West Coast Seeds
West Coast Seeds (Mashed Potatoes Squash)
West Coast Seeds (Mashed Potatoes Squash)
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C. pepo. Slightly oblong acorn squashes grow on compact, semi-bush vines. The exterior skins are bright white, and hold their colour right into the fall. The interior flesh is also white and low in sugar. It takes on the appearance of mashed potatoes when cooked and fluffed. The fruits hold their colour well into the fall and provide a a good, low carbohydrate alternative to mashed potatoes. Each fruit averages about 750g (1½ lbs), and sets close to the crown of the plant. We liked the fact that they were so easy to spot in the field.
| Latin Name |
Summer & Winter Squash: Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo, & C. moschata. Specialty Squash: Momordica charantla, Luffa acutangula. |
| Difficulty |
Easy, but all squash plants take up space, and some can be huge |
| Days to Sprout | 7-14 Days |
| Days to Mature | 90 Days |
| Germination Rate | 80% |
| Starting |
Sow seeds 2cm (1″) deep. Sow 3 seeds in each spot where you want a plant to grow, and thin to the strongest plant. Space summer squash 45-60cm (18-24″) apart in rows 90-120cm (36-48″) apart. Give winter squash and pumpkins even more room with a minimum of 90-120cm (36-48″) apart in rows 120-180cm (48-72″) apart. |
| Growing |
Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. These big plants need lots of food. Use 1 cup of complete organic fertilizer worked into the soil beneath each plant. All squash grow male flowers first, at later female flowers. The female flowers have tiny fruits at the base of their petals and require pollination by bees mostly. Incomplete pollination often happens at the beginning of the season, and results in misshapen fruits that are withered at the blossom end. Just discard these damaged fruits before they begin to rot. Encourage bees to visit the garden by growing Phacelia, sunflowers, or buckwheat for improved pollination. |
Pure white acorn squash
Compact semi-bush vines
Hybrid seeds
