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JNB Seed

Squash: Golden Summer Crookneck Seeds

Squash: Golden Summer Crookneck Seeds

$3.99 CAD
$3.99 CAD
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The Yellow Crookneck Squash, a beloved summer staple, is renowned for its creamy texture and distinctive shape, adding a delightful touch to any garden. Flourishing under full sunlight, this plant yields abundant and flavorful squash, enriching the bounty of your home garden.

Known for its prolific yield, the Golden Crooked Neck or Crookneck Squash thrives as a vibrant yellow summer squash variety. Unlike its vine counterparts, it grows in a bushy manner, with compact plants spanning approximately 90-120 centimeters wide and 60-90 centimeters tall. Its remarkable adaptability ensures a bountiful harvest even in less favorable conditions.

The culinary versatility of Yellow Crookneck Squash makes it a favorite among chefs and home cooks alike. With its tender flesh and subtle sweetness, this squash variety lends itself to various culinary preparations. Whether enjoyed raw in salads, steamed, grilled, stir-fried, or baked, its delicate flavor profile enhances a wide range of dishes. Additionally, the squash blossoms offer a delicate nutty flavor, perfect for both raw consumption and gourmet preparations such as stuffing, baking, and frying.

Early Summer Crookneck stands out as a popular early-season variety, ideal for both home gardens and markets due to its excellent storage and shipping properties. Characterized by its warted light-yellow curved necks and creamy-white flesh, this bush-type plant delivers squash with a rich buttery flavor. Optimal for harvest at the 15-centimeter stage, this stage typically occurs around 50 days after planting.

The rich history of Yellow Crookneck Squash dates back to the colonial era when it was cultivated alongside corn and beans in Native American gardens. This trio, known as the "three sisters," symbiotically supported one another, with Yellow Crookneck Squash emerging as a vital food source for American settlers. Documented in catalogs as early as 1928, this heirloom variety continues to captivate gardeners and culinary enthusiasts with its exceptional flavor and historical significance.

    How To Grow

    Sowing: To accommodate short growing seasons, gardeners may opt to initiate their yellow crookneck squash seeds indoors approximately one month before the anticipated last frost. Given squashes' aversion to transplanting, peat pots serve as the optimal vessel for seed germination. Sow two seeds per pot, later removing the weaker seedling. Prior to transplanting, acclimate the seedlings to outdoor conditions by gradually exposing them to the elements for several hours each day during the week leading up to planting. Once the last frost has passed, or when the soil temperature reaches an average of 18 degrees Celsius, plant the seedlings in nutrient-rich soil, spacing them 240-300 centimeters apart in rows set 300-360 centimeters apart. Alternatively, consider planting the seedlings in pairs within hills spaced 240-300 centimeters apart. For direct sowing, wait until the soil temperature reaches at least 21 degrees Celsius. Plant the seeds 1.3 centimeters deep, spacing them 90-120 centimeters apart and later thinning them to 240-300 centimeters apart. For optimal companion planting benefits, consider planting squashes alongside corn while avoiding planting them near potatoes.

    Growing: Due to the yellow crookneck squash seedlings' susceptibility to frost, provide protective coverings if temperatures dip below 18 degrees Celsius. Maintain consistent soil moisture levels, ensuring the soil remains damp while avoiding wetting the leaves, which may promote diseases such as rot or mildew. Once vines begin to develop, apply a layer of mulch to aid in moisture retention, weed control, and to keep the squashes clean while shielding them from direct soil contact.

    Harvesting

    Harvest yellow crookneck squashes before they develop a thick skin, as they are typically consumed skin and all. Optimal tenderness is achieved when the squashes reach a maximum size of 15 centimeters. Early Summer Crookneck squashes can be stored in the refrigerator for approximately two weeks and freeze well for extended preservation.

    Seed Saving

    When the squash reaches its mature size, the seeds are also mature. Cut the squash open, extract the pulp and seeds, and rinse off any remaining pulp. Submerge the mixture in a bowl of water to separate the viable seeds, which will sink to the bottom. Retrieve the good seeds and spread them out to dry for 2-3 weeks, ensuring they are periodically stirred to facilitate complete drying. Store the dried seeds in a cool, dry environment for up to four years.

    Extra Facts

    Planting Methods: Indoor, Outdoor

    Blooming Season: Late Spring to Early Summer

    Planting Season: Spring

    Latin Name/USDA Zones: Cucurbita pepo/ 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

    Sunlight Required/ Height: Full Sun/ 45-60 cm

    Shelf Life After Test Date: The shelf life of Crookneck Summer Squash Seeds after the test date can vary based on storage conditions. When stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture, these seeds can maintain high viability for up to 3-5 years. Regularly checking and rotating seed stock ensures that you maximize the potential for successful germination even after an extended period.

    Seed Type: Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO

    Soil Type: Loam Soil

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