Cucurbita pepo
While I did n’t become a attached vegetable nurseryman myself until my late 20s , my unveiling to the pleasure of rise one ’s own solid food came a ten before in the frame of a chocolate-brown grocery bag of delectable crookneck squash .
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In my small hometown of Williamsburg , Virginia , only a few families tend giant vegetable beds . My own family only hold up so far as to imbed a lone parsley or tomato plant now and again .
Photo by Meghan Yager.
But my supporter Teri ’s dad , Tilman Sandy , hailed from agrarian Appalachia and had a monumental plot of land of veg right next to his suburban lawn .
One summertime morning , Teri and I were mark off on a weekend misstep to my family unit ’s beach bungalow , and she depict up with a sack of four - in , bumpy - skinned , bright yellow crookneck squash , fresh from the garden . And a joystick of margarine !
We feasted on nutty , tender , steamed squash slathered with melt “ butter ” that whole weekend – my origination to being maintain by the food you get yourself .
Nowadays , I plant at least fourtypes of summer squasheach year . I always plant at least a yoke of crookneck squash squash , and not just for nostalgia .
The prolific George W. Bush - eccentric plants produce some of the most cranky summertime fruits known to humanity . And they truly taste like summertime , too .
The yellow colour also complementsred tomatoesin summertime gratins or side dishes , and the bulge at the bottom impart itself to squeeze .
sound of all , crookneck squash grows quickly and bring forth mighty .
If you have n’t acquire this type , or you have n’t in a while , I ’d like to be the one to introduce you to the joys of planting , picking , and eat these lovely , curving yellow summertime squash this time of year .
Here ’s what I ’ll cover :
What You’ll Learn
Cultivation and History
Crookneck squash is both a modernistic favorite and an old - school day choice for 21st - century gardener .
I ’m talking the wayback day , though , not just when your grandad or the lady down the street acquire it in the seventies .
All types of squash we get today can be traced back at least 12,000 year to seeds happen upon in caves in Ecuador , where the plant uprise baseless .
Curcubita pepois one of five mintage of squash naturalise in the ensuing millennia .
It ’s a various species that includes acorn squash , straight neck , zucchini , and cocozelle , in increase to crookneck .
The summer crookneck case may have originated in New Jersey , grown by the Lenape mass well in advance of European settlement .
Though they are also curvy types of squash , you should n’t commix upC. pepocrooknecks with their upstage full cousin , the “ corrupt neck”C. moschatavarieties . These include cushaw and the vining tromboncino .
While those two are also toothsome , it ’s of import to make the distinction becauseC. moschatagrowing habits and harvest schedules are more or less different from those ofC. pepo .
Crookneck cultivar have been available to the home nurseryman for decades , with the ‘ Early Summer ’ variety appearing in seed catalogs in 1923 .
Both hybrid selections and improved heirlooms offer increased disease resistance and better return for the modern - day veggie nurseryman .
I ’ll mouth about a few of them in a minute . But first , let ’s dive into how to seed and develop this delicious , prolific cucurbit .
Crookneck Squash Propagation
If you want to spend less than you would on starts from the greenhouse while gaining access to the greatest routine of unlike varieties of crookneck squash , plan to grow them from seed .
hold back until all danger of rime has passed and nighttime temperature are reliably above 55 ° F before inseminate .
Cultivate the soil to a deepness of at least 10 in and amend it with plenty ofcomposted organic affair .
Sow individual seeds an inch deep and 18 inches aside in row two foot aside .
tamp down the grunge over the seeds using a hoe or the heel of your script , and irrigate them thoroughly using the fine spray nozzle onyour garden hoseor with a watering can .
Keep the soil moist but not wet until they sprout in seven to 10 days .
you could also inseminate the seeds indoors about three hebdomad before plant them alfresco . This is a good idea for gardener with a shortsighted growing season .
But if that ’s not your situation , you risk disturb the roots when you transfer , so I would n’t of necessity advance indoor summer squelch starts .
If you do choose tostart seeds indoors , check out our guidefor step - by - step statement .
For crooknecks , engraft the seedling in biodegradable pots so you may fall away them into their permanent home without uprooting them .
You may also be able to grease one’s palms transplants . If you ’re worried the season will resolve before you are able-bodied to harvest , spending a little more for transplant may make sentiency – if you could see them .
When you frequent for crookneck starts in person , verify to select those that are a healthy dark-green color and free of spots or numb leaves that can indicate disease or problems with pests .
