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 3-4’Row Spacing 10’Days To Maturity 105-115Full Sun, Moist Well Drained Sweet Meat Seed Count 1 Ounce ≈ 99 seeds.25 Pound ≈ 396 seeds1 Pound ≈ 1,583 seeds##Pacific Northwest heirloom squash, Sweet Meat is still virtually unknown in the rest of the US, though it can be successfully cultivated in other regions as well. This 10-15 pound, slate gray, round squash is renowned for its storage quality up to six months and unsurpassed rich, sweet flavor. It makes the best pumpkin pie on Earth! Vigorous vines grow to 10 feet. Ripen for several months after harvest, traditionally first eaten at Thanksgiving. Also see Carol Deppe’s selection, Sweet Meat–Oregon Homestead. Tags: Type: Maxima, Color: White, Size: Large, Specialty: Storage, Heritage: Heirloom, Season: Late Summer Fall.
