Be sure to check out our Winter Squash Growing Guide to learn how to successfully grow winter squash at home. The North Georgia Candy Roaster Squash will quickly become a staple in your garden once you grow it for the first time. This truly unique open-pollinated heirloom variety is shockingly prolific and produces an orange/pinkish banana-shaped fruit with a blueish/green tip. The fruits usually weigh in at an average of 8-10 lbs. but have been known to grow up to a whopping 20-35 lbs. and can grow over 3 ft. long. This particular variety tends to need quite a bit of room to grow so be mindful when planting these monster squash that they need a lot of room to spread out and accommodate their large fruit. North Georgia Candy Roaster has a nutty, mildly sweet buttery flavor and excellent taste when roasted, boiled or mashed or makes a perfect candidate for pies. One squash has been known to make 3 whole pies and the thick, meaty Seeds can also be enjoyed roasted. Perfect for long-term storage, when kept in a cool dark place, the squash can last from 6-9 months. Cucurbita Maxima. 100 Days to Maturity. North Georgia Candy Roaster Squash may be direct-seeded or transplanted. Winter Squash can be susceptible to plant diseases like downy mildew and powdery mildew if leaves receive excess moisture. As a result, we recommend using drip irrigation on winter squash to reduce plant moisture and feed plants more effectively. During periods of heavy rainfall, using a fungicide like Liquid Copper can help to alleviate disease pressure as well. Winter Squash is a crop that will produce a one-time harvest at the end of the growing season. They should be harvested when plants die back and the fruits obtain their full color. Stem hardness is also an indication of fruit maturity. Once stems harden, fruits are ready for harvest using a set of pruning shears. Winter Squash can be stored in a cool, dry place for several months, depending on variety and sugar content. Once fruits are harvested, remove the plants from the garden to prevent any fungal spores from overwintering and becoming a problem in future years. Proper crop rotation is extremely important with all curcurbit varieties to reduce disease and pest pressure. North Georgia Candy Roaster Squash Planting Information Planting Method: direct seed When to Plant: after last frost Planting Depth: 1/2″ - 1″ Seed Spacing: 18-36″ Row Spacing: 6-7′ Days to Maturity: 100 Disease Resistance: None
