What a diverse and versatile vegetable! From tender, green, white, and yellow 
summer
squash to even more varied colors of winter squash with thick rinds and stringy interiors, there is a squash for all occasions. Summer and winter squashes are closely related, and in some cases summer squash matures into winter squash. They have similar growing instructions and are afflicted by the same pests. They are, of course, different in growth and fruit. Most summer squash plants grow in a bush form rather than vining, and the fruits are harvested young when their outer skin is still soft, and seeds immature. They also have a shorter storage life than winter squash. Winter squash, including pumpkins, are usually vining. Winter
squash is harvested when seed are mature, and the outer skin is hard; they can be stored for 2 to 6 months, depending on type.
summersquash to even more varied colors of winter squash with thick rinds and stringy interiors, there is a squash for all occasions. Summer and winter squashes are closely related, and in some cases summer squash matures into winter squash. They have similar growing instructions and are afflicted by the same pests. They are, of course, different in growth and fruit. Most summer squash plants grow in a bush form rather than vining, and the fruits are harvested young when their outer skin is still soft, and seeds immature. They also have a shorter storage life than winter squash. Winter squash, including pumpkins, are usually vining. Winter
squash is harvested when seed are mature, and the outer skin is hard; they can be stored for 2 to 6 months, depending on type.GENERAL SOWING is recommended 2 to 4 weeks after the May 8th, average last frost ,and when soil temperatures have risen to 70°-85°F.
How many do I plant? Summer Squash are possibly the most
productive plants in the summer garden. One plant generally produces enough fresh squash for 2 people to eat all summer. Summer squash can be cut into strips and used as a gluten-free, raw noodle substitute or pickled and canned. It may also aid in making friends with some neighbors by sharing the squashes bounty.
productive plants in the summer garden. One plant generally produces enough fresh squash for 2 people to eat all summer. Summer squash can be cut into strips and used as a gluten-free, raw noodle substitute or pickled and canned. It may also aid in making friends with some neighbors by sharing the squashes bounty.Best summer squash varieties here at Watters Garden Center.
| Baby Round | French heirloom, Ronde de Nice is known for its mellow, sweet flavor. Can also be matured to a winter squash, with the outside turning a light, burnt orange mottled with green and the inside developing a spaghetti squash texture and savory squash flavor. Compact bush, great for small gardens or containers. Light green mottled on ivory, rounded fruit. Best by 3″. 45 Days to Maturity. |
| Black Beauty | This 1920’s heirloom won the All‐America Selections award in 1957. Classic, widely grown bush plant. Dark green skin means more lutein (antioxidant for eye health). Cylindrical fruit, best harvested by 8″. 55 Days to Maturity. |
| Cocozelle | 19th Century Italian heirloom with a slightly nutty flavor. Compact bush, small size is excellent for small spaces or containers. Mottled light green on dark green with light green stripes, becoming slightly ridged. Cylindrical fruit, best harvested by 10″. 50 Days to Maturity |
| Cube of Butter | Won our company taste test. Hybrid. Easy to harvest and find due to color, few spines, and the plants open growth, bush habit. Bright yellow, cylindrical fruit. Best harvested by 8″. 50 Days to Maturity. |
| Dirani Lebanese | Hybrid, also called Koosa after a popular Mediterranean stuffed squash dish. Compact bush growth, with mottled light green and medium green, slightly ridged, cylindrical fruit. Best harvested by 7″. 50 Days to Maturity. |
| Early Prolific Straighneck | Heirloom, 1938 All‐America Selections winner. A long‐time, early‐maturing garden standard that performs in small spaces or containers. Bush growth with bright yellow fruit, long and wider at the blossom end. Best harvested by 7″. 45 Days to Maturity. |
| Emeral Delight | Lutein‐rich hybrid squash are easier to pick on plants with reduced spines and an open growth habit. Bush growth. Dark green, cylindrical fruit. Best harvested by 8″ long. 55 Days to Maturity. |
| Max’s Gold | Straight, yellow squash is easy to find and allows for uniform chopping and cooking. Hybrid, bush growth. Bright yellow, cylindrical fruit. Best harvested by 8″ long. 55 Days to Maturity. |
| Scallop
(Patty Pan) Blend |
Early White Bush’ and ‘Golden Scallop’ are Native American heirlooms and ‘Bennings Green Tint’ is a 1920’s heirloom combined in this blend for a colorful harvest. Bush growth. White, yellow, or light green, scalloped saucer shaped fruit. Best harvested by 3″. 55 Days to Maturity. |
| Sunstripe | Nearly ornamental, vivid, shiny, striped squash on spineless plants make harvest much less of a “pain”. Bush growth. Cylindrical fruit, bright yellow with white‐ yellow striping. Best harvested by 8″ long. 50 Days to Maturity. |
| Tatuma | Heirloom. Called Calabacita (little squash) in Mexico and sometimes spelled Tatume, this long time staple of the South is said by many to have better flavor and texture than other summer squashes. This heirloom is unique in that it is a vine, allowing for trellis growing, saving space, and if allowed to mature, it can be enjoyed as a winter squash. Dark green mottled over light green and rounded fruit. Best harvested by 3″. 50 Days to Maturity. |