Avoid any that are already in blossom since they are more susceptible to transplantation shock . Also , choose the kind betray in peat flock that go directly into the territory .
Once you ’re home , piss the starts thoroughly and let them drain completely before tip any outer , non - biodegradable container on its side to ease the minuscule summer crookneck crush industrial plant out . adjudicate to keep the root ball intact .
Ideally , you ’ll only be remove the outer rim of plastic from a peat pot , which wo n’t injure the stem . If the transplants get along in plastic cells , be blue when you take them out .
transplanting to an arena of the garden where they will be spaced at 18 inches aside . grasp a hole for each thick enough so the plant will be at the same tier it was in its flock .
Hold the seedling or organ transplant steady while you backfill with well - draining loam remedy with plenty of organic matter , and water the transplants in .
How to Grow Crooknecks
If you ’re taxonomic and consistent , growing a bumper crop of crookneck squash is fairly sluttish . Here ’s how to proceed :
Location
turn your squash vine plants in a garden orraised bedwhere they ’ll receive full sun with auspices from strong winds . This is a bush variety , so it wo n’t need a treillage or other supports .
To steer clear of soilborne pathogen that can exist on in the dirt for a twelvemonth or more , choose a locating where you have n’t turn any cucurbit for a year or two . This includesmelons , wintertime squash , andcucumbers , as well as other types of summertime squelch .
When possible , get going remediate the soil the autumn before a late spring planting .
jump by working grass trim , dry leaves , and composted organic material into the top match of inches of the soil where you ’ll plant .
If you could get a principal start the yr before , see enriching the grease with awinter cover cropor “ fleeceable manure ” too .
Ourcover harvest guide for home gardenersoffers not bad advice on using this uncomplicated option to work up rich ground for heavy self-feeder like crookneck squash .
nurseryman who are preparing the terra firma just beforehand of planting will still want to amend with organic matter , but it will want to be get on already . Compost that has n’t broken down completely , whether manure or vegetable matter , can burn roots with its high ammonia contentedness , for example .
If I did n’t have time to amend the ground the previous autumn , I like to work an in or two of something like Gardener ’s Gold commercial compost into the garden layer .
It ’s sell in bags and deduce from plant matter like leaves and pot that have decomposed for at least two age .
This amendment improves soil structure , aeration , and body of water and nutritive absorption .
Gardener ’s Gold Premium Compost
Gardens Alive ! Gardener ’s Gold premium bagged compost is available in 16 - quart bagsvia Home Depot .
Whether you ’re starting a season onward or address ground health as you go , strive for soil with a pH that is somewhat acidic to neutral . Crookneck squeeze prefer a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 .
You canuse a outfit to test the soil , but note that it will take several months to adjust the pH using additive likeagricultural lime , because they break down slowly .
If the smear where you plan to plant does n’t have a suitable pH , consider produce in a kick upstairs bed garden you’re able to fulfill with potting grunge .
Containers
If you ’re choose to establish crookneck squash mash in container , check that to select a pot that ’s large enough .
Each of these shaggy cucurbits will postulate its own pot that holds at least five Imperial gallon of growing intermixture . The container should also be at least 12 inch in diameter , though 16 is good .
Remember , that much stain can get middling heavy , so be after to rest the pot on a rack with wheels on a degree surface so you’re able to swan it around as needed , or place it in its permanent location before it ’s filled .
I care the idea of resting the heavy container on a kids ’ wagon I can overstretch around to a unexampled spot as needed once the season is underway .
This gives me alternative if I see my container crooknecks are n’t getting enough Sunday . It ’s also handy if I need them nearer to the water barrel during prolonged periods of blistering and/or juiceless weather .
You ’ll also want tochoose a type of pot that continue moisture – plastic or alloy , for deterrent example , not unglazed terra cotta .
It ’s hard enough to keep squash plants watered in summer without make up for pots that dry out out too quickly .
Water
When the seeds are germinating and while the seedlings are still a few weeks old , you ’ll need to keep the soil they ’re develop in damp but not blind drunk .
Older plant require deep watering , so the roots wo n’t farm toward the surface attempt wet .
programme tomeasure your local rainfalland supplement as needed , so the flora receive about two inch per calendar week in the summer month .
Always irrigate at the land line , not above the leaves , to avoid a buildup of moisture that can lead to fungal exit .
If you live in an sphere with hot summers , look at usingsoaker hoses or drip irrigationfor your crookneck squash plants .
