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Summer Squash — Cucurbita pepo

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Summer Squash — Cucurbita pepo

layout: base.njk title: Summer Squash description: Growing Summer Squash in West Virginia (Zone 6b/7a) category: warm-season

Quick Reference: See detailed growing information below

Type: Annual
Family: Cucurbitaceae (Gourd)
Sun: Full sun (6-8+ hours)
Water: Moderate to High (1-2" per week)
Soil pH: 6.0-6.5
Hardiness: Annual (frost-tender)

🌱 Expected Yield

  • Per plant: 3-10 lbs (varies by variety and harvest frequency)
  • Per 10' row: 30-60 lbs (3-4 plants, succession plantings)
  • Notes: Extremely productive—2-3 plants usually sufficient for family. Harvest every 1-2 days; fruits grow rapidly. Overripe fruits reduce plant production. Succession planting every 3 weeks ensures continuous harvest.

🏺 Heirloom Varieties

Zucchini (Summer Squash Types)

'Costata Romanesco'

  • Source: Baker Creek (rareseeds.com), Seed Savers Exchange (seedsavers.org)
  • Days: 50 days
  • Notes: Italian heirloom. Gray-green with white ribbing. Nutty, sweet flavor. Even oversized fruits remain tender. Vigorous plants. Excellent for grilling. Considered best-tasting zucchini.

'Cocozelle'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure (southernexposure.com)
  • Days: 50 days
  • Notes: Italian heirloom. Dark green with light green mottling. Bushy plants. Sweet, nutty flavor. Early producer. Traditional variety.

'Black Beauty'

  • Source: Multiple seed companies
  • Days: 48 days
  • Notes: Classic dark green zucchini. Reliable producer. Straight fruits. Tender, mild flavor. Standard for home gardens. Early maturing.

'Gold Rush'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Johnny's Seeds (johnnyseeds.com)
  • Days: 45 days
  • Notes: Golden yellow zucchini. Easy to see when harvesting. Sweet, mild. Bushy. Good yield. Beautiful in garden and kitchen.

'Eight Ball'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 45 days
  • Notes: Round, golf ball-sized fruits. Dark green. Sweet, nutty. Great for stuffing. Unique shape. Good for containers.

'Pattypan' (Scallop Squash)

  • Source: Multiple seed companies; various colors
  • Days: 50 days
  • Notes: Scalloped, flying saucer shape. White, yellow, or green. Sweet, buttery. Best harvested 2-3" diameter. Traditional variety. Children love the shape.

'Yellow Crookneck'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek
  • Days: 50 days
  • Notes: Classic yellow squash with curved neck. Bumpy texture. Sweet, buttery. Traditional American variety.Heat-tolerant. Good for frying.

'Straightneck'

  • Source: Multiple seed companies
  • Days: 48 days
  • Notes: Yellow, straight neck. Smooth skin. Mild, sweet. Reliable producer. Early maturing. Classic American squash.

'Sunburst'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 50 days
  • Notes: Golden-yellow pattypan. Scallop shape. Sweet, nutty. Bushy plants. Prolific. Beautiful color.

'Ronde de Nice'

  • Source: Baker Creek, French seed exchanges
  • Days: 50 days
  • Notes: French heirloom. Round, pale green with mottling. Sweet, delicate. Great for stuffing. Traditional in Provençal cooking.

'White Bush Scallop'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek
  • Days: 50 days
  • Notes: Historic American variety. White pattypan. Sweet, buttery. Pre-1900. Traditional variety. Good yield.

'Custard White'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Southern Exposure
  • Days: 52 days
  • Notes: White pattypan. Saucer shape. Mild, sweet. Good for stuffing. Heat-tolerant. Reliable producer.

🌾 Seed Saving

Method: 1. Summer squash must be allowed to fully mature on vine—far past eating stage 2. Fruits will become large, hard, and change color (often to tan or orange) 3.

Leave on vine until skin is hard and woody; can take 4-6 weeks after normal harvest stage 4. Harvest before frost; cure indoors 2-3 weeks in warm, dry place 5. Cut fruit open; scoop out seeds and surrounding pulp 6.

Add water; ferment 1-2 days (viable seeds sink) 7. Pour off pulp and floating seeds 8. Rinse viable seeds in strainer 9.

Spread on glass or paper plate; dry 1-2 weeks in shaded, ventilated area 10. Store in paper envelope in cool, dry, dark place.

Note: Summer and winter squash are same species (C. pepo) and will cross-pollinate. Only save seed from one C. pepo variety per season.

Isolation Distance: - Cross-pollinating: Squash are cross-pollinated by bees - Minimum: 1/2 mile between varieties of same species - For seed sale: 1 mile isolation or hand-pollinate and bag flowers - Species separation: C. pepo (summer squash, acorn, delicata) won't cross with C. maxima (winter squash) or C. moschata (butternut) - Note: Different species can be grown together for seed saving

Viability: 4-6 years under proper storage. Germination rates remain good through year 5.

Special Notes: - One squash yields 100-300 seeds - Save from 5-10 plants for genetic diversity - Select for flavor, productivity, disease resistance, earliness - Only save from healthy plants - Allow fruits to fully mature—seeds won't be viable if harvested at eating stage

Added to WV Planting Guide 26155 — The Loop Farmstead