Quick Facts
-
*Low Impact Food ALERT* No energy intensive food processing necessary for winter eating
*Low Impact Food ALERT* This crop gets by on less. It needs less water and nutrient inputs than other foods.
*Diverse Population ALERT* Grow this population as is or use for your at home plant breeding project. It’s crop adaptation made simple- select those plants that grow best for you, save seeds, plant them next year, and repeat.
*Short Season ALERT* Matures quickly and is frost tolerant
*Heat/Drought ALERT* Adapted to thrive in tough conditions, heat, and drought
- Bred to thrive even in low-fertility
- Easy to grow
Cucurbita mixta
Large green and white striped winter squash from plant breeder Joseph Lofthouse of Lofthouse Landrace Seeds in Paradise Utah. Yellow flesh that is good for baking and similar to zucchini in taste and texture. Also called cushaw squash and silver seed gourd, Cucurbita mixta is the least well known of 4 squash and pumpkin varieties native to North America. Fruits averaging 12-15 lb.
How to grow it:
|
Germ Temp |
Indoor Start |
Germ Days |
Frost Tolerant |
Sun |
Seed Depth |
Plant/Row Spacing |
|
65-95 |
3 w. |
3-13 d. |
No |
Full |
1/2” |
24”/48” |
|
Plant 1-2" deep in small mounds 24" apart. Winter squash are heavy feeders so provide fertility initially, then every few weeks through the season. Harvest before the first frost, as even a slight frost will damage the flesh and make the squash unstorable. Allow to cure in a sunny, frost free location for 2-3 weeks. This curing process seals the pores of the squash skin for storage and improves flavor. Learn more about growing, harvesting, and curing squash in our blog post about it! |
Seed specs: 2 g., ~20 seeds