Mulch
These thirsty industrial plant will appreciate a bed ofstrawor paper mulch use to retain wet once they have two set of on-key leave-taking .
Be careful not to use commercial mulch that may hold in herbicide or pesticides , which may harm plants and pollinators .
put on a two - in bed to keep on wet and suppress weeds , but leave a few inches of mere earth around the main stem .
If mulch attain contact with the plants , it can increase the risk of disease or pest infestation .
Fertilizer
If you ameliorate the soil with plenty of composted manure or another type of soil detergent builder , you in all likelihood wo n’t need to apply supplemental fertilizer .
Since container - grown plant will beat their alimentation more cursorily , I do recommend feeding them once a month , starting once they ’re about four week old and again at three - week interval until they stop blooming .
A balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to about 50 percent of what ’s recommended on the label is appropriate .
You may also require to fertilise in - reason plantings or crookneck squash grown in raised beds just once , when they first start to flower .
As I said , you’re able to in all likelihood decamp this whole tone , but if you ’re extra - ambitious about heavy yields , this strategy ups your odds of acquire a bumper harvest .
I like giving my blooming squash a boost with a mild , balanced plant food at bloom time .
Growing Tips
Crookneck Cultivars to Select
When you are pasture your local plant nursery or garden center field , you ’ll often see come packets label “ crookneck squash , “ without a cultivar name .
There is a minute of kind available among crookneck squash racquets cultivar . Some have liquid tegument and others have a textured , “ warty ” appearance .
You may want to grow an early change if you live where the raise time of year is brusque or when , like me , you are planting in an expanse where red-hot , wet summertime increase the betting odds of certain cucurbit disease and insect pests .
ante up close attention to which seeds are hybrids since they may sport improved output or disease resistance .
But note that saved intercrossed seeds wo n’t produce straight . I do n’t advocate experimenting with untested results in the second time of year when such a high - yielding home garden harvest is at stakes .
Here are a few of the top crookneck squash varieties to consider :
Golden Goose
Jack ’s giant , run through your centre out . ‘ Golden Goose ’ is a hybrid with high up - yielding likely and beautiful fruit : fluid and dark yellow with a gooseneck - style curve at the tapered circus tent .
The plants are stocky , contact just 24 inch marvelous , which realise them ideal for containers .
‘ aureate Goose ’
They ’re moderately tight , too , taking 40 to 50 days to gain maturity , so gardeners who are planting previous or inhabit in areas where the time of year is scant may need to grow this variety .
‘ Golden Goose ’ is useable in 20 - seminal fluid packetsfrom Burpee .
Golden Summer
Trying to capture the feel of carefree summertime days ? This heirloom summer crookneck is a ripe choice for nostalgic vegetable gardener .
‘ Golden Summer ’ produces heaps of tender , yellow fruit you may churn and serve well dripping with butter or contribute to a delectable squash casserole made with a family formula .
This vintage variety takes a small longer than the new hybrids to produce , but you’re able to save seeds at the time of year ’s end and constitute them next year . Expect fruits in 60 to 90 twenty-four hours .
‘ Golden Summer ’
These summertime delights are considerably picked when they ’re about six inch long , but palpate free to let a few grow double that long and mold hard shield afterward in the season , particularly if you want to preserve the seeds .
habituate the curved , darker yellowish ripe fruits for nightfall decoration .
‘ Golden Summer ’ summer crookneck ejaculate are useable in constitutional or standard packet and in bulkfrom Eden Brothers .
Pic-N-Pic
This is one of the types of yellow squash that gives it a well - merit reputation for being fast - growing and prolific .
In fact , I ’d dare say this disease - resistant variety show may be hardy enough to keep the whole neighborhood in squash vine , with plenty pass on over to carry the freezer and pickle , can , and desiccate to your marrow ’s content .
A Burpee - breed loanblend , ‘ Pic - N - Pic ’ plant begin producing stamp yellow fruit about 50 days after planting and can continue for months if the weather hold .
‘ Pic - N - Pic ’
The plant grow 24 to 30 inch marvelous and pass around 36 to 48 inches across , which makes them compact enough to spring up in gravid containers or small - outer space garden beds .
reap the fruit at four to six in foresightful for the unspoilt crisp grain and dotty flavor .
‘ Pic - N - Pic ’ is available in 65 - seed packetsfrom Burpee .
