Pumpkins and Squash

Highly marketable scaled-down blue Hubbard with smooth gray skin and sweet flesh. High Mowing Organic Seeds - Fruits are of consistent quality and teardrop-shaped, with sweeter flesh than the standard Blue Hubbard. Our strain has been improved for uniformity on the High Mowing farm. Excellent trap crop for cucumber beetles, who prefer Blue Hubbard above all. Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Uniform fruit  5-7 lbs  95 days 1/8 oz    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 leaves are yellow.  Days to maturity are from direct seeding. The optimum soil temperature for germination is about 85ºF.  Plant 1/2-1" deep  Plant Spacing: for bush varieties 18-24”, for vining 24-36” Row Spacing: 5-6'  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

Renee's Garden - Developed by dedicated pumpkin breeders Colen Wyatt and Doug Heath, especially for home gardeners, Wyatt’s Wonder is the most beautiful exhibition pumpkin you can find, topping out between 70 and 150 pounds. Unlike other “giant” varieties, which usually have disappointing, washed-out coloration, bumpy rough skin, and awkward shape, Wyatt’s Wonder is the Real Thing: gorgeous, globe-shaped, deeply lobed, deep-orange giants you’ll be proud to harvest. Truly the prize-winning variety for impressive size and beauty!  Characteristics:  Prize-winning, rich orange pumpkins  Impressive size & beauty  25 Seeds   Instructions - Pumpkins need full sun, rich fertile soil, and warm temperatures. Plant only when the weather is warm and night temperatures stay above 50° (10°). Make slightly mounded hills 3 feet across and 6 feet apart. Plant 4 seeds per hill. Thin seedlings to leave only the strongest plants, 2 vines per hill. Plant where the vigorous vines can sprawl. Protect young seedlings from marauding birds by covering them with berry baskets at sowing time, and removing them before plants get crowded. To concentrate energy into giant size pumpkins, pinch off all but one fruit on each vine at basketball size, so all the energy goes into that one pumpkin. Put a large square of plywood under growing pumpkins where they rest on the soil to prevent rot. Feed regularly, about every three weeks, with a good all-purpose fertilizer and provide vines with ample water.  Plant in April-June  Full Sun  Plant 1" deep  Space seeds 6"  10-14 days to germinate  110 days to harvest  Harvest & Use - Giant pumpkins need to mature properly before harvesting. Wait until rinds are fully deep orange and tough enough to resist piercing with a fingernail. Cut from vines, leaving 3 to 4 inches of stem "handles." Let cure in the sun for 10 days, then store in a cool, dry place to keep for months. Wyatt's Wonders make fabulous supersized Jack O’ Lanterns to light up the whole neighborhood! You can also bake the rich orange flesh for pies, soups, or casseroles.  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

The Seed Savers Exchange - A 1957 All America Selections winner developed by John Scarchuk at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Compact everbearing bush plants are loaded with glossy green-black fruits with firm white flesh. Best eaten when under 8" long. Excellent variety for freezing. 45-65 days. Characteristics:  Organic Glossy, green-black skin Best when eaten under 8 inches Excellent variety for freezing Summer squash 45-65 days 25 seeds per packet    Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

