North Georgia Candy Roaster Winter Squash

Excellent pie squash, good success

western washington, zone 8. start indoors on a heat mat first week of march in plug tray. transplant to 1 quart pot at two leaf stage. let grow indoors until late may or early june, transplant outdoors. applied 1 tbs 4-4-4 fertilizer on surface at planting. vines are very vigorous and usually reach 12-15' and several branches. each vine produces 2 or 3 squash, about 10lbs per squash. stores well; cool dry place-don't let the squash freeze. use as a replacement for pumpkin in any recipe, or can be eaten roasted with honey and butter. my favorite squash.

How to plant in a short growing season

When I first heard about these squash, it was in the context of 'isn't it a shame there isn't time to grow them here.' In the Catskill Mountains, we have a short growing season. So here's how I've been cultivating these wonderful squash for years: I start them in one-gallon pots one month before last frost date. I keep them indoors, only setting them out during the day when it's warm, then bring them in for the night. When transplanting, make sure not to disturb the roots. I've had 100% success rate every year I've planted these, and they're very productive. And great keepers! We have eaten these squash as late as March. And they're so exotic looking! I have taken a squash as a hostess gift to a party. The hostess grew them the following year. :-D

Great plants!

These were slow to start here in the maritime pacific northwest, where the soils don't warm up until July! But then they really start taking off and catch up in no time. Each vine makes a few really big squashes which are kind of like a pumpkin in terms of how you eat them, but honestly I think they're way better. Powdery mildew doesn't bother these plants, and they can take a lot of rainfall and overcast days without succumbing. Vigorous, hardy, tasty.