Managing Pests and Disease
While crookneck squash industrial plant are fast - growing and lean to be prolific , they are by no means carefree where pest or disease are refer .
you may ordinarily avoid infestations and the depredation of disease with preventive measures . Here are the top foes to be cognizant of :
Pests
The bugs that dearest summertime squash almost as much as we do compass from teeny - tinyaphidsandspider mitesto easily - blot cucumber beetles and squash glitch .
Here ’s the matter , though : Advice for preventing plague or combating these undesirable visitors is not one size fits all because the threat level and timing varies in unlike rise area .
I grow veg in East Tennessee , for good example , wheresquash bugsand vine borers are the top enemy , but they do n’t get established until red-hot weather arrives .
So for me , the best preventive measuring is to plant and harvest onward of their arrival .
nurseryman in cooler areas like New England may not have as much trouble with the glitch that thrive in ardent temperatures , but may still have trouble with , say , cutworms .
It ’s a respectable idea to consult your local agrarian extension service to get out what you ’re up against in your area and then tailor-make your approach to void those pests .
Since zucchini and crookneck squash are both diverseness ofC. pepo , they tend to attract the same bugs .
you may get a line more about preventing , detecting , and combating them inour pathfinder to vulgar courgette blighter .
Diseases
A range of mutual veg disease can affect crookneck squash .
They are triggered by pathogens that let in fungus , bacteria , or body of water molds that may be soilborne . Sucking insects such as aphid and squelch microbe carry some of them from plant to implant .
Two of the most serious ailments admit cucumber mosaic virus , which stunts plant and deforms their fruits , and bacterial wilt , which is circularize by cucumber beetle and can slay all of your full - grown plants in a topic of days .
As you might with worm , it ’s a good estimate to check with your local ag extension to incur out what you ’re most potential to run into in your area , so you may work extra hard to eliminate the shape those pathogens favor .
Verticillium rot , for example , gets established in cool weather , while downy mildew thrives in humidity .
Your ag annex federal agent may also have prompting for disease - repellent strains that grow well in your area .
No matter your region , it ’s always best to attempt to prevent the disease versus assay to cope with one as symptom seem .
Some of the good scheme are the same steps you would take to grow level-headed , prolific plants .
For example , proper space scrap fungi that proliferate in too - humid circumstance , while craw gyration can serve to reject soilborne diseases like verticillium wilt .
Also , only water at the soil line , not from above the leaves , to avoid introducing an excess of moisture that may not dry out quickly , risking fungous growth on the foliation .
Learn more about 11 common summertime squash diseases in ourguide to preventing and cover disease in zucchini .
Harvesting and Storage
If you only draw one tip from this template , let it be this : Pick crookneck squeeze when they ’re young and tender .
you could harvest them when they ’re just two column inch long ! But you should never allow them get bigger than four to six inch long .
This is so authoritative .
When they get any with child than that , the cutis becomes brickle and the seeds in the rounded end become big , surrounded by wiry pulp .
Could you eat on them ? In a pinch , sure , but they wo n’t be the tender , nutty , silky - when - cooked green goods you ’ve worked so heavily to grow .
And this is equally important : When you do n’t cull the mature fruits in a timely fashion , the flora will go into seed - producing mode rather of proceed to blossom and raise new fruit .
So it ’s a profits - winnings to pick yellow squash too soon and often .
calculate on your personality , you may need to fructify a cell sound reminder near the time when your plant should be reaching maturity and producing young fruit , or note it in yourgardening journal .
you could find the anticipated identification number of days to maturityon your seed packetor in theseed catalogdescription .
Use a acute , blank paring knife to issue the squash racquets from the industrial plant . If you attempt to twist it off with your hands ( do n’t call for me how I know this … ) , you might eradicate the plant or damage the vine .
address the fruit carefully – it ’s pretty loose to accidentally snatch up the narrow neck clean in two . If you do , just prepare them immediately so the exposed surfaces do n’t dry out or go moldy .
If you’re able to , corrode these tender , tasty veggies the same 24-hour interval you harvest them for a sublime flavor .
But if you are n’t capable to prepare them that apace , they ’ll be okay on the counter for a day or two . Otherwise , store them in the fridge .
Be careful not to stash away squash in the same bag or area of the kitchen as any fruit or vegetables that give rise ethene , such as bananas , apple , tomato plant , or melons , which can make them explicate brown spot and molder far more quickly .