Prolific patty pan with striking pale green fruits that mature to a creamy white. High Mowing Organic Seeds - Bush's habit of plants provide good coverage for dense clusters of scalloped edge fruits. Listed on the Slow Food Ark of Taste as a distinctive food facing extinction. Excellent flavor profile when sauteed or stuffed and beautiful addition to squash mixes for market or kitchen harvests. Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated Patty pan-type Bushy habit Harvest at 3-4" diameter 52 days  1/8 oz approx.    Instructions - Summer squashes are warm-season annuals. 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 leaves are yellow. Days to maturity are from direct seeding. The optimum soil temperature for germination is about 85ºF. Best quality fruit is harvested at 5 – 8” or smaller.  Plant 1/2-1" deep Space plants 12-24"  Plant rows 5-6'  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. maxima) (aka Pike’s Peak) Introduced by Hiram Sibley & Co. of Rochester, New York in 1888. Superb banana squash with thick sweet flesh. James J. H. Gregory found it simply “magnificent.” Winner of the SSE staff taste test in 2014. Hard-rinded, inversely pear-shaped, excellent keeper. 110 days.  Characteristics:  Banana type squash Hard, light blue rind Thick, sweet flesh Excellent keeper Winter squash 110 days 25 seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.  Direct Seed: 1" Deep Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds Thin: To 3-4 Plants Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. maxima) Belongs to the Banana group of squashes, noted for their fine table quality. This selection is dark “blue” with light stripes; golden-yellow flesh is thick and firm. Fruits range up to 20 inches in length and average 5 pounds. We like to keep this one in the refrigerator after the initial cutting and continue to slice off small rings that can be either baked or roasted. 90-95 days.  Characteristics:  Organic Bumpy, turban shaped fruits grow to 10-12 pounds Sweet, dry flesh Highly productive and a good keeper Flavor improves in storage Winter squash 95-100 days 25 seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.  Direct Seed: 1" Deep Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds Thin: To 3-4 Plants Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. maxima) (aka French Turban, Turk’s Cap) Predates the 1820s; may be the ancestral form of American Turban. Distinctive turban-shaped fruits grow up to 12" in diameter and weigh an average of 5 pounds. Beautiful bright orange skin streaked with light and dark olive green. Great decorative squash for fall displays. Thick flesh is mildly sweet. 80-100 days.  Characteristics:  Bright orange skin streaked with green Turban shaped fruits grow up to 12 inches and 5 pounds Mildly sweet flesh Winter squash 80-100 days 25 seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.  Direct Seed: 1" Deep Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds Thin: To 3-4 Plants Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. moschata) East Coast historic variety long remembered as a great pie squash by people in New York and New Jersey. Mentioned as early as 1806 by Bernard McMahon of Philadelphia. Named for its resemblance to a wheel of cheese. Flattened, ribbed, buff-colored pumpkins average 6-12 pounds. Sweet deep orange flesh. Good keeper. 90-100 days. Characteristics:  Organic Sweet, deep orange flesh Flattened, ribbed, buff-colored fruits grow to 6-12 pounds Good keeper Winter squash 90-100 days 25 seeds per packet    Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. pepo) (aka Des Moines, Danish) Set the standard for Acorn squash; started the rage for small individual fall squashes. Introduced by the Iowa Seed Company of Des Moines, Iowa in 1913. Petite (1 pound), furrowed, soft-shelled, high-quality fruits with sweet orange flesh. Excellent for baking. 80-90 days.  Characteristics:  Sweet, high-quality orange flesh Furrowed, soft-shelled fruits weigh 1 pound Excellent for baking Winter squash Bush variety 80-90 days 25 seeds per packet  Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out.  Direct Seed: 1" Deep Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds Thin: To 3-4 Plants Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

Renee's Garden - Easy to grow and very reliable, Mini Jack Baby Pumpkins mature much earlier than their bigger cousins, rewarding you with armfuls of 3 to 4-inch, deeply ribbed fruits that are true old-fashioned miniatures. Kids (of all ages) love them and they make welcome gifts and colorful holiday decorations and centerpieces. These happy little beauties are also deliciously edible; bake them whole for individual servings of stuffing, cranberry sauce, or pumpkin soup presented right in their bright orange shells.  Characteristics:  Easy to grow  Prolific ribbed baby pumpkins    Instructions - Pumpkins need full sun, rich fertile soil, and warm temperatures. Wait to plant until temperatures stay above 50°F (10°C) day and night. Sow groups of 2 to 3 seeds 2 feet apart and 1 inch deep in rows 4 feet apart. Thin to 1 strong seedling per group to give vines room to ramble. Or, make slightly mounded hills 2 to 3 feet across and 6 feet apart and plant 4 to 5 seeds on each hill. When seedlings have several sets of leaves, thin to the strongest 3 seedlings per hill. Protect young seedlings from marauding birds by covering them with plastic berry baskets at sowing time, and removing them before plants get crowded. All pumpkins need to mature properly, so wait to pick until the rinds are fully colored and tough enough to resist piercing with a fingernail and the vines have died back. Then cut, leaving a good stem handle. Let them cure for 10 days in the sun, then store them in a cool dry place and they’ll keep for months. Plant in April-June  Full Sun  Plant 1" deep  Space in rows 2 feet apart; hills 6"  7-10 days to germinate  80-85 days to harvest  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute suppliers due to availability. 

