Sweet Meat Squash is a delightful heirloom variety of winter squash that has been cherished for generations. Known for its robust flavor and impressive storage capabilities, this squash is a favorite among gardeners and chefs alike. The exterior of the Sweet Meat Squash is typically a muted blue-gray, which encases a vibrant orange flesh that is both sweet and nutty in flavor. Its dense, creamy texture makes it an excellent candidate for a variety of culinary applications, from soups and stews to pies and purees.
One of the standout features of Sweet Meat Squash is its ability to store well over long periods, often lasting several months when kept in a cool, dry place. This makes it an ideal winter staple, providing a nutritious and versatile ingredient during the colder months when fresh produce may be less available. Its natural sweetness also means that it can be used as a substitute for pumpkin in many recipes, offering a unique twist on traditional dishes.
Cultivating Sweet Meat Squash is relatively straightforward, though it does require some space due to its sprawling vines. It thrives in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight and benefits from regular watering. Harvesting typically occurs in late fall when the squash has reached full maturity and its skin has hardened. Once harvested, it's important to cure the squash by letting it sit in a warm, dry area for a week or two, which helps to enhance its flavor and improve its storage life. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a culinary enthusiast, Sweet Meat Squash is a versatile and rewarding plant to grow and enjoy. (C. Maxima)
- QTY: 20
- Seed Planting Depth: 1 to 1.5"
- Germination Temperature: 75-90
- Days to Germination: 3-10
- Row Spacing: 36"
- Plant Spacing: 48"
- Sun: Full
- Harvest time: 90 to 120 days
How to Save Seeds
Pumpkins are actually from the squash family. So they will cross will different types of squash. There are 4 groups of commonly grown varieties of squash. Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita Maxima, Cucurbita moschata, Cucurbita mixta. With this in mind any variety from the same species or in other terms with the same last name of the 4 species listed above will cross and must be separated 500ft. For instance you can't grow two pepo varieties together or they will cross. Side note: Be sure to check what type of squash you have in order to determine cross pollination chances. Squash and pumpkins can be seed harvested the same way. Let them stay on the vine until fall and then cut off the vine let sit for a week and then cut them open scoop out flesh and place in water. Wash seeds and place them on a screen rack for drying or paper. Turn often so they are able to fully dry a week or so and then properly them store accordingly.
