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~ WINTER SQUASH (PUMPKINS) ~
We continue our search for squash that mature quickly,
An easily-grown favourite with all the family!
In our recent squash trials, we found several new
varieties that Our pumpkin patch may be a bit bigger than yours . . .
Sow squashes in May and plant out when the third true leaf is just starting to open. Harvest in autumn
The original seed was given to a Mr J M Ives in 1831 by a friend, so we can see that it has stood the test of time well. It is a decent sized hubbard (but not too huge), with beautiful yellow skin. The skin helps it keep for a long time, and turns golden orange after midsummer. Order SqBo - 12 seed £1.84
It was bred by the Massachusetts Ag. Extension Service in the 1960's by crossing 'New Hampshire Butternut' with a wild African squash. When growing Butternut squash, you need to be sure you have an early strain. This one is great! The orange flesh stays firm when cooked, and it stores very well too. Reliable, productive. Long-keeper. Order SqWB - 14 seed £1.84 [CO2]
Note: Traditionally, Butternut is one of the main squash types used to make pumpkin pie. But in fact any dry-fleshed, dense squash works well. You can also make very nice pumpkin tartlets using a muffin tray! Here are some Kate and Josie made last autumn.
We like it because it keeps well but is easy to peel. All buttercups have dense rich flesh but the Burgess strain is even sweeter than normal. This is a good choice for those with smaller plots as the vines are not too huge, but still make lots of squash just the right size for two people. Excellent flavour, green squash, very dense with good tetxure. Order SqVB- 12 seed £1.79
This is a great Acorn Squash we have added. Acorn squash have a good flavour, and we have been trying various types to find one suitable for the UK climate. We are really pleased to have come up with this one which is much earlier than the others, producing lots of squash even in short summers. The pale heart-shaped fruit are pointy and have gentle fluting down the sides. When mature, you can simply cut them in half and bake in the oven.( though of course there are other options for the experts - Kate's mother once made a very fine acorn-squash soufflé!)
Originally collected by Tom & Sue Knoche in Ohio, USA. Very productive. Remarkably long-keeping too. Order SqTS- 14 seed £1.69 [CO2]
Blue Banana VERY RARE This incredible squash makes attractive, two-foot-long fruit rather like a pale blue zeppelin! This is an American heirloom (originally from Guatemala). The vine is quite large, but not enormous - and grows rapidly, producing lots of fruit early in the season. The grey-blue fruit have a waxy skin that keeps it fresh for ages, but is very thin and easily peeled. This is the best of the three 'banana squash' varieties still in existence. It is a very easy squash to cook - just slice rings off and then you can easily pare off the skin. And it is very nice in a risotto, see the picture.
Grey-blue, easy to peel, long keeping. Feedback? Well known for being prolific - one person in London wrote in to say "But what on earth shall I do with all these squash everywhere?" Order SqBL- 14 seed £1.84 [CO2]
In the 1950's this nice green squash was passed to a woman called Anna Swartz by a friend. She kept it going, and passed it on to a seed-saving group, from where ultimately we got a few seeds to try, as it was highly recommended. It lived up to its reputation! The plants had hardly germinated before they were off and making a bid for freedom - the vines are big and very fast-growing. All of a sudden they were covered in fruit, too! These then filled out nicely , with several full size by the end of July (even though we're in Wales). The fruit, like most hubbards, have a very hard skin, which is - in all honesty - a bit tricky to open, but on the other hand, means that they keep exceptionally well. The flesh is very sweet and dense - all in all, an excellent squash. Order SqAS- 14 seed £1.69 [CO2]
Cheyenne Bush Pumpkin
This is a super-early Jack O’Lantern type pumpkin. It took a good search to find one that does well in the short summers we have in the UK - but this one is remarkable. It makes lots of medium round pumpkins that really should be ready in plenty of time for Halloween. It also cooks well, with a good texture and flavour. Early, round orange pumpkin. Order SQCB 12 seed £1.89
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Seeds are only supplied to members of our Seed Club. Membership costs 1p per annum. When we process your order, you will be charged for Gardeners Should Save their Own Seed: Because none of these seeds are hybrids, you can save your own seed for future use: there's no need to buy new each year. ~ 33,000 home seed-saving instructions sent out since 2003 ~ The Real Seed Collection Ltd is a not-for-profit company limited
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