We are packing this one as it wasn’t available anywhere for us to sell retail packets. It will be available under our Firefly Farm & Mercantile label
15 Seeds will be included in every packet.
The seed is sourced from High Mowing Organic Seeds - Teardrop-shaped, striking red-orange squash from Japan.
Also known as Baby Red Hubbard or Orange Hokkaido, this variety has smooth, sweet, dry orange flesh. Reliable yields even in cool climates with short growing seasons. Improved HMOS strain with greater uniformity than others.
Characteristics:
- Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated
- Reliable in short seasons
- 3-4 lbs
- Vining habit
Instructions -
Plants need loose, fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of nitrogen and a pH of 5.8-6.8. Fertilize seedlings with fish emulsion if the leaves are yellow.
Days to maturity are from direct seeding, subtract 2 weeks if transplanting. Winter squash has a long season, requiring 90-120 frost-free days to reach maturity, so it is usually transplanted in northern climates. It can also be directly seeded once the danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures reach 70°F. Start transplants indoors 3-4 weeks before the last risk of frost. The optimal soil temperature for germination is 85-95°F.
- Plant 1/2-1" deep
- Plant Spacing:
- For bush varieties 18-24”, for vining 24-36”
- Row Spacing:
- for bush, semi-bush and short vine types is 6’, for vigorous vining types use 9’. Plants can also be planted in hills of 3-5 plants in rows 3-5’ apart
Harvest & Storage:
Harvest when fruits are full size and have a deep rich color and hard rinds that can’t be easily dented with a fingernail. Changing the color of the “ground spot” from yellow to cream, gold or orange is another general indicator of ripeness. To harvest, cut the stem at least 2” from the fruit: a short or broken stem can lead to rot. Cure after harvest by keeping in a warm, dry location for a few days then.
Store at 50-55°F with 55-75% relative humidity and good air circulation. Delicata and acorn squash do not need curing, but will not store as long as other varieties.
Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute seed vendors from time to time because of the availability
