Pumpkins and Squash

The vivid red French heirloom was reminiscent of the fairytale with its beautiful, whimsical appearance. High Mowing Organic Seeds - (C. moschata) Large, flattened fruits with exceptionally deep orange flesh and strong, sweet flavor delicious in soups and purees. Shell is commonly used as a soup tureen. It can also be named Rouge Vif D'Etampes Pumpkin.  Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  15-20 lb fruit   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

Classic pie pumpkin with dry, stringless flesh and superior thick consistency in pies. High Mowing Organic Seeds - (C. moschata) Attractive fruits have dark orange skin with light ribbing and well-attached handles. Delicious flesh is not quite as sweet as Baby Pam but has an even better texture. Characteristics:  Organic, non-GMO, and open-pollinated  Stores well 4-6 lb fruit   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 Living Seed Company - This squash is considered one of the treasures of the Pacific North West. This rare culinary variety has yet to catch on through out the rest of North America. Sweet Meat is recognized for its blue gray 12 - 20 lb. body, with brilliant yellow-orange interior. The versatile nutty super sweet meat of this winter squash is commonly used for baking, mashing, casseroles, stir-fries and makes incredible “pumpkin” pies! The dry sweet flavor of this squash is enhanced while in storage and will stay fresh for up to six months! Young sweet meat can replace summer squash in cooked recipes. The origins of the winter squash began in Central America, traveling from one country to the next. Making its way to North America, it became a staple of the North American Indians as well as evolving in Europe, where it also became a vital winter food stock. Characteristics:  Pale orange flesh, gray outer skin Squash grow up to 12-20 pounds Winter squash 90-100 Days 25 Seeds per packet  Instructions - Start 2-3 weeks inside or sow after the last frost. The vines will grow up to 16' so give them space, it is recommended to plant on hills that are 10' apart from other hills.  Direct Seed: 1-1.5" Deep Seeds to Hill: 6-8 Seeds Thin: To 3-4 Plants per hill Light: Full Sun Harvest when the stem is brown and dried.  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Birdhouse Gourds are (L. siceraria) light-green fruits with rounded necks and bowls that grow 14" tall and 12" in diameter. Dried gourds make excellent birdhouses. Vigorous 15-35' vines. 95-110 days. Characteristics:  Fruits grow to 14 inches by 12 inches Vines grow 15-35 feet Make excellent birdhouses 95-110 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 6 weeks before transplanting out in shorter season areas. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier 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 - A French historic variety squash from the Bordeaux region; noted in Vilmorin’s Les Plantes Potageres (1883). Seed carried by La Ferme de Ste. Marthe and collected by SSE member Amy Goldman at the 1996 Tranzault Pumpkin Festival. Attains weight of 10-20 pounds. Best used for beautiful table centerpieces or eaten in stews and soups. Harvest squashes when slightly immature as they tend to crack. 90 days.(C. maxima) (aka Galeuse d’Eysines, Courge Brodée Galeuse) Characteristics:  Fruits grow to 10-20 pounds Harvest when slightly immature to avoid cracking Eaten in stews and soups or used as decoration Winter squash 90 days 25 seeds per packet Planting 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" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - (C. pepo) Introduced in 1973 by W. Atlee Burpee of Philadelphia, bred from genetic material supplied by Dr. Oved Shifress. This vivid yellow fruit was the first commercial B (bicolor gene) cultivar. Crisp and mild-flavored zucchinis are borne prolifically on bush plants. 50-55 days. Characteristics:  Organic Bright yellow skin Best when eaten under 8 inches Heavy yielding bush plants Summer squash 50-55 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 - Beautiful French pumpkin: An historic cheese pumpkin from the South of France, available in the U.S. as early as 1895 from Vaughan's Seed Store in Chicago. Gorgeous squashes, up to 20 pounds in weight, look like wheels of cheese and ripen from green to burnt sienna. The deep orange flesh is dense and of superb table quality. Very long shelf life. Intolerant of cold. 110 days, (C. moschata) (aka Potiron Bronze de Montlhéry) Characteristics:  Fruits grow up to 20 pounds Deep orange flesh is dense and flavorful Does not tolerate cold Winter squash for storage 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. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants Light: Full Sun  Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - Beautiful French pumpkin: introduced in the United States by W. Atlee Burpee in 1883; documented by Vilmorin the same year. Very flattened red-orange fruit with wide ribs, weighs up to 20 pounds. Favored by French chefs for rich soup stock. 95 days, (C. maxima) (aka Bright Red d'Etampes, Cinderella) Characteristics:  Cinderella Pumpkin 15-20 lb fruit Bright red-orange fruit  Flattened fruits with wide ribs  Fruits grow to 20 pounds  Winter squash 95 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 Light: Full Sun Firefly Farm & Mercantile may substitute based on supplier availability

The Seed Savers Exchange - The Lenape Indians introduced this variety to the English Colonists sometime in the 1700s while many seed catalogs started listing it in the 1800s. The warted appearance of its bright yellow summer skin makes for an unusual-looking fruit but its sweet and mild flavor will become a quick favorite of your family. Characteristics:  Organic Summer Yellow warted skin Delicious when eaten young Very productive Summer squash 55-60 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

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

The Seed Savers Exchange Favorite - First offered by SSE member Glenn Drowns in the 1984 Yearbook from USDA seed. Our top choice for use as both a carving pumpkin and for fall decorations. Fruits are flattened, light-colored, thin-skinned, and weigh 12-15 pounds. Very sturdy stems rarely break off. Traditionally grown as a dual crop planted with field corn. 90 days. Characteristics:  Flattened, light-skinned fruits Fruits grow to 12-15 pounds Sturdy stems rarely break off Good for carving Winter squash or pumpkin 90 days 25 seeds per packet  Planting 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 - Grown for its highly nutritious silver seeds which are easy to extract and hull. Seeds are delicious when roasted and are an important ingredient in Latin American cuisine. Beautiful white fruits with green mottled stripes may be round or pear-shaped. Unpalatable Flesh, 110 days. Characteristics:  Organic White fruits with mottled green stripes Round or pear shaped fruits Winter squash for seeds 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. Plant 1/2" deep Hill 6-8 seeds together Thin to 3-4 plants 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

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