Winter Squash Seeds,
Candy Roaster - North Georgia

Plant after the last frost when the soil temperature is consistently above 65-70 F. In cooler climates, start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost and transplant them outdoors once the soil has warmed. This squash typically requires 95 days to mature, and sprouts form in 5-10 days. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Sow seeds 1/2-1 inch deep, with a spacing of 18-36” between plants, and 4-6 feet between rows to accommodate the vigorous vines. Planting on small hills or mounds can improve drainage and soil warmth, which is beneficial for this variety​.

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer throughout the growing season to support the plant's high nutrient needs. Because the vines can be quite extensive, consider training them on a trellis or allowing them to sprawl across open space​.

• There are four different species of squash: Cucurbita maxima, C. pepo, C. moschata, and C. mixta. They will not cross pollinate with each other, so it is possible to grow one of each species for seed saving without worrying about cross pollination.
• If you are planning to grow several varieties of more than one species, you can bag the blossoms and hand pollinate to avoid crossing.
• Whether it is a summer or winter squash, you must let the fruit completely mature before extracting the seeds, and cure for at least two weeks.
• Scoop the seeds, place them in a bucket, and add just enough water to cover. Let sit at room temperature to ferment for two days before rinsing off the pulp.
• Lay seeds out to dry on newspaper or paper plates.
• Stored in a cool, dry place, seeds will remain viable for up to four years.