Note that put in summertime mash that are expose to temperature below 41 ° F may sustain chill terms which makes the texture sentimental after they yield to way temperature .
stock food guard measures dictate that refrigerators should be set to 40 ° F or below , so again , using freshly harvested squash racquets ASAP is preferred to refrigerated depot .
immobilize squash purposely is still a in effect mode to preserve it , but you ’ll want to grate it first or parboil it in blistering water supply , follow by a coolheaded rinsing before freezing .
We ’ll discuss the many agency to preserve crooknecks to bask in the cold months next . Read on !
Preserving
I like to do my best to assure gardener growing a summer squash such as summer crookneck for the first prison term , but I will not go so far as to tell you that you ’ll be able-bodied to relieve too - fledged fruits by preserving them .
It ’s a common greenhorn mistake to waitress too long to plunk ripe squash , one which I trust you ’ll avoid .
Those too - prominent , pithy , seedy squashes with the superfluous - declamatory ejaculate wo n’t savour any better when you keep them .
With that not - so - supporting news out of the manner , let me total that a properly harvest and maintain bounteousness from the squash garden can flesh out your homegrown nutrient options well into the winter .
Start by making certain you pick the fruits when they ’re still four to six inches long .
If they originate bigger than that , you may be able to issue the hard rind off and outdo out the seeds to yield a bit of chassis you’re able to steamer , stir fry , or boil , but that kind of pulp is n’t gamy - lineament enough to endeavor to save for the farseeing full term .
Instead , centralize your efforts on the small , firm , and practically seedless mash you reap .
My pet way of life to Malcolm stock up is by making squash jam .
you may also dehydratethin piece of crookneck crush that you sprinkle liberally with your choice of table salt and other seasoning .
Use your oven on a low temperature or a dehydrator to rent the slices dry out out and get really crispy . Place them in an airtight container and store them somewhere nerveless and dark , like the buttery .
Try grating a bunch of the squash rackets , use it as a substitute for zucchini in bread or gem , and freeze those .
start to get the idea ? There are lots of appealing options here !
Here are two more for you :
Consider marinating fresh clod in a store - buy or homemade vinaigrette and freeze the mixture to thaw and grillwork or joint afterwards .
Or , make a batch of summertime vegetable soup featuring plenty of these tasty cucurbit , and freeze portions in the size of it your crime syndicate is most likely to expend throughout the coming winter .
Recipes and Cooking Ideas
Crookneck squelch is a marrow ingredient for summer side dishes and an inspiration to make new appetizers , salads , and even casseroles .
It has such high-pitched yields that you ’ll have plenty for both the staple and some experimentation .
you could enjoy the vernal , touchy fruit cut into round or matchstick and added to a platter of crudites . Just be trusted to lave them and allow them air dry out on a neat mantrap towel ahead of serving .
Baba ghanoush hummus complements the soft , bats flavor of raw squash on a veggie tray . Find the recipe for this tastyeggplantand legume dipon our baby internet site , Foodal .
For a side dish , remove the stem end , slice , and steam pieces of crookneck squash squeeze or poach them in veggie or Gallus gallus broth .
To make a floor for a shrimp or chicken entree , stir fry rounds of crookneck mash in vegetable oil color , or braise it in olive oil .
I like to total mincedgarlicand slicedgreen onionsto either grooming , but you should add other veggies , sauces , or herbs to suit your appreciation , along with your protein of pick .
Or , try on a casserole with crookneck squash as the main element .
There are loads of appeal alternative , but do keep in psyche that you could make this eccentric of dish throughout the year , not just in the typical comfort food for thought season of fall .
Foodal offersagreen beanand summer squash casserole recipe that ’s handy for using up both types of extras from your vegetable garden at time of year ’s end . Check it out !
As for those appetiser I alluded to , take deep- or air - frying rounds , chunks , or plank of this or any variety of homegrown summer squash .
Start by deputise yellowed squash rackets round for the courgette inFoodal ’s recipefor fry zucchini with citrus sauce , and then try out with program , cooking methods , and dipping sauces until you ’ve established your favorites .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
The Curvy Yellow Cucurbit
Whether you ’d care to grow the old favorites you remember from childhood , or you ’re depend for a reliable direction to harvest a substantial amount of your own food , crookneck squash vine are ideal for the abode garden .
Do you already grow these prolific vegetables ? Drop a comment below and divvy up your experience , or ask a question . We ’ll do our good to get back to you ASAP !
Andbe sure to moderate out these summer squelch guidesnext for more information :
photograph by Meghan Yager © postulate the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . ware photos via Burpee , Eden Brothers , and Home Depot . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Rose Kennedy
