Eight Ball (F1) Squash Seed

Scientific name

Cucurbita pepo

Soil and setup

Summer squash grows best in fertile, well-drained soil at pH 5.8–6.8. Plastic mulch warms the bed and a medium-weight row cover protects young plants from insects; uncover when the first flowers open so bees can reach them. Misshapen fruit usually means weak pollination. For a steady supply of top-quality fruit, sow again every 2–3 weeks.

Days to maturity

Counted from direct sowing. Transplants start bearing about two weeks sooner.

Plant spacing

Set plants 18–24" apart in rows 6' apart; extra room makes picking easier.

Disease

Powdery mildew, downy mildew, bacterial wilt and Phytophthora are the main diseases. Good drainage, open airflow, beetle control and rotation away from cucurbits prevent most trouble; ask your county Extension office about control options if needed.

Insect pests

Striped and spotted cucumber beetles, squash bugs and squash vine borers are the usual problems on this crop family. Floating row cover shields young plants. Look under the leaves for clusters of bronze squash bug eggs and crush them. If a borer gets into a vine, slit the stem to remove it and mound soil over the cut so the vine can reroot. Mowing field edges, clearing crop debris in fall and plowing in spring all cut down on overwintering pests; pyrethrin gives partial control.

Harvest

The first fruits are sometimes stunted, shriveled or dark at the tip because few male flowers are open yet; this clears up as more appear. Once plants are bearing, pick two or three times a week, cutting or twisting fruit off at the right size: about 4–6" long for straightneck and crookneck types, and 2–3" across for patty pan and round types. The skin scratches easily, so handle fruit gently.

Edible flowers

Pick blossoms mid to late morning when fully open, cutting 1–2" below the bloom. Male flowers sit on thin stems; female flowers have a thick stem with a tiny fruit at the base. If you also want fruit, take mainly male flowers and leave a few for pollination.

Storage

Hold fruit at 40–50°F (5–10°C) and about 95% relative humidity for up to 2 weeks; it is best used soon after picking.

Seeding rate

At 3 seeds per foot in rows 6' apart: about 250 seeds per 83 ft., 500 per 166 ft. and 1,000 per 333 ft.

Packet

25 seeds.

Seeds per lb.

About 3,700 on average.