Squash - Desert Spirit Landrace

Cucurbita maxima - approximately 12 seeds. 

This is a beautifully diverse landrace of squash that was originally selected for taste by  Wild Mountain Seeds in Colorado.  Vigorous plants produce a wide range of colours and shapes of fruit all of which have a wonderful taste.  A reliable harvest from plants grown outside in the Highlands.  Harvested squash have also shown to be good storers given the right conditions.  We love to cut the squash into thin slices and roast it with a bit of olive oil and a pinch of salt, delicious! 



Growing Info:

Best sown into pots in a heated propagator or sunny windowsill in April/May.  Plants grow quickly so don't be tempted to sow too early as you want to plant them out after the last frost.  Be prepared to pot on if you cannot get them planted out when they are ready.  Towards the end of May you could try sowing directly into the soil.  Add some well rotted manure or garden compost to the soil before sowing or planting.  Squash will thrive undercover but will take up a lot of space, consider training them upwards.  Plants will also do well outside in a sunny spot, we grow our squash outside.

Tip: The weather can be quite blustery in June if growing your squash plants outside, be sure to give the new transplants plants protection from the wind. Try placing an old tyre around the plants for protection whilst they are establishing.  You can also try pegging down the stems to prevent wind damage.