Squash – Hubbard Green

Growing tips

Germination conditions:

• Sowing depth: 2.5 cm
• Optimal germination temperatures: 21 to 32ºC
• Germination time: 7 to 14 days

When to sow:

• Sow indoors 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost date in your area, preferably in peat pots to facilitate transplanting OR
• Direct sow when the soil is warm and the temperature remains above 16ºC.

Sowing technique: in clusters

• Sow 3 seeds in the same hole, spacing them 1 to 2 cm apart. When the seeds have germinated and the seedlings have reached a height of 5 cm, keep only the best plants.

Transplanting outdoors (for seedlings started indoors):

• when all risk of frost has passed and the air has warmed up

Distance in the garden:

• between plants: 90 cm
• between rows: 120 cm

Plant height: 45 cm

Soil: rich, moist, well-drained, loose

Exposure: full sun

Number of days before harvest: 100 days

Specificities:

• For direct sowing, seeds can be sown on a mound of soil and compost and the plants can be trained to grow in opposite directions at ground level.
• As the fruit is large and heavy, it is preferable to train this plant to grow along the ground rather than up a support.
• The squash are ready when the foliage has wilted and the fruit is ripe (the color will be set and the skin will be hard and difficult to pierce with a fingernail).
• Harvest the squash, leaving a 2-inch stem. Dry in the garden for a week if the weather is dry, or store in a cool, dry place.