
- Plant Lifecycle: Annual
- Fill Weight (grams): 3 g
- Approximate Seed Count: 20-25
- Planting Method: Direct Sow
- Water Needs: Moist 5 cm (2") per week
- Landscape Use: Edible Garden
- Growth Habit: Summer
- Companion Planting: Plant near oregano, nasturtiums, zinnias. Oregano and zinnias attract pollinators and nasturtium will protect zucchini from aphids and whiteflies.
- Flavor: Creamy, tender texture with a slight butter flavor when cooked
- Preparation Ideas: Sliced into rounds, can be steamed, grilled, roasted, sautéed or breaded and deep fried.
- Awards: All America Selections (AAS)
Instructions
-
Growing Instructions:
- Planting Depth: 2.5 cm (1")
- Seed Spacing: Sow 2 - 3 squash seeds per hill apart in rows, keeping rows approximately 1.5-1.8 m (5-6') apart.
- Plant Spacing: 60 - 90 cm (24-36")
- Instructions for Nutrient Care: Feed plants SUPERthrive once per week. Mix 1.2 ml (1/4 tsp) per 4L (1 gallon) of water in a watering can and apply solution to the base of the plants.
Squash seeds can be sown directly in the garden when the soil is warm and all danger of frost is past and the soil has warmed. Soil temperature (not air temperature) should be between 15°- 21°C (60°- 70°F). Plant 2-3 seeds in mounds 1.5-1.8 m (5-6') apart. Press seeds into the soil to ensure good contact and cover with 2.5 cm (1") of soil. After planting, water the seeds with a gentle mist or shower. It is critical to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy during germination. When your seedlings reach a height of a few centimetres (inches) and have developed 2 or 3 pairs of leaves, it is important to thin them out, according to the plant spacing indicated below. Do not allow the soil to become dry, as young plants have underdeveloped roots and can quickly dehydrate, particularly in windy conditions.
For an earlier crop, squash seeds can be started indoors 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost in your area. Follow the seed depth and spacing guidelines indicated below. Once all danger of frost has passed, seedlings should be hardened off before planting in their growing location. Seedlings should be transplanted according to the plant and row spacing directions below. Regularly monitor your plants and ensure that the soil remains moist, but not soggy while they establish themselves in their new environment.
Click here to read more information on planning and planting a garden.
Suggestions
Growing Suggestions:
- Use a row cover during the first few weeks of seedling growth to protect plants from insect pests. Remove covers before flowering to allow pollination by insects.
- Try to water plants at the base of the plant rather than overhead unless it's a sunny day. Dampness on foliage and fruit invites rot and disease.
- Squash have shallow root systems and care should be taken when cultivating and weeding near the plants.
- Squash plants have distinct male and female flowers. The male flowers appear first on long, thin stalks, followed by the female flowers with an immature fruit at the bottom. For the female flowers to produce fruit, they require pollen from the male flowers to be transferred to them by bees.
- Poor pollination can result in squash flowers that do not bear fruit, or that bear small fruit. Consider growing bright-colored flowers nearby to attract pollinators.
- If you're growing squash with a bush or vining habit, it's important to check for overcrowding and thin out a few lateral (non-main) stems or lower leaves (especially those touching the ground) to ensure better air circulation. This can help prevent the spread of disease like powdery mildew, reduce hiding spots for insect pests and make it easier for pollinators to find the flowers. Keep in mind that overcrowding can also cause weakened growth, so it's important to leave enough leaves for the plant to produce food for itself. Don't prune more than 1/3 of the plant.
- An idicator that squash is ready to harvest is when th stem turns from green to brown woody stripes where it joins the fruit. When harvesting, cut the squash from the vines using a sharp knife or pruners. Avoid twisting or pulling fruits from the vines. Leave about 5-7 (2-3") of stem on each squash.
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