Squash and Pumpkins

Squash, like beans, corn and tomatoes were domesticated in Central America. Seeds have been discovered in the Andes and in Mexico that carbon dated to 8,000 B.C., making squash one of the oldest domesticated crops. Squash spread north into North America and became an important crop for the native peoples living there. To clear up the biology involved, pumpkins are simply round orange squash, regardless of the species. Squash and Pumpkins cross-pollinate readily with other members of their species, but not with different species. Therefore, a spaghetti squash (C. pepo) will cross with an acorn squash or even a zucchini, but not with blue hubbard (C. maxima) or nippon island (C. mixta). So in a small garden you could save seed from up to four varieties provided they are all different species (and assuming that they don't cross pollinate with your neighbor's squash). You can also hand pollinate to save seed from additional varieties. 

Packet are $3.00 and contain 20 seeds  

Sweet Dumpling (C. pepo) - One of my personal favourites. A small, flattened squash (think a cross between delicata and acorn) produced very heavily on compact, bush vines. Sweet, dry flesh with a distinctly chestnut taste. One squash is the perfect size for one person, I like to half them and bake them. The skin is tender enough to eat too. 

(New) Butterbush (C. moschata) - A standout in our 2011 gardens! Large tan coloured squash with rich, sweet flesh. Similar to a butternut but with a much more elongated neck, resulting in more flesh and fewer seeds. the vines are quite compact, only sprawling 5 feet or so.

Musquée de Provence (C. moschata) - An old French heirloom, the large deeply ribbed pumpkins are mostly green when you harvest them but mature to a tan-orange in storage. The flesh is vibrant orange and very sweet, pureed it's perfect for pies. The rampant vines are heavy producers. Can be a bit later to mature than others.

The squash below were grown by Chris Sanford of Lunenburg County, credits for the profiles go to her:

Summer Squash: 

Costata Romanesca (C. pepo) - Incredibly productive and dependable striped zucchini. Fruits can get big quickly, but remain tender and juicy with undeveloped seeds when up to 1 foot long. Oversized blossoms are great for stuffing! 

White Bush Lebenese (C. pepo) - Lebanese summer squash are light green, round and oblong. These are prolific producers - delicious when small and tender or perfect for stuffing when allowed to fatten up a bit.

Winter Squash:

Paydon Acorn (C. pepo) - A rare, large, tan acorn squash, with the most exquisite flavour! Sweeter that any other acorn, the fruits turn from a speckled tan to yellow in storage. Vigorous vines. Limited supply, 15 seeds

Zeppelin Delicata (C. pepo) - The classic delicata -  maintained from an old strain of the 1894 heirloom. Ivory coloured with green stripes that turn orange in storage, with that sweet delicata flavour that can't be beat! 

Cornell Bush Delicata (C. pepo) - This delicata is a farm favourite. The delicious nutty flavour and edible skin makes it a great addition to stews or roasts. The green stripes on the cream coloured skin turn to orange in storage. Limited Supply, 15 seeds

Long Pie Pumpkin (C. pepo) - A remarkable pumpkin, resembling an overgrown dark green zucchini when pulled from the field, with an orange spot where the fruit had been resting on the ground. Continuing to ripen in storage (an excellent keeper through the winter), the fruits turn a vibrant orange. The elongated shape means less seed cavity per fruit and more incomparably fluffy sweet flesh. An old favourite from Maine, it's the first to flower and has petite vines.

Connecticut Field Pumpkin (C. pepo) - Perhaps the original pumpkin - an heirloom grown by Native Americans and adopted by early New England colonists. Nowadays grown mostly for jack-o-lanterns and animal feed, these vigourous and dependable producers have more character and variation than your standard Halloween pumpkin. Fun to grow, they make a decent soup or muffin if the stringy flesh is pureed. 

Trombonico (C. moschata) - A most eccentric relative to the butternut, their rampant vines produce tan fruits with elongated and curved necks. Grow for a delicately sweet flavoured winter squash, or harvest when young and green for a delicious summer treat. 

Table Queen Acorn (C. pepo) - These dark green ribbed squash have dry yellowish flesh. A favourite for baking with butter and brown sugar and spices.

Red Kuri (C. maxima) - An attractive, small, round squash with thick reddish-orange skin. The flavourful orange flesh is sweet and nutty, great for roasting, pies and breads. Good winter keepers. Limited Supply, 15 seeds 

Long Island Cheese Pumpkin (C. moschata) - A beautiful relation to butternut squash.  A squat ribbed pumpkin shape with tan skin like a butternut.  Sweet and mellow flesh great for soups and pies. Limited supply, 15 seeds

(New) Galeux D'Eysines (C. maxima) - Arguably the most beautiful of all winter squash.  Large fruits are salmon pink with peanut-looking warts, the flesh deep orange and incredibly sweet.  An heirloom variety from France, it's smooth texture and robust flavour makes it ideal for (a big pot of) soup.  A longer season variety, start this one early and grow in a greenhouse if you have one. Limited supply, 15 seeds