PLANTS SHIP MID-MAY+ (except fruit trees), SEEDS SHIP ANYTIME, CANADA ONLY. LOCAL PICKUP AVAILABLE (incl. fruit trees, Ottawa) MARINA DI CHIOGGIA SQUASH | id:24361 | Cucurbita maxima | Ecologically grown | Annual | Open Pollinated | Heirloom A beautiful squash with deep ridges and bumpy protuberances. Variability adds to it, color ranging from aquamarine to very dark green, most with bumps, some without. Large fruit averiging 15 lb. As delectable as they are handsome, even those harvested in 2009’s horrific squash year won accolades for their dense moist texture, rich sweetness & real substance. Delicious baked, in pies, gnocchi & ravioli. Caution: rampant vines. Vitamins+: A++, B9+, C+, K+, Mn, P, Lutein, Zeaxanthin Companion plants: Corn, Pole Beans, Peas, Radish, Sunflower, Parsley, Celery, Buckwheat, Nastertium, Marigold, Oregano. Far from: Tomato, Eggplant, Potato, Pepper. Planting tip: Soak in warm water up to 24H & scarify to improve germination. Can start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost.||Move outside in late May, early June, when soil reaches 25°C. Harvesting tip: Mature fruit has a rich color & rinds are hard to dent with a fingernail. The ground spot gets riper in color too (yellow to cream, gold to orange). Cut 2” stem to avoid rot from the stem. Must cure in dry and warm place. Storage tip: Store at 10-12°C w/ 55-75% humidity & good air flow.
Seed depth:1″ Direct, Plant spacing:15-18″, Row spacing:24-36″, Sun Level:3, Watering Level:2, Germination:7-10 days/jrs, 21-35°C Optimally:27-35°C, Maturity:100 days/jrs, Height: 1-2′, Width: 3-5′, Edible leaf, Edible flower (See Envelope below) Gaia Organics, 399 River Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1V 1C9 (near Gatineau, Quebec) 613-219-8463 (see the envelope below)
