Cucurbits

Calabash Calabash, bottle gourd calabash, bottle gourd, white-flowered gourd

This cucurbit is very special. The bottle-shaped, bulbous fruits can be eaten as a vegetable when young. (Harvest in August and September). The go great in stews, roasted, and baked. Later, the mature crops with a tough, thick rind (harvest in October) can be dried and transformed into all kinds of vessels. You can make musical instruments, cups, ladles, and decorations.

Sow from mid-April as single seeds in 10-cm pots at about 20º C. Lightly cover seeds with loose soil or sand and keep moist. Transplant into the field from May 20th at the foot of the compost pile or in nutrient-rich soil. (Beware of slug damage!) Keep free from frost. Space individual plants at 80–100 cm on all sides. Harvest from August/September for culinary use and October for utilizing the dried rind. Storage at 15º C is recommended.

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Oil gourd Pumpkin, squash

Oil gourd (Cucurbita pepo var. oleifera) has seeds with no shells. This gourd was sourced from a farmer in Styria, where these crops are traditionally grown. It offers a high-quality, edible oil that can be extracted from the seeds. These same seeds make a great raw food snack since they do not have a hard shell. What is more, they are considered a natural preventative to prostate issues.

Sow from mid-April as single seeds in 10-cm pots at about 20º C. Lightly cover seeds with loose soil or sand and keep moist. Transplant into the field from May 20th at the foot of the compost pile or in nutrient-rich soil. (Beware of slug damage!) Keep free from frost. Space individual plants at 80–100 cm on all sides. Harvest before the first frost. Store in at least 15º C.

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Sowing quantity 25 g/Are

Flat white Boer Pumpkin, squash

Flat White Boer (Cucurbita maxima) is native to South Africa. It has strong twining tendrils and produces flat, round fruits with a firm and savoury flesh. When cooked, it releases its flavour when cooked and the flesh turns very tender. It does very well in storage.

Sow from mid-April as single seeds in 10-cm pots at about 20º C. Lightly cover seeds with loose soil or sand and keep moist. Transplant into the field from May 20th at the foot of the compost pile or in nutrient-rich soil. (Beware of slug damage!) Keep free from frost. Space individual plants at 80–100 cm on all sides. Harvest before the first frost. Store in at least 15º C.

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Sowing quantity 25 g/Are

Hokkaido Green Selection Z (Potimarron) Pumpkin, squash

Hokkaido Green (Cucurbita maxima) produces small, dark-green, round fruits with orange flesh. Their consistency is very compact and similar to that of chestnuts which makes them a rich food for in flavour and uniqueness. Its tendrils creep around the garden and the fruit does very well in storage.

Sow from mid-April as single seeds in 10-cm pots at about 20º C. Lightly cover seeds with loose soil or sand and keep moist. Transplant into the field from May 20th at the foot of the compost pile or in nutrient-rich soil. (Beware of slug damage!) Keep free from frost. Space individual plants at 80–100 cm on all sides. Harvest before the first frost. Store in at least 15º C.

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Sowing quantity 25 g/Are

Planting labels for keeping track Pumpkin, squash

Spaghetti squash (Cucurbita pepo) weighs about one kilogram. This oval squash has spaghetti-like pulp. Not only is it tasty, but super enjoyable to eat. With the fun shape and texture, it adds variety and surprise to the kitchen.

Sow from mid-April as single seeds in 10-cm pots at about 20º C. Lightly cover seeds with loose soil or sand and keep moist. Transplant into the field from May 20th at the foot of the compost pile or in nutrient-rich soil. (Beware of slug damage!) Keep free from frost. Space individual plants at 80–100 cm on all sides. Harvest before the first frost. Store in at least 15º C.

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Sowing quantity 25 g/Are

Rouge Vif d'Etampes (Red Hundredweight) Pumpkin, squash

This old French variety has a bright, deep orange peel. It is the perfect ornamental in autumn. Plus, the delicious fruits are flat, round, and reach a weight of 10 kg. It holds up well in storage. It creeps and spreads around the garden patch.

Sow from mid-April as single seeds in 10-cm pots at about 20º C. Lightly cover seeds with loose soil or sand and keep moist. Transplant into the field from May 20th at the foot of the compost pile or in nutrient-rich soil. (Beware of slug damage!) Keep free from frost. Space individual plants at 80–100 cm on all sides. Harvest from September, but certainly before the first frost. Storage at a minimum of 15º C until February. It is very sensitive to temperature.

