Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Middle
East. Traditional varieties are treasured as tasty
heirlooms around the world. New hybrids retain
the sweet or savory flavors of the heirlooms and
add greater yields and disease resistance. All
types are known for their intriguing shapes,
classic harvest colors, and excellent keeping
qualities. Mature winter squash can be stored for
two to six months or even longer.
Winter squash “connect us to history, rightfrom the soil,” says Jere Gettle, owner of Baker
Creek Heirloom Seeds, which offers close to
50 traditional winter squash and pumpkin
varieties. Gettle was among the first seed
specialists to bring many rare old winter squash
varieties to market. These horticultural treasures
are at the heart of Baker Creek’s National
Heirloom Expo, held every September in Santa
Rosa, California. The festival is a celebration of
seeds and seed-saving and serves as a showcase
for hundreds of varieties of winter squash.
Growing winter squash requires planning.
Seeds should be planted in summer, when the
earth is warm. The sprawling vines will claim a
lot of ground; the large leaves produce the energy
the fruits need and shade them from sun. It takes
all summer for the vines to grow and the crop
to mature, so you’ll have plenty of time for the
pleasure of peeking under the leaves to watch
your squash develop their distinctive shapes and
colors. But just wait until you taste them.