Cucurbita maxima## HOW TO GROW WINTER SQUASH MAXIMA Start indoors 3–4 weeks before last frost, plant out 2 weeks after last frost. Start 3 seeds in flats or 4” pots, thin to 1-2 plants. Direct seed after last frost or soil 70˚F. Seeds will rot in cool wet soil. 5-6 seeds to a 12” diameter hill or disturbed area. Can transplant end of last frost with row cover. Cucurbita maxima is typically cultivated in cooler areas than C. moschata or C. angyrosperma. Cure in warm dry place such as a garage for one week after harvest. Pinch new blossoms midsummer to encourage larger set fruit size. Soil pH 5.1-7.0. Hardiness zones 4-11. Annual.Days from maturity calculated from the date of seeding. Average 176-300 seeds per ounce. Average 15M seeds per acre. Federal germination standard: 75%. Usual seed life: 6 years. Isolation distance for seed saving: 1/2 mile.Planting Depth 1/2-1”Soil Temp. Germ. 70-85˚FDays to Germ. 3-10Plant Spacing 24-36”Row Spacing 5-6’Days To Maturity 100-110Full Sun, Moist Well Drained Marina di Chioggia Seed Count 1 Ounce ≈ 90 seeds##This heirloom squash comes from the Italian seaside village of Chioggia, where it’s used in dishes such as gnocchi and Venetian tortellini. Plants are vigorous and produce 2-3 massive squash that store well into the winter with improving flavor each week. Their dark green skin is completely covered in warts, or “sugar bumps” caused by excess sugar build-up in the skin. Tags: Color: Green, Size: Large, Specialty: Storage, Heritage: Heirloom, Season: Late Summer Fall.##Deep Harvest Farm##Certified Organic by WA Dept. of Ag.##Seed grower since 2010##//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0129/8922/files/Deep-Harvest-Farm_210x165.jpg?12506478495586146841##Deep Harvest Farm is a certified-organic vegetable, seed and flower farm on Whidbey Island in NW Washington. Run by Annie Jesperson and Nathaniel Talbot, the farm focuses on year-round vegetable production, taking extra steps to use ecological soil management practices such as minimal tillage, the use of compost and cover cropping.