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Sowing quantity 25 g/Are

Yellow Hundredweight Pumpkin, squash

Yellow Centre squash (Cucurbita maxima) produces large and heavy fruits. It is strong and thick having its stems creep, curl, and ramble around the garden. Children marvel and play as they follow the maze-like tendrils. The fruits have a yellow salmon-coloured rind. It holds in storage very well.

Sow from mid-April as single seeds in 10-cm pots at about 20º C. Lightly cover seeds with loose soil or sand and keep moist. Transplant into the field from May 20th at the foot of the compost pile or in nutrient-rich soil. (Beware of slug damage!) Keep free from frost. Space individual plants at 80–100 cm on all sides. Harvest before the first frost. Store in at least 15º C.

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Sowing quantity 25 g/Are

Butternut Pumpkin, squash

Butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) has a small core inside the pale yellow, pear shaped gourd. It can be stored for months and develops its best flavour after about three months.

Sow from mid-April as single seeds in 10-cm pots at about 20º C. Lightly cover seeds with loose soil or sand and keep moist. Transplant into the field from May 20th at the foot of the compost pile or in nutrient-rich soil. (Beware of slug damage!) Keep free from frost. Space individual plants at 80–100 cm on all sides. Harvest before the first frost. Store in at least 15º C.

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Sowing quantity 25 g/Are

Uchiki Kuri / Orange Hokkaido Pumpkin, squash

Uchiki Kuri (Cucurbita maxima) make some of the best pumpkins. The small-fruited (2–3 kg) fruit has a smooth rind, firm flesh and wonderful flavour. It goes great with both sweet and salty dishes. It sprawls and creeps around the garden which adds variety to the patch.

Sow from mid-April as single seeds in 10-cm pots at about 20º C. Lightly cover seeds with loose soil or sand and keep moist. Transplant into the field from May 20th at the foot of the compost pile or in nutrient-rich soil. (Beware of slug damage!) Keep free from frost. Space individual plants at 80–100 cm on all sides. Harvest before the first frost. Store in at least 15º C.

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Sowing quantity 25 g/Are

Musquée de Provence Pumpkin, squash

This delightful pumpkin loves the southern sun, but also thrives in mild areas. The extremely tasty fruits are round and flat with a weight of 4–6 kg. The tire-shaped fruit changes colour from green to golden brown at maturity. The variety is a strong creeper.

Sow from mid-April as single seeds in 10-cm pots at about 20º C. Lightly cover seeds with loose soil or sand and keep moist. Transplant into the field from May 20th at the foot of the compost pile or in nutrient-rich soil. (Beware of slug damage!) Keep free from frost. Space individual plants at 80–100 cm on all sides. Harvest from September, but certainly before the first frost. Storage at a minimum of 15º C for up to 8 months. It is very sensitive to temperature.

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Sowing quantity 25 g/Are

Long de Nice Pumpkin, squash

This old variety from Southern France produces extremely long fruits, some can reach up to one meter! Its bright orange flesh is slightly sweet. Can be stored for several months.

Sow from mid-April as single seeds in 10-cm pots at about 20º C. Lightly cover seeds with loose soil or sand and keep moist. Transplant into the field from May 20th at the foot of the compost pile or in nutrient-rich soil. (Beware of slug damage!) Keep free from frost. Space individual plants at 80–100 cm on all sides. Harvest from September, but certainly before the first frost. Storage at a minimum of 15º C for up to 8 months. It is very sensitive to temperature.

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Sowing quantity 25 g/Are

Patisson white Patisson

This presents flat, white fruits of about 20 cm in diameter. It is a very delicate and fine vegetable for culinary use; plus it gives a good yield. Prepare it by filling it and baking as a stuffed vegetable. Plants do not creep.

Sow from mid-April as single seeds in 10-cm pots at about 20º C. Lightly cover seeds with loose soil or sand and keep moist. Transplant into the field from May 20th at the foot of the compost pile or in nutrient-rich soil. (Beware of slug damage!) Keep free from frost. Space individual plants at 80–100 cm on all sides. Harvest from July when fruits are 20 cm in diameter.

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Sowing quantity 10 g/Are