The Living Seed Company - The Delicata, sometimes known as Bohemian squash, was originally introduced to the U.S. by Peter Henderson and Co. back in 1894. This darling winter squash has a beautiful yellow-white skin with dark green stripes containing wonderful, sweet, delicate, light yellow-orange flesh, perhaps a bit reminiscent of sweet potato. Small 7" - 9" fruits grow on prolific short vines. Organic and Open-Pollinated  Sweet, nutty flavor and stores well 90-100 days 25 Seeds   Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 3 seeds together Harvest with 2" of stems, shell should be hard to barely dent with a fingernail Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Introduced to Seed Savers Exchange in 1982 by James Robinson, who is said to have acquired it from an Amish gardener in Maryland. Pale-orange flesh measures up to 5" thick, and the largest fruits weigh 60-80 pounds. Firm moist flesh is excellent for making pies and for freezing. 90-105 days.  Characteristics:  Pale orange flesh Flesh grows up to 5 inches thick Squash grow up to 60-80 pounds Winter squash 25 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Since squash takes a long time to mature, try starting your plants indoors 3-4 weeks before planting them outside. Plant your seeds 1 inch deep in soil trays or pots and when you plant them in the garden you can use rows 4-6 feet apart instead of hills. If you choose to directly sow your seeds in the garden, start by building up a hill of loose soil 12 inches across and plant 6-8 seeds at the top. As your plants grow, thin them to 3-4 plants per hill. These squash should be mature in about 90-105 days.  Direct Seed: 1" Deep Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds Thin: To 3-4 Plants Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The New Living Seed Company - Introduced to colonial gardeners in the 1700’s by the native Lenape people of the Delaware Valley and a favorite in home gardens since 1828. With a bit of an unusual appearance this soft squash with bright lemon yellow skin offers a distinct mild and sweet flavor. Also commonly known as summer crookneck, golden summer crookneck and early summer crookneck. Despite its name, summer squash is a warm-season crop and can be grown during warm frost-free weather. This sweet and mild nutty flavored squash has a light yellow flesh on the interior and is softer than carrots or apples. Known for its vigor and versatility, this high producing squash can be used in an array of culinary delights. Organic & Open-Pollinated Bright yellow skin Best when eaten under 8 inches Heavy yielding bush plants Summer squash 50-55 days 20 Seeds   Excellent in casseroles, soup, roasted, baked, steamed and even freezes really well. Best when harvested while they are young and tender, or when they are about 4” – 7” long, if rind gets too tough, it is too old to use. The is the main difference between a summer and winter squash, is harvesting before the rind hardens and the fruit matures. Enjoy the delicacy of squash blossoms as they are a delight and can be added to accentuate any dish. Squash plants have both male and female flowers on the same plant and pollen must be carried manually or by pollinators (bees) to make the transfer. By using a small painters brush you can assist the pollination process yourself. Harvest cycle is about 42 - 65 days. Plucking out old fruit allows for new fruit to grow. Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

Big fun comes in a very small package for kids and pumpkin-lovers far and wide. High Mowing Organic Seeds - (C. moschata) Miniature, old-fashioned pumpkins are 3" wide by 2" tall and bright orange. Each plant will produce an average of eight pumpkins. Great for decorations and raw fruit can be hollowed out to make a cute serving dish. Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  6-12 fruits per vine   Instructions - Sow seeds outdoors in 12" diameter hills after danger of frost has passed. Hills should be spaced 6' apart in all directions. Can also be started indoors 3 weeks before transplanting out. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability