Winter squash - 15 seeds AB - La ferme Sainte Marthe

Winter squash or Hiver gourd

Courge d'Hiver, also known as Courge Cornue d'Hiver, is a semi-hardy acorn variety, offering around 3 fruits per plant. These squashes are 15-16 cm high and 12-13 cm in diameter, weighing on average between 900 g and 1 kg. Their orange flesh is firm and fine, with a delicate aroma reminiscent of hazelnut and almond, which develops further after storage for 3 to 4 months.

Fruits are spinning top-shaped, with a green hue and medium-sized, unribbed grooves, with a concave stalk tip. The plant's stems are green, with no mottling, and feature well-developed tendrils. The leaves are characterized by a large blade, without silver spots and medium incisions.

Use and storage :

Winter squash is ideal for soups, braising in the oven with a simple seasoning (garlic butter), purées or custards. It has an excellent shelf life.

Growing instructions :

Sowing: Sow in April, in well-lit pots at a minimum temperature of 12°C. Keep the soil moist but not excessively so, to avoid rotting the seeds.

Transplanting: Expose the plants to the sun from mid-May, at a distance of 1 m in all directions for non-running varieties, and 1.20 m on the rows and 2 m between rows for running varieties. Water regularly and add compost.

Care: Pinch stems to stimulate development, hoe and weed. Mulch the base to limit weeds and preserve humidity. Water at the base in summer without wetting the foliage.

Favorable associations :

Avoid planting near potatoes, but combine with beans and cabbage.

Common problems and solutions:

Hot weather can lead to an absence of female flowers, limiting fruiting. Attract pollinators by planting floral mixes near your crops.

Ensure good pollination to promote fruit formation.

Harvesting and storage :

Harvesting takes place between September and November, observing the stalk, which becomes corky when the fruit is ready. Cut the fruit as close as possible to the stem, leave to dry in the sun for a day, then store in a dry, ventilated place, at a temperature between 12 and 20°C, for optimum preservation.

Product details :

Availability: Annual
Lifecycle: annual
Special feature: its taste improves after 3 to 4 months' storage
Variety: Winter Cranberry
Packaging: Bag of 15 seeds
Type Reproducible seeds
Label: Agriculture biologique
Maturity: Mid-season
Plant habit: Bushy
Soil: humus
Germination temperature: 18 to 20°C
Sowing depth: equal to the size of the seed, on edge, pointing upwards.
Seed emergence: 10 to 15 days
Sowing technique: in 3-seed packets
Sowing container: bucket / open ground