Early Prolific Straightneck Summer Squash (45 Days)

Abundant fruits with sunny yellow skin having a straight tapered shape that is best harvested at 7-8”. An AAS winner in 1938, the Early Prolific Straightneck Summer Squash became a standard in many home gardens since then. 

20 seeds

PLANTING

Cucurbita pepo

Germination: 4-10 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-85ºF

Seed Sowing Depth: 1/2-1" deep

Sowing Indoors: 3-4 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-85ºF soil temperature. Sow 2-3 seeds per cell/pot. Sowing into individual biodegradable peat/cow pots reduces root damage when transplanting. Transplant 36-48" apart after the last frost. 

Sowing Outdoors: Sow after the last frost when the soil temperature is over 70ºF. Sow a few seeds every 36-48". 

Harvest: Check and harvest a few times a week. Cut or kindly twist off fruit, starting at a 3-4”.

Tips: Plant Early Prolific Straightneck Summer Squash in fertile soil, amended with compost or well-rotted manure, and keep well watered. They benefit from growing on black plastic and by using row covers for weed, insect control, and more rapid growth.